IF I should euen in the very fyrst beginninge of my Oration breake forth into teares , and fall to wéeping ( right honorable Lord Gouernour , right worshipful & graue Fathers ) I suppose there is none that would not willingly pardon my dolour and griefe so iustly conceyued . For why , we haue lost , as you sée , the most graue Diuine ▪ D. Andrew Hyperius . Wée haue all forgone a most worthy companion , many are depriued of a most excellent Scholemaster : But I , for my part , haue lost not onely a companion & scholemaster , but also a most swéete and comfortable kinseman : who was fyrst vnto me the author and beginner of my study in Diuinitie , who became alwayes afterwarde a helper and furtherer in it : whom I vsed as a councellor in all my affairs and dealinges , without whose counsayle and aduice I attempted nothing priuately at home , nothing publickely in the schole : with whom I was accustomed to conferre my studyes , by reason ( as ye knowe ) of the domesticall acquaintaunce and familiaritie betwixt vs .

Such a man , such a companion , such a master , such a friend , such a kinseman haue I lost . Therefore amiddest the publicke and common mournynge and lamentation of all good men , there is also happened vnto mée a priuate and peculiar cause of sorowing . For neither can I now looke vpon mine Aunt bereft of a most excellent husbande , nor vpon my Cousyns depriued of a most worthy parent , in the middest of their so great heauines & griefe , without the sheadding of my teares . But yet as for this my priuate sorow , either time might mitigate it : or the consideration of our common mortality might asswage it : if so be a greater , that is to say , an vniuersal and publick calamitie encresed not our heuines ; which through the deth of this most excellent man is come not onely to our schole , and to the Churches of Hassia , but also to all Germany , and euen to all the nations in Christendome besides .

For why , beléeue mée , wée haue not lost an obscure person , wée haue not lost a common or countrey Diuine : but wée haue lost euen the light of our Schole , wée haue lost euen the chiefe and principall Diuine of our Churches : whose matches our Countrey of Germany hath sewe liuinge at this daye , but his betters at any time whither euer it had any in matters of Diuinitie I can not tell . Which thinge bothe procureth vnto mée most wofull heauines : and this also causeth no lesse griefe , that many there be ( the more is the pitie ) men no doubt wicked and vngodly , that neither sée nor vnderstande what a great treasure wée haue lost : but as those that are altogither without sense or féeling , suppose the often deathes of so famous and worthy men to belonge nothinge at all vnto them . Which truely , whether they bée so pronlyke and flyntie that they can nothinge bée moued with the common calamities of Churches and Scholes , or whither they bée so folishe and brainesicke that they perceiue not what inconuenience happeneth by the death of so worthy personages : they séeme vnto mée rather worthy to bée hissed at than to bée winked at without controlment .

But let vs bée wayle the death of our Hyperius , & not suffer our selues to become wickedly vnkinde to him for so great benefites of his . And yet truely as for mée bothe my incredible sorowe , and also the slendernesse of my maner of speach might séeme worthily to excuse me from this function of speaking : if as well the greatnes of this mannes benefyts bestowed vpon mée , as also the consideration of our College of brethren did not exacte and require these present teares of my Oration . I will endeuour therfore somwhat to resist my griefe : and whose eyes dyinge I closed with many teares , to him also , if it be possible , will I performe this dutie without teares . I wil then by your pacience ( most learned fathers ) speake first of the life and death of Doctor Andrew Hyperius , and next of the cause and maner of our heauines and mourning : which two partes of my Oration , after I haue once accomplished , I wil so make an ende . In the meane time I beséech you , as you haue alwayes loued our Hyperius for his notable learninge and godlynesse of life , so giue your diligent attendance .

