The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 62
The life and death of Zachary Ursin, who dyed Anno Christi 1583.
ZAchary Vrsin was born in Silesia Anno Christi 1534. of honest parents, who were carefull of his education in his childhood; and having profited exceedingly at School, he was sent to the University of Wittenberge at sixteen yeers old, where he heard Melancthon with great diligence two years: at which time the Plague breaking forth there; he retired with Melancthon to Tergaw, and having an ample testimony from him, he went thence into his owne Country all the winter, but in the spring he returned to Wittenberg, where he spent 5. years in the study of the Arts, & Tongus, and Divinity: he was very familiar with Melancthon, and much esteemed of many learned men, who flocked to that University out of all Countries, with whom also afterwards he kept correnspondency: he went An. Christi 1557. with Melancthon to the conference at Worms about religion; and from thence he travelled to Marpurg, Argentine, Basil, Lausanna, and Geneva, where he grew into familiar acquaintance with many learned men, especially Calvin, who gave him such books as he had Printed; from thence he went into France, to Lions, and Paris, where he perfected his skill in the Hebrew under the learned Mercerus; in his return he went to Tigure, where he acquainted himselfe with the learned men, and so to Tubing, Vlme, Norimberg, and so to his old Master Melancthon. Anno Christi 1558. he was sent for by the Senate of Vratislave (which was his native place) to govern a School there; where, besides his Lectures in the Arts, and Tongues, he was imployed in the explication of Melancthons book of the Ordination of Mini…ters, wherein he declared his judgment about the Sacrament, and thereupon he was cried out agaainst for a Sacramentarian; which caused him to give a publick account of his Faith about the Doctrine of the Sacraments, in certain strong, and accurate propositions; Melancthon hearing of the opposition which he met with, wrote to him to stand firmly to the truth, and if he enjoyed not p…ace in that place to return to him againe; and to reserve himselfe for better times: whereupon he requested of the Senate that he might be dismissed, and having obtained his desire, he returned to Wi… tenberg, where foreseeing Melancthons death, and the grea… alterations in that University, he left it, and went to Tygure, Anno 1560. being invited thither by Martyr, Bullinger, Simler, Lavater, Gualter, Gesner, and Frisius, who much desired his company: there he was a constant hearer of Martyr, and profited much under him in the knowledge of Divinity: Anno 1561. their came letters to Tigure from Thomas Erastus signifying that there wanted a Divinity Professor at Heidleberg, and desiring supply from thence; whereupon, knowing Vrsines fitnesse, they presently sent him with their letters of ample commendation both to the Elector Palatine, and to the University: where he discharged his place so well that at twenty eight years of age they graced him with the title of a Doctor in Divinity, and he supplyed the place of a publick Professor, to the year 1568. at which time Zanchy succeeded him, their also he made his Catechise, for the use of the Palla…inate: Anno Chri…ti 1563. there brake forth a grievous pestilence that scattered both the Court, and University: yet Vrsin remained at home, and wrote his tractates of Mortallity, and Christian consolations for the benefit of Gods people. He was so dear to the Elector Palatine, that when the Bernates sent Aretius to Heidleberg, to crave leave that Vrsin might goe to Lusanna to be the Divinity Professor there, he would by no means part with him, but gave him leave to choose an assistant, that so his body might not be worn out with his dayly labors: Anno Ch. 1572. he married a wi…e, by whom he had one son that inherited his fathers vertues: But upon Prince Fredricks death their grew a great alteration in the Palatinate, insomuch that none but Lutherans could be suffered to continue th…r…, so that Vrsin with his Collegue were forced to leave the University: but he could not live private long, for he was sent for by Prince Iohn Chassimire: also the Senate of Berne sent importunatly for him to succeed Aretius there: But Cassimire would by no meanes part with him, having erected a University at Newstad, and chosen Vrsin and Zanchy to be the Divinity Professors thereof: But Vrsin by his excessive studies and neglect of exercise, fell into a sicknesse which held him above a year together, after which he returned to his labors againe, and besides his Divinity Lectors, he read Logik also in the Schools: desiring his auditors to give him what doubts, and objections they met with, which upon study at his next Lecture he returned answers to: But his great labors cast him into a consumption and other diseases, yet would he not be perswaded to intermit them, till at last he was confined to his bed: yet therein also he was never idle, but alwayes dictating something that might conduce to the publick good of the Chuch: The houre of death being come, his friends standing by, he quietly slept in the Lord, Anno Christi 1583. and of his age 51. He was very pious, and grave in his carriage, and one that sought not after great things in this world.
Let those whose hearts desire to be
Professor of Divinity:
Trace Ursins steps; so shall they find
The comforts of a studious minde:
He had a greater care to nurse
Distressed souls, then fill his purse:
He would not tell a frutlesse story
Unto his flock; his oratory
Serv'd not flatter, but to bring
Subjected souls unto their King:
Where now he rests with him that says
Shephards of Flocks, look to your wayes.