The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2, Book 2 · Biography 10

The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2 · Book 2 · Biography 10

p. 131P. L. MONAY.

The Life of Philip de Mornay, Lord of Plessis Marly.

PHilip de Mornay was by the Fathers side of the House of Mornay, allied to the most Illustrious Families in France, being somewhile since united to the Royall Family of Bourbon. His Mother was of the Noble Family of Bec Crespin in Normandie; which, for having done worthy service in the conquest of England, obtained the Hereditary dignity p. 132of Constable of Normandie. This Philip was born the fifth of November, Anno 1549. James de Mornay his Father was a valiant Gentleman, but (according to that Age) much addicted to the superstitions of the Church of Rome, in the which he was very carefull to bring up his children. Frances de Bec his Mother (daughter to Charls de Bec Crespin, Vice-Admirall of France, was a woman of resolution and wisdom above her sex) she had some knowledge of the true Religion in her Husbands life time, and endeavoured under-hand to instill it into her Family, and in the end wrought so far with her Husband upon his death-bed, that after some ardent exhortations which she used to him in his extremity; He signified to the by-standers, that he had no need of the Romish superstitious Ceremonies, grounding his salvation upon the alone merits of Christ Jesus his Saviour. Their design was to have made this their Son Philip a Church-man; by reason that his Uncle Bertin de Mornay, who possessed divers Benefices, intended to resign them all to him: But Gods providence (which would not suffer him to be tempted with such a Bait) permitted not this Uncle to think of it at his death. His first Master was one Gabriel His Education.Prestat, who together with humane Learning, infused gently into him some principles of true doctrin, though he durst not make any open mention of religion unto him, both because he knew his tender age incapable of it, and like wise for fear of his Father, who knew not that this Gabriel was a Protestant. He went to Paris.He was afterwards brought to Paris by p. 133his Father, where he continued for two years, though in that time the course of his Studies was often interrupted by sickness. About the end of the year 1560. he was called from Paris to his Fathers Funerall; A certain Priest being sent to fetch him, who perceived that his Mother was no friend to the superstitions of the Roman Church, and therefore he gave him this counsel upon the way; That he should take heed of the Lutheran opinions, of which his Mother was suspected, and that he Tentation.should always persist in that Religion in the which he had been nourished and taught. Master Du Plessis (a little astonished by reason of his age) gave him this answer; That he was resolved to continue firm in what he had learned of the service of God; and that if he should doubt of any point of it, he would diligently read the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles for his better information therein. Being arrived at his Mothers, he was solicited by her, and his elder Brother, to read the Protestant Catechism, which he refused, but withal demanded a New Testament in Latin and French; one of the Geneva Impression being offered unto him, he likewise refused it, but accepted of one Printed at Lyons, which he greedily Scriptures studied with Prayer.read, praying God to enlighten him in the knowledge of his truth; and withal carefully observing, that the chief doctrines & services of the Church of Rome were not to be found in Scripture, such as Purgatory, Invocation of Saints, the Sacrifice of the Mass, adoration of Images, &c. Each of these still as he found no mention of it in Scripture, he blotted p. 134out of his mind, and began to suspect the rest: so that at last he desired to satisfie himself concerning Transubstantiation, & Justification, by reading His conversion.some controversies of that time, concerning those Subjects, which wrought so good effect in him, that about the end of the year, 1561. he became resolved to quit the service of the Church of Rome; His Mother, though she exceedingly rejoyced to see that he had imbraced the truth, yet would not willingly have had him to profess it so soon, because she as yet adhered outwardly to the Papists. Carnal fear.But God having about the same time cast her into a sickness, almost unto death, she interpreted it as an admonition to her, not to retain any longer the truth of God in unrighteousness, making a vow in express terms, in the presence of her Children, that if God would please of his mercy to raise her from A Vow.that bed of sickness, she would make open profession of the Gospel, which she performed at the end of the same year, 1561. About the beginning of the year, 1562. he was again sent to Paris by his Mother, where he had scarce continued 3. moneths, before the troubles for Religion brake forth, which forced him to leave the City; being returned home, he His sickness.fell sick of a Plurisie, which with other infirmities, so far interrupted his studies, that he forgot almost all which he had Learned: Whereupon his Mother had an intention to make him Page of the Kings Chamber. But peace being re-established in the year, 1563. His importunities prevailed so far with her, as to return him once more to Paris, where in short time he recovered what p. 135His return to Paris.before he had lost, so far as to out-go his Master, who was wont to listen to him, as if himself had been his Scholler. It is observable, that during this time of his continuance at Paris, he was never seen to play, or take other recreation then expounding before his Master Plato's Timaeus, or Industry.some such like Author. About this time his. Uncle the Bishop of Nantis strove to win him back to the Tentation:Church of Rome, exhorting him to read diligently the antient Doctors of the Church, & the better to allure him thereto, he promised to resign unto him his Bishoprick, and to put him in present possession of a Priory; But he thanking him for his proffers, Resisted.answered, that he would remit himself wholly unto God, from whom he was confident, he should receive whatsoever was necessary for him. And afterwards did often by Letters mark out unto his said Uncle such passages of the Fathers as confirmed the Protestant Religion, & confuted that of the Papists. In the year, 1567. the second troubles arising for Religion, he prevailed with his Mother, to permit him to put himself into the Army, with two of her Brothers; But the eternall providence of God, which reserved him to higher imployments, Speciall providence.brought it so to pass, that his horse falling upon him by the way, broke his leg, which forced him to return. This hurt was long in healing, and His Travels.at length constrained him to undertake a Voyage into forraign Countries, the use of Baths being requisite to his full recovery: Wherefore about the end of August, 1568. with much trouble and danger, he went to Geneva, and from thence by Switzerland p. 136to Hidelberg in Germany; There he lived in the House of Emanuel Tremellius, and began also his studies in the Civil Law, gaining immediately the affections of the most Learned in that University. September, 1569. he went to Frankford, and from thence into Italy, remaining some time at Padova to continue his studies in the Law, not that he intended this for his chief end, but desiring above all the knowledge of Christian Religion, he would not be ignorant of the rest; His idle hours he passed in the Physick Garden, to learn the natures and names of the herbs and plants: in which he profited so far in a short time, that Guillandinus (the Director of that Garden) had him in singular admiration: Besides, at the same time he read over the greatest part of the Bible, under Rabbi Menaken a Jew, the most learned of that He studies Hebrew.Age in the holy Tongue.