Andrewe Gererdus Hyperius , was borne at Hypiris , a notable towne of Flanders . It was the yeare of our Lord by computation 1911. in which yeare , the xvi . day of Maye , immediatly after syxe of the clocke at night , hée was deliuered into the worlde 〈◊〉 Hée had a Father of the same name Andrew Gererde , a famous Lawyer amonge them at Hyperis : his mothers name was Katherine Coets , descended of the noble family of a house in Gaunte . The parentes foorthwith deliuered their childe in the yere of his age 11 , after hée had nowe already indifferently tasted the rules & principles of Grammer , to one Iames Papa , a noble Poet of that time , to be further traded in learninge : who then taught a Schole in Vastine besides the riuer Lisa . In whose Schole also the childe heard Iohn Sepanus , a man , as he was then counted exactly learned , and not vnskilful in the Greeke and Hebrew tongues . After in the yere of his age 13. he passed the borders of Flanders , that togither with good letters he might learne also the French tongue : where in the Scholes he heard teaching , Iohn Lacteus , from whose mouth were said to flow most swéete phrases of speach like vnto milke . The yeare folowing he was sent to Tornaye , where a Schole of thrée tongues was looked for to be opened , the gouerner whereof was Nicholas Buscoducensis . But when the Schole was planted and shoulde haue bene opened , he without any longer tariaunce retourned into his Countrey . The father coueted by all meanes that this his sonne , as in good letters , so shoulde he enstructed in good maners . Therefore when he had no fancy to send him to Louayne , bicause he saw the youth there to be corrupted with ouer much liberty : neither could be also conueniently send him to Parise , where he ( the father himselfe ) had liued a yonge man certaine yeres , by reason of hotte and continual warres that then were abroch betwene the Emperour Charles the fyft , and Francys the French king : he was constreigned for a time to kéepe his sonne at home , where he occupyed himselfe in writing out of Actes , as they call them , with his fathers Clearkes . And truely there wanted very litle , but that he had euen then taken his leaue of the study of good letters , wherein he was now méetely wel profited : when in the meane time his father , whom he loued very déerely , the xii . daye of Iune , Anno. 1525 ; departed out of this life● who lying on his death bedde had giuen to his mother very straight charge of this thinge especially , that assoone as the sayd warres were broken vp , she should sende hir sonne Andrew to Parise , there to prosecute his learninge and study . Truce therefore beinge taken betwene the Emperour Charles and king Francis , Hyperius went first to Parise , in the yere of our Lord 1528. the daye before the Calendes of Augusto .

He was commended by letters to Anthony Helhuck of Vastine , who was at that time a Senator of the Parliament , and to Iohn of Campis Curtesian , a publicke professor of Diuinitie : to the one that in the time of warre , if neede were , he should haue his necessary charges borne : to the other , that he might be séene too as touching the order of his studies . Hyperius therefore first kéept a good space in this mans house , while he learned the rules and preceptes of Logick in the College Caluiacum . Then the yeare next following after hée was come to Parise , hee grewe into greate familiaritie with Ioachime Ringelberge , a man notably wel learned , who in this College Caluiacum taught at that time both briefely and learnedly diuers and sundry thinges .

