A collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinitie in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laide downe by that author in his catechisme. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newlie translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoofe of our Christian country-man

A FVNERALL ORATION OF D. FRANCES JVNIVS, Professor of Divi∣nity in the famous Schoole of Neustade; vp∣on the death of D. ZACHARY VRSINE, a most worthy man and vigilant Do∣ctor and Professor of Divinity in the saide Schoole of Neustade.

WE haue lately lost (noble and worthy auditors) the most faithfull servaunt of God Zacharie Vrsine, a re∣verende vvitnesse of our Lorde Iesus Christ, a right vertuous man, my sweete fellow-professor, and one most beneficiall to Gods church: of this man are we deprived, and this our orphan-schoole left destitute of her parent. The greatnesse of which losse if I woulde amplifie, I shoulde but giue occasion of more heavinesse to

your mindes, that are already in this case too ten∣derly affected, and faile exceedingly of that ex∣cellency of discourse, which in so excellent a sub∣iect may iustly be expected. For though faine I would, and could hartily wish that I might speak much to this purpose, yet I neither thinke it fit, considering I should but minister fuell to the fire of your affection; nor accompt my selfe able, as well for divers defects which I feele in my selfe of wit, learning, exercise, & continuance of conver∣sing with that man of happy memorie, whereby I am much disabled; as also because if I were fur∣nished with gifts of vtterance (which in my selfe I acknowledge to be very slender) yet nowe the waight of this vvorke, the scantnesse of time, and vehemencie of my griefe haue debarred me all vse and practise of them. Wherefore I would indeede haue perswaded some others of our col∣ledge to take some paines in this matter thereby to ease mine owne study and sorrow; but they ex∣cused themselues vvith the publique griefe and their owne most affectionate heavinesse. And must wee then needes neglect the commendati∣on of that sacred soule, if in this publique calami∣tie of the Church and our schoole, wee giue our selues wholy to mourning and lamentation? But that perhaps wil seeme an vndutiful nicenes & tē∣dernes to such as know not the vehemēcie of our griefe. Besides (to vse the words of S. Amb.) though it do but increase our griefe to wright of that which grie∣veth vs, yet because cōmonly we content our selues with

the remembrance of him whose losse we lament, for th•••• in wrighting a whilest that our mindes by meditation are wholy fixed on him, wee imagine him to liue in our dis∣course; it is a thinge that must be done, except we will be thought to haue buried in silence the memorie of a pledg so well deseruing, and to haue vouchsafed him no honor, or els to haue avoided all incitemēts to greife, wher as for the most part, to greiue is the especial comfort of such as are greiued. Shall we then differ this commenda∣tion any longer? no truelie; but rather let vs stirre vp your mindes to maintaine his memorie both now & to al posteritie hereafter: for (as Nazianzen saith) good men ought to be especially remembred, and they whose memorie is godlie and p••offitable. But stay then: am I the boldest of this companie of pro∣fessors? not so. But perhappes I am the most offi∣cious and forward to shew my dutie? truelie nei∣ther am I so greed••e of the glorie of this actiō that I could finde in my heart to snatch it from others by prevention. How then? am I belyke the most vnwise of all others? truelie I do not arrogate to my selfe any great wisedome, onely I hope this my dutie shal be without off••ces & with thought hereof I am much comforted. But what mooued mee aboue others to take vpon me the penninge and pronouncing of this oration? Because of dutie one of vs must needes haue done it; & that which was a dutie in all, greife excused in other, and might as well haue done in me, had not very necessitie not onelie required, but also euen ex∣acted it at my handes. For first I owe as much to

the memorie of that iust man my good fellow-professor, as others doe, namelie an honorable re∣membrance of him. Moreouer I owe so much du∣tie and more to this our Schoole, which may iust∣ly callenge my diligence, as well in this as in o∣ther causes. Lastelie I shall hereby provide both for the publique good, and also for mine owne credit: for otherwise who would not be readie to obiect against me that sayinge of Sophocles?

Alasse! how soone thanklesse posteritie Leaues to retaine a dead freindes memorie?

But these learned and iudicial men herepresēt, may in the common heauinesse make this bene∣fit, that they perswade themselues they may shift of the burden of this exercise without preiudice of their credit: as for me, the necessitie of my place enforceth either to prouide some other who will and may better discharg it then my selfe, or els to submit my selfe to the hazard of your censures. The waight of my other affaires do ouermuch dis∣tract me, the conscience of mine owne weaknes doth amaze mee, the worth and greatnes of the thinge it selfe deters me. All this notwithstāding, the authoritie of this schoole preuaileth ouer mine affaires, good ensample and publique paterne of the church forceth my conscience, and necessitie it selfe doth thrust me forward setting aside re∣spect of the worthe and maiestie of this subiect, to say some thinge therof in this assemblie. Trusting therfore to your courtesie and indifferencie (wor∣shipfull and worthie auditors) first I desire & en∣treate

you to heare favorably this my oration, no way matching (I confesse) that matchlesse mans desertes, or your expectation, or mine owne duty, but onely fitting my poore mediocritie: then that you woulde vouchsafe lovingly to excuse mee (plucking onelie some few fruites from that most rare and sacred tree (if I neither flourish out this picture with those curious colours, nor furnish out this table with those diuers and daine••i•• dishes which that rich store house might afforde, but ra∣ther supplie what mine ignorance hath omitted, and pardon both for shortnesse of time and vehe∣mencie of griefe, whatsoever I shall happen to speake vnadvisedly. For in that man I purpose not to speake of that wee admired whilst it vvas present, and now want being absent (for I neither know nor can reckon al) nor of many such things as I know, and haue much thought of (for even that also were almost infinite, and would seeme incredible to manie) but I intend in few words to lay downe a briefe of those vertues and good giftes which heretofore wee haue all seene, and whose losse wee now lament, and to shaddowe out vnto you the damage redounding to vs all by the vntimely death of that man of fame, that by this fi••e wee may bee inflamed to strong faith and serious repentaunce, and more and more frame our selues to imitation of this worthy wit∣nesse and valiant champion of CHRIST IE∣SVS.