At length the State of Venice making a League with Spain, and the Pope, against the Turk, occasioned a more strict search to be made by the Bishop of Padova after such as professed the Protestant Religion: of which profession Master du Plessis being known to be, retired himself to Venice He is in danger.to Monsieur du Ferrier, then Embassador for the King of France there: And here likewise he was likely to have come into some danger for his religion; Gods Providence.For a certain Officer of the Inquisition, proffering him an Oath upon some Articles proposed unto him, he answered in Italian, That his Religion permitted him not to take it: The Officer misunderstanding the word Religion (which in that p. 137Language, most commonly signifies some Order of Friers) asked him if he were a religious person? Monsieur du Plessis (understanding the Officers question of a Protestant, such being in France called of the Religion) answered, yes, whereupon the Officer proceeded no further. Divers like dangers he escaped by the providence of God in other parts of Italy. At Rome a Provost came by night, and examined him concerning his Country, his name, &c. He told him his name was Philip de Mornay, the Provost not hearing du Plessis, by which name he was most ordinarily called, left him, supposing he was not the man he sought for; From Venice (having first seen the rest of Italy) he went to Vienna, and from thence by Hungary, Bohemia, and Saxony, to Franckfort, and so to Cologne, in the end of the year, 1571 here he was familiar with Philip Ximenes, Spaniard (the great friend of Cassander) with whom he had often Conference about Religion. Ximenes confessed many errors in the visible Church, but would by no means allow of a separation from it: du Plessis having obtained his Arguments in writing gave him an Answer to them, which those of Cologne, called Triduanum Scriptum: To which Ximenes promised, but never gave an answer. In the Spring, Anno 1572. He passed into Flanders, and so into England, He comes into England.where he was favourably received by Queen Elizabeth, who already had him in great esteem. At that time Monsieur de Montmocancy, and Monsieur de Foix, were newly arrived in England, to swear the League betwixt the Queen, and Charls King p. 138of France. These intended to send du Plessis to the Queen of Scots (then Prisoner in England) to salute her in the name of their Master. But when he perceived that he was to deliver some Letters secretly unto her, which made against the League, His integritie.he refused that Commission, Saying, That he would not begin his imployment by so evil an Action. At the end of July, 1572. he returned into France, and went to wait upon the Admiral at Paris; That fatall marriage being then ready to be solemnized between the King of Navarr, and Margaret of France: His mother was then in the City upon her return home, and himself ready to accompany her: When news was brought that the Admiral was hurt, whom presently he ran to help, and to aid him to his lodging. He had always suspected that marriage, but this wicked act confirmed his suspition. Wherefore desiring his Mother instantly to depart, he resolved himself to stay and attend the issue of what he suspected. Upon Bartholomew-Day (the day of that horrid The French Massacre.Massacre) the Messenger whom he had sent to inquire of the Admirals health, returned affrighted, and told him, that the Admirals lodging was broke open by force: At which sudden news, he leapt out of his bed, and putting on his clothes, felt an extraordinary motion in himself, which caused him to say, God will deliver me out of Predictions.this danger, and I shall see it revenged: On the contrary Ramini (his Tutor) presently answered, And I shall die in it. Both which came to pass. Whilst he intended to hasten to the Admirals p. 139Lodging, divers hinderances kept him within, till the murderers arrived at his house, so that he had scarce time to burn his Papers, and save himself A special providence.on the top of the house, till they were gone. A day or two he lay hid in Paris, and on the third day of the Massacre, he slipt out of the City (though not His flight.without much trouble and danger) under the disguise of a Lawyers Clerk: Arriving at his Mothers, he found the Family dispersed, and her self concealed by a mean Gentleman of the neighbourhood; Having saluted her, he resolved to venture for England: To which end, one proffering to procure for him the Duke de Guise his Pass, he refused it, saying, That he would not ow his life to Holy courage.such, for whose service he should be loath to imploy it; That God had delivered him from the Massacre, and therefore into his hands he would commit his passage; and within two or three days, finding a Boat at Diep, he passed in it safe to England: Where he had been recommended to the Queen by the Lord Walsingham, then Ambassador in France: Being there, he wrote some Remonstrances in Latine and French; by which he exhorted the Queen to the defence of the afflicted Church; and confuted by some Apologies, the calumnies imposed upon the Protestants: He was likewise imployed in the Treatie of Marriage betwixt the Duke of Alencon (brother to the French King) and Queen Elizabeth. This Duke, by reason of some differences betwixt his brothers and himself, took up Arms, and made use of the Protestants, as a descontented party, to assist him; to joyn with whom, p. 140Monsieur du Plessis was much solicited, which occasioned him at length to return into France; His Prudence.but withall he expressed his dislike of joyning the Interest of Religion with the Dukes Ambitious, and discontented Ends. This war not succeeding, he retired himself to Jametz, till the death of King Charls the seventh, who died, Anno 1574. After which he came to Sedan, where he was desired by the Dutchess of Bouillon to undertake a journey to the Duke of Cleve, who with the Elector Palatin, had been by her late husband constituted Executors of his Will; which (though a business of much hazard) was undertaken by him, and performed to the great contentment of the Dutchess. During his sojourning His marriage.at Sedan, he married Charlotte Arbaleste, a widdow, who having likewise escaped the Massacre at Paris, was fled thither for Religion: At whose request he composed his Treatise of Life and Death.

In the Year 1576. He went to the King of Navarr in Guienne, who immediatly received him for one of his Counsel: To whom he did much service in the Wars, against the Pretended Holy League; In reference to which, he was by the said King imployed, Anno 1577. with an ample Commission He is sent into England.to the Queen of England, to solicite her for aid against the Leaguers: Being arrived in May at London, the Queen (who was very prompt in such kinde of speeches) told him, That she had expected him as Messenger from a Duke, but now she saw him as Ambassadour from a King. At his p. 141Audience he obtained from her the sum of eighty thousand Crowns to levy men in Germany for that war; which nevertheless were not raised, by reason of the Peace which followed in the same year: During this abode in England, he composed his Treatise of the Church. Being resolved to pass into the Low Countries, in June, Anno 1578. He took leave of the Queen at Norwich, who besides an honorable Present bestowed upon him, would have a particular Cypher for Letters to pass betwixt He is robbed by Pyrats.them: In his passage he was robbed by Pyrats, where he left (besides other things) his Papers, amongst which there were some Books of the History of his Time in Latine, which he had begun, Anno 1570. Arriving at Antwerp, he was present at the Treatie of Alliance betwixt Queen Elizabeth, Duke Casimir, and the Estates; in the which he caused likewise to be included the King Popish malice.of Navarr his Master: He was afterward poisoned by one Guerin, who had been hired to poison the God's protection.Prince of Orange, but his youth and good constitution overcame the force of the Poison: During his, stay here, about the midst of the year, 1579. he began his work of the Truth of Christian Religion; of which when he had finished about four His sickness.Chapters, he fell into a grievous sickness, which the Physitians judged to be caused by the reliques of the Poison which he had taken. This continuing upon him, and the Plague raging in Antwerp, he was invited by those of Gant, for change of Air, unto their City, where, they provided and furnished a house for him. There he spent the rest p. 142of that year, and begun the next, viz. 1580. And no sooner had recovered his health in part, but immediatly he set himself to the continuance of his work. But he was that Spring taken off by new imployments.