But in the third yeare , he began now priuately to instruct others in the principles of Logicke and Rhetoricke , when in the meane time he himselfe became a bearer of the bookes of Aristotles Phisickes , that according to the custome of the Scoles , he might with the residue of his companions , atteyne to the degrée of Master of Art. Which three yeres being ended , he retourned into his Countrey , that he might both salute his friendes , and also learne whither there were any patrimony leaft him or no. Wherevppon the yeare folowing ( which was the thousand fiue hundred and two and thirty ) when he perceyued a sufficient patrimony to be still remayning vnto him for the longer continuance of his studies , he gate him againe to Parise , of purpose now to bestow his time in the exercise of grauer studies . He then first of all began to applye his minde to the study of Diuinitie , of which facultye at that time the exercises were most famous in the Scole of Parise . He resorted therefore diligently to the Scoles of Diuines : somtimes also he would heare certaine Lectures in the Decrees , out of which the Diuines then more vsed to proue their assertions , than out of the holy Scriptures . Moreouer he would now and then , for recreations sake , enter into the Scoles of the Phisitions , forasmuch as he was alwaies eue● ( as a man would say ) by nature very much delighted with the study of Phisicke . In the meane season he forgate not to heare diligently the professors of the tongues , especially Cleonarde , Sturmius , Latomus : & taught himselfe priuately , chiefely Frenchmen , and Spaniardes . But about that time he was greatly desirous to trauaile other Countries and prouinces of Fraunce ; both to the intent he might more exactly learne the French tongue , and also more thoroughly be acquainted with the maners and conditions of all that nation . Therfore euery yeare , especially in the moneths of Ianuary , February , and Marche , wherein for the most part publicke Lectures in the Scholes were intermitted , or at least wise more neglygently handeled : he , adioyning to Himselfe trusty friendes , and such as were desirous of learning , trauayled into other prouinces , and visited the famous vniuersities . And so within thrée yeres space , for the time of those monethes , I spake off , he surueyed almost all Fraunce ouer , and a good part of Italye , that especially by name which lieth betwene the Alpes and Bononye . Afterward he came againe into his Countrey , in the yeare .1535 . but from thence he went foorthwith to Louayne , whither he had caused before his Library to be transported out of Fraunce . Much about the same time , for the satisfaction of his mynd , he trauayled wel néere ouer all the lower Germanye , to witte , Gelderland , Phryseland , Traiect , Holand , Seland . Thence next in the yeare of our Lord 1537 , and of his age 26 , he purposed with himselfe to go visit the higher Germanye : to the intent he might sée the more famous Scholes in it , and the learned men in them . He visited therfore the same yeare Colen , Marpurge , Erford , Lipsia , Witenberge . From thence that selfe same yeare retourning into his Countrye , about the ende of the moneth of August , he was perswaded by th aduice and entreatie of his friendes , to determine with himselfe to take vpon him now in some place the charge and office of teaching : to the intent , that hauing now spent away his stocke in the Scholes & in trauayling of Countries , he might passe his time more quietly at home with his friendes . And verily his frīedes , vnbeknowing vnto him , had procured already a Graunt or Charter from the Bishop of Rome , wherein were graunted to Hyperius yerely out of a certaine Abbay large & liberal reuenewes . Onely this thing remayned , that the assent and agréement of Iohn Carondilet Chauncelor to the Emperour and Archebishp of Panorman , was in this behalfe to be obtained . But it came to passe ( no doubt ) by gods prouidence , that not onely no graunt could be had from him ; but also there was likely to procéede from him great and iminent daunger . For Hyperius was accused to the sayd Archbishop by those the such for the same liuing that be stood for , that he had bene in high Germany : which thing at that time was counted not onely odious for the hatred that was borne to pure religion , but also a matter very full of hazard and perill . Hyperius therfore , least hauing now consumed his patrimony he should become a burthen to his friends , began againe by the aduice of certaine godly and learned men , to bend his mynd to the further trauayling of Countries . And euen then had he conceyued some desire to go into Italye , and the rather bicause he had now alredy méetely well before trauayled ouer Fraunce and Germanye : but when the warres began againe to waxe whot betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kinge , and all passages by that meanes became very daungerous , béeing shette out from Italye , he sayled into Britayne , where he might by letters more easely be certified from his friendes ; if at any time any better hope of preferment shined foorth in his Countrey . And like as in other nations , so also in Britayne he laboured to knew those men especially whose names by learning were become any thing famous . By which occasion he chaunced to light vnpon Charles Montioye a noble baron of England , whom the great Erasmus of Roterodam both most amply and often commendeth in his writinges . He hauing very friendly conferred with Hyperius of many and sondrye matters , when he perceiued his towardnes , first offering vnto him a large and liberal stipend , brought him home to his house : wherby the space of fower yeres & somwhat more Hyperius liued to his great likement & contentation , & conferred with the Lord Montioy touchinge studies of good letters . The yere therfore of our Lord 1540. in the moneth of Iuly , he at the charges of Montioye visited the vniuersitie of Cambridge . The same yere was beheaded Thomas Cromwell , as wel bicause he had béene the Author of the mariage of Anne of Cleue , as also for that he was suspected to be of the sincerer religion . About the same time also was burnt for the profession of the purer religion Robert Barnes with certaine other .