Zacharie Vrsine was borne at Pres••aw of honest

parentage by discent, in the yeare of our Lorde, 1536. Hee was naturallie for constitution of bo∣die strong; but more strong of minde and cou∣rage, especiallie after there had beene ioyned to the goodnesse of his nature, artes, and sciences, and other most excellent and heavenlie giftes & qualities. But touching the giftes of his body we shal not neede to speake much, considering that some of them are indifferentlie common to all men, others besides men, are also incident vnto beastes. For although in themselues they be cō∣modious, and such as every man may wel wish to further him in laudable attemptes, yet they make nothing to the true glorie and commendation of those in whom they are found: wherefore I am re∣solved to giue vnto him his deserued commenda∣tion, not as he was man, but a most absolute Di∣vine. But touching the vertues of his mind, which by consent of al good men deserue of themselues to be desired, and possesse the perpetual fruit of true glorie, what shal I saie? whence shoulde I be∣ginne, or when should I end, if I should endevour to speake all that might be said of this most holie & choice vessell, ordained to the glorie of his ma∣ker? I should sooner want time then matter in so iust a cause. Nowe then I see well what I haue to do. I must prescribe vnto my selfe certaine limites & bounds, beyōd which (would I never so faine) I may nor stray: that so, both I may promise to my selfe the things wherof I meane to speake, & you before hād may cōceiue what you are like to hear.

First thē I giue you to vnderstand, that this our deare Vrsine was a man absolutely furnished with manie and those exceeding greate and singular giftes of wit and vnderstanding. Also this I saie, that with these most singular, exquisite, and in∣credible giftes of witte vvas ioyned a most stricte course of life, respecting the publique good of the Church. Lastly, I tell you, that his godly death is vnto vs a most sure argument both of his ele∣ganeie of vvitte and strictnesse of life. VVithin these boundes I doe of purpose empale my selfe, that so you remembring this may the more easily recall to memory all the rest, and with authoritie call me homewardes, if I offer to wander beyond these listes.

Concerning that wit whereof we spake, I am verily perswaded that this worthy man was most aboundantly stored with many and those verie heauenlie giftes thereof: which I desire may bee spoken without offence, and taken without envy of any man. For vvaying vvith my selfe that strength of wit which is naturall, I see not vvhat was wanting in him that might be founde in any man: but when I thinke of those vertues where∣by our wits & mindes are adorned and strength∣ned to the studies of humanitie and religion, then me thinke I remember how by the finger of God almost all were heaped vpon this one man. And that this which I speake is true, al men can witnes who but once conuersing vvith him haue had experience of his singular vertues, vvitnesse his

familiar acquaintance, witnesse his friends, wit∣nesse innumerable multitudes of those vvhich haue vsed his advise, witnesse many greate and principall men, which haue preferred him be∣fore al men to bee the oracle of their counsels, & th•• censurer of their wrightings: vvitnesse innu∣merable peoples, nations, churches, and last∣lie bookes of his, by whose varietie of learning CHRISTS people hath alreadie a long time beene fedde and recreated, albeit they like mo∣dest children, obeying the modest will of their natural Father, dissemble and conceale his name. VVhich beeing so, vvhat neede I any farther blazon the worth of so incomparable a wit? For if I consider with my selfe his naturall wisedome ioyned vnto this witte, beholde immediatelie there are presented to my viewe vvhole troopes of conferences, Letters, Lectures, Sermons, wrightings, bookes, beeing as it vvere vvhole shoppes and store-houses of his wisedome. If at any time I bethinke my selfe of his inventi∣on, vvhat could a man conceiue of sharper edge? (as the Poēt said) more forwarde and swift? more diligent & industrious, then was that force, wher∣with it pleased almightie GOD to endue this vessell of holinesse? If I respect that magnanimi∣ty and quicknesse of conceipt vvhereby all hu∣maine things he conceaved & skorned, what mā on the earth did more easily, & in the twinckling of an eie, (as vvee vse to saye) overpasse all those thinges, vvhich to those celestiall spirites

seeme vile & base, then he did? If tenacite of me∣morie which is the continual companion of good wittes, I finde in this man a memorie immortally good. But after this fruitful and happie witte was once manured & husbanded by ingenuous artes and sciences, then indeede began he to aduance the singularitie of his nature vnto a perfection far exceedinge all others. For he trulie was so skilled in all artes and sciences, that he might worthilie bee thought possessed with that famous circle of sciences, so much commended by auncient phi∣losophers. He was as well seene as any man in the arte of pure, plaine, elegant, and true speech. He had so diligently and artificially vsed each part of philosophy, that you should not take him to haue beene a scholler to philosophie, but rather philo∣sophie to haue bin a scholler to him. He was most skilful in the Mathematiques, he knew exquisitly al that pertained to Naturall philosophie, and was so excellently cunning in Moral and politique affaires, that he might worthilie be accoumpted a singular miracle of the worlde.

Moreouer (to the intente that learninge this, wee may proceede yet farther) how manie and greate men did hee to his greate cost visite, that he might throughly informe himself in the know∣ledge of these thinges, and perfite himselfe by diligent imitation. For hee visited, hearde, & swallowed not onelie with eyes and eares, but allso with insatiable thirst of mynde those most cleere and eminent lightes of all Europe, which

then shined in Wittemberge, Leipsich, Paris, and Zurich, gathered from them all the sweete hony of learninge, whose combes are nowe extant, delicious and wholesome to vs for this schoole, to Germanie his deare countrie, and to the whole church of God, which is the common mother of vs all, but bitter and pernicious to all wic∣ked men and heretiques. What should I heare speake of exercise, wherein this greate servant of God and minister of the church did so greatlie delight, that with too severe and strict medita∣tion and exercise, wherevnto hee was wholie ad∣dicted, hee neglected all care of his bodilie health. And this hee did then especially, when hee had satisfied his minde with the knowledge of humaine artes, least perhappes that might befall him which often befall vnskilful fencers, whoe a longe time flourish & beate the aire with∣out once touching the body, & after much paines takē to no purpose, whē they come indeed to the sharp, are soone over come in fight: for it is indeed a great matter and ever cōmendable to excell all others in naturall gifts & strēgth of witt, but grea∣ter, to grace that solid natural iuice of wit with the florishinge pleasinge coloure of humaine arts, but greatest, & that which exceedeth all the rest is, when both iuyce & colour are steeped & purified in the sacred foūtaines of this diuine & heauenlie doctrine: not that our minds might anie more be coloured as in times past with pure purple, but that every one in the spirite of his minde may bee renewed after the image of his creator.

