The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2, Book 2 · Biography 7
G. CARACCIOLUS
The Life of Galeacius Caracciolus, Marquess of Vico, who dyed, Anno Christi. 1592.
GAleacius Caracciolus was born at Naples, Anno Christi, 1517. His Fathers name was Calantonius descended of the ancient, and Noble Family of the Caraccioli of Capua: His Mother was descended of the noble Family of the Caraffi, whose Brother was afterwards Pope Paul the Fourth. His Father was very carefull of his Education in his youth, and then being well known to, and in favour with the Emperor Charls the Fifth; he requested him to intertain this his Son into his service, which the Emperor willingly did, and liked him so well, that shortly after he made him his Gentlem an-sewer; in which place, and office, he demeaned himself so wel, that he woon the favour of the Nobility, and rest of the Court, and grew to be of speciall accompt with the Emperor himself: and indeed few were to be compared with him for innocency of life, elegancy of manners, sound judgement, and knowledge of many things: His Father also being desirous to continue his name, and advance his house, provided for him a Wife, a Virgin of Noble birth, called Victoria, Daughter to the Duke of Nuceria, with whom he had in Portion 6500. l. his Fathers estate being worth 5000. l. per annum. By this Wife he had six children [four Sons, and two Daughters] But God intending to advance him to an higher dignity then that to which he was born, was pleased in mercy by degrees to reveal himself, & his truth to him: The first beginning of it was this: There lived about this time in Naples, a Noble Spaniard, called Iohn Waldesius, who having got some knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, especially in the Doctrine Light ariseth in darkness.of Justification, he used often to confer with, and instruct divers other Noble-men, his companions, and familiar friends, in points of Religion, confuting the false opinion of our inherent Justification, and merit of good Works, and thereby detecting the vanity and fondness of some Popish points, by which means (the Lord blessing his labours) many of these Noblemen began to creep out of darkness, and to discern the truth, amongst whom one was Iohn Francis Caesarta, a Kinsman to Galeacius: he discoursing often with Galeacius, began to convince him of the vanity of worldly priviledges: of the true means of our Justification; of the excellency and power of Gods Word, and of the folly of most of the Popish superstitions: Now Galeacius much esteemed this his Kinsman, yet the world hung so heavy upon him, that for the present these things seemed to make but smal impression upon his spirit: At this time Peter Martyr was a publike Preacher, and Reader at Naples, whose holy life, and sweet, copious Teaching, made him very famous. Hereupon, Galeacius was once content at Caesarta's motion, to go and hear his Sermon, yet not so much out of a desire to learn, as tickled with a curious humor to hear so famous and learned a man. Peter Martyr at this time was Benefit of hearing the word.shewing out of 1 Cor. the weakness, and deceitfulness of the judgement of mans reason in spirituall things, and the power, and efficacie of Gods word in those men in whom the Lord works by his Spirit, which he illustrated by this comparison.
If a man should see men and women dancing together afar off, and hear no instrument, he would judge them mad, or foolish; but if he come neer, and hear the Musick, and mark their measures, &c. he will then not onelyonly delight to see them, but feel a desire in himself to bear them company: Even so many men, when they behold in others a sudden and great change of their looks, apparel, behaviour, and whole course of life, at first he will impute it to melancholy, or some foolish humor; but if he look neerer, and begin to hear, and perceive the sweet harmony and consent of Gods Spirit, and word in them, then they change their opinion, and begin, first, to like them, and that alteration in them; and afterwards feel in themselves a desire to imitate, and be of the number of such men, as forsaking the worlds vanity, walk according to the rule of the Gospel, that they may come to true, and sound sanctification: This comparison, by the grace, power, and efficacie of Gods Spirit, wrought wonderfully in Galeacius, (as he oft confest His conversion.to his friends) that from that hour he resolved to forsake his former pleasures, and practices, and to set himself to seek out true happiness: and for that end, he read the Scriptures every day, as the fountain whence it must be drawn, and wherein the way to heaven was discovered: He chose such company, by whose life and conference he might be edified in the true Religion, and in his most holy faith: But this great alteration being observed in Naples, his old companions were much amazed at it: some judged it a melancholy passion: others esteemed it plain folly, & feared that he would become simple, and doting. But such as feared God, as they wondred much to see so great a change in so great a man; so they exceedingly rejoyced to see it, and praised the Lord in his behalf: But the more couragiously this worthy servant of Christ went on in the ways of godliness, the more the Devil raged against him by his temptations, endeavouring thereby to stop his course, or, if it were possible to drive him back again, that having Satans malice.begun in the spirit, he might end in the flesh: First, his zealous profession procured him an infinite number of mocks, and made him the subject of most vile slanders: many took occasion thereby extreamly to hate him: his Father was much displeased and vext, seeing how the honor and advancement of his house was like to be ecclipsed thereby, and therefore he often, and sharply chid him, charged Temptations.him with his Fatherly authority to put away his melancholy conceits: this much grieved him, being always very submiss, and obedient to his parents: his Wife Victoria also (though a wise, kind, and dutifull Wife) yet would she by no means yield to his motion, for the change of her religion, fearing infamy, and reproach thereby, and