The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 41
WOLFGANGVS MVSCVLVS.
The Life and Death of Wolfangus Musculus.
IN the yeer of our Lord God 1497. and on the sixt of the Ides of September (a day much observed by our Ancestors for the birth of the Virgin Mary, and also for the destruction of Ierusalem by Titus the son of Vespasian) was Wolfang… Musculus, that faithfull servant of Christ, born at Dusa, a little towne situate in Litharingia famous onelyonly for the aboundance of Salt-pits, wherewith it is richly stored.
His father was called Antonius Musculus, who by his profession was a Cooper, he was religiously given but of a meane estate, his mother was named Angela Sartoria descended from an honest and well esteemed Parentage, a woman endewed with zeale towards religion, with unspotted Chastity, and also with a singular wisedome; they were blessed with two sons Hammanus and this Wolfangus.
The former was brought up in his Fathers professions, the other appearing more ingenuous, and more fit for learning, he was set apart thereunto, which he prosecuted with such an ardent affection, that even in his tender yeeres, he would exercise himselfe continually in reading or writing, unlesse he were violently withdrawne from, and as it were with rains restrained from those actions.
Reaching unto that maturity of age, wherein he appeared fit for more solid studies, his father (furnishing him with some necessaries for the journey) sent him away unto other Schooles, wherein according to his owne desire he might attaine unto greater perfection: the reason why he sent him so slenderly furnished, was because he would have him to get his victuals by singing and beging from doore to doore, according to the custome of those times, who used (although rich) to thrust out their sons into the world after that manner, that by that meanes they might joyne patience, temperance and humility with their learning, fearing that if they should be tenderly and delicatly brought up, they would be more addicted unto, and sooner follow and imbrace Idelnesse and lust, then their studies.
Being sent away after this manner, he went into Alsatia, and taking a vew of some certaine towns in that Country, at the length he came unto Rappers…ill, where a well disposed widdow fixed her eyes upon him, and inwardly lamenting his outward misery, whose chearfull countenance promised a more favourable fortune, received him into her house, and according unto her ability sustained him (he frequented the School) untill such time as a generall and noble Gentleman living in the same place, had notice of him, who conferred extraordinary curtesies on him, for his maintenance at the Schoole, as he himselfe freely confessed.
Having continued here a certain space, he shaped his cours unto Selestadt, where he addicted himselfe unto the study of Poetry, wherein he proved excellent, to the great approbation of his Master, and in this course of study he continued, un…l he reached unto the age of 15. yeers.
Then having a desire to returne unto Dusa, to visit his Parents, he directed his course unto a Monastery and (lying in the Palatinate, founded by the Lords of Luzelstein, and consecrated to S…int Benedict) because he intended to visit his Aunt Sophia, living at Westreich, neere adjoyning unto the said Monastery, where he was lovingly entertained by her, who brought him the evening following with her into the Monastery, to behold the formes and customs of the place, in the performance of their divine exercises: where he adjoyned himselfe unto the Choristers, and sung his part with them, with such a comlinesse of gesture and pleasan… nesse of voyce, that the Prior was greatly affected towards him, intending to allure him if possible he could, to be … member of the said Monastery, and for that cause he diligently observes his going out at the end of prayers, and withall followes him close at the heeles, accompanying his Aunt, of whom he demanded whose son he was? and f…om whence he came? she forthwith replied, that he w… her sisters son, and that he was returning from School unto Dusa unto his Parents.
The Prior then turning himselfe unto Musculus he demanded of him how he liked a Monasterical life? and withall told him that if he would frame himself thereunto, he would use meanes that he should be admitted gratis into the Colledge, (which favour had as yet been conferred on none) and that he should be sufficiently provided of apparrell and lodging, and that he would esteeme him as hi… owne son.
His Aunt returned many thanks unto the Prior for thi… unexpected favour, promising that she would forthwith acquaint his Parents with the motion, and would also returne a speedy answer unto him, how they stood affected… so taking their leave of the Prior, they provided for Dusa, where arriving, she declared the kinde motions of the Prior; his Parents were exceeding joyfull of the news, & perswaded themselves that it was a blessing proceeded from God, and therefore they hasted again to return him to the P…ior, who lovingly entertained and received him into the number of his owne family, cloathed him wi…h an habit sutable to the Monastery, sent him unto the Bishop to be admitted (according to the custome) into his office, and lovingly esteemed him as if he had been his owne sonne, unill he died.