And if any man in our memorie, without doubt this valiant champion of Christ hath performed, laboured, and carefully perfited it. For first he per∣ceaued, and verie wisely, that those daintie orna∣ments of humanitie ought to be hand-maides vn∣to the word of God and holy scripture. Then this he laid downe for a ground, that he was not at his owne, but others disposing. Also he vnderstood that as many as addicte themselues to the service of God, obtaine of him saluatiō, but such as with∣draw themselues from vnder his hand, doe fayle therof. But then (good Lord!) how feruēt a stu∣die did the meditation of these things breede in the sanctified soule of this Christian champion? what feare? what desire? what zeale? Hēce sprōg his faith in Christ, his hope, and (that which is the bond of all perfection) his charitie: all heauenlie vertues, which whē once they were rooted in him by God the father, they could neuer be rooted out, or corrupted by any temptation, violēt fraud, prosperitie, or adversitie. What shall wee farther say, if all this was not enough, but that the inno∣cent man must daily punnish himselfe? for he did seuerely chastize his bodie to bring it to subiectiō vnto Christ. It is incredible how carefull and reli∣gious hee was not to be wiser thē in sobrietie was fit for him: he did ever captivate vnto Christ that naturall wisedome wherin he excelled; he neuer durst determine anie thinge but out of the plaine and knowne worde of God, he would avouch no∣thinge but what he had receaved by most sure

faith of the holy Ghost; lastely he was alwaies of this minde, that nothinge was to be altered from the common receaued customes and opinions, except the vnresistable veritie of Gods worde did both commaund and force. But that he might with more certaintie compasse all these things, he was exactelie skilled in the tongues, a most neces∣sarie instrument amongst others for a true diuine: and these he had alwaies readie, and vsed them wheresoeuer was neede with passinge dexteritie and wisedome. A man for iudgment most profūd, for prouidence wise, cunning to devise, quicke to invent, laborious to search, sharpe to discusse, readie to perceaue, in deliueringe a truth most faithfull, in refellinge a falshoode most powerfull, farre from uanitie, diligent in all he vndertooke, armed at all points with the complete harnesse of a true Diuine, a stronge repeller of falshoode, & an invincible fortresse of defence for veritie. This man (worthy audience) by profession a diuine, indeed a champion of Christ, haue we lost, wee haue (I say) lost by the will of God this earnest maintainer of Gods truth, this victorious aduer∣sarie of Satan; this faithfull touchstone aud rebuke of the fraudes and sophismes which he vseth to plot and devise, this valorous vanquisher and destroyer of heresies we haue seene taken from a∣monge vs: and we all lament this most heavie plague and greivous wounde inflicted on vs and the whole church of Christ. But whether do I wā∣der? Doe you not now perceaue (noble and ex∣cellēt

auditors) that by degrees I am fallen to the second point whereof I purposed to speake? For hitherto I haue giuen you to vnderstand that this our Doctor was a rare man for excellencie of wit, learninge, trust, and skill in matters of religion, the learnedst among divines, and most divine a∣monge the learned. Now it followeth necessarily that I speake somwhat of that second parte which I proposed, that so to this theorie and knowledge I may ioyne his vertuous life and practize.

The manner hereof was this: he was an other iust Zacharie before God, and laboured with all his might to ioyne innocencie of life to those ex∣cellent giftes of witt bestowed on him by nature, arte, ane the heauenlie grace of God: I call you to witnesse that haue conuersed with the man open∣ly and familiarlie. Whatsoeuer he had of nature, did hee not (after he had faithfully bettered it by liberall artes, and profited it by grace infused from heauen) imploy it wholie to the studie and du∣tie of pietie, charitie, and humanitie? Some per∣chaunce will thinke it incredible, some enuiouse∣lie spoken; yet I must needes say it. I thinke this age hath bred verie few, whose studious part and dutiful minde might be compared with this mans hearte and minde. Which I speake not because I woulde flatter him: for whie should I flatter the dead? nor that I yeeld too much to our freindship and familiaritie, for it was a greife to me that I was almost alwaies absent from so worthie a man; and now to be cutt of from all hope of acquaintance

with him which I haue so much wished, this is that which grieueth me most of all. I speake the truth, & that which in cōscience I thinke; I haue obser∣ued in this mā so much diligence of studie, and so much gratiousnes of curtesie & faire behavior, as can very hardly be matched, must lesse bettered by any mā. And how might this be known? beeaus in pietie, charitie, and curtesie he satisfied al other men, but never could satisfie himselfe. But who, I pray, is there that can witnes thus much? nay who is there that cannot witnes it, if he haue but heard the name of Vrsinus? heard it, say I? nay I call thē to witnesse which know not so much as his name. There haue beene manie in our memorie, which haue most greedilie gathered the most sweete & wholsome fruite of his labours, as from a tree vn∣knowne, & haue togeather with vs thirsted after the water poured from his river and bowells by Christ. It were to long to confirme these thinges by examples, testimonies, and arguments: & per∣happes to some of you vnprofitable, to others tea∣dious. But out of manie I will make choice only of som feaw, & frō his plentifull panterie & stor∣house, furnish you out a frugal & thriftie bāquet. His first rudimēts of religion he had learned of a child; which is a great matter. In proces of time he encreased & furthered thē most aboūdātly: which is more. But the greatst matter & most memorable of al the rest, is that whē he was aged (if a man of years may be termed aged, at which years it plea∣sed God to take away and extinuish that light,

shining to the testimonie of that true light) but being, I say, aged, he as much confirmed that his studie of godlinesse and religion, as when he did most.