therefore she was always soliciting of him with complaints, tears, kind intreaties, and all other ways that a wife could use to her husband: It was also a great temptation, that almost all the Nobility in and about Naples, being of kin, and familiar acquaintance with him, oft resorted to him, to draw him forth to his old sports and pleasures: And his Office sometimes calling him to the Court, it was a great trouble to him, for there he heard of any thing rather then of Religion; not a word of Gods word, but all of pleasures, honors, &c. or how they might rid out of the way the forsakers of Popery, and professors of the true faith: yet Satan set upon him by a more dangerous temptation, to withdraw him from the truth; for at that time Italy was much pestered with Arrians and Anabaptists, who with glorious shews deceived the simple; these men set upon Galeacius, Tentations from Hereticks.seeking by all means to entangle him in their errors, and blasphemous phancies: But Gods goodness appeared wonderfully, enabling him, newly entred into the School of Christian Religion, and as yet little studied in the Scriptures, to resist the cunning snares of these dissembling Hereticks, many of them being grounded Scholers, and throughly studied in the Scriptures: yet he by the sincere simplicity of Gods truth, and assistance of the Holy Ghost, not onelyonly discerned the fondness of their opinions, but untied the knots, and brake the snares, and mightily confuted them: yea, (through Gods mercy) being often in their meetings, he was strongly confirmed in the truth by hearing, and seeing of them: Yet he met with a more dangerous temptation, for the Waldesians, with whom he most conversed, though they were right in some points of Religion about Justification, &c. and disliked some abuses in Popery, yet they frequented the Popish Churches, heard their Masses, & were present at their vile Idolatries, and this they did to avoid persecution, and this was a dangerous example to Galeacius, but (through the good providence of God) his Office calling him into Germany to the Emperors Court, at Strasbrough he met with his old friend Peter Martyr (who was then Divinity Professor there) by whom he learned, that the knowledge of the truth of Justification was not sufficient to salvation, if in the mean time a man defiled himself with Idolatry, which the Scripture cals spiritual whoredom: from him he received many other comfortable instructions, and thereby was much confirmed in the truth: and so returning to Naples, he declared his Judgement to the Waldesians, concerning the shunning of Idolatry, whereupon they presently forsook him, being unwilling to hear of that Doctrine which would expose them to all maner of sufferings: But God of his infinite mercy, wrought in him such heroical Christian courage.resolutions, that seeing his friends forsook him, and he had no hope of seeing a Reformation in Naples, he resolved to forsake his Country, and seek for Christ and his Religion wheresoever he might find them, and that he would rather forsake father, wife, children, goods, honors, &c. to win Christ, then to enjoy them all, and want Christ Jesus; yet herein he met with many grievous combats: for so oft as he looked upon his aged father Tentations many.that dearly loved him, and whom he again respected with all duty, and reverence, so oft he was stricken to the heart with unspeakable grief to think of leaving of him; and such like reasonings he had in his heart: What, must I needs forsake my loving father, or else I cannot have God my Father? And must I needs fail in my duty to him, if I perform my duty to God? Shall I hereby bring his hoary hairs with sorrow to the grave? Shall I bring an obloquie upon him, and my whole kindred? shall I be the cause of his death, that would (if need were) redeem my life with his own death? Yet must I rather hazard his life, then cast my own poor soul with horror into hell: And no less was he grieved in respect of his noble Wife, having no hope that she would renounce Popery, and go with him: She was in the prime of her youth, a Lady of great birth, fair, wise, and modest, but her love and loialty to him passed all, which filled him with these reasonings: Shall I thus suddenly leave my dear wife, the onelyonly joy of my heart in this world, my companion, the augmenter of my joy, and lesner of my wo? Shall I thus leave her for ever? Shall I deprive my self of her, & thereby of all others also, and of all comfort of a conjugal life, and married estate? Alas poor Lady! what will become of her, and her little ones when I am gone? What will she do but weep, and wail, and pine away with grief? Yet must I for Christs sake resolve to leave her, and all, to follow Christ: Whilst he meditated on these things, he thought he heard, and saw his wife sighing, and sobbing, and weeping, and houling, and running after him, saying: Ah my deer Lord! and sweet husband, whither will you go? And will you leave me poor woman comfortless and succourless? What can honors, riches, gold, silver, jewels, friends, &c. do when I want you? What joy can I take in my children without you, but rather my grief to be doubled to look on them? How can any be perswaded that you care for me, or them? Is this the love you have so often boasted of? &c. These thoughts tormented him the more, because they boiled in his heart, and he durst impart them to none, least they should have hindred his departure: yet the thoughts about his children extreamly augmented his grief: they were goodly and towardly children, worthy such Noble parents: they were young, and therefore not apprehensive what it was to want a Father: He loved them tenderly: When his wife, the Lady, did sometimes put into his arms the youngest to play with, how did it cut him to the heart, and what ado had he to contain from floods of tears? how did he in himself thus reason; and shall I presently leave these sweet Babes to the wide and wicked world, as though they had never been my children? to be a Father is a comfort, but a Father of no children, and yet to have children, is a misery? And you poor Orphans, what will become of you when I am gone? Your hap is