The King of Navarr again took up Arms, and commanded Monsieur du Plessis, (laying all other business aside) to make another journey to England, to demand succours; which he immediatly He is again sent to England.undertook: The Queen of England was then about to make Peace with the King of France, so that this Embassage was not very agreeable to her: Yet after his return to Antwerp, she wrote a Letter with her own hand to Monsieur du Plessis, telling him, that he should be welcome when ever he pleased to return into England; and that never any Queen Elizabeths favor to him.Gentleman had treated with her, in whom she took so much pleasure as in himself: At Antwerp he finished his Book of Christian Religion, which the year after himself turned into Latine. Anno 1582. He returned into France, where he publilished a Treatise, containing the Reasons why the Counsel of Trent could not be admitted in France, Printed by command of K. Hen. 3. In the year following (1583.) He was sent by the King of Navar to the National Synod of Vitray in Bretaigne, where He is sent to a Synod.he was joyfully received by the whole Company, with this preface, That had they met him occasionally in the streets, they should have earnestly importuned his presence with them. He was likewise present in the General Assembly of the Protetestants held at Montauban, by the Kings permission, p. 143in the year 1584. where he was desired by the Assembly to draw up the form of their Complaints against the violation of the Edict for Peace, which he, together with the Count de Laval, presented afterwards to the King at Blois.

The League of the House of Guise, breaking forth in the year 1585. which was formed first against the King, under pretence of the defence of the Catholike Religion, & afterwards declared against the King of Navarr, and the Protestants: That famous Declaration in the name of the said King, was penned by Monsieur du Plessis, wherein the King, having answered the Calumnies cast upon A Challenge.him by that Faction, proposed (to avoid the calamities of a Civil war) that the quarrel might be ended betwixt himself and the Duke of Guise, notwithstanding the inequalitie of their conditions, by a combate, either of one to one, two to two, or ten to ten, more or less, at the choise of the said Duke: To which Declaration Monsieur du Plessis would not set his hand, till the King of Navarr had promised that he should be one of the Combatants, if the Conditions should be accepted. But this not being accepted by the Duke, there followed the Civil wars for Religion; in which Monsieur du Plessis did many necessary and importent Services for the King of Navarr, and the Protestants, both with his Sword and Pen, having answered a virulent book published by the League against the King of Navarr, called the English Catholique: Besides his assistance in the General Assembly of the Protestants at Rochel, and his p. 144Remonstrances to the General Assembly of Estates, held at the same time by the King at Blois, intended for the disinheriting of the King of Navarr, next heir to the Crown. At which Assembly in writings so far prevailed, that the greatest part of the Deputies concluded a Peace to be made with the King of Navarr, and much ado there was to make them at length change their language.

After the death of the Duke of Guise at Blois, there followed a Truce betwixt the Kings, in the year 1589. Upon which Monsieur du Plessis was He is made Governor of Saumur.by the King of France made Governor of Saumur. One memorable passage during these wars cannot well be omitted, which was, That the King of Navarr, having abused the daughter of a Gentleman in Rochel (by whom he had a son) the Church had often remonstrated his fault unto him, which he ingeniously confessed, but could not be perswaded to take off the scandal by a publike acknowledgement of it, till Monsieur du Plessis giving His Prudence.him counsel about a Battel which was then ready to be fought, took the opportunity to tell him how necessary it was to seek the favour of Almighty God, the onelyonly giver of Victory, and therupon urged him to consult with his Conscience, whether he ought not to give glory to God upon such an occasion, and what remorse it would breed in him, if God for want of it should blast his undertakings, to the ruine of so good a Cause; which so neerly touched the Kings heart, that he commanded him to consult with a Minister concerning p. 145what he had to do in that business; according to whose advice he made the next day a publike Acknowledgment of his fault in the Church The King of Navarr doth Penance.before all the Nobility of his Army. Which counsell being thought by some to be too Rigorous, Monsieur du Plessis made this answer, That as a man could not be too couragious before men, so he could not be too humble in the presence of God.

After the murther of Henry the Third, by a King of France murthered.Jacobin at St. Cloud, in August, 1587. Monsieur du Plessis was made Counseller of Estate to the King of Navarr (now Henry the Fourth King of France) whom he served in the recovery of his right against the League of the House of Guise, though with much hazard to himself, some having been, by their own confession, hired to murther Gods providence over him.him, for which they were executed at Tours.

Sixtus Quintus then Pope, being one of the Kings chiefest Enemies, an expedient was propounded of taking him off by some honorable Embassage, and to that end the question was put, whether the King might with a safe conscience write to him? Monsieur du Plessis answered, That doubtless he might, it being ordinary in the same case for Christian Princes to write unto the Turk; so that the question was not, if he should write, but how? Since the King could not cal him holy Father, or kiss his feet, whom according to his profession, he ought to think the enemy of Christ, and if he should write otherwise it would be to no purpose. This expedient therefore was wholly laid aside.

Afterwards the Duke of Florence being willing p. 146to joyn interests with the King, fearing the too great potency of Spain, sent a Gentleman to him, who proffered to Monsieur du Plessis twenty thousand Crowns a year, if he would counsel the King to change his Religion, to which he stoutly replyed, That his Masters conscience was not to be Courage.sold, no more then his own.

In the year 1590. He built a Church for the Protestants in Saumur, and obtained a grant from the King, for the Instituting of an Ʋniversity there, which was afterwards confirmed by a Nationall Synod held in the same place. The King besieging Rouen, in the year, 1591. and fearing the Army of the Prince of Parma, which was then entred France, intending to raise that siege; Monsieur du Plessis was again sent into England, to demand aid from the Queen, where he had conference with some English Bishops, concerning the differences betwixt them, and the Non▪conformists, remonstrating unto them, with what conscience they could molest those, who agreed in the same faith with them, onelyonly for some simple Ceremonies, with whose infirmities they ought rather charitably to bear; which Remonstrance caused them for a while to be more gently dealt with, instead of the persecution which was intended against them.

In the year 1593. He wrote a large Letter to the King, who then had changed his Religion, desireing the continuance of his favour to the Protestants, and withall expostulating that sudden change, assuring him nevertheless of their fidelity p. 147towards him, and resolution to obey their lawfull Prince, of what Religion soever, even to the hazard of their lives. Meeting him afterwards (according to command) at Chartres, the King somewhat troubled at the first enterview, began to excuse what he had done, by telling him that he had been necessitated to sacrifice himself for his Protestant Subjects, that he might with more ease procure a peace for them: To which Monsieur du Plessis answered, That there were better expedients for the working of that end, had his Majestie been pleased to have made use of them, and that it would have been more agreeable to their minds to have sacrificed their lives for him. About this time he obtained of the King a revocation of such Edicts as had been made by the Leaguers against the Protestants, and a confirmation of others, by which the free exercise of their Religion had been formerly granted unto them.

