The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 79 – Biography 80
The Life and Death of David Chytraeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.
DAvid Chytreus was born in Ingelfing in Swevland, in the year 1530. of godly and religious Parents, who seeing his …owardlinesse and ingenuous nature, were carefull to educate him both in Religion and Learning; the principles whereof he drunke in with such celerity, that his Father …ooke much pleasure in him, and became an earnest and frequent suiter unto God, That his Son might be fitted for, and imployed in the worke of the Ministry: and for this end, when he was scarce seven years old, he sent him to School to Gemmingen, and after two years stay there, he removed him to Tubing, where he was educated under excellent Schoolmasters, and afterwards admitted into that Universitie; and whilest he was very young he commenced Bachelor of Art, studied the Languages, Arts and Divinity under Snepfius.
In all which time he profited so exceedingly, that at fifteen years of age he commenced Master of Arts, with the generall approbation of the University: and presently after, having a large allowance from a worthy Knight Sir Peter Menzingen, he travelled to Wittenberg, where he wa… entertained by Philip Melancthon into his Family; so that he did not onelyonly gain much profit by his publick Lectures, b…t by private convers with him also; which happinesse he so esteemed, that all his life after, he acknowledged, that next under God, he was bound to Philip Melancthon for his proficiency in Learning. When he came first to Melancthon, and delivered some Letters of commendation in his behalf, Melancthon finding in them that he was Master of Arts, looking upon him, he wondred at it, saying, Are you a Master of Arts: yea, said Chytraeus, it pleased the University of Tubing to grace me with that degree: Can you, said Melancthon, understand Geeke; which he affirming, he g…ve him Thucydides to read, and construe a piece of it; which when Chytraeus had done, Melancthon enquiring hi… age, and admiring his forwardnesse, said unto him, Thou dost worthily deserve thy Degree, and hereafter thou shalt be as a Sonn… unto me.
Whilst he was there, he heard Luther's Lectures upon … ten last Chapters of Genesis. And as Plato, when he was …eady to dye, praised God for three things; first, that God had made him a man; secondly, that he was bron in Greece… thirdly, that he lived in the time of Socrates. So did C… traeus also acknowledge it as a singular mercy: first, tha… God had made him a man: secondly, a Christian: thirdly, that he had his education under those excellent lights of the Church, Luther and Melancthon. He was very diligent in attending upon Melancthon; studied in his study; heard all his discourses publicke and private, about matters of the weightiest concernment; followed him when he walked abroad, and endeavoured wholly to fashion his life by hi… example. And Melancthon looked upon him as his owne Son, and used to call him suum Davidem, his David.
Presently after Luther's death, the Wars in Germany breaking forth by Charles the fifth, the University of Wittenberg was dissipated by reason of the same; whereupon Chytraeus went to Heidleberg, where he studied Hebrew, and then went to Tubing, where he applyed himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks. But when Prince Maurice of Saxonie had restored the University, and called back Melancthon, he pre…ently returned to Wittenberg; where he buckled close to his former studies, fearing the like interruption again: and in the year 1548. he began privately to read to young Students; by which meanes having gotten some money in his purse, he resolved to travell into Italie, and other parts; that so he might see those famous places, which he had often read of, and grow into acquaintance with the eminent men of those times. For which he (having gotten a fa…thfull companion [Andrew Martin of Rostoch] he tavelled through most parts of Italie; and being returned to Wittenbern, Melancthon was requested to send two learned men to Rostoch, for the advancement of that University; whereupon he commended Iohn Aurifabar and Chytraeus to them, who accordingly went thither, and began their Lectures, to the great satisfaction of the Auditors; and in a short time Chytraeus gr…w so famous, that Christian King of Denmarke, and the Senate of Auspurg sent for him to come to them; he was desired also by the University of Argentine to succeed Hedi… lately dead: also Fredericke the second, Prince Elector Palatine, sent earnestly for him to come to Heidleberg, but his Prince Iohn Albert would by no meanes part with him; two years after he travelled into Frisland, Brabant, Flanders and other of the Belgick Provinces: upon his returne the Elector Palatine sent againe for him to Heidleberg; and the King of Denmarke profered to double his s…ipend, if he would come to him: but his answer to them both, was, That his Prince had dealt so friendly with him, that he could by no meanes leave him. Some years after the Nobility of Magdeburg sent to request his presence and assistance in reforming of Religion, and ejecting of Popery from amongst them; but when he could not goe himselfe, he wrote his minde fully to them about the same. About that time he commenced Doctor in Divinity, at the charges of his Prince.
In the year 1565. the Senate of Stralsund sent for him to be their Superintendent; and the King of Sweden also desired him to come thither; but nothing would prevaile to get him from Rostoch. The year after his Prince tooke him with him to the Diet at Auspurg, where matters of Religion were to be debated. At which time Ambassadours came to him againe from Argentine, to request his remove thither; and he gave them some hope of a…senting, if his Princes good will could be procured: but he would by no meane… part with him; and to expresse his love, he profered to enlarge his stipend; but Chytraeus refused the same. Two year… after he was sent for into Austria, to assist them in the Reformation which they intended; thither he went, and gave them such full satisfaction, that they sent him backe with an ample testimony of his abilities and integrity. Then he made a journey into Hungarie, where he visited many of the chiefe Cities in that Kingdome.