hard to be fatherless, your Father yet living: What can your great birth now help you? by my departure you shall loose all, honor, living, dignity, &c. yea, hereby you shall be exposed to infamy, reproach, slander, &c. so that you shall curse the time that ever you had me for your Father: Many other were the temptations that he conflicted withall, though inferiour to these, as leaving the company of so many Noblemen, his kindred and acquaintance: to loose his honorable Office at Court: to leave for ever his Native soyl, the fruitfull Italy: to deprive himself and posterity of the Noble title of a Marquesdom: to undertake a long and tedious journey: to cast himself into exile, povertie, shame, and other miseries: to leave so brave a seat, the Garden and Orchard wherof exceeded all others in Italy, to see which, there daily resorted many strangers out of all parts: yet resolved he (through Gods grace) to leave all and follow Christ: saying thus to himself: Thou Lord art he that drewest me out of the mistie darkness of ignorance, enlightning my mind Christian courage.with thy holy spirit, and with the heavenly knowledge of thy truth, thou hast made known to me the way of salvation, & hast ransomed me to thy self, by the blood of thy Son: now therefore holy Father I am only thine, consecrated to thy glory, & therefore I will follow thee, and obey thee, and walk in thy ways whithersoever thou shalt be pleased to call me. Not my Father, Wife, Children, Honors, Lands, Riches, nor all my delicacies, and pleasures shall hold me one hour from following thee: I deny my self, and I deny this whole World for thee, and thy sake: O Lord thou knowest how many enemies compass me? How many hinderances, and temptations lie in my way, &c. O Lord have mercy upon me, and deliver my soul, &c. O blessed and happy these miseries, that pull me out of the worlds vanities, and sink of sins, that I may be made heir of everlasting glory; welcome therefore the Cross of Christ, I will take it up O Lord, and will follow thee. According to this holy resolution, making his mind known onelyonly to a few of his choice friends, of whose piety he hoped well, he wrought so much upon them, that they vowed to accompany him in this his voluntary exile; yet, see the deceitfulness of mans heart, most of these, when they Apostasie.came to the borders of Italy, and began seriously to consider what they left behind them, and what they went to, they first (with Lots wife) began to look back, and afterwards went back, turning again to the vomit of their pleasures: But oh the unsearchableness of Gods judgements, these ingratefull persons refusing so great a mercy offered them, the Lord pursued with just revenge: for purposing to serve God in their pleasures in the Gods judgements on Apostates.middest of Popery, they were taken by the Inquisition, forced publikely to recant, and abjure their religion, and so became the subject of misery, and infamy, and were equally odious to both parties: Yet their Apostacy was a great discouragement to Galeacius, seeing himself forsaken of those by whose society he hoped to have enjoyed much comfort in a strange Country: Notwithstanding all this, he prepared for his departure, and finding his opportunity, he concealed his purpose, least the authority of his Father might have diverted him, and so getting some 1000. Marks, which his Mother had left him, on the 20. of March, Anno 1551. & of his Age 34. he departed from Naples, as if he had intended for the Emperors Court, whither indeed he went, attending his Office for a short time, and then bidding adieu to the Court, and all worldly pleasures, he went strait to Geneva, where He forsakes all for Christ.he arrived in safety (through Gods mercy) & with a joyfull heart: In that City, though there was an Italian Church; yet met he with none of his acquaintance, but one, a Nobleman of Siena, and now a Preacher to the Italian Congregation: thus blessing God for freeing of him from the Antichristian Thanksgiving.yoak, & bringing of him where he might safely profess his name with a free conscience; he associated himself with Master Calvin, and submitted to his instruction, who finding his sincerity, meekness, &c. most kindly entertained him into his fellowship, and this their mutuall love was so firmly grounded, that it continued to their Friendship.lives end; Master Calvin shews how he honored & esteemed of him by his Epistle to him, wherein he dedicates to him his Commentary upon the first Epist. to the Corin. And amongst many other high commendations that he gives him there, he acknowledgeth that the example of Galeacius prevailed much with him, for the strengthning of his Benefit of good examples.faith, and encrease of his godliness: But when the news of his fixing at Geneva came to the Emperors Court, and to Naples, it cannot be imagined how strangely it affected all that heard it: but above all, his own friends were wonderfully astonished at it, and his Family; where nothing was to be heard but lamentations, tears, and pitiful complaints, so that it seemed a lively pattern of woe, and misery: yet was the old Marquess his Father most affected of all others, foreseeing hereby the ruin and downfall of his estate and Family: but the violence of sorrow being once over, he began to cast about by what means he might recover him again; and for that end sent a cosen-german of his, that was most dear to Galeacius, with Lttters to New tentations.Geneva, full of authority, protestations, bitter complaints, and loving intreaties to return home again, for the comfort of his aged Father, the reviving, and cheering up his forlorn wife, and distressed children, and to the unspeakable joy of all his kindred. This Gentleman coming to Geneva, found Galeacius in a mean house, which he had taken for his use, with onelyonly two servants attending upon him: but how sad was the meeting of these two gentlemen, which was spent in nothing but imbracings, sighs, sobs, and tears; yea, it so exceeded, that for divers hours, they could not speak a word each to other: till at last the Gentleman hoping, and longing to recover his friend, with pitifull words mixed with tears, he