Anno, 1595. He began his work of the Lords Supper, which he finished in less then a year; In which Book his principall end was, to represent the belief and practise of Antiquity in most part of the points controverted in Religion; which design the King had heretofore approved, as a means to facilitate a reformation: This Book was afterward approved by the Nationall Synod at Saumur, though not Printed untill the year, 1598. The publication of it stirred up many enemies against him, especially of the Clergy: The Jesuites of Bourdeaux petitioned the Parliament there, that it might be burned; The Pope himself p. 148by express Letters complained of it to the King, that one of his Privy Counsell should dare to call him Anti-Christ. The King nevertheless took no notice of it, onelyonly sometimes he complained to his friends, that he was sorry that Monsieur du Plessis had by this means given him occasion not to put him upon further Employments; which likewise he desired Monsieur de la Force to tell him; To whom du Plessis answered, That he had not done this act rashly, but upon good consideration; That the King knew well, that he was ever wont to distribute his services first to God, next to his King, and then to his friends; Pietie.which method he could not with a good conscience change; That he was not ignorant how much this would hinder his preferments in the world, which he regarded not so much, as to do the least Zeal.service for his God; That however God was faithfull, and would honor such as honor him, and much more to the like effect. But the Pope still underhand solicited the King to ruin him, whom in all his Letters he called his enemy, representing that he had punished one in Rome for having spit upon the Kings Effigies, how much more ought the King to punish him who had so irreverently used Gods Vicar: And so far was the King led away by his frequent solicitations, that notwithstanding the important services of Monsieur du Plessis, he sought all possible occasions to cast him off, which though ordinarily not hard to find in one who had so high a Charge in the administration of the Common-wealth, yet (by the p. 149grace of God assisting him) Calumnie could not find on that side where to fasten. At last (having nothing else to accuse him of) his Book must be laid hold of, for a pretence to ruin him, in which the Bishop of Eureux, du Perron promised to shew five hundred false quotations: Du Plessis on the contrary offered to make good all the passages cited in his Book, out of Impressions approved by his adversaries. Whereupon a Conference was appointed at Fountainbleau. But the Sorbonists fearing lest the examination of particulars would prove to their disadvantage, desired the Popes Nuncio, and he the King, to hinder it: The King desired him not to trouble himself, since he would so manage the business, that the disgrace should remain upon the Protestants, which he intended to bring to pass, by ordaining, that at the Conference the Bishop should open the Book, and name to the number of fifty passages, if the time would permit, to which du Plessis was to make answer ex tempore, otherwise he was resolved to verifie the Bishops accusation. This being told to du Plessis, he answered, that it was a hard condition for him, to make an unpremeditated answer to such quotations as the Bishop should pick out of ten thousand alledged in that Book, to the retaining of all which, no humane memory could suffice. Whereupon the conditions were a little (though very little) qualified, and thus proposed; That the Bishop should quote unto him sixty passages over night, to which he was to answer at eight the next morning. Monsieur du Plessis (after ardent prayers p. 150to God) accepted the condition: About one Prayer.of the Clock after mid-night the sixty passages were brought to him, quoted onelyonly thus, Scotus p. 869. Durand. pag. 870, &c. besides that, the Books which he borrowed of the Bishop (he having none there of his own) at two of the clock, were again sent for by six; yet in this space of four hours (though weak sighted) he had examined nineteen of the quoted passages; At eight of the clock he was called, though then put off till one in the afternoon, so that but nineteen of the quotations were examined; upon his answer to the first, the Moderators (being most part Papists) were ashamed, and pronounced in favour of Monsieur du Plessis; which they were about to have done likewise in the second, had not the King interposed, which made them decide it against him. For the rest, they were chiefly such passages of Fathers, as the Bishop pretended, that du Plessis had not intirely quoted; in which, though du Plessis made it appear, that the words pretended to be fraudulently left out, were all to the same effect; yet the Moderators judged, that it were good they had been added: This was the summ of that Conference; concerning which du Plessis Printed afterwards a Relation to vindicate himself: But the Bishop every where cried up the victory which he pretended to have gotten there, even in the Cathedrall Church, in a Sermon before the Providences extraordinary.King and Court at Whitsontide: (About a fortnight after the Conference) He was himself the Trumpet to his own praises: But that week a flash p. 151of Lightning broke into the Church, shattered the Pulpit where the Bishop had preached all the Holidays, burnt some Images, and at the same time fell likewise in the Kings Garden: Also on the Thursday following, the Bishop preached again in a Church neer the Lowre, upon which Church, within two nights after, fell another flash of Lightning, which uncovered part of the Steeple, and beat down some Images; and at the same instant falling again into the Kings Garden, burned some Orange trees there. In these Prodigies, the very Adversaries of du Plessis acknowledged the finger of God; Neither would they suffer the Bishop to preach any more in their Churches; besides, that himself made an oath to preach no more till Winter. Monsieur du Plessis thus faln into disfavor with the King, began to lead a more private life, though he had still a large influence upon publike affairs: In the year 1602. A certain Monk had hired two young men to kill Popish treachery.him; who came in Sermon time into the Church, at Saumur, the one of them drawing so neer, as to Gods protection.lift up the Carpet which lay before him, but had not the boldness to strike: Being taken upon suspition he confessed his intentions, and who set him on work; whereupon the Monk was apprehended, and hanged. Afterwards the King began again by little and little to favor him, moved thereunto, not onelyonly out of his own inclinations, which had been alaways towards him, though thus clouded for a while, for fear of the Pope; but likewise by a Remonstrance from Queen Elizabeth, who p. 152had told his Ambassador, that she knew not how to trust his Master, who so far depended on the Pope, as for his sake to slight his best and most faithful servants.

In January, Anno 1605. The onelyonly son of Monsieur du Plessis was sent for to the Court by the King, who intended an imployment for him, where he was well received: But the design upon which he had been sent for, failing, he desired leave to go into Holland, which was granted His son slain.him, where he was the same year unhappily slain before Gueldres; which bred so great a grief in his mother, that she lived not long after, departing this life in May, Anno 1606. This was one of the most remakable Epoches in the whole Life of Monsieur du Plessis, in the which two such great & so contiguous losses had befaln him: After his sons death, he had both his own grief to combat with, and to comfort that of his wife: But after His wife dies.her death he was wont to say, That heretofore she had been an aid to him in living well, and should hereafter be so in teaching him to die well; from A good wife.thenceforth he took this for his Motto, Mihi bis anhelo suprestes.

The same year he was again himself called to the Court, and graciously received by the King, He is sent for to Court.where he continued, till the year following, at which time he desired leave of the King to retire himself, which the King unwillingly granted; withall, desiring him to come sometimes to Court, and expressing his grief that he could not employ him according as he desired, the reason p. 153whereof himself well knew, meaning the scandall which the Pope would have taken at it: Being returned to Saumur, he began his Work of the Mysterie of Iniquity, Anno 1607. which, though a work of infinite labour, yet he finished it in nine moneths. In which it is remarkable, that to spare his sight, he dictated it to others that wrote it from his mouth.

