The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 78
The Life and Death of James Heerbrand, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.
JAmes Heerbrand was borne at Noricum, in the year 1521. of an ancient Family; his Father was one of Luther's Disciple…; and seeing the towardlinesse and promptnesse of his Son, was carefull to bring him up in Religion and Learning: at twelve years old his Father bought him a fair Bible, which he diligently read over. Afterwards he went to Vlm, where he studied the Tongues; and at seventeen years old his Father sent him to Wittenberg to hear Lu…her and Melancthon in the year 1538. which year was famous for divers things; for then the Kingdome of Denmark imbraced the Gospell, the Emperour and King of France met together; the Bible was Printed in English at Paris; the University at Argentine was erected; the sect of the Antinomians was detected; th… Marquesse of Brandenburg imbraced the Augustine Confession; and the Sea by the Kingdome of Naples was wholly day for eight miles together, out of which place fire and ashes brake forth so abundantly, that many places were miserably destroyed thereby.
In the University of Wittenberg, Heerbrand studied the Arts with great diligence, and was so sparing of his tim…, that he would not intermit one houre from his Studies; insomuch that other Students called him Suevicam Noc…am; the Swevian night-crow. He h…ard Luthe… and Melancthons L…ctures with much diligence; and in the ye…r 1540. he comm…nced Master of Arts… He Preach…d also abroad in the Villages on the S…bbath dayes.
Thus having spent five years there in his Studies, he returned home with ample testimonies from Melancthon and the University. When he came home, the Pastors of the Church …ppointed him to Preach, which he performed with great approbation and commendation of all. His Parents rejoycing much at his profic…ency, would needs have him imploy his talent in his owne Countrey, and at Stutgard, Snepfius (being Superintendent) examined him, …nd finding his abilities, he said, Dominus te mihi obtulit, the Lord hath offered thee unto me. Being but twenty two years old, he was made Deacon at Tubing; & three years after he married a wife, by whom he had eight Sons, and three Daughters: shortly after that accursed Interim coming forth, he, amongst other Ministers that rejected it, was banished from Tubing: and being out of imployment, he studied Hebrew; till Prince Vlrick being dead, his Son Christopher succeeding him, called back the Ministers and Heerbrand amongst them to their former places. He also made him Pastor of Herrenberg: shortly after he commenced Doctor in Divinity, and for four years and an halfe, he studied the Fathers. In the year 1556. he was sent for by Charles Marquesse of Baden, to reform Religion in his Dominions; where also he prescribed a form of Ordination of Ministers. Presently after he was chosen to be the Divinity Professor at Tubing: and after that the Pastor, and Superintendent also.
In the year 1562. he was sent for by the Duke of Saxonie to be the Professor at Ienes, who profered to allow him the stipend of one thousand Florens per annum, but he refused it, continuing at Tubing; where he had much honour and respect: his wife having lived with him fifty years and an half, dyed; who being th… staffe of his old age, he wa… much afflicted for her losse, and began to grow weaker and weaker; whereupon he refigned his Office, and had a stipend allowed him by his Prince, and so prepared himselfe for death. He was much troubled with the Gout, which he bore with much patience, often using that saying of the Apostle; Godlinesse is profitable to all things, having the promise of this life, and that which is to come. He fell into a Lethargie, and …o dyed in the year 1600. and of his Age 79.
James Heerband was a rare Divine, most grave,
Deserves a Garland of Fames flowers to have;
Who, in all Learning was so excellent;
And at his Studies constant, diligent,
That his contemporary T…ndents said,
He was a Sweviary night Crow. And, he made
Such benefit his Studies up to rear,
When he did Luther and Melancthon hear,
(As oft he did) that he himselfe became
A Preacher rare, and of surpassing fame;
Commencing Doctor of Divinity;
Made Tubings Pastor, with respect most high.
Superintendent also there elected,
And of the Germain Princes much respected.
At last, his wife (who fifty years, at least,
Had liv'd with him) did dye: his strength decreast,
Together with her losse, and sicknesse, so,
Upon his féeble corps began to grow;
That néer the age of fourscore yéers, in peace,
He chang'd earths wars, for heav'ns eternall peace.