In this Monastery he continued for the space of fifteen yeers, which time he spent, not a… lazie and idle Monks commonly doe, but in the increasing and perfecting of his learning, sometimes perusing the works of Tully, somtimes reading the books of Ovid, and contracting them into a briefer volume, which worke was much applauded by Claudius Cantiuncula, a learned Lawyer in those times: Somtimes spending time in the Art of musick, wherein also he attained unto excellent knowledge; neither did he confine himselfe onelyonly unto those studies, but passed from them unto Divinity, into which he entred about the twentieth yeer of his age, and being told by an old devout Monke, …hat if he intended to become a good Preacher, he must endeavour to be familiar with the Bible; he forthwith gave himselfe unto the reading of the Scriptures, reposing and laying up those things in his memory, which seemed unto him most usefull for future occasions.
A…d notice being taken of his knowledge therein, and of the ability of his parts, the office of a Preacher was imposed on him, and he was first designed unto the Church at Leixheim, belonging unto the jurisdiction of the Monastery; where his Auditors perceiving his excellent gif…s, …hey dispersed his fame, whereby he came to be called to the exercising of his gifts in many other Churches.
During his continuance in this exercise, many of Luthers books were dispersed through Germany, some of which were conveyed to him by an intimate friend of his, these he diligently perused and read day and night, and not with lesse benefit then labour, embracing the purest doctrin that he found therein, with great zeale; and would confer with his Colleagus many times about the same, stifly defending and maintaining that doctrin against their Culumnes, disdaining that aspersion of haeresie, which was by some of them fastned upon him; affirming that although Luther as he was a man, might erre in some points, yet he was not therefore to be pronounced an haeretick; neither did he vindicate this in the Monastery onelyonly, but publickly he delivered the same for true and undoubted doctrine unto hi… Auditors, that for the same he was by many evill disposed persons stiled the Lutheran Monke.
But his desire of propagating the truth, wanted not (by the blessing of God) good successe; for besides many of his Auditors, he converted some of the Monks of the same Monastery, who afterwards forsooke that Cloyster life, and constantly professed the Gospell of Christ unto their lives end. He also converted many Noble men, and amongst them Reinhardus a Rottenburge Governour of the Castle at Lutzelstein, a man in great favour with the P…ince Elector Palatine.
In these proceedings he wanted not mighty and bitter enemies; for in the Monastery the Senior Monkes (who were deeply rooted in superstition) sharply opposed him, doing him all the mischiefe that they could: as for outward enemies they were not wanting; for the Bishops and Ments and Strasburge, had many times surprized him, had he not beene carefully protected by the foresaid Governour.
This Governour being willing to make triall of his constancy in the cause of Religion; on a time (during his abode under his protection) came to the Church where he wa… Preaching, guarded with some few Horsemen, and having altered his habit that he might not be known, he cals unto him after a bold threatning manner, and commands him to come forth out of the Church. Musculus supposing that they had been some sent from the Bishop to app…ehend him; he desired of them that they would give him leave to finish his Sermon, and then he would go with them whether soever they pleased; which being granted, he went forward in his Sermon, without making any shew of the least fear: his Sermon being ended, and he supposing that he should dye, he exhorted his Auditors u…to constancy, faith and piety; and withall desired them to poure out their prayers unto God for him, who was then ready to lay down his life for Christ; and so committed them all unto Almighty God (who were wonderfully astonished with this action) he came downe and yeelded himselfe into the hands of tho… who expected his coming.
Reinhardus admiring the undaunted courage of the man, discovered himselfe, and embracing him in his armes, exhorted him alwayes to retaine the same constancy, promising him sure defence, as long as he continued and resided within his liberties.
But Musculus perceiving danger to increase daily, so that he could not have liberty to make profession of the Gospell in that place, he resolved to forsake the Monastery, and to betake himself unto some place where he might with more freedome and lesse danger professe the same. He acquainted some of the Monkes which were his intimate friends with this resolution; they, by reason of the death of the Prior at that time, desired him to stay, and would willingly have conferred the government of the Monastery on him; but he knowing that that dignity would prove a hinderance unto that which he most aymed at, refused it, and willed them to bestow it on Brisacius. Before he departed he betroathed himselfe unto a Kinswoman of the said Brisacius; who also went together with him unto Strasburge, in the year 1527. and in the thirtieth year of his age; where according to the manner of that Church he was publickly married; the Minister bestowing a Wedding dinner on them in his owne house.