Yea and some were put to death , bycause they woulde not allowe that the king of Englande should be called the supreme heade of the Church of Englande next vnder Christ . Further there were set forth certain perillous Edictes against straungers . Which newes moued Hyperius to bethincke himselfe of his retourne into Germanye . But before he departed out of Englande , he visited also the yeare following in the moneth of February , the auncient vniuersitie of Oxforde . From thence he came to London in the moneth of Maye , and hauinge set his matters at a staye , tooke his leaue of the Lorde Montioye , who labored exceedingly to haue kept Hyperius stil with him . Wherefore the xii . daye of the same moneth he arriued at Antuerpe : from whence conueighing himselfe into his Countrey , he reposed himselfe certaine dayes with his friendes . But the fame of the Common weale & Schole of Strausburgh , & especially the renowne of Bucer , enforced Hyperius to trauayle also that part of the higher Germanye . Therfore when he was about to set forth towards Strasborough in the way as he went , he came hither to Marpurge , whilest his carriage and bookes were brought by the Carriers to Franckforde . For he knewe right well , that he might both liue better cheape with vs whilest he tarried for his bookes , than in any other place of the Rhyne : and also hoped , that he should heere easely obteine to the famous and learned men , that taught at Strasborough , letters of commendation : and that especially from the friendly & kindeharted man Master Gerardus Nouiomagus , who had both knowne Hyperius before time , & also liued himselfe for a ●●ace at Strasborough . This was the occasion of Hyperius comminge to this Schole of Marpurge : to the which he came , the xv . daye of Iune , Anno 1●4● , and in the full 30 yere of his age . The comminge of Hyperius was most acceptable to Master Nouiomagus : who began very diligently to entreate with Hyperius , that he should here purpose to remaine , puttinge him in sure and certaine hope both of a place to teach in , and also of liberall entertainement . Therefore when Iohn Ficinus , Chauncelor to our most noble prince , a man for his notable vertue worthy of eternal memory , was returned from the Commission or parliament of Rentzburgh : Nouiomagus labored with him as touchinge Hyperius . Nouiomagus affyrmed , that since the méeting was at Henaulde , Anno 40 ▪ where he beinge sent from our prince was present , he could neuer haue his health : neither was he able to endure those paines in teachinge , which before he had suffered . And therfore required , that Hyperius might be appointed in his roome : who , for somuch as he through his infyrmitie was not of power sufficient , might take vpon him to reade . Ficinus mislyked not the good counsell of Nouiomagus : but incontinently calleth Hyperius vnto him , exhorteth him to abide still at Marpurge , and to shewe forth some token and triall of his learninge . For it would come to passe , that in case he gaue foorth any notable testimony of his learninge , an honest stripend should be appoynted him for his paines . Hyperius being with these & other such like reasons perswaded , abode stil at Marpurge , within a smal time after dieth master Nouiomagus , the x. of Ianuarie in the yere following , in whose place next by th authority of the masters of the profission succeeded Hyperius : and , looke what Epistles of S. Paule Nouiomagus had vsed before to interprete , the same began he also to expounde . And when he had by the space of two yeres and more , single as he was , trauayled in this trade and function of teachinge , he resolued with himselfe to marrye : for somuch as he suppose that 〈◊〉 coulde not conueniently p●sse his dayes without a wife , and the rather bycause he was not greatly sounde as touchinge bodily health .

Hée tooke to wise therfore in the yere , 1544. the xxvii . daye of Februarye , Katherine Orthia , Daughter of Lodowick Orthius somtimes Treasorer of Marpurge : whom Iohn Happelius an honest Citizen had left a widowe with two children . Of this his wife , whom hée alwayes loued most derely , he begat sixe sonnes and sower daughters : whereof onely two sonnes and thrée daughters doe still remaine aliue .

But how and in what order he hath nowe by the space of these xxii . yeres behaued himselfe amongest vs as wel in teaching publikely the holy Scriptures , as also priuately the liberall Sciences , wée haue now next of all to consider . In which office and function of teachinge there séeme vnto mée these fower thinges chiefely to be required . First , a singuler learninge , ioyned with much readinge and experience of thinges : next , a substanciall power and faculty of teachinge : then , fidelitie and diligence : and last of all , grauitie and constancye of life and conuersation . And that learninge is required in a Teacher , and the vse of many thinges , there is no man that doubteth . For who is he that euer could well bée taught , and reape any fruite of learning , of an vnlearned man ? No more truely can a man perceyue anye thinge that good is , of one that is vnlearned , than of a stone he can learne to flye . But as learning is very requisite and necessary : so it is in no wise alone sufficient for a man that is occupied in the Scoles , vnlesse the power also of teachinge be ioyned with it . Thou maist finde many men very well learned , and cunning in the knowledge of thinges : which neuerthelesse , forsomuch as they are destitute of this power in teaching , yeelde no fruit at all neither to Scholes nor Churches .