Lastly, at all times (that I may, if it be possible, conclude al in a word) without measure or end he was so carried away with desire of godlinesse and reverence of his maker, and did so burie himselfe therein, that from the principles of wisdome pro∣ceeding every daie very much forvvard, he in the end attained that perfection, wherwith the most righteous God hath now crowned him. And though himselfe procured & vsed no other suffi∣cient witnesses of these his most holy endevours (which God very well knew and approued) be∣sides that great searcher of harts, God, & our Lord Iesus Christ whom he serued in spirit: yet am I able to alleadge two most evident proofes thereof, namely his faithful praiers, & sacred meditations. But then (will some man say) did this Vrsinus, whō you cōmend, vse to cal witnesses about him when he wēt to praier? did he offer himselfe to the view & hearing of others as if he had beene on a thea∣ter and not in his closet? no truely. That most sim∣ple man, one far from al shew of this humaine va∣nitie & affectiō of vaine glory, thought it alwaies sufficient to be seene in secret by his father▪ which seeth in secret, vvas verie warie in beeing seene of others, confirmed himselfe by Christiā praier, did not vaunt himselfe by pharisaicall boasting. Do I then guesse and speake by coniecture? nor so, but

avouch it vpon certaine knowledge. For such in∣deede was this man of God, most carefull of the truth, the church, the afflicted brethren, & al mē, wholie bent to faithful praier, whereby like ano∣ther Iosue conversing night & day in the light of heavenlie things, he did with feruent praier saue and defend the people of his charge, & with the sword of Gods word chased and put to flight the enemies of the faith. But what should I speake of his meditations? We founde (ô deere Vrsine) that thou didst truely obserue, what Demosthenes had before in word & deed approued, That easie things were harde to bee conceived by the negligent, and harde things easie to the diligent. So certaine was it that thou thoughtest nothing vnworthy thy medita∣tion. For what easie thing did escape him? What difficult thing was there wherevnto he did not at∣taine? Whatsoever the eternall spirit of God deli∣vered in the bookes of the Prophets & Apostles, all that he beleeued faithfully, searched diligent∣ly, and attained by med••••ating theron miracu∣lously. For those he accoumpted the worthiest paines, which were bestowed in those divine stu∣dies. As often as I thinke on the greate, labori∣ous, and peremptorie desire of meditation which was in this man, (and I cannot but thinke of it verie much and often) I still call to minde that elegāt sentēce of Ba••••••us the Great, seeing the truth is harde to finde, wee must euerie where seeke after it. For if the conceiuing, as of arts, so also of true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and religion, be made greate by that continu∣all

encrease vvhich by little and little is gathered together, there is not that thing so meane & sim∣ple, which they that enter into that kind of know ledge may or ought to despise. But what thinke you of this, that there was nothing delivered by those great men & principall philosophers which this my busie fellow professor did not by medita∣tion attaine, were it neuer so crabbed, deepe, and obscure? was he not well seene in the moral wrigh∣tings of Aristotle and other wrighters? was not natural philosophie plaine, open, and easie vnto him? did hee not absolutelie conceiue the drift and na∣ture of Aristotles Organon? the subtiltie of vvhich worke some flie, as despairing of the vnderstan∣ding thereof, others with rash iudgement cōdēne it, as the fatal and pernicious Scylla or Charybdis of youth: the subtiltie and commoditie of vvhich vvorke Vrsine sharpelie and speedilie perceaued, and presented it as it were in a table to be percei∣ved and perused by others. What should I heere speake of the Mathematiques, vvhose foundations are commonlie grounded on serious meditatiō of mind, whose principles are cōtained in axioms or petitions as they cal thē? Their difficult preceptes were not vnknowne to Vrsinus, vvho by serious meditatiō, not fleeting & slender insight, through¦ly pervsed thē all. Well then, let vs now see what witnesses we can produce for this matter. After I haue vsed his own testimony, I wil then thinke of others. Vrsine himself in the whole race of these his too shorte daies, is a most substantial witnes of his

owne meditatiōs, & al those vertues which before I haue recited. For what duties of piety, or Christiā charity, or cōmō curtesie did he omit? his religious duty toward God, God himselfe did see, acknow∣ledg & seal, & hath now at the last rewarded. But because the best vvay to knowe the tree is by the fruit, let me (with your patience) a litle turne your thoughts to the fruits of his godlinesse & religion. Truly I thinke that in holy scripture they are the greatest fruits of godlines, which cōcerne the ad∣vancemēt of Gods glory. And whē was this sacred soule at al wāting herevnto? whē did it not ende∣vor & labor vehemently to giue light everie day more thē other to the truth, & therwith to lightē others with whō it did cōverse, that so it might dis∣pel the foggy clouds of error? But those duties of piety are most neerely linked vnto charity, which concerne both edifying of the church, & the sal∣vatiō of our neighbors. Wherfore now I wil speak iointly of both sorts of duties, & demōstrate how painful this couragious soldier of Christ did labour by his speech, his wrightings, & his whole minde, that he might not in the least maner trip or wāder frō his duty. As therfore the duties of piety & cha∣rity ar between thēselues agreeable, & vnited: so also they liued, encreased, & altogither shōe forth of this mā when he lived. For if we respect the ex∣ercises hee vndertooke in regarde of these duties, good Lord, how great was his faith? his diligence? his fasting? his watching? for not onelie the fruits ensuing heereon can witnesse thus much vnto vs,