In the Spring, Anno 1608. He began to set upon those great Volumes of Baronius, to which he intended a confutation. About this time likewise were those Letters of his into Holland concerning the Novelties introduced into the Church by Arminius, to whom he advised the French Church, His zeal against Heresie.to send one of their Ministers (naming Monsieur du Moulin) to confer with him concerning the Points by him maintained, and to adjure him in the Name of God to forbear begetting of Parties in the Church: This advise was approved by the Church, but fearing to offend the King, they durst neither ask his leave, nor send without it. Du Perron, Bishop of Eureux, now made Cardinal, and Archbishop of Sens was much pressed by the King to answer Mon. du Plessis, to which he was likewise urged by his friends, who told him that the Action at Fontainbleau was little to his credit, and that should du Plessis dye, it would be then too late to answer him, because men would be ready to say, that he durst not do it in his Life time; wherefore he promised, and undertook the business: And going to Rome, sequestred himself from other business for the space of a year to perform it, promising p. 154the Pope at his arrivall in France to print his answer, which he said was risen to a great Volume: Upon his return, the King asked him when he would print it? He told his Majesty that he stayed but for some Manuscripts from Rome; which answer, the King seeing his delays, used as a Proverb to some undertakers, whose work went not forward, who making idle excuses to him; Yes (sayes the King) I see you stay for Manuscrips from Rome too; Causabon, who was about the Cardinall, wrote to Monsieur du Plessis concerning this Answer, telling him that it was finished, and that himself had seen it; whom du Plessis desired, as the Cardinals friend, to give him from him the same Counsel which Christ did to Judas in the Gospel; What thou dost, do quickly. But this Volume of answer never appeared: The Cardinal after the Kings murther, thinking himself to be disingaged from his promise, In October, An. 1609. Mon. du Plessis had notice given him of a Book in folio, seen in the house of one that was a Confident of the Jesuites, which was written to the half, containing divers Oaths signed with bloud; in which they obliged themselves to obey the commands of the Pope: of which he immediatly gave a secret advice to the Court; but by the evil conduct of him that was appointed to search for it, the Book missed of being found. This year he turned into latine his Book of the Mysterie of iniquity, which he dictated so fast, that his Amanuensis had much ado to keep pace with him with his pen. The horrid murther of the King following in the year. 1610. he upon notice of p. 155it, took so good order, as to keep the people about his government in quiet, who upon that sudden change were ready to take up arms: And as soon as he had received the Edict for the Regency of the Queen Mother, he administred the Oath of Fidelity to all the Clergy and People within his Jurisdiction; making a speech unto them, in which he desired them to forget the distinguishing names of Papist and Protestant, which having caused so many misfortunes, ought to be buried in this great one: Professing, that whoever would shew himself a good French-man, and a faithfull Subject, should be of him respected as his Brother.

In May, An. 1611. was held in Saumur the Generall Assembly of the Protestant Churches; where chusing a President, six of the sixteen Provinces were for the Duke de Bouillon, the other ten for Monsieur du Plessis; who being much troubled at it, desired them to chuse again, but was by the company commanded to take the place: At which the Duke being discontented, there followed a dissention in that Assembly, manifestly tending to a Schism in the Church, which du Plessis (though a A blessed peace maker.party) much laboured to reconcile, and at last that was happily brought to pass in the Nationall Synod held the year following at Privas.

Another dissention afterwards happened betwixt Monsieur du Moulin, Minister of the Church at Paris, and Monsieur Tilenus, Professor at Sedan, about the effects of the Union of the two natures in Christ: The making up of this difference was, p. 156by a Nationall Synod held at Tonneinx, referred to Monsieur du Plessis, who proved the happy Author of a full reconciliation betwixt them, in the year, 1614. Yet had this difference like to have broke forth again the year following, by the indiscretion (or malice rather) of some particular persons, had not Monsieur du Plessis in time stopped its progress: In which he was aided by a seasonable Message of King James; who at that time King James mediates peace.sent to invite du Moulin into England, to confer with him about a method of Uniting all the Reformed Churches of Christendom, to which he had been often solicited by Monsieur du Plessis. The issue of which Voyage was, That the King resolved to send Letters to all Protestant Princes, to invite them to Union, and desired the French Churches to frame a confession gathered out of all those of other reformed Churches, in the which unnecessary points might be left out, as the means of begetting discord and dissention.

Some years following were spent by Monsieur du Plessis in procuring the peace of the Protestant Churches, and endeavouring to keep a good correspondence between the King and them, which was continually ready to be interrupted; in which business he carryed himself with so much prudence and fidelity in all occurrences between them, that he was admired, and praised by all, yea, even Cardinall Perron himself (heretofore one of his greatest enemies) shewed him great respect in the Assembly of Estates held at Rouen, An. Cardinall Perron praises him.1617. speaking of him in all companies with an p. 157excess of Prayses; and telling the King himself, that those men had done him wrong who had kept off Monsieur du Plessis from having a greater power in the management of his affairs; And that his Religion ought not to render him unprofitable in the exercise of those graces which God had given him; and that his Majestie ought to keep him neer his person so long as he should live. Which prayses the said Cardinal reiterated upon his deathbed, in September, Anno, 1618. charging his friends then about him, to send a solemn Farewell from him to Monsieur du Plessis, and to manifest his sorrow for not having made a straighter league of friendship with him, having so high an esteem of his Conscience and integrity. His government of the Town and Castle of Saumur was continued unto him till the year, 1621. when the King falling into displeasure and suspicion of the Protestants, by reason of their high deportment in the Assembly at Rochel, displaced him at first but for three moneths, with a promise of restoring him so soon as affairs should be a little quieted. But these discontents growing to an open War, he could never procure a re-establishment, though it were continually solicited by him; Wherefore retiring himself to his House in the Forrest upon Dayure, he continued there till the day of his death, which followed in the year, 1623. there applying himself to holy meditations and exercises of Patience. He did by a particular providence of God make his last Will for the peace of his Family, and the His preparation for death.edification of those that should survive him; which p. 158having finished upon the third of November, in the forementioned year, he expressed himself to be now discharged of one of his greatest cares, and that nothing was now left for him to do, but to die well. The next day he was seized by a continuall Feaver, forcing him to keep his bed, which so continued and encreased upon him, that upon the ninth of the same monethmonth the Physicians gave over all hopes of his recovery: Nevertheless he lived for forty eight hours after, which he so well husbanded in the care of his salvation, that scarce one of those hours was employed in any other business. In all which time he gave both by word and action so many express and evident signs of his faith and assurance, that it may be truly said, that in this short time he confirmed by Irrefragable proofs all that he had said or written of the truth of Christian Religion. In all this time he felt little or no pain, so that when the Minster asked him how he did, he still would answer, Well, very well. His speech continued till the tenth day at midnight, which he continually imployed in prayers for himself and his enemies, and in comfortable speeches to the by-standers; sometimes in the middest of his prayers, being heard to say, I fly, I fly to Heaven, the Angels are carrying me into the Bosome of my Saviour, sometimes repeating those words of Job, I know that my Redeemer liveth, I shal see him with mine eyes, hisce oculis, repeating divers times these last words in Latine. Being asked if he felt not the Spirit within him sealing unto him the promises of God, he answered, p. 159Yes indeed, I am assured of it, and again, I feel, I feel what I speak. Two hours after, his speech, and his hearing failed him, and his breath between six His Death.and seven in the morning of the eleventh day, which was the hour that he yielded up his spirit into the hands of God his Creator, finishing by a happy death, a life of above seventy four years continuance, exemplarily spent in the fear of God, and the profession of his Gospel.