Wherevpon the Apostle also requireth such a one to be the Bishop of a Church , as is Didacticos : that is to say , indued with the gift and faculty of Teachinge . Neither must fidelitie and diligence bée sundered from these twayne , which if it bée absent , neither then also wil any fruite redounde to the hearers , though the man bée otherwise both learned and eloquent . And in him especially that wil professe the holy Scriptures , is this faithfulnes ( which wée speake off ) of necessitie required . Wherevpon likewise Th apostle to the Corinthians , as touching the ministers of the worde speaketh in this wise : Let a man so esteeme of vs , as of the ministers of Christ , and disposers of the misteries of God : amonge whom , 1. Cor. 4.1 . ● . this especially is required , that they bee founde faithful . But no lesse necessary also is this last poynte , namely that to doctrine and erudition the life and maners may bée agréeable .

And our beloued Paule requireth a Bishop to bée vnreproueable , 1. Timo. ● . 2.3 . not stubborne , not wrathful , not giuen to wine , no fighter , not giuen to filthy lucre : but a keeper of hospitalitie , a louer of vertue , modest , vpright , holy , sober . For what doe those Teachers profyte their herers , that do pluck down by their naughty liuing , that which they builded vp by their wel teaching ? that by their liues & dayly maners shewe them selues to dislike greatly of those things , which they prescribe vnto others to bée folowed ? With what ( I wil not say ) authoritie , but with what face can the teacher reproue vices in the Schole , as dronkennes , riotousnes , couetousnes , incontinency , & such like : which is himselfe ( I will not say ) oft times dr●nke , but alwayes druncke ? not onely giuen to riot , but also lyues so wickedly in all superfluitie , that he supposeth gods maiestie to be of no power at all ? which is so couetous , that of euery fylthy occasion he gapeth after vnsatiable gaine ? who finally hath so wallowed in scurrilitie and vncleanes al his life long , that he doubteth also whither he may account these heinous sinnes and enormities for sinnes and vices or no ? All the pointed therefore , which we haue spoken off , are required in a Teacher : which if we shall diligently consider , in what measure they haue bene in this our Hyperius , we shall find to haue bene very great . And first verily , as touchinge the singular learning of this man what shall I saye ? I may speake the more fréely , most excellent fathers , of the dead : forsomuch as I shall not now séeme to flatter him béeing dead , that I neuer fawned vppon béeinge aliue . Great was the knowledge that this man had of the tongues , more great of the liberall artes and of philosophy , but of the holy Scriptures and Ecclesiasticall histories and of all the olde and auncient Church most great of all . That which I speake , to be true , you your selues know , most learned fathers , and can very well testifye : who haue heard him publikely teachinge , who haue heard him disputinge with great commendation , who haue heard him familiarly talkinge with his friendes .

Many other witnesses there be thoroughout all Germanye , and other nations , men famously learned , which either resorted to his Scoles , or other wise were more familiarly acquainted with him . His bookes are witnesses that he wrote and published , which are of great learned men esteemed and read amonge the workes of the best learned writers : as those short Scolies vppon the Epistle to the Romaynes : as , the two bookes Of framing of Diuine Sermons : as , the fower bookes touching a Diuine : as , the two bookes Of reading and daily meditation of the holy Scriptures : as , that Cathechisme or Shorte Instruction which he last put foorth .