In the year 1571. his Prince made him the chiefe Visi…or of all the Churches in his Dominions. He assisted also in the worke of Reformation at Berline: the Marquesse of Brandenburg sent for him also to be the Divinity Professor at Frankefurt, but could not obtain him. Two years after the States of Stiria sent for him to helpe them in reforming th…ir Churches; whither he went for halfe a year, and was exceeding usefull to them therein. At his returne he was sent for by the Elector of Saxonie, and the University of Wittenberg, to be a Professor there; but they could not prevaile. The year after, the Duke of Brunswicke being to erect an University at Iuliers, sent to him to assist in making Lawes for the University, choyce of Professors, &c. Which he dispatched to his great content. Shortly after also, he went to divers meetings of Divines in severall plac…s, about procuring and setling the peace of the Churches of Christ. Whilst he was at Rostoch, he went over in his Lectures the greatest part both of the Old and New Testament; and wrote divers other learned Bookes also. Growing into years he began to be diseased, and sometimes was confined to his bed; yet neither there would he be idle, but upon the least intermission of his pain, he went on with his Exposition of the two and thirtyeth Psalme, which he had begun before. And after that, in Commenting upon the Epistle to the Romans; but his disease increasing (wherby he discerned the approaching …f his end) he made a Confession of his Faith; received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and not long after quietly slept in the Lord, in the year 1600. and of his age seventy. Whilst he lay sick in his bed, if any present had discoursed about a controversall point, raising himselfe up, he would call to them to speak out, for that he should dye with the more comfort, if he could learn any new thing before his departure.
In fames large Catalogue of worthyes rare
Chytraeus may impropriate ample share
Of honour and renown; who from a lad
An even Connative disposition had
To learning, which his parents did promove,
And which in time, he rarely did improve:
Commencing at but fifteen years of age,
Master of Acts; and with Melancthon sage
In his owne house, was blestly educated,
And most profoundly by him doctrinated.
In whom Melancthon such prof…ciency
Found, even unto admiration high
That this his pregnant Pupill afterward,
He as his son did tenderly regard.
Chytraeus also in processe of time,
To such a highth of honour up did clime:
For's excellency in all rare Literature
As did from all that knew him love procure,
And favour from the States of Germany,
And as he liv'd, so honour'd he did dye.
ALEXANDER NOWELL
The Life and Death of Alexander Nowel.
ALexander Nowel was born in the County of Lancaster Anno Christi 1511. of an ancient aud worshipfull family, and at thirteen years old was sent to Oxford, and admitted a member of Brasennose Colledge, where he studyed thirteen yeares, and grew very famous both for Religion, and learning: In Queen Maries dayes, he amongst others, left the Kingdome, that he might enjoy his conscience; and returning when Queen Elizabeth, of blessed memory, came to the Crown, she made him Dean of Pauls, where he was a frequent, and faithfull Preacher: By his writings he defended the truth against some English Popish Ren…gado's; for thirty years together he Preached the first, and last Sermons in Lent before the Queen, wherein he dealt plainly, and faithfully with her: He was a great benefactor to Brasennose Colledge, where he had his first education: He was the enlarger of Pauls School, made the threefold Catechism which was much used long after. He was very charitable to the poor, especially to poor Scholars: A great comforter of afflicted consciences; he lived til he was ninety years old, and yet neither the eyes of his minde, nor body, waxed dim; And dyed peaceably in the Lord Anno Christi 1601. on the thirteenth of February, and lyes buryed in the Famous Cathedrall Church of Saint Pauls in London, with this Epitaph upon his Tombe.
Quam spciōsa vestigia Evangelizantium pacem.
With some verses also ann…xed, this being the las… of them.
Sicoritur, floret, demoriturque Deo.
His Works set forth, are as followeth.
1 Against Thomas Dormam, an English Papist, in two books in quarto English. 2 Another Booke against Dorman and Sanders of Transubstantiation in quarto English. 3 His greater Catichisme in Latine, in qu…rto. 4 Hi… less… Catechisme in Latine, in Octavo. 5 The same in Latine, Greeke, and Hebrew.
As grave, as godly Nowel Dean of Pauls,
Most justly for a Crown of honour cals;
Amongst other worthyes, for his piety
His learning, wisedome and humanity:
A famous Preatcher in the halcyon-dayes
Of Queen Elizabeth, of endlesse praise.
To Pauls-School, and to Braz'nnose Colledge he
A Benefactor great was known to be.
For's three-fold Catechisme, worthily,
Much honour'd: and for his great Charity:
Who at the age of Ninety years, in peace,
And full of love, and honour did decease.