The last hours of Monsieur du Plessis.

MOnsieur du Plessis by an instinct from God, had made, and dictated his Testament, upon the twenty fourth day of Octob. 1623. In the which, for the peace of his Family, and the edification of his survivors, he had set down his last will and pleasure. But by reason of some intervenient occasions, did not sign it till the third of November following, which having done, Now (said he) behold, I am discharged of one of my chiefest Preparation for Death.cares, and for the time to come have nothing else to look after but my Death. And indeed from the day following he kept his bed, for the most part, being seized by a continuall Feaver, which was since known to be of that sort, which is commonly called Li…yria. This sickness continuing, and increasing upon him, the Physitians gave advertisement unto his friends, upon Thursday the ninth of that month, that his estate was such, as no humane hopes were left that he could ever recover it. After which time God continued him upon earth for the space of forty eight hours, which he so well imployed in the Thoughts of himself, and p. 160his Salvation, that he scarcely spent any one intire hour of them upon any other business; giving both by his words and actions, such express and evident Testimonies of his Faith and Assurance, that it may be truly said, that in that short time he confirmed Faith.by irrefragable proofs, all that ever he had said or written concerning the truth of Christian Religion. The Gospel of the Son of God was plainly seen to be ingraved upon his heart by the Holy Spirit. He seemed in the midst of death to have obtained a firm possession of Life, & to injoy a full contentment in that, at which most men are ordinarily affrighted. And this Lesson was so lively and efficatious, that even those who had the greatest share in the loss of him, reaped joy and consolation from the very subject of their grief: Would to God that all men could have been present there! Since it is impossible for any Pen to imprint that force upon his Expressions, which his own Accent, and the condition wherein he was, gave unto them. His words we shall indeavour to express; though wanting that soul and life which they had in his mouth: And while we recount them as such, we shall intreat such as were then present to remember, with what voyce and action they were accompained; and those that were absent to imagine what weight the Spirit and Tongue of such a Personage could add unto them, sealing by a happy Death, a Life of seventy four years, spent (as is publikely known) exemplarily in the fear of God, and the profession of his Gospel.

p. 161On Thursday, the ninth of November, Madam de Villarnoul his eldest daughter, coming in the morning to his bed side, where after having enquired of his health, as she stood silent, he told her that he desired some one might come and hold some good discourse with him: Upon which occasion they caused a Minister, being his houshold Chaplain, to come, that he might give him notice of the dangerous condition in which he was, and prepare him to undergo the Will of God. And though the Minister was much troubled to be the bearer of so sad a message, yet he used much liveliness in the delivery, without making use of the circumstances wherewith men commonly usher in such discourses; To whom Monsieur du Plessis not any wayes moved or astonished, but with a countenance and spirit full of assurance, answered. Yea, saith he, is it true? I am very well content it should be so; And do in the first place pardon Charity.from my heart all such as have done or procured evil unto me: Further, beseeching God, that he would pardon and amend them. The Minister praising God for that he was thus ready to forgive unto others their offences, which was an evident sign that God would forgive him his; prayed him, that as he had edified the Church in his life time, so that now likewise he would do the same at his death, and since he still injoyed the use of his Tongue, that he would comfort and edifie the By-standers by his speeches. To which he answered, That he had not his speech so free as they imagined; neither indeed could he speak without p. 162pain, nevertheless the desire which he had to give an outward Testimony of the internall disposition of his heart, made him in some measure overcome this hinderance: onelyonly he abridged into as few words as he could all that he had to say. Then he began a Confession of his Faith, but not being able to finish it, he lifted up himself from the Chair whereon he sate, and said to the Minister, I have a great account to make, having received much, and profited little; It being answered, that he had by the grace of God faithfully and happily imployed his Talent, having served the Church with much profit, and advanced the Kingdom of Christ. Alas, (said he) what was there of mine in that Work? Say not that it was I, but God by me, Humility.which saying he repeated three or four times afterwards upon like occasions, reciting at one time that passage of St. Paul, 1 Cor 15. 10. I have laboured, yet not I, but the grace of God which is in me; speaking these last words in Greek, as they are in the Original foreign, giving thereby all the glory to God, without dividing it betwixt himself & his grace, as those which understand that tongue may easily perceive: Afterwards, being laid upon his bed, There is nothing, (said he) more just and reasonable, then that the creature should obey his Creator: Then lifting up his hands above his head, he thrice cryed out, Mercy, adding, that he did it to shew, that it was the alone mercy of God to which he had his recourse, and to which we ought to have ours also: That he had heretofore desired to live, in hope to see the deliverance of the Church: p. 163But that finding no repentance in the world, he now found nothing that should invite him to continue in it: Then composing his countenance, with a firm and grave voice, he gave his blessing, first unto his daughters, afterwards unto his sons in Law, recommending peace unto them, to which (said he) I leave you, as also to their children, and whole posterity, as well present as absent, praying God to ratifie this his blessing by his most holy benediction; He gave his blessing likewise to Monsieur de Auberville his Nephew, and his Wife; after, to his Family and houshold servants, and in particular, to the Minister which then assisted him, beseeching the Lord to prosper the holy Ministry of his Word in his hands. He called likewise Monsieur Dissandeau the Physician, which had always faithfully served him in his sicknesses, particularly in this, and blessed him.