Many other bookes of his are witnesses also , penned and written by him with great laboures and watchinges , which we are sory could not of him be ouerséene and recognized : that so , which would haue turned to the great profit of all studious Diuines , they might haue come abrode . For he had written as well in Philosophye , some thinges : as , Touching the order of Studye , Of Logicke , Rhetoricke , Arithmetick , Geometry , Cosmography , The Science perspectiue : some things of Astronomy , and likewise of Naturall causes , and Scolies to the ten bookes of Aristotles Ethickes : as also in Diuinitie many notable matters : as , touching The not forsaking of the studies of holy Scripture , thrée bookes : Of Diuine places , fower bookes : Obseruations of places vpon those parcels of the Gospels , which are vsually read in Churches euery Sonday , Againe , Of the life and maners of students : Of publicke liberalitie towards the poore : Of ecclesiasticall Scholes : Of the mariage of Ministers of the Church , How a man ought to proue himselfe : Of the prouidence of God , Moreouer , vppon all the Epistles of Saint Paule certaine peculiar formes of speaking : and the Method of Diuinitie , of which hauing appointed six bookes , he had not yet finished thrée . He had begum likewise to write 12. bookes entituled of Scolasticall vacations , & as touching the Ordering of the Church 6. bookes . Which bookes , if he him selfe might haue corrected & fully accomplished : then should haue appered sufficiently out of them his diuine wit , them should haue shined foorth sufficiently his notable learning , them would haue bene séene sufficiently his wonderfull knowledge of the auncient histories of the Church , them would haue bene apparant sufficiently his grounded practise & experience of manifolde things , togither with his déepe & excellent wisdom . But euen out of those notwithstanding which he hath already put foorth , may all these thinges also be sufficiently perceyued , though I should holde my peace . We haue maruayled forsooth often times , whensoeuer any thinge was propounded in familiar talke as touching Ecclesiasticall matters , to heare that he had alwaies in a readines out of auncient histories some thing that made for the mater in question , & how he did so promptly illustrate & determine the same . But there was no lesse power in the man of teaching and arguing , then ther was furniture of learning and erudition . With what force and facilitye be taught , the selfe same can testify , that are witnesses before of his other gifts : what dexteritie in disputing , what sharpenes of witte he alwayes vsed , his bearers doe remember . He would not ( as many are wont to do ) dally and scoffe at the argumentes proposed : neyther handeled he the matter with clamoures and outcryes , whereby no profit could redound to the hearers : but hée so openly and grauely discussed all thinges , that the diligent hearers might receyue thereby most ample fruite . And in this his maner as well of teaching as of reasoning , he was alwaies from time to time of so great modestye , and of so great constancye : that neyther woulde he vnaduisedly moue idle questions , neyther alter or interrupt the order of teaching that he had once with iudgement taken in hande . As touching which thing , you remember I am sure , right learned Master Chunrade Mathew , my very worshipfull kinseman , what he sayd the selfe same daye he let his lyfe , either of vs both you and I being present with him . I , sayeth he , haue alwayes bene carefull of this in the Schole , that I might propound profitable doctrine to my hearers , and auoyde idle and superfluous questions : I haue taken diligent heede , leaste I should giue anye occasion of contentions , and haue euermore reteyned one vniforme order of teaching : and so long as I liue , will reteyne . These in a maner were his wordes : which when we had heard not without teares , we affirmed that we were witnesses of that matter : and how that we lykewise had alwaies hitherto kept the fame order of teaching , and would kéepe also hereafter . But as touching that which perteyneth to his fidelitie and diligence , in the office of teaching , there is no cause why I shoulde saye much . I appeale to the felfe same to testifie of his diligence that were witnesses euen now of his learning and abilitye in teaching . This is certaine , he was rauished with so great zeale and feruencie in promoting the studies of holy Scriptures , that ouer and besides the laboures the were enioyned him , he would also often times ●hoose to himselfe vacant houres , wherin he might teach something extraordinarily . He diligenly procured and set forward the exercises of disputations and declamations , wherein as he alone by the space of certaine yeres was alwaies with great trauayle the chiefe : so afterward when other of vs also his companions kept our course in the order , he was both willingly and commonly present .

As for the forme & maner of preaching in the Schole , with what great laboure , I pray you , with what great paynfulnes did he order it ? He prescribed common places , which he thought most néedeful to be handeled : he corrected the Sermons written by Studentes , before they were recited : he hearde also them that were appoynted to preach , before they should openly come into the Church : to the intent that if any thinge were amisse either in their voyce , or in their gestures , that also might be amended . He praised those , that had wel behaued themselues in these exercises : he reproued and pricked forwarde the negligent and slouthfull vnto diligence . He had adioyned to these kindes of exercises , besides an Examining in matters of Diuinitie , which he appointed once commonly in two yeres , a certain order also of Diuine Consultation : where some question béeing propofided either of Doctrine , or of rites and matters Ecclesiasticall , he would bid euery one in order to put foorth his opinion in a full & continewed forme of speaking : to the intent that so by diuers & sundrye sentences on either side giuen , it might be perceyued out of many what was true , & what false , what made for the pourpose , and what might be sayd against it . All which labours be so willingly tooke vpon him , that hauing also no rewarde appointed for his paynes , he neuerthelesse most diligently prosecuted the same . I omit his priuate studies , of which I will now say nothing more , then that which I may truely auouch : namely , that he was neuer at home alone , but that he either wrote something , or read something , or meditated something : so far foorth that bée séemed vnto me euen to weaken and debilitate the strength of his body , and euen to consume him selfe with ouer great studies and laboures . There was in him besides all these thinges , a most diligent meditation touching the reforming of Churches , wherein he was occupied day and night . For he coueted greatly to reuoke the people of our Nation to the paterne of the primityue Church : he coueted to remoue many tryfles , which béeing deriued from the Papa●ye do still remaine with vs , and to reduce the simplicitye of the olde fathers in the practise of religion : he coueted to restore the Ecclesiasticall discipline , sore d●●ayed to the great loss● and detriment of Churches .

