Born in Brussels in 1555, Bochius studied law at Leuven University and then travelled to Rome, where he served in the household of the later Cardinal Radzivil and studied under Robert Bellarmine. After leaving Rome he made a tour of northern Europe, almost losing his feet to frostbite in Moscow and being attacked and left for dead by brigands in Lithuania. After the Fall of Antwerp he was appointed secretary to the city, holding the office until his death in 1609.