The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 56
The Life and Death of Flacius Jlliricus, who dyed Anno Christi 1575.
MAtthias Flacicus Illiricus was born in Albona in Sclavo…a, Anno Christi 1520. his Father, whil'st he lived, bro…ght him up in learning care…ully; but after his d…ath, his Masters so neglected him that he almost forgot all; but when he began to have discretion, he desired much to attaine to learning, and for that end he went to Venice, and after some progresse made, at seventeen years old he began to …tudy Divinity, but wanting meanes to maintain him in the University, he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a Monastery, either at Bononia, or Padua: but a friend, di…swading him from that kinde of life, advised him rather to goe into Germany where were store of learned men. He went therefore to Basil, where he studied under Grynaeus, and from thence to Tubing: where also he studied a while, and then went to Wi…tenb…rg Anno Christi 1541. where he privately taught Greek and Hebrew for hi… maintenance, and heard Luther, and Melancthon. He was much troubled there with temptations about sin, God's wrath and Predestination: but by the good councell of Pome…ne and Luther, and the publick prayers of the Church for him, it pleased God that he overcame them. Melancthon loved him much for his wit, and learning: there he was made Master of Arts: married a wife, and had a stipend allowed him by the Prince … But when, by reason of the Wars, that University was dissipated, he went to B…nswi…ke, & got much credit by his publick teaching: but the Wars being ended, he return'd to Wittenberg, Anno 1547. But when the Inter…m came forth, and Melancthon thought that for peace-sake som thing should be yeelded to in things indifferent; Flacius, with many other Divines, strongly opposed it, as opening a gap to the retnrne of Popery: whereupon he removed from thence to Magdeburg, where he strongly opposed whatsoever was contrary to the Augustine Confession: there als… he assisted in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries. And whe… the Duke of Saxony had erected an University at Ieans he sent for him thither, Anno Christi 1556. but after five years a great contention arising between Strigelius, and him about Free-will, he left that place, and went to Ratisbone … an… Anno Christi 1567. the Citizens of An…werp, having pro… liberty for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion, sent for Flacius amongst others thither: but Religion being quickly expelled thence, he went to Argentine: and from thence to Franckefurt upon the Main, where after a while falling out with the Ministers about the Essence of Originall Sin, he fell into great disgrace: and not long after dyed Anno Christi 1575. and of his age 55. He was of an unquiet wit, alwayes contending with some or other; and brought much griefe to Melancthon: yet wrote some excellent works for the benefit of the Church: and amongst oothers, his Catalogus Testium Veritatis.
He was a man (as some reported) fit
To be the Master of unquiet wit.
He was contentious, which brought discontent
To rare Melancthon; yet some time he spent
In serious studyes, leaving at his death
Rare workes behind, to give his fame a breath.