THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

(From the Remains of Henry Kirke White.) WHEN marshall'd on the nightly plain,

The glitt'ring host bestud the sky; One star alone, of all the train,

Can fix the sinner's wand'ring eye. Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks, From ev'ry host, from ev'ry gem; But one alone the Saviour speaks, It is the Star of Bethlehem! Once on the raging seas I rode,

The storm was loud-the night was dark,

The ocean yawn'd,-and rudely blow'd The wind that toss'd my found'ring

bark.

To me may be, as tho' it ne'er had been: A sudden stroke may break life's brittle thread,

And find me number'd with the silent dead. What then is life?-a vapour, which awhile,

A little while, appeareth full of toil :

A shadow-which with haste escapes away:

The morning's dew-a short-liv'd winter's day.

Not so th' immortal soul,—that cannot die, Tho' from its frail abode it soon must fly. When death shall burst the bond that binds to earth,

And give to its existence a new birth, Will it appear in the high climes of bliss, Or sink for ever in hell's dark abyss?

If found in Jesus, it will have a place Among those shining miracles of grace That owe their heav'n to God's unchang ing love,

Who fix'd, ere time began, their state above;

But if found trampling on his sacred blood, Careless of both his sceptre and his rod, In league and love' with ev'ry baneful sin, That serves to strengthen Satan's reiga within,

Like Felix, it will tremble and turn pale, And its own immortality bewail.

Search me, O God! and try my froward heart!

Know thou my thoughts, and bid each sin depart!

Lead me in ways of everlasting peace, And grant to ev'ry grace a large increase; Till the blest Spirit and the Bride say, "Come,

Exchange thy prison for thy Father's home;

Enter the joy of thine exalted Lord, Receive the palm, and lay aside the sword; Behold my glory! see my unveil'd face, And reap the fruit of my converting grace; Share in the rest prepar'd for saints above, And know for ever that thy God is love." THEOGNIS.

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MEMOIR OF GALEAZZO MARCHESE DI VICO, ONE OF THE EARLY REFORMERS *.

THIS illustrious nobleman was bora at Naples in the year 1517, and was descended from the most honourable houses of Italy. His father, the Marchese Calantonio Caraccioli, whose eminent services to the Emperor Charles V. had placed him high in the favour of that monarch, early introduced him to the Imperial court; where he was appointed cup-bearer to Charles, whose esteem he shortly acquired, and was greatly regarded by the nobility for the innocency of his life, the elegance of his manners, his sound judgment, and extensive knowledge.

Thus was Galeazzo in the fair road to honours and preferment; when a circumstance occurred, that changed his views, and ultimately exiled him from his native country. At that time there were at Naples some nobles, who had embraced the Waldensian tenets,

*This account is abridged from the Latin life written by the celebrated Theo. dore Beza.

CHRIST. GUARD, VOL. IV.

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and were partially convinced of the errors of the Roman Church: by conversing with these, and particularly with one Giovanni Francisco Cæsarta, who was related to him, Galeazzo's sentiments ceived a very material alteration though he did not as yet think of relinquishing the follies and vanities of the Neapolitan court. Being, however, persuaded to hear the Reformer, Peter Martyr, then a canon regular at Naples, he was particularly struck with his discourse; and from that time determined more carefully to restrain his affections from indulging in sensual pleasures, and to inquire concerning the truth of religion, and the way to real happiness.

With this view he began daily to read the Scriptures, convinced that true religion and sound wisdom were to be drawn only from that fountain, and that the highway to happiness was thence to be sought. Further, all his acquaintance he turned into such company, whose conversation and example might assist him in the new course of life he had embraced,

These events occurred in the year 1541, in the 24th year of his G

age; while he enjoyed every thing that youth, family, connexions, and wealth could bestow: consequently various interpretations were passed upon his conduct; by some, it was considered as the result of melancholy; by othersand such is ever the opinion of the gay, the giddy, and the dissipated he was thought to be a fool, and that his wit began by some means to be impaired. But the more considerate, and those whose minds were partly enlightened by the truths of the Gospel, were not more surprised than rejoiced to see a young, gallant, and opulent nobleman thus energe from the wantonness and delicacy of a courtly life, and so far endued with the spirit of holiness as voluntarily to relinquish them for a life of mortification and self-denial.