Here misery began to creepe more and more upon him, partly because of that little money wherewith he was furnished to sustaine both himselfe and his wife; and partly because there was no hope left unto him of getting any thing by Preaching; because many eminent persons were Silenced in the same City. Wherefore for the avoyding of further poverty, his wife turned servant, and he covenanted with a Weaver to doe him service for the space of two Moneths. Which action although that it ministred griefe unto him, yet casting himselfe upon God, he comforted himselfe with this distick:
Est Deus in coelo, qui providus omnia curat,
Credentes nunquam deservisse potest.
God by his foresight hath such order taken,
That true Beléevers cannot be forsaken.
This Weaver with whom he had Covenanted was an Anabaptist, who nourished in his house a teacher of that sect. Musculus perceiving his great hypocrisie & idlenesse, would sometimes object unto him those words of Paul, He that will not worke, let him not ea…. At which saying the Weaver was greatly offended, so as at the end of two Moneths he gave him his wages, and bad him be gone. Musculus was now compelled to seeke him a new Master; and it happened at that time that the Inhabitants of Strasburge imployed many labourers, about the scouring of the Ditch which invironed the City, and about the repairing of the breaches in the Wals. He agrees with the Master of the Worke, and towards night he walkes about the wals to view what place might please him best to worke in; which being done, he returned unto his wife, who certified him of better newes; and as God so disposed of a better work, and that was this, that a Messenger was in the house, who willed him to meet the Senate and Bucer in the Cathedrall Church. He much admired at the first what this should meane, yet forthwith he went; Bucer having notice of him, cals him unto him: he being no sooner come, the Councill commanded him to goe unto the Village called Dorl…ckzein, distant three miles from S…rasburge, and there to Preach the Gospell of Christ unto the People, and to exhort them unto Humility and Obedience.
At his first entrance upon this Cure, Bucer tooke him into his owne House, and made use of him for the writing of such things as he intended for the Presse. Afterwards, by the advice of the Ministers of Strasburge, he setled himselfe with his wife in the Village. The Inhabitants received him with all courtesie, freely offering him all things necessary for his house. Here he continued Preaching for the space of twelve moneths, receiving not any thing for his paine…, which notwithstanding he performed without grudging: the reason was because the Abbot of Ho…enforst, who received the tithes of the Parish, refused to give him any money: Which being understood by those of Strasburge, he was bountifully relieved out of the common treasury.
Unto his preaching he also added the teaching …nd instructing of youth, whereby he gained the entire love of his parishoners, so that they received him as a grave father. Not far from this Villiage there was a Monastery dedicated unto St. Iohn pertaining unto the Dioces of the Bishop of Strasburg, wherin an ann…al feast of dedication was celebrated; at which a Monke, or some Masse Priest used to preach; Musculus at the entreaty of his neighbors went along with them to here the Sermon; the Monke discoursed on that saying of Saint Paul to the H…brews, that without faith it was impossible to please …od: & having delivered many things as touching the excellency of faith; at …he last, he bitterly enveighed against the Lutherans, and especially those of Strasburg, caling them deserters of the Catholick Faith. This railing act as it was pleasing unto the Monkes and Priests there present, so it grieved Musculus to hear the true professors thus scandalized. Wherefore at the comming downe of the Monke from the Pulpit, he goeth unto him, and uttereth these words, in the audience of the congregation. O thou wicked f…llow, stay here a while, and thou shalt hear me lay open thy wickednesse unto all this Congregation: & then ascending the Pulpit, he repeated againe the same words of Saint Paul … where he shewed unto them that by faith in that place, w… meant a true and a saving faith in Jesus Christ, and that those professors at Strasburge did rely on none but on this faith, and therefore unjustly wronged by the Monks.
The Priests and Monkes hearing this, they withdrew themselves out of the Chappell; in comes the Pryor, interrupts him, and commands him to desi…t, and to come down; and withall, asked him who gave him authority to Preach in that place? He forthwith replyed; Who gave thee authority to constitute a lying Monke here, who doth unjustly and impudently reproach the Senate and people of Strasburge: and know thou this, that I am in duty bound to clear my Magistrates from unjust and false aspersion…. The Pryor being repulsed with this answer, was for a while quiet, and he went forward in his Sermon. But being not so contented, sets on him againe, and kindely intr…ats him that he would give over; telling him, that his proceeding would cause a seditious tumult. He againe desireth him to be pacified, and exhorteth the people to be quiet; and so with a bould and couragious spirit, he continued even unto the end of his Sermon. The report of this comming to Strasburge, it procured unto him great applau…e, and a reverent esteeme amongst all good men. Having spent a year in this Village, he was called by the Ministers of Strasburge, to take upon him the Office of a Deacon; which Office h… was very unwilling to take upon him, urging his own inability; yet by th… perswasion of the Ministers, he yeelded; and performed it for the space of two years.
