The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 46
The Life and Death of Strigelius, who dyed Anno Christi 1569.
VIctorine Strigelius was born at Kausbita in Switzerland Anno Christi 1524. his fath…r was Doctor of Physi…k, who died in his sons infancy: when this S…igelius was fit for it, his friends finding him of a prompt and ready wit, they set him to School in his owne Country, where he quickly drunk in the first rudiments of learning, and so Anno Christi 1538. he went to the University of Friburg, and having studied the Arts there for a while, An. Christi 1542. he went to Wittenberge where he was inflamed by God with an ardent desire to know the Doctrin of the Reformed Churches: for which end he diligently attended on Luthers and Melancthons Lectures, and wholly framed himsel… to the imitation of Melancthom. Anno Christi 1544. he Commensed Master of Arts, and by the perswasion of Melancth… he taught a private Schoole at Win…enberg, where he did much good, and gat himselfe great repute: But when th… Wars in Germany waxed hot, he left Wittenberg, and went to Magdeburge, and from thence to Erphurd, where he published some Orations being about twenty two years old. Anno Christ 1548. he went thence to Ienes, and their h… Preached, and the year after married a wife, which lived with him but two years. Anno 1553. he maried againe: whilst he continued there he had diverse disputations with Major about Good Works: and with Flacius; but An. 1559. the Flacians prev…iled so far, that he and Aquila the Pastor of Ienes were both cast into prison, the marks whereof he carryed to his grave. In Prison he fell very sick, insomuch as the Prince suffered him to goe unto his owne hous…, but yet made him … Prisoner there: Christopher, Duke of Wurtenburg, and Philip Lantgrave of H…sse mediated for his release, and yet could not obtaine it: but at last the Emperor Maximillian (interposing his authority) procured it, after he had been a prisoner abov… three year…. But perceiving that he could not be in s…f…ty in that place, h… resolved to depart, which the University understanding, wrote to him, earnestly importuning his stay: to whom he returned thanks for their love, but told them withall, That his life was in con…inuall danger by reason o… false brethren, and therefore he wa… resolved to go… where he might do more good: and acco…dingly from thence he went to Lipswich, where he sp…nt his time in writing upon the Psalmes: and having it lef… to his choyce whether to stay at Lipswich, or to go to Wittenberg (being sent for thither) he chose to stay where he was, and was chosen Professor of Divinity in that University: There he continued his Lectures till An. Christi 1566. at which …im… he came to deliver his judgement about the Lords Supper: wher…upon, by the command of the Rector of the University, the doors of the Colledge were shut against him, and he not suffered to read an… more: yet they would have restored him to his place, if h… would have promised to meddle with that point no more: but refused to make any such promise, and withall com…plained to the Elector of Saxonie of the wrong don unto him, from whom he received a sharp answer; and therefore leaving Lipswich and went to Amberg in the upper Pala…inate, where, after a short stay, he rec…ived letters from the Elector Palatine, and the University, inviting of him to Heidleberge, whither he presently went, and was made Professor of Ethicks: in which place, he took very great pains both in reading his Lectures, and Writing: But his body having contracted some diseases by his former imprisonment. Anno Christi 1569. he fell very sick, whereupon he said, Sperare se finem vitae su… adesse, &c. That he hoped that his life was at an end, whereby he should be delivered from the fraud, and miseries of thi… evill world, and enjoy the blessed presence of God, and his Saints to all Eternity; and acordingly presently after he quietly departed in the Lord, Anno Christi 1569. and of his Age 44.
When a resolved heart is once inflam'd
With heavenly motions, t'will not be reclam'd
By easie termes, because a faithfull breast
Is fil'd with Heaven, & Heaven is crown'd with rest…
And had not stout Strigelius his heart
Been steel'd with courage, he had felt the smart
Of a bad conscience; but he still persisted
In what was good, and would not be resisted:
Those wrongs and iniuries which he endur'd
On earth, was by Heav'ns grand Phisitian cur'd.