delivered his Letters, til he had recovered more freedom of speech, which having once obtained, to his Letters, he added obtestations, intreaties, perswasions, and exhortations, all mingled with many tears, that he would respect the ruin of his house, the grief of his old Father, the desperate condition of his Wife, and Children, &c. and remedy all by his return into Italy. But Galeacius, being as unmoveable Tentations resisted.as a Rock, without delay returned him answer, that he knew all this which he said to be true, yet withall he would have him know, that he had done nothing rashly, he had consulted with God, by whose grace he was moved hereunto: and by the same grace had his eyes opened to discern the truth, and to see the Superstitions in Popery, &c. He told him also that he had well weighed the infami…s, reproaches, and miseries which attended this his change: But said he, seeing one of these must needs be chosen, either to stay at home with a burthened conscience, under an heap of errors, and superstitions, or else to leave house, lands, family, Country; yea, and all the worlds glory, thereby to obtain liberty to serve the Lord purely according to his word; that therefore he resolved of two evils to chuse the less, and rather to shut his eyes against the splendor of worldly glory, and empty vanities, then that the sight of them should hinder him from following Constancy.the call of Christ; who saith, That he is unworthy to be his Disciple, who leaveth not Father, Mother, Wife, Children, &c. yea, and his own life to follow him: therefore said he, I forsook all these, because I could not enjoy Christ, and them, being heartily sorry that they would not come to him, or that he might not have liberty safely to live with them: But for himself, he said he had riches, honor, and joy enough, so long as in that cottage with his two servants, he might live in the true Church of God, enjoy his Word and Sacraments free from pollution, and the society of godly men, and have time to converse with God by holy meditation, & to confer with his religious friends about Gods great goodness shewed him in his conversion, &c. His kinsman was much astonished at this answer, yet had nothing to reply; considering that his resolution was not grounded on carnall reason, or the will of man, but upon the holy word of God, and his powerful and unresistable calling: therefore with a sorrowfull heart he held his tongue, bitterly complaining within himself, that he had succeeded no better, and so after a while he took his leave of his beloved friend, with many tears, and pitifull cries on both sides. When he came neer Naples, there was much running to hear good news, but when he had delivered his heavie message, the sorrow of them all was redoubled upon them: Father, Wife, Children, Friends, &c. were all overwhelmed with grief: and the rather, because at the same time the Emperor had published an Edict, wherein he proclaimed Galeacius guilty of high-treason, confiscating his goods, and making himself, and his posterity uncapable of his Fathers Marquesdom: this made the old man, notwithstanding his great age, to go to the Emperor, and to sue to him, that his sons falling from the Roman Church might not prejudice his posterity, but that himself only might bear the punishment of his fault: But before he entred upon this journy, he dispatched away a messenger with a letter, to charge his son upon his filiall odedience, to meet him such a time His Father sends for him.at Verona, within the Venetian territories, hoping if he could speak with him, that he should recal him from the society of the Hereticks of Geneva: Galeacius having received this Letter, and taken advice upon it, purposed not to disobey so lawful a command of his Father, though he feared that it would but further exasperate him: yet, before he went, he resolved by Gods grace, that neither threatnings, intreaties, allurements, &c. should stir him one inch from that course of Religion, whereby he had begun to serve the Lord: And thus armed with heavenly fortitude, and the Prayers of the Church, he hasted to Verona, where he found his Father, who received, and used him kindly: and after salutations, he set upon him with all the They meet.cunning and subtile arguments that he could possibly invent to draw him home again: Galeacius humbly answers, that his body and estate is his Fathers, but his conscience is the Lords: tels him he cannot imbrace that motion, but he must make Shipwrack of a good conscience; and therefore humbly intreats him, that seeing his only desire was to obey God, and save his soul, that he would not urge him more to respect estate, and family, then Gods glory, and his own souls health: The old Marquess seeing the unmoveableness of his son, which he deemed wilfulness; yet enjoyned him at least to stay there till he had been with the Emperor, and preferred his Petition to him: this Galeacius assented to, and performed; but so soon as ever he understood that the Emperor had granted his Fathers request, he with a joyfull heart returned to Geneva, and being there, he considered Zeal.how to imploy himself for the publike good: for which end he devised how to settle the Discipline of the Italian Church there, which was much increased by a confluence of families wch fled from the bloody Inquisition: About this time Calvin was delegated to go to Basil about matters of Religion, with whom (at his request) Galiaceus went, and there met with Celsus, descended of the noble Family of the Earls of Martinengo in Italy lately (through Gods mercy) escaped out of the mire of Popish Superstition: This Celsus was then purposed to go for England, but by the perswasion of Galeacius, he went with him to Geneva, where they both joyned together, and by the help, and direction of Calvin, they established a form of Discipline for the Italian Church, and Celsus was chosen the first Pastor thereof, in which place he performed the office of a faithful and vigilant Watchman, and had two Elders joyned as assistants to him: The principal of the Elders, was Galeacius himself, by whose authority and diligence the Church was preserved in Peace and Unity.