In which time this memorable act is recorded of him, that being sent unto Dosna, a Village neer Strasburge, to Preach unto the Inhabitants who were obstinate Papists; he wrought upon them so effectually at his first Sermon, that of their owne accord they abrogated the Masse, and cast the Priest with all his ornaments out of the Church… after that he had taught here six weeks, he was called again unto the City to performe the office of a Deacon: during his residence in the City, he became an Auditor unto the Lectures of Wolfangus Capito and Martin Bucer, and also at vacant …imes he gave himselfe to the study of the Hebrew tongue, wherein he attained unto that perfection, that with his own hand he writ an Hebrew Lexicon, and understood the most obscured Commentaries of the Rabbins, together with the Caldey Interpreters.
At the end of two years, the Citizens of Ausp…re sent unto Strasburge to desire Musculus a few years, for their Churches: they consented unto so pious a motion; but Musculus was unwilling to goe, pleading again his insufficiency; neither had he gone, notwithstanding the intreaty of the Ministers, had not the Senate commanded him thereunto.
At his comming unto Auspurge, he found the Church much troubled and afflicted, not onelyonly by reason of the evill attempts and indeavour of the Papists, who never ceased to extinguish the light of the Gospell; but also by reason of the Anabaptists, who seduced and led away many, whose bouldnesse also advanced it selfe unto that height, that they would come publikly into the Protestant Churches, and openly in their Pulpits they would divulge their errours: whereby sedition and tumults were raised in the City, for which many of the Anabaptis…s were committed by the Magistrate unto Prison: Musculas deales first with the Anabaptists; in their first conference they did obstinatly opposed him, but afterwards considering his solid and weighty reasons and arguments which they could not withstand, they acknowledged their errour, and many of them made a publicke recantation, forsooke their errors, and became members of the Church.
Afterwards he had a sharpe conflict with the Pap…sts, whom also in the presence of the Senate and people of Auspurge, he openly confuted, with such powerfull arguments, that the Senate expeled & banished them al the City, purged the Churches from all Idolatrous worship, & consecrated them onelyonly unto the Evangelicall truth; designing unto Musculus one of the principallest Churches in the City, and having him in a reverent Estimation; in this place besides his labours in the Ministery which were great, he attained the knowledge of the Greeke tongue, together with the Arabick.
He taught in this City eighteen yeeres, to the great benefit of his Auditors, in his Sermons he was vehement and powerfull, wonderfully working upon the hearts of the people; he was a sharp reprover of vice; his method which he observed in teaching was exact and easie, which drew the greater concourse of people unto him, for their better instruction and information in the way of truth.
In the yeer 1536. there was a Sinod proclaimed at Isenacam a towne situate in the Dukdome of Saxonie, for the reconciling of the Churches about the Sacrament, whither Musculus was sent by the Senate of Ausburge; but because Luther came not thither he with many other Divines went unto Wittenberge, touching the conclusion. viz. Bucer, Melancthon: In the yeer 1540. the Princes and Senates of the Empire were assembled at Wormes, and Reinspurge, to hear a disputation betwixt the Protestant Ministers and the Papists, touching Religion, where Musculus by the command of the Senate was present, and delivered two Sermons before the Princes, concerning the Popish Masse, which for their excellency were afterwards Printed at Wittenberge. The Assembly being desolved, without any thing affected, he returned againe to Auspurge, where he continued in his Ministeriall function untill the yeer 1547. wherein Carolus the Emperor commanded an assembly of the Prince… and Senates of the Empire at Auspurge, unto which both himselfe with his brother Ferdinand King of the Romans, and also the Princes, being accompanied with Cardinals and Bishops: At the first entrence, of the Emperour into the City, Musculus was put void o… his Church, it being given unto the Emperour, yet he ceased not to performe his office, and boldly to preach in other places of the City, …he Senate and people as yet constantly retaining the pro…ssion of the Gospell.
