The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 64 – Biography 66
The Life and Death of John Wigandus, who dyed Anno Christi 1587.
JOhn Wigandus was born in Mansfield, in the year 1523. of honest Parents of a middle ranke, who carefully brought him up in Learning, which naturally he was much addicted unto; having an excellent wit and firme memory; so that having profited much at School, he went to the University of Wittenberg, where he continued about three years; which time he spent in the studi… of the Arts and Tongues, which night and day he imployed himselfe in: and in the year 1541. by the advice of his Tutors and friends, he went to Norinberg, where he was made Master of the School, and for three years exercised himselfe with much diligence in instructing youth; but having an earnest desire to perfect his own studies, he returned to Wittenberg again, Luther being yet living: there he commensed Master of Arts before he was two and twenty years old, and applyed himself wholly to the study of Divinity: but tht Wars waxing hot, the Emperor placed a Garrison in the Castle and Towne of Wittenberg, and the Students were driven away from thence… at which time Wigand was called to Mansfield (his owne Countrey) to be an assistant to their ancient Pastor Martin Seligman, where also he was ordained Minister by Prayer, and imposition of hands, by Iohn Spang…rberg, the Superintendent there: which place he discharged wi…h much …delity and industry, and read Logick and Phylosophie to the youth in the Schools: there also he wrote a confutation of the Popish Catechisme; and a confutation of George M… jor, who held, That a man by Faith onelyonly is justified, but not saved, &c. He delighted exceedingly in a Garden, and in observing the wisdome of God in the nature, shape and various colours of Hearbs and Flowers, for which end he gatt the greatest varietie of them that possibly he could into his Garden. He was one of those that strongly opposed the Interim.
In the year 1553. he was chosen by them of Magdeburg to be their Superintendent, but the Earl of Mansfield and th… People strongly opposed his remove from them, yet at last by the meanes of the Prince of Anhalt, they consented unto it. At Magdeburg he tooke excessive paines in reading, writing, meditating and Preaching, whereby he converted many Popish Priests in those parts to the Truth: he also took great pains in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries, which he, together with Matthew Iudex, Flacius Illiricus, Basil, Faber, Andrew Corvinus and Thomas Holthuterus finished, to the great benefit of the Church. Of which booke Sturmius gave his Testimony, that it was necessary and profitable, and had these four vertues in it, viz. veritatem, diligentiam, ordinem, perspicuitatem: Truth, diligence, Order and perspicuity. In the year 1560. the Elector of Saxonie having begun a University at Ienes, sent earnestly to Wigand to come thither to be the Divinity Professor, which for weighty reasons he assented unto, and performed that office with much acceptance of all that heard him: yet by the subtilty, and malice of one Stosselius he was dismissed from that place, and so returned to Magdeb…rg againe: but not staying there, he was chosen to be the Superintendent at Wismare An. Cstristi 1562. where he imployed himselfe wholly in Prea…hing, disputing, expounding the Scripture, and governing the Church. Anno Christi 1563. he commenced Doctor of Divinity in the University of Rostoch: he stayed at Wismare seven years, at the end wherof, Iohn William Duke of Saxony sent for him againe to Ienes, but the Duke of Megapole would by no meanes part with him; yet at last after severall embassies the Duke of Saxony prevailed that he should come for one year to Ienes: His people parted with him very unwillingly with many sighs, and tears, and at the years end sent for him back againe, but could by no means obtaine his return: he was not onelyonly made the Professor of Divinity at Ienes, but the Superintendent also: Anno Christi 1570. he went with his Prince to the Diet at Spire, and at his returne to Ienes was received with great joy: but after five years Duke Iohn William dying, he was againe driven from thence, and went to the Duke of Brunswick who entertained him kindly: but presently after he was called into Borussia to be the Divinity Professor in the University of Regiomon…anum, and after two years was chosen to be Bissiop there Anno Christi 1587. he fell sick especially upon griefe, conceived for the afflicted condition of the Church in Poland, and the death of his deare friend Iohn Wedman an excellent Divine: this desease increasing, and his strength decaying he prepared himselfe for death: he made his own Epitaph.
