A08486:192
A famous and godly history containing the lives a[nd] acts of three renowned reformers…A famous and godly history contaynyng the lyues a[nd] actes of three renowmed reformers…
A famous and godly history containing the lives a[nd] acts of three renowned reformers of the Christia[n] Church, Martin Luther, John Ecolampadius, and Huldericke Zuinglius. The declaration of Martin Luther's faith before the Emperor Charles the fifth, and the illustre estates of the empire of Germany, with an oration of his death, all set forth in Latin by Philip Melanchthon, Wolfgangus Faber, Capito. Simon Grineus, [and] Oswald Miconus, newly Englished by Henry Bennet Callesian.A famous and godly history contaynyng the lyues a[nd] actes of three renowmed reformers of the Christia[n] Church, Martine Luther, Iohn Ecolampadius, and Huldericke Zuinglius. The declaracion of Martin Luthers faythe before the Emperoure Charles the fyft, and the illustre estates of the empyre of Germanye, with an oration of hys death, all set forth in Latin by Philip Melancthon, Wolfgangus Faber, Capito. Simon Grineus, [and] Oswald Miconus, newly Englished by Henry Bennet Callesian.
London: printed by John Awdely, 1561London: printed by Iohn Awdely, 1561
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He was so careful and studious to understand the truth, that the ambiguity & vexation of questions & vain sophistry (which pull many pregnant & natural good wits, from the cast of holy scripture) could not discourage him to leave his purpose. After he had red Thomas of Aquine, he gave him self to Richard above all the scholastical writers. He read diligently Gerson, because he seemed more apt to nourish the fear & reverence of God. He made none account of Scotus, all be it he was subtle: he stayed not as one musing, on every subtle question as his companions did, but hastened ⟨image 63⟩to attain to the some of this profession. And this while he conferred with certain the fruits of his study, and1 contemned evermore the public disputation of such as in common places would contend, esteeming the same to be a mean to corrupt & mar the toward wits & good natures of young men, with pride, arrogancy, noise and brawls. He more desired to learn, then to win Fame by knowledge, which was repugnant to the nature of his tender years, & the institution of his Masters. You would have said he• had been the sucking Infant of sacred Verity, & not the Scholar of doltish Schoolmasters. He attempted diligently, as his capacity served, to understand plainly all the secretes & mysteries of learned truth which was the cause that honest people commen dead him singularly, both for learning and virtue. Yea, Philippe Palatine2 most illustre Prince and Elector of y• empire, encouraged with his renown, made him Instructor of his Children, which was the ready way to grow to great wealth, if he had delighted to savour of the pomp & bravery of the world, ⟨image 64⟩but the virtue of his mind borne to embrace godliness, drew him an other way. Wherefore with all celerity he abandoned the Court, and returned to prosecute his godly studies again. Finally, for that his Parents, people very devout, were fully resolved to employ their wealth on Gods service, and this their only Son, having no further care, nor hope of any issue, & considering he was of a weak complexion, and apt to prove a notable Preacher, they founded in the Town where they were borne, by the advise and consent of their said son, a Benefice, having the charge of Preacher annexed, and employed thereon the principal part of their revenue.