The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 94
IOHN BALE.
The Life and Death of John Bale.
AMong those who in these latter times have laboured in throwing open the skirts of that Romish strumpet, who with her cup of fornication had a long time bewitched a great part of the Christian world; and laying open her abominations to the light of the Sun, and the sight of of the world; none have traveled more, nor taken pains to better purpose, then this our Countriman Iohn Bale: whose troublesome life, tossed to and fro, and exposed to many dangers, difficulties and distresses, my purpose is briefly to relate in its most remarkable passages, that which is testified of him by that worthy and much renouned divine D.r Laurence Humfrey in a Poeme of his intituled the Burden of Rome; wherein he affirmeth that V…rgerius had in this kinde done somewhat, Platina much more, Luther very much or the most of any before him, but this our Bale, as much almost as could be, even all, if it were at least possible to rake up all the …ilth and dirt of that vile …inke and common sewer.
He came into this world toward the middest of King Hen…y the seventh his raigne, not many yeares after that famous and usefull invention of printing was grown to some perfection, having not been above thirty years as yet in any use: by help wherof as learning and knowledg was generally much improved, and many Monuments preserved, that would otherwise have perished; so great use did this our Bale make of it (as we shall hereafter shew) as well for the bringing to light of auncient Records, that had lien long bur…ey in the dark, and but for him might so have done in everlasting oblivion; as also for the publishing of many writings and works both of his owne and other mens.
He was borne in Suffolke, his Parents but of meane estate, nor free from Romish superstition, that then generally overspread the whole surface of this realme; by meanes of of their poverty and geeat charge being overburdened with a numerous issue, through the advice and perswasion of some of their blinde leaders (such as those dayes afforded) perceiving the towardlinesse that then appeared in him yet a child, being but twelve years of age, he was placed in the Convent of Carmelite Fryars at Norwich: In which place, as also afterward in the University of Cambridge, (whither he was from thence removed) he gave himself to the study of the Art…, and of Divinity, such as in those time… was in repute, yea alo…e publikely professed.
But when the light of the Gospell, which had formerly for the most part been smothered and supprest, began now to break forth, by the instigation of that right honourable and truly Noble Lord (for it is vertue and piety alone that affordeth true Nobility) the Lord Wentworth, he diverted his studies and applyed himselfe now, not to rake any longer in those muddy streames, and miry puddles of Divinity falsly so tearmed, which he had plunged himselfe in before; but to repaire directly to the well-head, to betake himselfe to the fource of all true knowledg, to search into the written Word of God, where he might be sure to finde the waters cleane and cleere, free from all impurity and mixture of humane invention; therein to dive, and thence to draw that which he might both drink deepe of himselfe, and impart of to others without damage and detriment to himsele.
That which also accordingly he did. For not content to sell his owne cistorns, and satisfie out of it his owne thirst, he was desirous that what he had there drawn, should be derived also unto others, and should flow out to the like benefit and behafe unto them, as he had thereby formerly received himselfe, To this purpose he betooke himselfe now to the pulpit; and what light of truth he had by his private studies, and Gods blessing upon them attained, he made known in publike to those that heard him.
And having now wholly shooke of that yoake of his former superstitions profession (as the Word of God warrenteth, and the Apostle in …uch case adviseth) he tooke him … wife one Dorothy by name, & that name well deserving; a woman piously affected, & one that aboad constantly with him, an inseparable and individuall companion and copartner with him in all his troubles and exilments, which began shortly after to ensue.
For through the malignity of those, who neither loved the light themselves, and indevoured to keepe others from fight of that which themselves neither loved nor liked, as being that which discovered their grosse errors and foul abuses, he was quickly called in question, and much troubled and molested; first at Yorke by Lee there Archbissiop (Erasmus his great, though unequall antagonist) for Preaching at Doncaster against invocation of Saints: and after that againe at London by Stokesley their Bishop, (the maine opposer of Ales the Scot, Bales intimate friend afterward, in defence of Popish errours and inventions) for matters of the like nature.