In Christo vixi, morior, vivóque Wigandus:
Do sordes morti: caetera, Christe tibi.
In Christ I liv'd, and dy'd, through him I live again: What's bad to death I give: my soul with Chist shal raign.
And so in the mid'st of fervent prayers, and assured hope of eternall life, he resigned up his spirit into the hands of God that gave it, Anno Christi 1587. and of his Age 64.
Rare-soul'd Wigandus bow'd his whole desires,
To warme his spirits by th'inlivning fires
Of sacred fuell, and he alwayes stood
Engag'd to that which heav'ns blest mouth call'd good;
He was a man whose life, and conversation
Were well sufficient to adorne a Nation
With good examples: nothing could devorse
His ready lips from the belov'd discourse
Of heavenly matters, till at last he cry'd
My God receive my soul, and so he dy'd.
MARTINVS CHEMNICIVS.
The Life and Death of Martin Chemnisius.
MArtin Chemnisius was born at Brit…a in Old March Anno Christi 1522. his father being poor he met with many impediments to discourage, and hinder him in Learning, yet bearing a great love to it, by his exceeding industry he overcame all, and after some progresse at home, he went to Magdeburg, where he studyed the Tongues, and Arts,: and from thence to Frankefurt upon Oder: and after he had studyed there a while, he went to Wittenberg where he studyed the Mathematick…: and from thence to Sabinum in Borussia where he taught School, and commensed Master of Arts; and Anno Christi 1552. he wholly betook himselfe to the study of Divinity. By his modest, and sincere carriage he procured much favor from the Prince, and all his Courtiers: after three years stay there, he went back to Wittenberg, and by Melancthon was imployed publickly to read Common places: from thence he was sent for to Brunople …n Saxny by the Senate, and made Pastor; which place he discharged with singular fidelity, and approbation for the space of thirty years, and commensed Doctor in Divinity at Rostoch: many Princes, and Common-wealths made use of his advice, and assistance in Ecclesiasticall affairs: He took great pains in asserting the truth against the adversaries of it: as his excellent Examen of the Tridentine Councill shews: at last being worn out with study, writing, Preaching &c. he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1586. and of his age 63. He is said by one to be Philosophus Summus, Theologus pro…undissimus, neque veritatis, bonarumque arti…m studio, neque laude officii fac…le cuiquam secundus.
This Authour, eminent Chemnisius grave,
Among these worthies, a prime place may have;
Who, by his most industrious pains ore came
The many rubs which would have quentcht his fame:
And to such height of learning did arise
As made great Princes him most highly prize.
Yea, so transcendently his fame did shine,
That, One him stil'd, a most profound Divine,
A prime Philosopher, one justly known,
For parts and p…ety, second to none.
And thus he liv'd, and dyed full of yeeres,
And with much honour left this vail of teares.
The Life and Death of Rodolphus Gualterus, who dyed Anno Christi 1586.
ROdolphus Gualter was born in Tigure Anno Christi 1518. was of an excellent wit, and therefore carefully brought up at School, where he first profited exceedingly in Oratory, and Poetry, and being admitted into the University he became famous, first in the knowledge of the Arts, and afterwards of Divinity, insomuch as he wa… chosen Pastor in that City where he first drew in his vitall breath: neither were they which chose him deceived in their exspectation; for he proved an admirable instrumen… of Gods glory, and their good, discharging his place with singular industry, diligence, and fidelity, not onelyonly by hi… frequent publick preaching, but by his learned private writing…, as his Homilies upon much of the Old, and N…w Testament doe sufficiently declare: and having governed, and fed that Church for above forty years together, he dyed in a good old age Anno Christi 1586. anp of his Li… sixty eight.
Uertue, and honor both combin'd
T'adorne Gualterus his minde:
His wise and well composed heart
Was principl…d in every part,
He was a Poet too, ti's therefore fit
We should applaud his rare Poeticke wit.