He wanted not enemies at that time in the City, who acquainted the Emperour, the King, the Cardinals and Bishops with his proceeding, accusing him of sedition and heresie, and the Senate perceiving the danger that he was in, they commanded a Guard to accompany him unto the Church and home againe, which his enemies perceiving, and not daring to use any violence against his person in the street…; they wi…h one consent flockt unto his house, using many reprochfull speeches, laying on him many false aspersions, and withal breaking his windowes with stones; all which he suffered with an undaunted Spirit, resolving to persevere in that truth which he taught even to the period of his day…. But it so fel out that in the yeer following the Emperour had promulgated a book written concerning Religion called the Interim, which he would have to be embraced and confirmed by the States and Cities of the Emprie; which when he perceived that it was received by the Senate first, he publikly opposed it in the Church, and exhorted them to the constant profession of their former doctrine; and secondly he told them that he must be compelled to depart from them, in case they did refuse his motion: but he perceiving no hopes of altering their opinions after that he had taken his supper, he left the City, being accompanied onelyonly with one Citizen, committing his wife and eight children which he left behind him unto the protection of the Almighty: and being without the Ports he chang…d his hablit, least through the same he might be discovered by his enemies.
And having turned a Wagon, he went toward Ti…urum, where he remained a few dayes with Bullinger, and from thence he departed and went unto Basil, unto Iohanner Hervagius; his wife followed immediatly after him, not knowing where to find him unlesse at Basil; wherefore when she came to Constance, for her assu…āce she sent letters by a trusty friend, whom she desired to certifie her husband of her aboade at Constance: the messenger finding Musculus at Basil delivered the letters, and forthwith returned unto Constance where he found his wife and children: upon the Lords day following he preached twice in the City, taking for hi… text, those words in Iohn the 6. ver. 66. From that time many of the Disciples went back and walked no more with him; Then said Iesus unto the twelve, I will yet also goe away, &c. from which place of Scripture he shewed unto them, how greatly those Cities did offend, which did fall from the truth of Christ for the favour of m…n; and withall he earnestly exhorted the people of Constance, not to follow the examples of such, but constantly to adhaere unto the truth taught by Christ in his Word: and this was the last Sermon that was Preached in the peaceable state of the Commonwealth; for the day following the Spanish Forces under the conduct of Alfonsus Vives beleagured the City; during the Siedge, by the perswasion of Ambrosius Blavrerus a reverend Pastor, Musculu… with his wife and children were conveyed out of the City with safety, and they escaped the fury of the enemies, intending to goe for Tigurum, but by reason of sicknesse, which seized on his wife, he was compelled to remain at Sangallum; after her recovery he went unto Tigurum, where he was joyfully received of the Inhabitants, with whom he continued six months, before he was called to performe his Ministeriall function; in which vacancy he was called by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, into England; but in regard of his owne age as unfit for travell, and in respect of the weaknesse of his wife, and the many children which he had, he modestly refused.
Not long after the Inhabitants of Berne were destitute of a Divinity Lecturer for their Schooles; wherefore he was called by the Senate unto that profession, which indeed was most welcome unto him, partly for the excellency of that Church and Commonwealth, and partly for the renewing of his acquaintance with his old friend Iohannes Hallerus. He entred upon this Lecture in the year 1549. and constantly continued in it for the space of fourteen years, to the exceeding benefit of the Church of Christ; opening in that space unto his Auditours almost the whole Bible. He naturally detested Contraversies, and would write his minde, without the injury or contempt of others; so that his Workes were opposed by no man in publicke during his life, onelyonly those two Sermons excepted, which he Preached before the Princes at Wormes, which were opposed by Cochlaeus.
The great love which he carried towards the Inhabitants of Berne appeareth in this, that he refused great honour and ample Revenues, which were profered unto him during his Lectureship at Berne; for he was thrice called into England, seconded with large rewards: also the Inhabitants of Auspurge having againe obtained their former liberty, amongst other banished Ministers, they first recalled Musculus. He was againe desired by the Inhabitants of Strasburge; invited by Otho Henricus, and Fredericus Prince Elector Palatine, and by the Land grave of Hassia many times; but he modestly refused all these, though honourable calings: intending to performe his best service unto the end of his dayes, unto that City who had shewed and vouchsafed him such kindnesse in his greatest extremity; which indeed was truly performed.
Not long before his death he was sickly, partly by reason of his years; his body being spent with infinite cares and labours, & partly by reason of a vehement cold which did much afflict him; whereby he gathered that he was to leave that house of clay, and therefore setting all other things aside, he entred into a heavenly meditation of death; the sum of which he hath left unto the world, being written by himselfe before his death.