Thus he soone found opposition, and met with much trouble (as what other was to be looked for?) for maintaining and publishing the truth of God, which could not yet be brooked, having so many, so mighty, and those no lesse malitious opponets.
Howbeit he escaped, as well then, as oft after also out of their hands; God having still some further employments for him. For having by some elegant and pleasant Comedies, which he presented unto him, insinuated himselfe into the notice and favor of the Lord Cromwell, who was then grown to some greatnesse, being a favouror of the tru…h and the professors of it, he was by his meanes, as the Prophet Ieremie sometimes by Ahikams, rescued out of their clutches (who otherwise would in likelehood, have crushed him) and continued quiet, while he stood.
But after his unfortunate downfall and death, was under God his chiefe, yea alone protector, perceiving that though their former attempts against him had for the present been frustrate, yet their spite and malice towards him was enraged rather then abated, ready to break forth into action againe, when opportunity should serve; that means of restraint being now removed, and persecution about the six Articles (commonly known by name of the whip with six strings) growing hot; he thought it his best and wisest course (the rather being tied to no particular charge) to leave the Land untill times of more freedome might be, and to get over into Germany, where by Luther and other his assistants seconds their labours, many Churches had been establshed, and much liberty was afforded for the sincere profession of the Gospell.
Unto that common refuge and receptacle of Gods persecuted people in those times, with much difficulty and hazard, at length he gat and there aboad as an exile for some eight yeares. During which time he was not idle, but diligently employed himselfe in writing and in publishing of many Treatises, tending most to the discovery of Romish errors, superstitions, idolotries and abominable practises, and to the manifestation and clearing of Gods saving truth.
Thence upon the decease of King Henry the eight, being by his religious Son and successor King Edward called over againe, and entertained a while in the family of that learned and pious Poynet then bishop of Winchester; he was shortly after by his Maiesty preferred unto and setled in the Bishoprick of Ossar in Ireland: whither being sent over freely at the Kings owne charge, he was consecrated at Dublin by George Archbishop of that See, assisted by Thomas Bishop of Kildare, and Vrhane of Doune.
In this Seat he sate quietly Preaching Christ and salvation by him alone to his people, and laboring to withdraw them from Popish superstitions, during the raigne of King Edward by whom he was there seated, expending most of hi… Episcopal revenew over & above the necessary expence of his family any reliefe of the poore, in furnishing himselfe with books of almanner of learning, such especielly as were then rare & not ordinarily to be had, as well manuscrips as printed ones; partly to preserve the perishing Monuments of antiquity, and partly from them to receive further & fuller information of the occurrents & carryages of former times: and what a multitude of Authors he had in that short time gathered togeter, may appeare by a Catalogue of them left upon record by him, in the close of that laborious Work of his, his Centuries, to shew what a treasure he was stripped of at his expulsion from his place.
For after that halfe hours silence (as he stileth it, alluding to that of Saint Iohn Apoc. 8.1.) and those few years of rest that Gods people here enjoyed under that blessed servant of Christ King Edward; his succeeding sister raising up new tumults and with fire and fogot making havock of the faithfull; that seat grew too hot for him. And having therefore (as his owne relation hath it) his books and chattels seized on (as once before) his servants some of them slain, others misused, and himselfe laid for, he was enforced with his wife, his ever undivided consort, to flye for his life; and purposed as himselfe saith, to have shaped his course for Scotland, hoping there to finde some succour, as diverse others driven hence at that time did. But man we say purposeth, and God disposeth: that project of his took not effect, God it seemeth intended him another way; for b… ing put out to sea, he was intercepted & surprised by wicked pirates sea-robbers, of whom though he were stript againe and abused in most inhumane manner, (as little better could be expected at the hands of such) yet was he by Gods good providence preserved among them, and delivered againe from them, being ransomed by certaine charitable and well-minded Merchants.