Anno 1555. His Uncle Paulus Quintus was made Pope; hereupon the old Marquess wrote to him, commanding him to meet him at Mantua in Italy, His Father sends again for him.sending him provision of mony for his journey: he obeyed, and went thither, where his Father entertained him with more then ordinary kindness. Then he told him, that he had procured of his Uncle, the Pope, a Dispensation for him, whereby he might freely live in any City within the Venetian Territories, without being molested for his Religion and Conscience: He told him that hereby he would be a greater solace to his old age, Great tentations.then his absence had been a grief, earnestly intreating him that he would gratifie him in this request, and all in a most pathetical maner, beseeching him not to reject so great a favour offered him by the Pope, telling him that hereby he might recover his honors, estate, friends, and estimation. Galeacius was wonderfully perplexed with this motion, considering the proffers, and promises, and authority of his Father, which he knew not well how to deny, nor how to imbrace, the rather because he wanted the advise of his faithful friend Master Calvin: Being in this great perplexity, he durst not rely upon his own wit, but retiring himself, betook himself to fervent prayer unto God his Saviour, the Author of true Wisdom, humbly craving the assistance of his holy Spirit, that in this his extremity he might Prayer for wisdom and councel.resolve upon that which was most for Gods Glory, and his own sound comfort: And the Lord answered his prayers, directing him in the way that he should chuse: For considering, that the Pope, Antichrist like, directly opposed himself to Christ, his religion, and true Church, that therefore he might by no means sue for, or accept any Rerurn of Prayersfavour at his hands, nor be at all beholding to him for any thing: Besides, Gods Spirit suggested to him, that it carried with it a shew of Apostasie, to forsake the fellowship of Christs Church, and to live amongst Idolaters: as also how scandalous it would be to professors, who would be ready to think, that he had taken his farewell of religion, and renewed acquaintance with his old friend the world: and further, that this was to forsake the ordinary means of the true word, and Sacraments, and to live in a place where there was nothing but Idolatry: He further saw that Sathans policy herein was to entangle him again in the cares of the world, and pleasures of Italy, and thereby to dazie his eyes with sensual delights, that by degrees the power of godliness might decay in him: & lastly, Gods holy Spirit taught him wisdom how to answer all his Fathers objections, and confute all his arguments: Hereupon he beseeched his Father not to draw him to that which afterwards he might have cause to repent of, by making him a prey to the Papists, who held it for a Maxime, that faith was not to be kept with Hereticks: therefore saith he, its better for me, and more joy to you, that I live in this poor estate, then that I should endanger my life, and my whole posterity: the Marquess being silenced hereby, returned with an heavy heart to Naples, and Galeacius with a merry heart to Geneva, where he was received by He goes back to Geneva.his friends, and the whole Church, with exceeding rejoycing for his safe return: but by the way, he visited that godly Princess, the old Dutchess of Ferrara, who entertained him honorably, and had much conference with him about his conversion, temptations, Journeys, the Church at Geneva, & the great Calvin, & so lovingly dismissed him, sending him in her own Coach, for his ease, as far as to the Town of Francolium: During these occurrences, his Wife Victoria burned in hearty affections towards him, and its inexpressible how vehemently she longed for his company, so that she never ceased writing to him, beseeching him to return again to her, and his Children: but when Letters prevailed not, she earnestly desired him to meet her in His Wife sends for him;some City within the Territories of the Venetians: this request he yielded to, hoping to prevail with her to leave her superstition, and to come with him to Geneva: the place where they were to meet, was Laesina, a City in Dalmatia, a hundred miles by water from Vicum: thither he went, but But meets him not.she came not according to promise, but sent two of her eldest sons to meet him there; their sight and company was most acceptable to him, but being frustrate of his expectation, in meeting with his wife, he sent them back, and returned to Geneva, where after a few days came Letters posting from his wife, craving pardon for her former failing, and beseeching him once more to come to that place, where, without fail she solemnly vowed She sends again.to attend him: this request seemed very unreasonable, that he should so spend his time, and weary out himself, in such long & dangerous journies: yet considering, that at his first coming from her, he had not so fully discharged his duty, by endeavouring her conversion, he yielded to go, and accordingly, An. 1558. he came again to Laesina, where he understood that many of his friends, together with his Wife, had intended to have met him, but that a Marriner of Venice had disappointed them; hereupon he resolved to go to Vicum, relying on the Lords protection, having, as he conceived, a He goes to Vicum.speciall call thereunto: when he came to his Fathers Castle, it cannot be expressed how great joy the whole Family was filled with: but above all others, his