Nil super est vitae, frigus praecordia captat
Sed in Christe mihi vita parennis ad es.
Quid crepidas anima? ad sedes abitura quietis,
En tibi ductor adest, Angelus ille tuus.
Lingua domum hanc miseram, nunc in sua fata ruentem.
Quam tibi fida Dei dextera restituet
Peccasti? scio: sed Christus ardentibus in se,
Peccata expurga…sanguin… cuncta suo.
Horribilis mors est? fateor sed proxima vita est,
Ad quam te Christi gratia c…rta vocat.
Praesto est de Satana, pecca…a est morte triumph…s
Christus, ad hunc igitur; l…a alacrisque migra.
This life is done, cold Death doth summon me:
A life eternall I expect from thée
My Saviour Christ: why dost thou fear my Dove?
He will conduct thée to his throne above.
Forsake this body, this corrupted creature:
Thy God will change it to a better nature.
Dost thou abound with sin? I do confesse
That thou art guilty, and dost oft transgresse.
But Christ his blood doth wash and cleanse all those,
That can themselves in him by Faith repose.
Doth Death appeare an object full of horror,
Both ugly, ghastly, and not wanting terror.
I do confesse it, but that life againe
Which followes death doth take away that paine.
Unto which life we called are by Christ;
Then do no longer O my soule resist,
But yéeld thou with all chéerfulnesse to dwell
With him triumphing or'e Death, Sin and Hell.
Afterwards the strength of his sicknesse did increase by the addition of an Ague, wherby he was brought so weak, that he was not able to sit up right in his bed; wherefore he s…nt unto Master Iohannes Allerus and other Ministers, unto whom he declared the Faith which he dyed in; and withall, committed the care of his Wife and Children unto th…m; who told him that they would not b… deficient in any thing wherein they might shew themselves beneficiall and helpfull unto them.
As he was a man endewed with an extraordiry patience in his life, so he also testified the same during his sicknesse: for he … that affl…ion with admired patience, still calling upon and praying unto almighty God, relying onelyonly upon him; as appeared by that Speech of his unto his Son, who standing by his Bed-side weeping, he turned to him, and told him, that he need not doubt of his Fathers Faith, which indeed were the last words which he uttered; and not long after he yeelded up his soule with all quietnesse into the hands of God, in the year of Christ 1563. and in the sixty six year of his age, and was buried at Berne.
He was a man learned and grave, affable and courteous, sparing in hi… dyet; he was something tall in stature, having a body straight, a face red, eyes clear and quick-sighted; in generall, there was a proportionable agreement betwixt all his parts. His Works are these:
1. Commentaries on Genesis. 2. Psalmes. 3. Matthew. 4. Iohn. 5. Romans. 6. Corinthians. 7. Philippians. 8. Colossians. 9. Thessalonians. 10. 1 Timothy. 11. His common places. 12. VponUpon the Commandements. 13. Of Oathes. 14. Of the Germane Wars.
Translations of Greek Authors.
1. Commentaries of Chrysostome on Sain… Pauls Epistles. 2. Epistles of Saint Basil. 3. Ethicks of Basil. 4. Of solitary life. 5. Homilies. 6. School-notes of Basil on the Psalter. 7. Thirty nine Epistles of Cyril. 8. A Declaration of the twelue Anathemos in the Ephesnick Councill. 9. Opinions of Nestorius con…i…ed. 10. Synopsis of the Scriptures out of Athana…iu…. 11. 140. questions out of the old and new Testament. 12. A Synopsis of Theodore Bishop of Tyre.
Ecclesiasti…all Histories.
1. Ten bookes of Eusebius of Ecclesiasticall affaires. 2. Five …ookes of Eusebius of the life of Constantine. 3. Eight bookes of Socrates. 4. Nine bookes of Zozomen. 5. Two bookes of Theodore. 6. Six of Evagr…us. 7. Five of Polybius.
'Twas neither fear nor danger, could estrange
Undaunted Musculus, or make him change
His resolutions; nothing could prevaile
Against the bulwarkes of his Fort, or scale
His wel arm'd thought; he would (in spight of those
That were so barbarous to be his Foes)…
Proclaim the Truth, and would not let it rest
(Untill discover'd) in his serious brest…
He liv'd Gods faithfull Factor here below,
To send him souls to heav'n, and to bestow
That talent he had gave him, that he might
When's Master call'd, cast his accounts aright.