but also that macerating and pullinge downe his bodie, that taminge of his flesh, that outwarde man worne and spent with sore passed labours, so that hee died an vntimelie death. I woulde to God (my deare Vrsine) thou hast not so week∣ned thy selfe with vnmeasurable 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that thou mightest longer tyme haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vs, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 schoole, & Gods church For thou diddest so far respect god, that thou diddest no way respect thy selfe. Alasse, alasse, deere Vrsine the light of Ger∣manie, the pillar of the church, the father of this our schoole, and the immortall glorie of this coū∣tie Palatine, I woulde thou couldest haue been perswaded, to haue taken thy-selfe a little from thy-selfe, and respited thy-selfe a little from thy continuall cares, that so wee, this schoole, & the whole church might a little longer haue enioyed thee? when I in times past admonished thee som∣what to this purpose thou madest mee aunswer, that bodilie exercise did little profit: where vn∣to I replied that it was profitable, and that by entercourse it was to bee ioyned with the ex∣ercise of the mynde, and that it was elegantly proved by Chrysostom to the people of Antioch: all this I tryed with him, but to no purpose. But what meane I? the Lordes will hath been done, it is better to bee silent, then to reply. Who then is there which can shew, that the duty of this worthy and laborious man was ever want∣ing either in speech or wrightinge, as long as hee was any way able to shew it? for mine owne part I

know not whether the remembrance of his in∣vincible paines, which hee vncessantly vsed in perfourmance of these duties, did more greiue me, or the conceipt of that fruite, whith without care of him selfe hee dealte vnto all posteritie doth delight mee: although tyme may were a∣waie greife, but this fruit shall continue beyonde all tyme. Yf I respect private conference, thy mynde was an wholesome and well sured trea∣sure: if thy publique speeches, it was the oracle of God, at least for that measure that may be found in mortalitie: if both togeather, that thy divine disposinge and dispensinge of the mysteries of God, doth not the brightenesse therof dazel and blinde the eyes of my mynde and vnder∣standinge? Thou man of God, thou well fur∣nished Divine with all the holie complete ar∣moure of divinitie, thou excellent amongest all divines, when diddest thou at anie time cease from preaching and professing of the truth? when diddest thou cōceale those mysteries which were stored vp in thy armoury, that is, in thy mind? whē wert thou at any time idle? it is strāge that I wil tel you, yet very certainly true, there neuer came in my presēce idle word out of his mouth: all things did streāe frō him so exquisit, levelled, weighed, & premeditated. What should I speake of his publi∣que discourses? his excellēt sermōs first preached by him at Heidelberg were in admiration with all men; the variety & multiplicity of learning, which he vsed in his lectures did refine, adorne, better &

make fruitfull the wits of many, vvhich now in all parts of the Christian vvorld plant, sovv, & water the garden and fielde of God, which build vp the house of the liuing God, and lastlie which by their labours of imitatiō do represent this their faithfull maister, as it vvere reviued by them & recalled frō death. Nay his ordinary table which he vsed in the house of wisdome, vvas so spread vvith varietie of flowers & sweet fruits of that more sacred sort of philosophie, so stored with provision new & old, that it might wel seeme, not a table of vulgar phi∣losophie, but a sāctuarie of celestial wisdōe. There the voice of scripture resounded, which is the on∣ly messenger and interpreter of vvisdome, there vvere her foster-children, honesty and modestie, and (to vse the words of Eustathius in Macrobius) with sobriety, godlines. There was variety of hi∣storie, natural and morall; there sate by all the sci∣ences, and one after an other interposing did by entercourse breath louely & liuely freshnes into the whole assembly. If any mā wil reckon these a∣mong his discourses, he may for me; but I knovve these were ful & iust lectures, adorned with notes of al sciences, & beautified with admirable graces. And these ar the great vertues of his discourses. But who wil not marvel that al these vertues shoulde dailie be polished & adorned by wrighting, that most excellēt & ready maker & master of eloquēt discourse? For this mirror of mē tooke pleasure to feed the fluencie not only of his tōgue, but also of his wit by wrighting: which is a thing that Tullie cōmādeth & cōmēdeth to as many as desire to ex∣cel

in speakīg & teaching. Therfore al his lectures, cōmētaties, observatiōs, & notes were wrightē: so that frō his own writings he had cōtinuall helpes, both for his owne memory, & also for others dire∣ctiō. But amōgst all these writings I maruell at no∣thing more, thē that he could steale so much vacāt time frō thē, as to answere to many & those verie weighty questions. He opened the vnderstāding of things, & freely gaue coūsaile to such as reque∣sted his advise, & thē was he most dutiful, whē he was supposed to think of nothing lesse thē dutie. This the learned & vnlearned, the poore & rich, neighbors & strāgers, friends & enemies cā verie wel witnes: none of al which cā iustly complaine, that he was either not regarded of him, or not sa∣tisfied by him. He endevored so curteously, gētlie & faithfully to doe good to all, that he might win al, & ioine thē to his L. Christ. But some mā wil say these are priuate matters: where are those publike proofes of his piety & charity? these thinges are so opēly witnessed & proued, that they are indeede cleerer thē the cleere sun-shine at noone-day. For those elegāt wrightings heretofore we haue seene at Heidelberg, came most out of this store house: & those which here, I say here 5. yeares since vvere spred amōgst vs, were al wrightē by the same hād; and that hand which here hee guided by his skill, God hath now possessed there with vndoubted rest. Tell mee (thou vpstarte Eutyches) what didst thou ever feele more heavy then this hand, ex∣cept the hand of God, which doth vex, persecute,