At the same time calling to mind Monsieur Boucherean, Minister of the Church in Saumur, he prayed God to bless him, and, Let it not trouble him (said he) to be patient; He hath to do with a troublesom people, I beseech God not to impute their sins unto them; There are some in the company which know what I mean. He understood by these words those horrible calumnies, with which he had been, especially in his later years, unworthily and outragiously charged at Saumur, more then any other place. After he gave his blessing to the Church of Saumur, and to that of Saint Jovin (which was the neerest to his house) taking notice that there were p. 164in it many good men, which bore affection to the word of God. At length he prayed to God for all the Church in generall, that he would deliver it, and relieve it from oppression, and restore it to a prosperous estate. After which he gave charge to the Minister to write to Madam de Noiers, daughter to his wife by her former Husband, to tell her, that he gave his blessing to her, and all her houshold: Remembring a while after Madam de l'Isle daughter to Monsieur and Madam de Villarnoul, he expressed his sorrow for not seeing her, blessing her and her children: As also a while after he blessed particularly such of his grand-children, as did or had followed the studies of Learning, saying, that he was assured they should be blessed with the blessings both of Heaven above, and of the Earth beneath. This being done, he protested that he had through his whole life made Gods glory his end and aim; adding withall, that such as knew him, were not ignorant, that had he proposed any other end unto himself, it had been an easie matter for him to have come to great riches & honors. Therupon (the Minister questioning him upon that subject) he declared, That he persisted constantly in the faith wherein he had lived, which also by the grace of God he had defended by example, word, and writings; That were his life again to begin, he would walk in the same way and path, by which he had already steered his course, to wit, by persevering in the profession of the Gospel, notwithstanding the many dis-favours which he had suffered for it; That this his p. 165Faith was altogether founded upon the goodness and mercy of God in Christ Jesus, who by the Father had been made unto him, and unto all such as believe in him; Wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption; And for your works, Sir, (said the Minister unto him) do you attribute no merit at all unto them? Away (answered he) away with all merit both of mine, and of any other mans whatsoever: I call for nothing but mercy, free mercy. Upon which the Minister pronouncing unto him in the name of Jesus Christ, the remission of his sins, and the inheritance of eternall life, belonging unto all those that believe in the son of God, saying, that he did it in the vertue and discharge of his duty, not that he at all doubted, but he in his heart fully felt the grace of God, and had full assurance of his mercy; I thank you (said he) for it, and take your saying for an earnest of the goodness of God towards me, and to shew, that what he had said was more then bare words. Monsieur de Villarnoul, praising God that he saw him enjoy so much comfort in his end, which he had always heard him to desire during his life, that he might be able to testifie it from his heart, and not die without speaking it; I feel (said he unto him) my Son, I feel what I speak. Afterwards the Minister demanding if he desired that they should pray unto God to fortifie him more and more, and likewise that he would restore him unto his health, that he might further serve him unto his glory. Pray unto God (said he) that he would dispose of me. It being answered, that all hope was not yet p. 166lost, that what had been told him concerning the danger of his present condition, was but for fear least some accident should take away the consolation of hearing him speak: But that God was Almighty, able to raise up even those that were already in the grave; I am not (said he) an enemy unto life, but I alread see one that is far better then this.

A while after, Madam de Villarnoul saying unto him, that she hoped God would restore him at the instance of our prayers; My daughter (said he) let him do what he pleases, I depend upon his will. And indeed, though he always testified a great resolution and assurance to encounter with Death, yet he never rejected such remedies, or nourishment as were proffered unto him, and namely, that day dined as he was accustomed: He retired himself from life, he fled it not.

After this they prayed by him, during which exercise he was extreamly attentive, his hands and eies following, to their power, the motions of his heart: And as long as the least sense was left unto him, he constantly lent a like attention to all the prayers, which at divers times were presented unto God for him, during the space of those forty eight hours; so that about five hours before his death, when already motion and sence began to fail him, it was marked, that he endeavoured with one hand to lift the other from under the clothes, that he might hold them joyned and lifted up, during the prayer. Prayer being ended, he desired they would read unto him the 71. Psal. of which himself made choice; There was likewise read p. 167unto him the Meditation which himself had before time made upon 2 Tim 4. 7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, &c. And moreover, by his command another, which he had likewise published upon those words of the Psalmist, Cast thy burthen upon the Lord. Whilest these were reading, he was very attentive, giving us infinite testimonies of the pleasure which he took in it, and of the applications which he made from thence for his own consolation. All this during three good hours and above; After which we left him to his repose, as since we alwayes observed the same, to give him some time of rest after that we had heard him. All which spaces he employed in prayers and holy meditations by himself, as appeared by the motions, sighs, and words, which from time to time brake from him, of the assurance which he had in God, of the Victory which by his grace he had obtained against the tempter, and the like. In the afternoon, upon a discourse which was made unto him, of the blessed immortality, the Minister saying, That here below we have but the right and Title, the Possession being reserved for us in heaven, himself cited to this purpose the words of St. John in his first Epistle, Chapter the third: Beloved, now are we the Children of God, but what we shall be doth not yet appear; now we know that when he shall appear we shall be like unto him. From whence an occasion being given to discourse unto him of the Resurrection, he thought good that they should read unto him the fifteenth chapter of p. 168the first of the Corinthians, and marked (so fresh and untroubled was his spirit) upon the forty seventh Verse, The first man being of the Earth, is of dust (for so it sounds in the French Translation) that it is in the Text foreign. About the end of this Lecture, arrived Madam de la Tabarriere, his daughter, sent by her husband to visit him, and render the last offices of her Duty to him: He expressed much contentment in seeing her, saying, that God had granted him that which he desired: That she made up a great part of his comfort, and had done him a great pleasure in coming. He enquired likewise concerning some of her children, which she had not brought with her; and gave her his blessing: Afterwards exhorting all his children in general, to Union and brotherly Love, that they might possess in peace the Inheritance which he should leave unto them; injoyning them in particular, not to go to Law about it; which was promised unto him with great asseverations, by his sons in Law, and daughters, and particularly by Madam de Fontenay in the name of her husband then absent in Normandie: Which being done, full of contentment, he said, That he was arrived at the height of comfort, since he died with the assurance of leaving peace amongst his children. And as all retired themselves to leave him in repose: How should I sleep (said he) there being so many good people neer me? His daughters then returning unto him, he took them by the hands, saying, That he would speak unto them, and would have them to answer him; And then repeated unto them all the preceding Exhortations, tending to the fear of God, and to Peace and mutual Concord. Some time after the Minister discoursing unto him, That of all his Enemies he had now none left to fear, not Sin, not Death, not the Devil, not the World, being already discomfited by the Lord Jesus, and speaking to each of these in particular, he seemed to take much delight in that discourse: Amongst the rest, as he spoke unto him concerning sin, he said, That its power was the Law, abolished by Christ for such as believe in him; for Death, that it was indeed to be feared of those that are out of Christ, foreign (said he in Greek, alluding to a passage in Aristoles Ethicks, where death is so called) but not to those that die in the Lord, by whose Cross death was disarmed: As touching the World, the Minister telling him that he knew well by his own experience, how little its temptations can prevail against such as the Lord fortifies, his Grace and Mercy having alwayes constantly accompanied him in all his wayes, even to the present hour, which was an assured sign of the faithfulness of his eternal love towards him. He answered, lifting up his eyes on high, Thy Gifts, O God, and thy Call are without repentance: And upon that it was said, That the World, to deceive the faithful, sometimes threatens, and sometimes flatters them. These are (said he) the subtilties of Satan. The Minister continuing the same discourse, and shewing, that from henceforth the Calumnies of the Devil can do nothing against the children of Christ, being justified, and sanctified by faith in him, who is it (cried he out) that shall frame an accusation against the Elect of God? God is he that justifies; Declaring further, that he was fully assured to have part in all his Promises, so that neither life, nor death, things present, nor things to come, should ever be able to seperate him from the love of his Saviour: Which saying, he repeated divers times.