Having regained his liberty, he gat safe againe into Germany, his former place of retreat, and the then Common sanctuary of Gods afflicted and distressed Saints. There he found entertainment with, and enjoyed the acquaintance of, most of the prime men of note for learning and relegion of those parts in those times, who some of them in their writings, especially for the notes of antiquity, and of authors both ours and others, doe professe to have received no small light from his writings and observations.
For during the time of his aboad in those parts, among other his labours (being never out of action) he compiled …hat vast Catalogue of Euglish Scottish and Irish writers, a work of exceeding great paines and industry, that many of them and others since have made much use of: wherin also by the way he hath inserted the lives, Acts and carriages of the Romane Popes; that the world might see and know, what manner of men, or monsters rather, many of them have been, and how far unlike unto Christ, who yet have given themselves out to be Christs Vicars, and the chiefe pillars of his Church.
Shor…ly after the happy entrance of that blessed Princess Q. Elizabeth, when the storm raised by her sister Mary was now laid, he returned over again into England: & as it semeth, stept over from thence into Ireland, to visit (it may be) his former flock (if any faithfull of them were remaining yet) there; or to looke after his library, if he might light upon any remaines of it in those places where it had been disor in the hands of those that had seazed upon it. But he survived not long to enjoy either the peaceable times of Gods Church here re-established, or the comfort of his people, if he found any left there, or the use and benefit of his books, if he recovered any of them.
For it is by some reported, that he dyed in Ireland at sixty and seven yeers of age, in the year of our Lord 1558. which yet for the year of his decease may seeme not so to be: since that his Catalogue or Centuries of our Brittin Writers, Printed by him at Basile, while he yet aboad in those parts, is dedicated by himselfe to Queen Elizabeth then setled in the throne of this kingdome, who began her raigne but in the latter part of that year: besides that the latter part of that impression beareth date the Month of February 1559. as al…o some verses prefixed before the whole Worke, wherein mention is made also of Queen Elizabeths reigne, and of the Authors then taking leave of his friends in those parts, and intendment of returne with his wife for England again, bear date of March the same year: which though they may be supposed to imply the close of the yeare 58. according to our computation, who begin th… year at the latter end of March, whereas they begin it at the first of Ianuary, yet some space of time must be allowed for his travell out of Swii…serland into England, and from thence again into Ireland if there he deceased. And it may well be deemed therefore that he survived, if not to 1560. yet to 59. at least: But this I leave to those that have more certaine records of it: nor is the thing it selfe much materiall.
His Wokes for the most part, as himselfe hath related and ranked them, together with some few omitted by him, and added by others, are these.
First those that he compiled while he was yet a Papists.
1 A Bundle of things worth the knowing. 2 The Writers from Elias. 3 The Writers from Berthold. 4 Additions to Trithemius. 5 Germane Collections. 6 French Collections. 7 English Collections. 8 Divers writings of divers learned men. 9 A Catalogue of Generals. 10 The Spirituall War. 11 The Castle of Peace. 12 Sermons for Children. 13 To the Synode at Hull. 14 An answer to certaine Questions. 15 Addition to Palaonydorus. 16 The History of Patronage. 17 The Story of Simon the Englishman. 18 The Story of Franck of Sene in Italy. 19 The Story of Saint Brocard. 20 A Commentary on Mantuanis Preface to his Fasti.
Secondly those that he wrote after that he had renounced Popery.
First, in Latine. 1 The Heliades of the English. 2 The Brittish writers. 3 Notes on the three Tomes of Walden. 4 On his Bundle of Tares. 5 On Polydore of the first invention of things. 6 On Textors Officine. 7 On Capgraves Catalogue. 8 On Barnes his lives of Popes. 9 The Acts of the Popes of Rome. 10 A Translation of Thorps Examination into Latine. 11 That of Brittish writers much enlarged with the lives and Acts of the Bishops of Rome inserted. 12 An Additton of Scottish, Irish and other writers.