excruciate, torment, & pursue them? What Belle∣raphon did more strongly beate downe thy Chimae∣ra? what Hercules thy Hydra? Who did ever more couragiouslie confound that thy Cerberian mon∣ster of Vbiquitie? But that I may not long dwell on a matter vulgar and trivial, thou Sarmatian A∣rius shalt not escape the hand of this heroike chā∣pion, though issuing from vs. This same is he that hath provided, filed, polished, sharpned and fit∣ted vnto vs armour, prepared for the destructiō of thy impious opiniō: of whose force I haue thought good to fore-warne thee, that thou maiest now at length begin to looke backe to God & reverētly feare the eternal son of the eternal God which is, was, and shal be one together with the father for ever and ever: which if thou wilt not doe, vnder∣stand then that there is denounced from this mā eviction of thy blasphemie, and from God, thy downefall, ruine, and destruction. What trust thē, vvhat diligence shall we thinke was in this sweet and sacred soule, who suffred no hower, no mo∣ment of the day to passe without some profit? The proofes of pietie & charitie consist especiallie in these 2. causes; first in maintaining true doctrine, secondlie in assailing and suppressing that which is false. Who thē is there that can addict himselfe more religiouslie, learnedlie, fitlie, presselie, vehe∣mentlie, faithfullie, diligentlie & stoutlie to true and sound doctrine then he hath done? To speak somwhat of his curtesie, what greater favor could he do, then that whereof before I spake, vvhich

was his diligence in vnfolding questions, and gi∣ving advise? Which in this man was ever so elabo∣rate, that he cleered all doubts most evidently, discouered all sophismes most subtilly, readilie, & with passing dexterity and agility, not with the words of humane wisedome, but by the power of the holy spirit. Why thē should any heere obiect, that he was a man of churlish and surly dispositi∣on? In deed as they which are paineful in their stu∣dies are somewhat surly to such idle and slouthful children as delight more in childish sportes then manly studies: so they that are most diligent are somewhat way warde to men of vanity. For to my selfe and other good men that knew him, no man was more curteous and affable. And if at a∣ny time he made it a religiō to stir from any mat∣ter which he busily intended, I likewise made it as great a religion to cal him away frō it: because I would presuppose, that either he was very busie or not very wel. In my occasions of busines (saith Tullie) I am very doubtful, when having begunne any thing I am called to some other matter: nei∣ther can I so easilie conioine things interrupted, as finish them once purposed. Touching health there is none so foolish but (if he doe not beleeue me) may learne as much by nature & experience. Wherefore he is but a drone, that will be trouble∣some to a busie bee; and he too vnciuil, foolish, & importune, vvhich takes such harmeful diligence for a duty. Of this sort there are many so foolish, and iniurious to good men, that they scarce accōpt

them men, vnlesse they will every waie be as foo∣lish as themselues. What shall I here shew that, I often see verie greate men complaine of this mat∣ter, that they are sodainlie called awaie frō those studies that are sacred, weightie, and required of their place, and compelled against their willes to spend most of their time in trifles, & idle discour∣ses, and so almost to nothing, to their owne great greife, and the publique damage of the church. How often, and how grieuously doe Nazianzen, Austin, and Ambrose confesse that they haue takē these withdrawings and callings awaie from their studies? They truely deale more wisely, so they be not over stricte, which imitate that same Basi∣lius the Greate, and Chrysostom, For they so close∣ly betooke themselues to their function, that they preuented all such withdrawings, as are wont, ey∣ther rashly or without respect of dutie to be impo∣sed vpon learned men. They saw well that if you admit these importune saluters at the first, they will afterward challenge it as a right to be troble∣some to good men, & by their example provoke other men to the same importunitie: but that you shoulde provide for best, if at the first you tooke some care, & prevented these vncourteous curte∣sies In this sort therfore did this good soule do ser∣uice to God, and the church, or else tender his owne health. Thou rather art churlish (ô thou im∣portune mā whosoeuer thou art!) which vncurte∣ously desirest that, which Vrsinus of curtesie might & of duty ought to deny. It is folly not to excuse

him that is busied in affaires of the church; but not pardon him that tendereth the health of his owne bodie is in humanitie: & both contrarie to the lawe of charity. Although (to come to the last part of my speech) this our deere brother was not so hindered, but that whē he was vnable to lift his handes, his tongue stambering, & his iawes almost closed vp, almost panting & gaspinge for breath did yet attend to these studies & duties. For whē his strength failed, & the iuice & bold in his body was decaied, how often did hee thinke of this our Schoole? How often did he cōplaine that he was idle amidst that painfull buisinesse of his infirmi∣tie & sicknesse? How reasonablie did he persist in those wrightings he had vndertaken, vntill that soule which coulde bee conquered & tamed by no afflictiōs, begā to fleete & flie out of his brokē, cōquered, & tamed corps? ô blessed is that faith∣full and wise seruant, whom his Lord when hee commeth shal finde so doing? happie is that man, whose God is the Lord?

And that this man of famous memorie, our be∣loued freind, is now in that hill of Sion, in the ci∣tie of the liuing God, in the heauenlie Hierusalem, amongst myriads of Angels, in the companie & church of those first▪ begottē which are gathe∣red into a heuēly armie, with the iudge of al flesh, with God & the spirit of the iust that are now perfited, with the mediator of the New testamēt Iesus Christ, & the sprinkling of the bloud of our saluatiō, both those argumēts which before I vsed,

namely those heauēly gifts of wir, faith, hope, stu∣dy of pietie, charitie, humanitie, and all other du∣ties and curtesies do evidently confirme, as also that most happy ende which hee made doth cer∣tainly demonstrate. For, not to speake of this, that his soule long since lived vnto God, & was dead vnto this wretched and miserable world, (for so I speake holilie with Christes Apostle of an holy thing) when mention was made vnto him of faith, hope, charity, resurrection, life, glory, and eternall happinesse, Lord how did he assent, applaude, & sweetelie smile at it! how did he cast vp his eies to our Redeemer! to whom as he had long before cō∣mended himselfe, so also he did at length surren∣der his soule most peaceably, & so was wafted out of the deepe sea of this world, into a most pleasāt harbour of salvation and rest, euen the bosome & embracings of our heauenlie father. Who is there heere (I beseech you) amongst vs, that wil not re∣ligiouslie crie out for ioy, and wish together with me! O let my soule die the death of the iust, and let my ende be like vnto his. For he truely saw, he saw by liuelie faith heauen open vnto him, & Christ the Prince and perfiter of our faith sitting at the right hand of maiestie in the heauens, incomparable glory provided for him, the whole companie of that heauenly church welcomming him, lastly all making to saluation, since he did so quietly yeeld vp his soule vuto God the Creator and Father of spirits, that so hee might liue with him eternallie. This then is that soule (noble and worthy audi∣tors)