Wife surpassed with joy, and delight, hoping that now she had recovered her deer Lord and Husband, the onelyonly comfort, and solace of her life: but within a few days all this joy was turned into tears, and mourning, when he had discovered his constant resolution to persevere in his Religion, and that he would rather die Constancy.then be drawn from it: yet in the midst of these mournings, which almost brake his heart, he comforted himself in the Lord, dealing with his wife in a loving way, and earnest manner to go and live with him her Husband, as the Law of God, and nature required, promising her that she should have liberty of her religion, to live as she would: but she flatly answered him [though with His Wifes unkindness.many tears] that she would never go with him to Geneva, and that she would not live with him as long as he was intangled with those Heresies: Yea, so violent and wilfull she was, that she there denied him that duty which a wife is bound by all Law to yield to her husband, nor would by any means lye with him as man and wife; saying, that she was expresly forbidden by her Confessor to do it, upon the pain of excommunication: How this unwomanly answer pierced his heart, its easie for Husbands to guess: yet he bore it with invincible His patience.constancy and quietness of mind, but withall told her, that if she denied him that matrimoniall duty which by the Law of God she owed him, he would sue out a divorce against her: Notwithstanding she still persisted in her obstinacy, rather chusing to break Gods command, then her Confessors: he therefore resolving to depart, reiterated his former protestation to her, and so bad her to take it as his last warning.
The dolefull day of his departure being come, Tentations at his parting.he went to his Father to take his leave, whose former love was now turned into fury, so that he gave him his farewell with many an heavie and bitter curse, which the Lord turned into blessing, and so having passed this brunt, he came into the Hall, where was his Wife, Children, and many of his neer kindred, and deer friends, all fraught with grief and heaviness: Nothing was heard but sighs, sobs, and cries: Nothing seen but tears, and wringing of hands, his Wife imbracing, and taking him about the neck, beseeched him with loving and pitifull speeches, that he would pity himself, her, and his children, and not so wilfully cast them all away: His young children all upon their knees, with arms stretched out, hands holden up, and faces swoln with tears, cryed unto him to have pity upon them, his own bowels, and not to make them fatherless before their time: His kindred with heavie countenances, and watry eyes looked rufully on him, and though through grief they could not speak, yet every look and gesture was a loud cry, and strong intreaty for his stay amongst them: unutterable was the grief of them all, & unspeakable was the torment, and temptation that he felt in this agony, when he must either leave Jesus Christ, or these his friends for his sake: Yet above all, there was one most lamentable sight, which would have broke an heart of Flint: amongst all his children he had one daughter of tvvelve years old, a proper and towardly Gentlewoman, who catching fast hold about his knees, held him so hard, that he could by no means shake her off, and fatherly affections would not suffer him to hurt her: he laboured to be loose, but she held fast; he went forwards, but she trailed after, erying to him, not to be so cruel to her his child, who came into the world by him: this so wonderfully affected him, being a man of a most loving and tender-hearted nature, that as he oft related, that it made his very bowels to rowl within him, and that his heart was ready presently to burst in sunder: But being armed with a Divine, and supernatural fortitude, he brake Tentations overcome.thorow all these temptations, and trod under foot whatsoever might hinder him from Christ, and so leaving that heavie house, and dolorous company, he hastened to the Sea-side, and taking ship, he presently caused them to hoise sails towards Laesina, yet with a toiled, and distressed mind, betwixt sorrow, when he remembred whom he had for ever left behind, and joy to remember that he had escaped: Yet could he not so master naturall affections, but that he brake out into tears, and often looked back to that which he had left behind, yet saw that he must leave all for Christs sake: but it much pierced his heart, when in looking back, he saw his Wife, Children, and kindred standing on the shore, who when their cries could be heard no longer, ceased not to look after the ship so long as it was in sight, neither could he refrain, but with a wofull countenance looked at them again, so long as he could discern them: and remembring all the former passages of his Fathers curses, his Wifes tears, Childrens cries, &c. it fetched from him many a heartbreaking sigh, and bitter groan: Yet the sprirituall strength, and courage of his mind was constant, and invincible: So that after a while, he cheered up himself, and bended the Thanksgiving.knees of his heart to the eternall father in Heaven, giving him most hearty thanks, for that he had furnished him with such a portion of grace, as to withstand, and conquer Sathan in so perilous a conflict; and for delivering him from Popish thraldom, and the bloody Inquisition, which he Gods protection of him.was in continual danger of whilst he was in Italy: He praised God also for giving him time, opportunity, and