Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 110
*The History of Simon Grinaeus collected out of Melancthons Commentaris vponupon the x. Chapiter of Daniell.
The Story of Simon Grineus. Ex Commentariis Phil. Melanct. in cap. 10. Daniell.WHen I was (sayth he) at the assembly holden at Spyre in the yeare of our Lord 1529. by chaunce Simon Grynaeus came thither vntounto me from the Uniuersity of Hedelberge, where he hearde Faber the Byshoppe of Vienna in a Sermon, defend and maynteyne certayne detestable errors. When the Sermon was done, he folowed Faber goyng out of the Church and saluted him reuerently, declaring vntounto him that he was moued of a good zeale & intent, somewhat to say vntounto him.Iohn Faber Bishop of Vienna persecutour. Obsequium amicos, Veritas odium parit. Faber was contented to talke with him.
Then Grinaeus sayde vntounto him that he was very sorry that a man of such learning and authority shoulde openly mayntein such errors as were both contumelious against God, & also might be refuted by the manifest testimonies of the Scripture. Irenaeus writeth (sayd he) that Polycarpus was wont to stop his cares whensoeuer he heard any erroneous & wicked doctrine.Faber gently admonished of Grinaeus for his Sermon. With what mind then (thinke you) woulde Polycarpus hauehave heard you argue and reason what it is that the mouse eateth, when shee gnaweth the consecrated host? Who would not bewayle such ignorance and blindnes of the Church? With this Faber brake of hys talke, as he was about to saye more, and asked his name. This man dissembling nothing, gently tolde him that his name was Grinaeus.
This Faber (as many well knew) was alwayes tymerous and fearefull in the company of learned men. Wherfore he fearing the learning, eloquence, and feruent zeale of Grinaeus, specially in such a matter as this was, fayned as though he had bene sent for by the king, and that he had no leysure now to reason vponupon this matter. He pretended that he was very desirous of acquayntaunce and longer talke with Grinaeus, intreating him, that bothe for hys owne priuate cause, and also for the common wealth, he would come agayne the next day vntounto him, and so shewed him his lodgyng, and appoynted him an houre when hee should come. Grinaeus thinking that he had spoken vnfaynedly, promised so to do.
When he was departed frō Faber, he came straight way vntounto vsus, and was scarsly set at the table (for it was supper time) reciting a part of his talk with Faber vntounto me and others there present, when as I sitting with my company, was sodeinly called out of the Parler by a certayne auncient fatherly man,Godly warning sēt by an old man to Grinaeus. who shewing a singular grauitye in hys countenance, wordes, and behauior, spake vntounto me & said, that the Sergeantes would by and by come vntounto our lodging, being sent by the kinges commaundement, to carye Grinaeus to Prison, whom Faber had accused to the Kynge, commaunding that Grinaeus should straight wayes depart out of the towne, & exhorted me that we shoulde in no case delay the time: and so bidding me farewell, departed. But what olde man this was, neither did I know then nor afterward could vnderstand. I returning agayne vntounto my company, bad them rise, and told them what the olde man had sayd vntounto me.
By and by, we taking Grinaeus in the midst of vsus, caryed him through the street to the Riuer of Rhene, whereas after he had stayd vponupon the hether bank a while, vntil Grinaeus with his companiō were caried ouer in a small boat,Grinaeus, accused, and pursued. returning agayne to our lodging, we vnderstoode that the Sergeants had bene there, when we were but a little way gone out of the house. Now in what great daunger Grinaeus should hauehave bene,Grinaeus warned to flye▪ escapeth. Gods mercyfull prouidence in defeating the cruell purpose of persecutors. if he had bene caried to prison, by this cruelty of Faber eueryevery man easily may coniecture. Wherefore we iudged that that most cruell entent and purpose of him, was disapoynted by Gods merciful prouidence. And as I can not say, what olde man it was that gaue me that warning, euen so likewise the Sergeants made such quick speede, that except Grinaeus had bene couered and defended by Aungels through the maruellous prouidence of God, he could neuer hauehave escaped.
Cōcerning the truth of this matter, there be many good men yet aliue, which both knowe the same, and also were present at the doing thereof. Therfore let vsus geue thankes vntounto God, which hath geuen vsus his Angels to be our keepers and defenders, wherby with more quiet mindes, we may fulfill and do the office of our vocation.
With such like examples of Gods mighty and mercyful custody, the church of Christ in all ages doth aboūd, as by manifold experiences may appeare as well among the Germanes, as also in all other places and ages, but in no place more, nor in time more plentifull, then in this persecuting time of Queene Mary in this our Realme of Enland: as partly hath bene already historyed, and parte yet remayneth (the Lorde willing) moreouer hereunto to bee added.