this is that sanctified soule and acceptable to God, which to our great losse is of late daies takē from vs: although (as sometimes Cyprian and Am∣brose saide) wee haue not lost it, but sent it before, purposing our selues in good time to follow. We haue not lost but repaied him, as Epictetus warneth vs. For he which gaue him hath required & recei∣ued him backe againe. Why then do we mourne for him whom we haue not lost? We lament that so sweet and fit an instrument of Gods glorie is receiued backe from vs: we lament this foreshew∣ing of euil hanging ouer vs, and now ready to be∣fall vs: we lament the present ouer-flowing of wic∣kednes, iniustice, and al perfidious dealing, which commonly preuaileth so much the more, as it per∣ceiueth these meanes of protection and saluation to be taken from vs. For haue we not reason to la∣ment the losse of that instrumēt, of whom it is sin to conceale any thing that may worthily be spo∣ken in commendation? I know right well (noble auditors) that many here present are able to speak more to this purpose then I either haue done or can do. For that dailie familiarity which you had with our Vrsine, hath enriched you with store of matter, and variety of learning with eloquence. But seeing of duty & deserte I haue yeelded you the first place in this matter, and you haue vouch∣safed me the second; you wil also (I hope) willing∣ly pardon me, for substituting in my roome a Di∣uine to speake of a Diuine, and attribute vnto this man that which himselfe spake sometimes of A∣thanasius

the stoute mainetainer of the truth, and Antagonist of errors. He was the Lords faithful labo∣rer, a man of God, the reconciler of men, the trompet of truth, the pillar of the church, Gods true champion, con∣stant in the faith of Christ, most fit for defence against poisenous heresies: who though he were peaceable & mo∣derate in all things, yet could hee neuer patiently endure, that for quietnesse sake God should be betraied but was a vehement warrier and an invincible Herioicke spirit in this case: cōmending some, moderately chastising others; correcting some mens coldnesse, bridling others heate: providing for some that they fall not, labouring that o∣thers which were fallen might be raised againe; simple of maners, divers in discharge of many duties; wise of talke, wiser in vnderstanding; wherefore he so liued, was so in∣structed, and so instructed others, that as his life & man∣ners might be a list & limit to vpright dischardge of the like dutie: so also his opinions may bee examples as it were authenticke lawes of faith and religion. All this I may wel speake in commendation of this our Di∣vine, which the same Divine spake sometimes in cōmendatiō of Athanasius. And would God haue taken from vs and the church such an instrumēt, except he had bin angry for our sins? did not God condemne the wickednes of the world, when hee tooke Enoch vnto himselfe? vvas not all Israel on fire after Elisaeus was dead? was not Iuda miserably persecuted & put to the worst after the death of Iosias? haue not we read that Coūt Stilico said destru¦ction attended on Italie when so worthy a man as Ambrose was dead? was not Africke, Germanie, and

lād sorely vexed, after they had lost Austē, Luther, & Bucer? And I am of opinion that God doth but reveale vnto vs some great & present anger of his, and fore-shew some seuere iudgemēt against this vngratefull generation, by the death of other fa∣mous men, & of this choice instrument by name. But what if God not by worde onely but also in∣deed haue oftē stirred vp our vnrepētant harts to a profitable meditatiō & terrour of these thinges? Wee truely haue read, seene, & obserued howe great and manifold signes and tokens God vseth to shew both in heauen and earth, before hee ta∣keth away those sacred lights from amongst man∣kind: How vehementlie he doth as it were clothe heauen and earth with mourning and lamentati∣on, how fearfully he threatneth to set all on fire. All which he doth to no other end but by many testimonies of his anger to call vs to repentance, and may giue vs to vnderstand that hee choo∣seth rather to disburden his anger vpon al things then to strike mankinde: and in the end when hee is so neere, that for often offending his patience hee is readie to directe the arrowes of his anger against our verie heades; that then hee may shewe that those good men in whome hee taketh most delight, are deliue∣red from danger of this generall fire and fear∣full diluge of distruction. Wherefore (noble audience) this is the thinge for which wee mourne and sorrow, this is that wherwith we are moued and so neerelye touched: and

and truely we shew our selues iron & flintie har∣ted, if we should nor be broken with these heauy and feuere tokens and fore-runners of Gods pu∣nishments, and submitte our selues by obedience vnder the hand of the almightie. I see also an o∣ther thinge to be much bewailed and lamented. But what is that? Whie this, that if iudgment doe not immediatly ensue on these threats, the world growes insolent vpon the death of such men, in∣vaideth the truth by open and secret practizes, raizeth vp heresies, hardeneth it selfe in all mis∣chiefe, and encourageth it selfe to see those men takē awaie whith are aduersaries to his opinions, and spoileth and wasteth the church, beinge last destitute of her vigilant and faithfull pastors, do∣ctors, and guardians. These fearfull dangers, these sore discommodities, these shamfull mischeiues, do beare, racke, and kill, the hearts of all good men: the feare of these thinges (that I may say somewhat concerning my selfe) doth not so much enforce me to bewaile the losse of this my sweete deere and meere fellow-professor, that powerfull teacher and blessed soule, as the leauinge of vs all destitut of such a one, & the presaging of of those evils, which I beseech God of his mercy to turne awaie from vs.