The Evening of the same day, upon discourse of the vanity of the world, Alas, (said he) What is the World? It being answered, The World is but a Figure, he added (as it follows in Saint Paul) which passeth away: And presently used that expression of Pindar in Greek, foreign. After, leaving this Discourse, he insisted much upon Confession of his sins, Saying, That he was a grievous sinner, even one of the greatest that was upon the earth, That there was in him, as he acknowledged, the seeds of evil; but that in Jesus Christ he should obtain mercy: And thereupon required with much affection, that they would speak unto him touching the Death and Passion of our Saviour; which being done, and followed by prayer, he heard all with great Devotion, and at the end of the Prayer, said these words, Amen, by Jesus Christ our Lord, in whom all the Promises of God are, Yea, and Amen. These were the greatest part of those things in Meditation, wherewith he spent the whole Thursday, and the night following.

Friday morning, as we approached to his Bedside, praying him that he would continue to edifie, and comfort us, by the Testimonies of his Faith, and Perseverance: He began with a Prayer, which he pronounced in Latine, Lord open thou my lips, and I will shew forth thy praise; Lord make me to know my sins, to weep for them, to detest them, to have them in execration, which he repeated twice; Upon this the Minister took occasion to speak unto him concerning the remission of his sins, and the comfort which follows it, founded upon the hope of immortality, it being impossible that such as are in Christ, though feeble, beaten down, and destitute, should yet ever fall from life, the power of the Lord perfecting its self in the midst of their infirmities, in such maner, that the inward man was still fortified, as the outward man grew weaker: Citing unto him, and reading all along to this purpose the end of the fourth Chapter of the second to the Corinthians, from the fifteenth Verse, & the beginning of the fifth, to the two and twentieth Verse, laying a particular Emphasis upon these words, We know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And asking him if he believed not all these things; If in this Faith he were not assured to be made partaker of that eternall weight of glory, spoken of by the Apostle; He answered; That he was intirely perswaded of it, by the demonstration of the holy spirit, more powerfull, more clear, and more certain then all the demonstrations of Euclide, and speaking those words, by the demonstration of the holy Spirit, taken out of the 1 Cor. 2 4. he repeated them in Greek foreign, as they are in the original; and a little after upon the same subject said, That he had seen the salvation of God, the wonderfull works of God, foreign (said he) in the words as they are read, Act. 2. 11. Wherefore he might now say with Simeon, Nunc dimittis servum tuum in Pace, upon which he repeated likewise two or three times that of the Psalmist, I believed, & therfore have I spoken, applying it as did Saint Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 13. to shew that all his confidence and assurance proceeded from his faith. After noon he was heard praying to himself, and saying in broken sentences; I flie, I flie to heaven; the Angels carry me into the Bosome of my Saviour. Then the Minister approached, and to comfort and confirm him more and more, called to his mind the manifold favours which God had shewed unto him, preserving him from so many dangers which he had run through, fortifying him against so many assaults which he had sustained, having always a particular care over him, and carrying him as the Eagle carries her young ones; which conception he repeated in Latine, ut Aquila pullitiem suam; the Minister continuing this discourse, he cried out, Lord thou hast been our refuge in all generations, before the Mountains were brought forth, thou art God. Whereupon it being added, that as the goodness of God, and his mercy towards us was from everlasting, so is it likewise firm and durable to all eternity: whence he might rest for ever assured of it, nor should the the weakness of his flesh make him any ways to doubt of it; to which he answered, I know that my Redeemer liveth, I shall see him with these eyes; hisce oculis, repeating these last words in Latine three or four times; And as for the infirmity of the body, which turns into dust; it having been said, that this should not weaken our hope, because that God into whose hands we resign it, is powerful and faithful to preserve that trust, that he suffered us to turn as it were into nothing, to raise us up again more gloriously, taking pleasure to magnifie his power in our weakness; of which he had often made experience during his life, and that it was still to be seen in his death, in which by the Lords assistance he triumphed over all his enemies, though in the depth of weakness, according to the flesh. We can do all things (answered he) in Christ that strengthens us. From that time he still grew weaker, so that towards evening he could no longer pronounce entire periods, nor testifie the motions of his heart, but by short answers to what they demanded of him, conceived in two or three words. Being then asked if he felt not within his soul the force of the holy Spirit sealing unto him the promises of God, and filling him with a lively consolation; He answered after a contented manner, which savoured of much cheerfulness, Yes indeed, and another time, I am assured of it, and a while after, with much ado, The love of God is in my heart: always when the Minister asked him how he found himself, he answered, Very wel. Thus in the middest of these blessed thoughts he entred into possession of the true Life, leaving by little and little this other earthly life. His speech failed about midnight, his hearing two hours after, his breath betwixt six and seven in the morning, at which time he rendred his Spirit unto God his Creator.

It is worth our notice, that during these forty eight hours, he felt little or no pain, having been often carefully asked concerning it, almost every hour, always constantly answering, that he suffered none. Moreover, that he had his senses perfect, as may appear by the preceding discourse, though a day before he had some raving fits, which ceased on an instant, without ever returning, so soon as they had given him warning to prepare for the life to come; At which the Physicians much wondred, seeing his Feaver and long waking (he having been many nights without sleep) in their opinions should have caused a Delirium. Lastly, it must not be forgotten, that in all this time, he entertained no other discourse then what tended to his salvation, having his judgement, spirits, and memory in so good estate, that in the middest of his extremities, they could scarce alledge any passage of Scripture, upon which he did not make some note, even upon the Hebrew, Greek and Latine words (whereof we have repeated some) using always the terms of Scripture to express the dispositions of his heart, and accommodating to his present use, the best and richest passages which are there to be found.

Of all this, many persons of honour are witnesses, both of ours and the other Religion, which were present there, both the one and the other declaring that they were extreamly edified and comforted by so fair a death: But none of them heard more then Monsieur Moris, a Physician of Bressure, making profession of the Roman Religion, who according to his wonted candor, will (I doubt not) always render a faithfull witness to the truth of that which we have here represented; God give them and us grace to make our profit of it, to his glory and our own salvation, Amen.

This Life is written at large in French by one that was his Amanuensis, and is thus contracted, and translated by my worthy friend Mr. S. Fellow of P. H. in Cambridge.