In which his holy purpose how farfoorth he trauailed , and how great fruite he ministred vnto all Churches , we shall then vnderstand , when as , he béeing now dead & gon , these meditations ( of which also we haue giuen some ynckeling before ) although vnperfect , shall come into light . Concerning which thinges much more might of one be sayde , and that with great commendation , but that I hasten to the other partes of my Oration . In praysing therfore the lyfe and maners of this most famous and excellent man , there is no cause why I should much stand , especially before you and in your presence . He was sufficiently knowen vnto you all , euen straungers also knew sufficiently the state of his lyfe . In dyet and apparell he was alwayes most temperate , in feasting most sober , in talke and dealing most friendly and iust . As he detested from his hart those vnsatiable quaffinges and vncomely spéeches commonly practized of our Countrymen at the time of their bancquetinges : so againe would he now & then be willingly present at the moderate feastes and pleasaunt méetinges of his friendes . Thus , he neither allowed of the things that were vnséemely : nor disallowed of the things that might be graunted to the honest recreation of the mynde . To be short , he so behaued himselfe in all places and towarde all men , that his maner séemed not onely pleasaunt to the learned , but also most swéete and delectable to the rude and ignoraunt . By reason whereof , how déere he was not onely to our Scole , but also to the whole citie , the manyfold teares of all sortes of people which your eyes haue séene shed at the solemnitie of his buriall , doe sufficiently declare . But when as by the space of 22. yeres , and odde monethes , he had in such order as wée haue said , behaued him selfe : as he was a man of no great health , so when he had laboured certain wéekes before with continual rhewmes and coughes , the xxiii . day of Ianuarye he began to wax sore sicke and to kéepe his bedde . He complayned most chiefely of the paynes of his head , breast and sides : and nowe and then all his members so burned , that they séemed to be shaken with a certaine quiuering or trembling ague . And verily all that wéeke , when as yet we did not dispayre of his lyfe , he talked & conferred many things both with others , & also especially with mée who was of euer present with him , as touching matters perteyning to the Scole , as touching Diuine studies , as touching the reformation of Churches . He sayd amongest other thinges , that there should order be taken , if he liued , for the pertition of certaine labours betwixt vs , especially those of ordering of Sermons : which for bicause he had hitherto susteined alone , he thought that he had lost his health . Now the 30. day of Ianuarie which was the Lordes day , when the Lordes supper was celebrated in the sacred assembly , he desired that the holy bread and cuppe might , after the custome of the auncient church , be brought also vnto him . Of which after that he with his familie had tasted , he grew now more sicker than before . And then the day following , he began diligently to giue in charge to his wife , what he would haue done after his death : and to commaunde his children that they should behaue themselues both towards God and their mother godlily , and towardes all other vprightly and honestly . Amongest the rest , when a litle boye of his , of thrée yeres old , stoode by his beddes side : Learne , saith he , my childe , the commaundementes of the Lorde , and hee shall take care of thee . After much talke had , he entreated diligently with those that for duties sake came to visit him , as touching the profession of his fayth , and the constancy of that doctrine which he had taught . And truely the very first day of Februarie , wherein also he departed , all his talke was altogether in this , that he might testifie vnto those whome he sawe present : that he remayned euento the last gaspe constant and inflexible in that profession of fayth & doctrine , which he so many yeres had professed in the Scole . As touching which point I might now make a further discourse , most excellent fathers , but that the teares for remembraunce of these things breake foorth from mine eyes . About the euening of the same day , when hee had once againe spoken some things touching the cōstantcy of his faith and perseuaraunce therein : he began to take his leaue of vs , and euen to labour for lyfe . Yet knewe he still euery man , and being required would make answere wyth broken wordes and dying speches : till after 8. of the clocke at night , when it was about halfe an houre to 9. hee gaue vp his spirit vnto God : hauing not as yet fully fynished the 53. yeare of his age .