2 In English. 1 In English Meeter, and divers sorts of Verse.
1 The life of John Baptist. 2 Of John Baptists Preaching. 3 Of Christs Tentatinus. 4 Two Comedies of Christs Baptisme and Tentations. 5 A Comedie of Christ at twelve years old. 6 A Comedie of the raising of Lazarus. 7 A Comedie of the High Priests Councell. 8 A Comedie of Simon the Leper. 9 A Comedie of the Lords Supper, and the washing of the Deisciples feet. 10 Two Comedies (or Tragedies rather) of Christs Passion. 11 Two Comedies of Christs buriall and Resurrection. 12 A Poeme of Gods Promises. 13 Against those that pervert Gods Word. 14 Of the corrupting of God Lawes. 15 Against Carpers and Traducers. 16 A defence of King John. 17 Of King Henries two Mariages. 18 Of Popish Sects. 19 Of Papists Trecheries. 20 Of Thomas Beckets Impostures. 21 The Image of love. 22 Pammachius his T…agedies, translated into English. 23 Christian Sonnets.
2 In English Prose. 1 A Commentarie on Saint Johns Apocalypse. 2 A Locupletation of the pocalypse. 3 Wicklefs War with the Papists. 4 Sir John Oldcastles Trials. 5 An Apologie for Bernes. 6 A defence of Grey against Smith. 7 John Lamberts Confession. 8 Anne Askews Martyrdome. 9 Of Luthirs Decease. 10 The Bishops Alcaron. 11 The man of Sinne. 12 The Mistery of Iniquity. 13 Against Antichrists or false Christs. 14 Against Baals Priests, or Balaamites. 15 Against the Clergies single life. 16 A dispatch of Popish Vowes and Priesthood. 17 The Acts of English Votaries in two parts. 18 Of Heretickes indeede. 19 Against the Popish Masse. 20 The Drunkards Masse. 21 Against Popish perswasions. 22 Against Standish the Imposture. 23 Against Bonners Articles. 24 Certaine Dialogues. 25 To Elizabeth the Kings daughter. 26 Against customary swearing. 27 On Mantuane of death. 28 A Weeke before God. 29 Of his Calling to a Bishoprick. 30 Of Lelands Iournall, or an Abridgement of Leland, with Additions. 31 A Translation of Sebald Heydens Apologie against Sal…e Regina. 32 A Translation of Gardiners Oration of true Obedience, and Bonners Epistle before it; with a Preface to it, Notes on it, and an Epilogue to the Reader.
Many other things he compiled, translated and published which neither himselfe could sodainly call to minde, nor others easily light on, who yet have added to his recitall. But it may well be admired, how being so haunted, hunted, chased and hurried as he was from pillar to post, and so oft stript both of bookes and other helps, he could come to the sight and view of so many Authors; much more, how he should have time to surveigh such a multitude of them, as by his writings it appeareth he did; and most of all, how he should be able to write so many volumes (to goe no further) as you see here related, although some of them were but small. His industry therefore is very remarkable, which as it accompanied him to the last; so it surviveth his decease, in the fruit of it with us, and in the reward of it to him.
Loe here the man who stir'd Romes comon shore
Untill it stunk, and stunk him out of dore.
Twlve years he serv'd the Babilonian with;
Drank of her cup and wallowed in her ditch,
Untill the sunshine of diviner Truth
Shot saving Beames into his hopefull youth:
And led him thence to serve another Saint
Whose mirth was …eares, whose freedom was restraint;
Whose progresse was a banishment; whose food
Was want and Famine, and whose drinke was blood:
His dayes were full of troubles, and his nights
Were sad exchanges stor'd with feares and frights:
His wealth was Poverty, his peace was strife,
His life was death: His death eternall life.