grace to perform that Duty to his wife, which he had omitted at his first departure from her: As also that he had made that protestation to her, upon her monstrous and undutiful behaviour towards him: And so (through Gods goodness) he came safely to Geneva, October 4. He returns to Geneva.An. 1558. His safe arrival brought exceeding joy to the whole Church there, especially to the Italian Congregation; amongst whom he lived with unspeakable contentment in his own conscience, in his former private, and quiet life: And after a few years, he began to finde in himself some He intended a second mariage.reasons which inclined him to think of entering into a married condition; and the rather, because he never heard from his wife, nor found any relenting in her, nor remorse for her former obstinacy: This his purpose he communicated to Master Calvin, craving his advise and councel in a case of so great importance: His answer was, that it was most convenient, and less scandalous, if he could abstain from mariage: Galeacius told him that he could not abstain, and gave him many Calvin doubtful about it.weighty reasons which inclined him to marriage; withall imparting to him some secret reasons: Holy Calvin, a man of a sharp judgement, and of a wise discerning spirit, foresaw that many would speak evil of the fact, others would be scandalized, because few truly understand the Doctrine of Divorcement, and fewest of all knew all the circumstances of this particular fact: Galeacius urged such arguments out of Gods Word, as Calvin could not sufficiently answer, and thereupon he told him at last, that if he would go to the judicious Peter Martyr, and ask his opinion, and the opinion of the Learned Divines of Rhaetia, and Switzerland, and request them after mature deliberation to set down their judgments, and the reasons of it in writing, for his own part he would subscribe unto them, and yield him what liberty they thought fit in this matter: Always provided, that he should submit and stand to their judgements in this case: This Galeacius willingly assented to, desiring nothing more then to finde out what the Lord by his Word, and by the voice of his Church should prescribe to him: And accordingly he wrote to the Divines, and Churches The judgement of the Church of Switzerland, about it.afore mentioned, who meeting together, and seriously debating the case, and weighing all circumstances, at last unanimously resolved, that he might with a safe conscience leave his former Wife, who had first maliciously disserted him, and so be married to another: and this their opinion they confirmed by Scripture, Fathers, Councels, and by the Civil Law, which being returned to Galeacius, he still taking the consent of the Church along with him, sued out a Divorce, and had it legally by He is divorsed.the Magistrate granted unto him: After which, advising with his godly, and prudent friends, he began to think of disposing himself in marriage, wherein yet he sought not so much after riches, beauty, birth, &c. as for a fit companion of his life, with whom he might comfortably spend the remainder of his days, and serve God cheerfully till the coming of his Lord and Master: And the Providence of God (which never fails his children that wait and depend upon him) provided him such a wife as his heart desired, viz. a Matronly Genlewoman, a Widow that came from Roan in France to Geneva, for true Religions sake: She was well reported of for piety, modesty, and many excellent qualities, and about forty years of age: Galeacius considering her fitness in many regards, He marries again.married her, Anno 1560. and of his age forty three, and they lived together many years after, with much comfort, and excellent agreement, so that the great afflictions, and unquietness of his former life was now fully recompenced with a life full of all contentment, and Christian joy.
His next care was to unburthen himself of all worldly cares, prescribing to himself a moderate, and frugal course of life: Kept onelyonly two maidservants, His frugality.lived in great sobriety, yet always free from sordid baseness, neither wanting necessaries, nor having superfluities: His attire was plain, but comely: & he that might in his own country have been attended with many servants, did often walk the streets alone, not having one man with him: Yea, he disdained not oft to go into the Market, and provide his own necessaries, and sometimes would buy, and carry home Fruits, Hearbs, Humility.Roots, and such other things: esteeming this course of life, together with freedom of Religion, better then the Marquesdom of Vicum: Yet under this mean attire was shrowded that gravity, majesty, and deportment, that any wise observer might easily discern that he came of a Noble race: He was a great ornament to, and was highly esteemed and honored by all the City of Geneva, every one speaking of his praise, so that it was hard to say, whether he was more beloved, or admired amongst the Magistrates, Ministers, and persons of all ranks: No publike meeting was God highly honors him.appointed, or solemn feast made, unto which he was not invited, every one thinking himself happy that might enjoy his company: and (though he would have refused it) yet every one gave him the title of a Marquess all his life long: His noble qualities were such, that every one honored him: Strangers, Princes and Noblemen that visited Geneva would by no means omit to see, and be acquainted with Galeacius, honoring him no less then if he had been in Naples.