By the continued conversation and correspondence of religious men, Galeazzo was confirmed in the doctrine of the truth, and went forward in the way of duty. Many, however, were the snares laid to bring him back to his former giddy course: independently of the indecent mockery and vile slanders to which he was exposed from his dissolute cotemporaries (not to mention the hatred he incurred from the bigoted), he greatly of fended his father; whose mind being occupied chiefly with the aggrandizement and enriching of his family, Galeazzo was frequently reproved, and charged to relinquish his melancholy conceits;-a task to him the most grievous, as he had uniformly conducted himself with the greatest reverence and obedience to his earthly parent. But what most afflicted Galeazzo was, the frequent solicitation of his wife Victoria, a lady of great beauty and accomplishments, whom he most tenderly loved, and who availed herself of every inducement that the ingemuity of conjugal love could devise, to persuade him to renounce

his errors. How deeply such temptations and hinderances grieved his righteous soul in this his course towards God, may be easily conceived by those who have experienced the arrows of persecation.

But though the Marchese di Vico was thus enabled by divine grace to resist such varied temptations, his mind was by no means satisfied with the imperfect views he then had of the grand doctrines of the Reformation. He therefore availed himself of the opportunity afforded him by his office of cup-bearer to the Emperor Charles V. and withdrew to Germany, where he was fully instructed by Peter Martyr: on his return to Naples, he communicated with his former companions; who, though in many points of doctrine they differed from the Church of Rome, yet continued within her pale. These he exhorted, but in vain, to renounce the idolatries of that church: they forsook his society; and as he had but little hope of beholding a reformation in Naples, and saw clearly that he could not serve God there, he determined to forsake his country; to seek for Christ and his religion wherever he might find them; and to forsake father, wife, children, goods and lands, offices and preferments, rather than lose those inestimable blessings.

Many doubts and temptations, however, perplexed his mind before he could carry this design into execution. The grief and vexation, and probably the death of his aged father-the shame and disgrace it would bring upon his family and relatives the sorrow of his amiable wife, now like himself in the bloom of youth and beauty -the idea of leaving her, and of abandoning his children, who would thus become in a manner orphans, perhaps be reduced to poverty-the loss of all the endearments and pleasures connected with domestic life-all these cir cumstances concurred (as his bio

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grapher states he used to tell his friends) to induce him to stay at Naples. At length, after mature deliberation and frequent prayer for direction in this arduous under taking, he resolved to commit himself to the protection of that God who had hitherto supported him and, acquainting a few intimate friends with his design, they engaged to accompany him in his voluntary exile. Accordingly Galeazzo departed from Naples, March 21st, 1551, in the 34th year of his age, with his companions, first for Augsburg, where the Emperor then resided; taking with him 4000 marks (part of a bequest from his mother), for his future support.

On reaching the confines of Italy, some of his comrades, allured by the pleasures they had left, deserted him, and returned back*; a measure which greatly afflicted him. But he pressed forward with the remainder of his little company to Augsburg; whence, after discharging his office in the Emperor's household, he departed towards the close of May in the same year, and arrived at Geneva in the following June. Here he became acquainted with the illustrious reformer, John Calvin, who entertained the highest esteem for him, which terminated only with death. In the mean time, the news of his departure to Geneva came to the Imperial court, as well as to his father at Naples; who adopted various expedients to induce him to return. Among

These misguided persons suffered se verely for their return: for, purposing to serve Gol and to enjoy their pleasures in the midst of Popery, they were shortly after apprehended by order of that sanguinary tribunal, the Inquisition. They publicly recanted the reformed religion, and such is ever the consequence of apostacy-sunk into misery and infamy; being neither trusted nor beloved by Protestants or Catholics. What a striking illustration does this present of our Lord's remark-" Whosoever will save his life shall lose it!" (Mark, viii. 35.)

others, he sent a relative to Galeazzo, who attempted, to no purpose, by argument to persuade him; afterwards, the afflicted parent met him at Verona, where Galeazzo re- sided by his command (under the protection of a safe-conduct) till his return from Augsburg, whither he went to procure restitution of his son's effects, which had been confiscated, in consequence of his flight.

