The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 67
The Life and Death of Casper Olevian, who dyed Anno Christi 1587 …
CAsper Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi 1536… and carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather, and at thirteen years old he was sent to Paris to study Law, from thence also he went to the Universities of Aurelia, and Biturg, where he heard the most famous Lawyers of those times; he joyned himselfe also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in that place: there he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers, after the solemn manner of the University, Anno Christi 1557. about which time there studied in that University under Nicolas Iudex, the young Prince Palatine … son to Fredericke the third, afterwards Elector: and Olevian being very intimate with Iudex, went one day after dinner to the river hard by the City, together with him and the young Prince; and when they came thither, they found som yong Noble Germans that were students there, going into aboat, who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them: But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely, disswaded them from adventuring themselves amongst them: which councell the Prince, and his Tutor neglecting, went into the boat; and putting from the bank, the drunken young men began so to thrust, and jus…le one another that at last they overthrew the boat, where they were all drowned. But Iudex being skilfull in swimming caught the young Prince, hoping to save him, but being unable to draw him with him, they both sunk.
Olevian standing on the bank, and seeing this sad spectacle, leap't into the water to try if he could help them; but at first he stuck into the mud, and water up to the chin, where he dispaired of his owne life: in that danger he prayed unto God, and vowed that if God would deliver him, he would preach the Gospell to his owne Citizens. At which time it pleased God that a footman of one of the Noblmens, coming to the river side, & seeing of him, ca…ght him by the hand (thinking that it had ben his own master) and drew him out: whereupon Olevian being delivered, together with the Law, studyed Divinity: especially reading over Calvins Commentaries diligently, and then returning to Trevir, he was retained to plead a cause th…re, but seeing the great deceit in that calling, he gave it over; and that he might performe his Vow, he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity: aud went to Geneva, and after to Tigure, where he was much holp…n by Martyr, and Bullinger: and after taking ship at Lusanna to goe to Geneva… Farrell hapned to be with him in the ship, who in discon… asked him, Whether he had ever preached in his own… Country, which he denying, Farrell perswaded him to do… it so soon as he could: and he accordingly promised that he would: therefore Anno Christi 1559. he returned to T… vir, and was by the Senate, & his friends requested to und… take the work of the Ministry there, and for his encouragement, they allowed him a stipend: he readLogick also in the School: but when he began to preach the Truth of Chri… and to discover the Errors in Popery, he was forbidden… by the Clergy to preach any more, and shut out of the School. Then the Senate appointed him to preach in an Hospitall: where after he had preached a while, his adversariessuborned a Priest to step up into the Pulipt before him… but as soon as the people saw the Priest, they called to him to come down, for that they would not hear him. Olevian desired them to hear him, promising that so soon as he had don his Sermon he would preach himselfe: but they would not endure it; but made a great stir, so that the poor Priest thought that he should have been pulled a pieces by them: but Olevian in…reating the people to be quiet, took him by the hand, and led him forth safely: and going into the pulpit himself, the people cried to him, We desire thee for Gods sake to preach unto us: for this cause the Archbishop of Trevir imprisoned the two Consul…, and eight more of the Senators for ten weeks, who desired Olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them, which accordingly he did; but afterwards they were all freed at the request of the Elector Palatine, and some others: and the Elector Palatine sent for Olevian to Heidleberge, where he made him Rector of a Colledge: about which time he married a wife, and commensed Doctor in Divinity, and was made a Professor of Divinity in that University: he was also called to a Pastorall charge in the City, which he carefully and holily discharged, till the death of the Elector Fredericke the third; and shortly after he was called to Berleburg, by Lodewicke Count Witgenstein, where he Preached and instructed some Noble mens sons.
In the year 1584. he was called by Iohn of Nassau to Herborn, where he preached, and taught in a School three years. Anno Christi 1587. he fell into a mortall sicknesse, which (notwithstanding all means of oure) daily grew upon him, and so weakned him, that at last he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God. In his sicknesse he made his Will, and by pious, and holy meditations prepared himselfe for death: being visited by some great men, he told them, That by that sicknesse he had learned to know the greatnesse of Him, and the greatnesse of Gods Majesty more then ever he did before.
Iohn Pis …ur coming to visit him, he told him, That the day before, for four hours together, he was filled with ineffable joy, so that he wondred why his wife should ask him whether he were not something better, when sa indeed he could never be better: for (said he) I thought that I was in a most pleasant meddow, in which as I walked up and downe, me thought that I was besprinkled with a heavenly dew, and that not sparingly, but plentifully powred downe, whereby both my body, and soule were filled with ineffable joy: To whom Piscator, That good shepherd of Jesus Christ led thee into fresh pastures. Yea, said Olevian, To the springs of living waters. Afterwards having repeated some sentences full of comfort out of Psalme forty two, Isaiah nine, and Matthew eleven: he often repeated, I would not have my journy to God long deferred. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with my Christ: he gave his hand, and farewell to his Collegues, and friends, and when he was in the Agony of death, Alstedius asked him whether he was sure of his salvation in Christ, &…. he answered, Most sure, and so he gave up the Ghost, Anno Christi 1587. and of his Age fifty one.
Nor must Olevian also be omitted,
But have a place of Honor fairby fitted
Unto his fame, among these Heroes brave;
Who, of his Parts in Arts much witnesse gave.
A sound Divine, to Rome an enemy,
Preaching Christs truth with courage, constancy:
And who at last, as he had long desir'd,
Exchanging earth for heaven, blestly expir'd.