His chief converse was with those Italians of his own Church, in whose eyes his humble mind, and friendly conversation made him more honorable: He was one of a thousand, for besides his Noble birth, & Princely education, he truly feared His Character.God, was affable, courteous, and friendly to all men; wise, discreet, and very eloquent: as his memory was exceeding good, so his smooth stile, his easie, quiet and seemly delivery made his speech most gracefull to all that heard him: with poor men, if they were godly, and honest, he would converse as familiarly, as if they had been his equals: he was of a free and liberall heart; His Charity.no poor or distressed man did ever desire his assistance, but presently he would reach out to them his helping hand to relieve them, and the loss of his former estate never troubled him, but when he had not wherewithall to give to charitable uses: it was his joy, and delight to be lending, and giving to those that wanted: Prisoners, and distressed persons did oft taste of his bounty: He visited the sick, and his presence, and Christian exhortations were very comfortable to them: Every day he joyned with the Church in their publike service: He never omitted to hear Sermons, shewing wonderfull devotion, and reverence to His Piety.the word of God: He daily read a portion of the holy Scriptures: As an Elder of the Church, he carefully observed, and enquired into the maners, and lives of Professors; encouraging the good, admonishing offenders: where he saw, or heard of any dissensions, or suits of law amongst Christian neighbours, he was exceeding carefull to A Peacemaker.compose, and end them: he wholly dedicated himself and all his abilities to the advancement of Gods glory, and the edification of his Church: But after a long calm of peace and tranquility, God raised up new storms, yet further to try his patience, and exercise his graces: for first he fell He sickens.sick of a grievous, and doubtfull disease, proceeding from abundance of rheume, which made him so short winded, that he could hardly draw his breath, wherewith he was exceedingly tormented night and day, so that he could scarce get any sleep: this was procured by his long and wearisom journeys, which he had formerly taken by Sea, and by Land, for his conscience sake: Then there came to Geneva a Nephew of his, bringing him Letters from his former Wife, and his eldest A new tentation.Son, perswading him yet at length to return to his Native Country, and former Religion: giving him hope that hereby he might advance his youngest son to the place of a Cardinal, &c. But the soul of this worthy Gentleman was much wounded, and grieved hereat, as abhorring those His zeal.profane dignities in the Popish Church, and to shew his distaste of the motion, he burnt the Letters before the Messengers face, and withall not daigning to answer them by writing, he by word of mouth returned a grave, wise, and zealous answer: Yet this importunate Jesuite (for so he was) ceased not to molest him with frivilous reasons, and fleshly arguments, promising him an huge sum of mony, if he would return home, &c. But the Noble and holy heart of this godly Christian, in an heavenly zeal, and ardent love to his Saviour Jesus Christ, could not but shew it self, which made him to cry out: Let their mony A most Christian Speech.perish with them, who esteem all the gold in the world worth one daies society with Jesus Christ, and his holy Spirit: and cursed be that Religion for ever, which shall wed men to the world, and divorce them from God: Go home therefore, and take thy silver with thee, make much of that dross of the earth, &c. But know, that my Lord and Saviour hath made me enamoured of far more precious jewels, and durable riches: Which words so enraged this Papist, that he brake out into ill words, and reproachfull terms, and so went his way: Being delivered from this tempter, his sickness encreased more, and more upon him: his pain was most grievous, but he His Faith & Patience.bare it with an heroicall courage, and as the pains encreased, so his faith, and patience encreased, and as the outward man perished, the inward man was renued day by day, and above all, he found unspeakable comfort and sweetness in his prayers to the Lord, and would often say, that in the middest of his prayers his soul seemed to be ravished, Joy unspeakable.and to tast of the blessed joys of Heaven, and as the suffering of Christ abounded in him, so the consolations by Christ abounded much more: The Physicians spared no pains to cure him, nor his friends to visit him, especially his loving and tender wife was never from about him: But all was in vain, the time of his dissolution drawing on; Therefore he wholly sequestred himself from any more care of his body, and from all worldly cogitations: he took his farewell of his wife, and all his Christian friends, saying, That he would lead them the way to Heaven: his heart and thoughts were all in Heaven, and he cryed to Jesus Christ, that as he had sought him all his life, so he would now receive, and acknowledge him as his own: And so in the presence of his friends, whilest the Ministers were exhorting, and praying with him, he peaceably, His death.and quietly yielded up his Spirit into the hands of his mercifull God, and faithfull Creator, An. Christi, 1592. and of his Age about 74.
As Moses, when he was come to years, refused Heb. 11. Like Moses.to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, & chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt: So our Noble Galeacius, when he was come to years, and the knowledge of Christ, refused to be called the Son and Heir to a Marquess, Cup-bearer to an Emperor, Nephew to a Pope, and chose rather to suffer affliction, persecution, banishment, loss of Lands, Livings, Wife, Children, Honors and Preferments, then to enjoy the sinfull pleasures of Italy for a season; esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the honors of a Marquesdom, without Christ; and therefore seeing he must either want Christ, or want them, he dispoiled himself of all these to gain Christ.
Collected out of the Historie of his Life, written by Master Crashaw, and translated by him out of Beza.