H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years…H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares…

I have now almost 34. years by Gods good gift, done my endeavour, that I might my self follow the same course: and besides the holy scriptures, which do teach apparently, that it is according to Gods will, I have learned by experience of many years, that it is a heavenly and excellent way. For upon the very same occasion, leaving the Babylonicall captivity, I gat me into the free churches of Christs kingdom, as into defenced cities: First to the churches in Rhetia, where I lived eight months and more: afterwards unto Geneva where likewise I abode nine months: From thence I came to Strasburg, where then flourished the French church: and there I lived and taught 11. years: but not without some conflict, after the death of that ornament of the whole common wealth and parent of the school James Sturmius, and the loss of the grave elders. After this, being called to Cleave, I was pastor in that church about four years: with what fruit, though not without my cross, your Hon. doth very well know, who (such was your singular piety) were ever my hearer, and no small helper both with your labour and authority, in setting forward the kingdom of Christ. Afterwards in the reign of that great & incomparable prince Frederick the 3. I professed ten years in the ⟨p. 36⟩university at Heidelberg: and at length I came to Neustade, the famous & most valiant prince John Casimir's town, where in the school newly erected I have taught seven years and more: And where, as yet being a withered old man, but yet by Gods good favour in good health, I live by my princes liberality: And as by little and little I die unto the world in body, so I do my best endeavour that I may also more and more die unto it in mind: I wish it indeed. For the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof: And the little worm in Jonah, in a little hours space, so gnawed the root of the gourd, under the shadow whereof he lay secure: that it being withered away, the good prophet had not wherewith to shade himself from the exceeding heat of the sun. This very means. I wish that mine own children may also follow.

I haue now almost 34. yeares by Gods good gift, done my endeauour, that I might my selfe follow the same course: and besides the holie scriptures, which do teach apparently, that it is according to Gods will, I haue learned by experience of many yeares, that it is a heauenlie and excellent waye. For vppon the very same occasion, leauing the Babylonicall captiuitie, I gatt me into the free churches of Christs kingdome, as into defensed citties: First to the churches in Rhetia, where I liued eight months and more: afterwards vnto Geneua where likewise I abode nine months: From thence I came to Strausburgh, where then florished the French church: and there I liued and taught 11. yeares: but not without some conflict, after the death of that ornament of the whole cōmon wealth and parent of the schoole Iames Sturmius, and the losse of the graue elders. After this, being called to Cleue, I was pastor in that church about foure yeares: with what fruite, though not without my crosse, your Hon. doth verie well know, who (such was your singular piety) were euer my hearer, and no smale helper both with your labour and authoritie, in setting forward the kingdome of Christ. Afterwards in the raigne of that great & incomparable prince Frederike the 3. I professed tenne yeares in the