At length, hearing that his father had succeeded in his suit with the Emperor, Galeazzo returned to Geneva, and rendered essential service by his labours in settling the Italian Church. He enjoyed, however, but little rest: his father, in 1555, commanded him to meet him at Mantua; where Galeazzo was offered a dispensation from his uncle, Pope Paul II. to live in any city within the jurisdiction of the Venetians, and was pressed with much solicitude by his father: the society of his wife and children, and an ample revenue, being tendered, in order to induce him to comply, These offers exercised him greatly; but, seeing that he could not with a safe conscience accept of them, he was enabled by divine grace to resist not only the present temptation, but also the solicitations of his lady and children, whom he afterwards met at Vico. The affecting nature of such an interview may be more easily conceived than described: every argument was exerted on his part to convince his wife of her errors; every thing that conjugal solicitude could suggest on her side was urged, to induce him to reside in Italy. Finding he could not reclaim his lady, he took a final farewell of her and of his father, who now loaded him with imprecations. Severely as Galeazzo felt these curses, they were a means of confirming and establishing him in the truth: and, being armed with celestial fortitude, he returned to Geneva, where he was received with great joy.

From this time the Marchese di Vico was occupied in regulating the Italian Church, of which he was appointed an Elder; and to the prosperity of which he greatly contributed by his pious labours, devoting himself entirely to the service of God. His behaviour evinced great humility; so that, notwithstanding his splendid talents and noble mien rendered him the admiration of all who knew him, he was content to relinquish them for the excellency of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Further, beside the duties incumbent on him as an elder, his leisure hours were occupied in doing good to his neighbours, by compromising their differences, and preventing the confusion and envy that too frequently result from lawsuits. In fact, his whole conduct showed, that the love of God was indeed shed abroad in his heart, and that he thought no time so well employed, nor any business so well despatched, as that which was productive neither of profit nor of pleasure to himself; but by which the glory of God was advanced, the Christian Church edified, and the interests of true religion promoted.

Thus the Marchese di Vico lived many years at Geneva, full of peace and joy, beloved and respected by all, regardless of the flattering prospects to which he had been born, and living only for eternity. But this long calm was interrupted by new afflictions, by which his faith and patience were greatly tried. From the long and numerous journies he had taken, to enjoy peace of conscience, his constitution had received repeated shocks, which terminated in a doubtful and dangerous malady, that was accompanied by severe pains. While he thus languished, his relatives sent a Jesuit to tamper with him, by offering a Cardinal's hat to his younger son (then recently entered into the ecclesiastical order), with

liberty to him to reside at Turin without molestation, and also tendering a large sum of money, as an additional inducement. These mercenary offers he rejected with holy indignation, exclaiming, " Let their money perish with them who esteem all the gold in the world worth one day's society with Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. And cursed be that religion for ever, which shall wed men to the world, and divorce them from God !"

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Being thus delivered from this troublesome visitant, he was enabled to bear the severity of his disorder with the greater fortitude: indeed, as his pains increased, so did his faith and patience evidently shine with increasing lustre: " as the outward man perished, so was the inward man daily renewed." Though his body rapidly decayed, his soul advanced from strength to strength; being supported throughout by constant meditation on the love of God to him in Christ Jesus, by which he was assured of salvation, and on the efficacy of that grace, through which he had so often been more than conqueror in the many contests and temptations to which he had been exposed; and especially by comparing these momentary and light afflictions with that eternal weight of glory which he said he knew was laid up for him in heaven. Above all, he found unspeakable comfort and pleasure in his private devotions, and in such exercises experienced an antepast of the joys of heaven; so that the remark of the Apostle was literally verified in him" As the sufferings of Christ abounded in us, so consolation by Christ abounded much more."

Every attention which the solicitude of his wife and friends

*

He had been diyorced from his first

wife in 1560, and had married a French

widow lady, who had fled to Geneva for the sake of religion; and to whom he had committed the management of his domestic affairs.