And thus (worthie and learned auditors) you haue seene shadowed by my pencil the life of our deere VRSINE, whose memorie shall be bles∣sed for ever. I know we must not long either la∣ment him, or pittie his memorie. Yf by my words

I haue againe renued anie mās heauinesse, let him togeather with me call to minde how much good we reaped by him in his life time. What good so∣euer we receaued of him, we did not therfore re∣ceaue it that we should envie his good. Let vs ra∣ther everie of vs looke to this, that as he was good to all, so we also may in such sorte follow spiritual good things, that by them we also may become good. He gaue himselfe painfully to good studies, let vs also do the like. He frankelie dealte vnto all men that rich treasure, which he had by his stu∣die stored, and God by his heauenlie grace had in∣fused; let vs also followinge his example bestowe vse & fruitiō of those good gifts which by Gods grace are grounded in us, on our fellow-seruants: let vs further pietie, charitie, courtesie, quietnes, and the common good; and let vs in the sight of God, and in this schoole, as in a most choise the∣ater bring vp studious youth both for life and learninge to the same ende, and strengthen both our selues and others in the faith of Christ. And thou beloued youth, thou svveete assemblie, which couldest haue wished that thine instructor to haue liued longer for thine ovvne sake, for our sake, for this schoole, for the church, & the whole world; bemoane no longer his absence, vvhome thou reioycest to haue hade present with thee sometimes by example of life, & whome yet thou makest vse of in those his ever-memorable wrigh∣tings. Endeuour rather to stirre vp more Vrsines about thee. He hath one heir of his bodie, vvho,

wee hope will also bee heir of his vertues. But the way is open to you all to bee partakers of his inhe∣ritance. Goe to, now you are well growen, enter then, & set foote in possession of this inheritance. You want neither wit, nor helpes of studie, not yet the waie; one thinge onely remaineth, that yee wante not will, and bee not wanting to your selues. Applie then diligently your will and your selues to these studies; applie your selues verie faithfully & painfully to all duties of pietie, chari∣tie and humanitie; toile and laboure herein, & be vnto vs another VRSINE euery man in his place. And though every one of you cannot bring to the building of this tabernacle the golde, sil∣ver, and iewels of VRSINE, yet despaire not presently; iron, brasse, woode, Goates haire, and stones are also acceptable vnto God. You that cannot bee Captaines, or in the first rancke; bee not therefore discouraged: there is also need of some to bee in the second, third, fourth, tenth, and twentieth rancke: and Christ witnesseth, that even such also haue an order and place in his Fathers house. It shall be no disgrace to bee euen a doore-keeper in the house of the liuinge God. For of this euen David, (a man after Gods owne hearte) was not ashamed; neither be you nowe ashamed, neither shall it euer repent you, to des∣cend into these listes, to enter into these studies, to attend these duties, or to follow these exam∣ples. They shall (saith Fabius) carrie themselues farre higher, which endevour to come to the top,

then such as before despairing of comming so high as they would, do straight set vp their rest a∣bout the bottome. But what of that? neither I my selfe which now speake to you am any thing neere this noble patterne, (I speake only of my selfe, as for the giftes of my fellow professors, I admire, and in duty reverence them) neither can you attaine therevnto by your owne indu∣stry. But alasse that VRSINE, that man of re∣membrance of God (for so his name doth signifie in Hebrew) is taken from vs: now there remaineth to vs only the remembrance of so excellent a mā. What then shal we do? That Iah, that strong God, who remembring his servant Zacharie, advanced him to so high a top of faith godlinesse, and lear∣ning, Christ that prophet and our only king, is ve∣ry present with vs, both by his external maiestie, & also by cōmunicating vnto vs the holy Ghost. Let vs repaire to this teacher, advise with this ma∣ster, and follow this guide: let vs in confidence of his grace and assistance constantly goe through with those studies and duties wherevnto wee are c••lled. Let not the impiety of heretiques boast it selfe, nor the adversaries heart swell and waxe insolent or prowde, because the rodde of him that chastised them is broken: for there shall soo∣ner come a viper out of the roote of the serpent, & the fruit therof shal soner become a flying dra∣gon (as Esaie in times past did prophecie) then we shall bee forsaken of our God, & exposed to the

raging violence of the furious, or foolish dreames of the mad sorte of men, vvherewith (alasse?) the church often times is to much afflicted.

Omnipotent eternall God, mercifull father of onr Lord Iesus Christ, vvhose good vvill and plea∣sure it hath ben to informe youth vvith the whol∣some doctrine both of that thy servant, and also of others vvhom thou hast appointed to gouerne this schoole, and to seale everie of our mindes with the spirite of thy promise and truth: now frō our hearts wee acknowledge that by takinge frō amongst vs this thy seruant thou art not alittle of∣fended with vs, and that worthily. Wee confesse it (ô God!) and accuse & condemne our selues and our sinnes, for which it pleased thee both the last yeare to send thy sword of pestilence amōgst vs, and also this last followinge to extinguish that bright-shininge light, which thou hast placed in the eminēt candle-sticke of this famous schoole. Wee beseech thee (ô GOD and father of mer∣cies) not to suffer thy wrath to proceede any far∣ther against this poore floocke, neither call vs & our sinnes to accoumpt, least thy wrath kindle more against vs, and so we perish from this waie. But rather (because here thou hast placed thy standard, and hast giuen thy worde and promise that they shal be blessed which retire themselues vnto thee; gouerne vs (ô Lorde) by thy spirite, that we may kisse thy beloued sonne, and looke for all saluation from him. Destroy the plottes & purposes of Satan, preserue thy people, giue vnto

this church, this schoole, and this whole countrie good & faithfull pastors, Doctors, & ministers: Defend those whom thou hast giuen, and blesse them aboudantly with all manner of blessinges, keepe the commons & students in iust dutie, holi∣nes, charitie, & peaceablenesse; Lastly we hum∣blie beseech thee as beinge our omnipotent and gratious Father, to finish & perfit in vs al things, which shall anie way perteine to the glory of thy holy name, the cōmon edifying of this people, & our owne soules health, in Christ Iesus our Lord, who liueth and rayneth with thee in the vnitie of the spirit, one God eternall, for ever and ever. Amen,

He slept sweetlie in Christ at Ne••stade the sixt day of March, as six of the clocke in the evening, in the yeare of our Lord, 1583. after hee had le∣ued 48. years, 6 moneths, 22 howers, & was bu∣ried the 8. of March, in the quiet of the Church.

FINIS.