A08486:216
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.
YOUR request is (dear friend Agathy) I should publish a matter as worthy notice, as surmounting the compass ••ing skill. For great things require supportacion of great power, as yet I have ramforced only. For I am both weak to attained to high matters, and naturally given to achieve low enterprises. Think you this is a trivial argument to discourse I will not say describe the history of Zuinglius life? for such is not your desire, weighing the sterility of my skill and eloquence. Tully the Prince of all good learning, & the famous Plutarch, might with their greatest vessels ⟨image 79⟩wade in this large sea, without eclipse of their glorious cunning and elegant style. So great is Zuinglius among his sincere friends, & so s••lly esteemed among his illiterate & profane enemies, hereof springeth your doubt. There be some (you allege) that in praising him, make the same a mirror of godliness, and some in contemning him, paint him out like an horrible and monstrous wight, which moveth you to marvel, the earth can sustain so facinorous a creature. Thus the laud of his friends alluring you to reverence. & the slander of his foes, provoking you to abhor his life and acts: You seem to suspend your resolute judgement of him, and his learned works, and therefore requires to be credibly informed by some his familiar friends of his demeanour and conversation, that (such is your zealous affection) as his excellent monuments shine in all Christianity and sincere doctrine: so they may receive condigne credit, and godly report of all Christian people. I may right boldly affirm, I knew Zuinglius familiarly, ⟨image 80⟩who was my Maecenas, & with whom I had learned conference, for the which I am obliged unto him manifoldly. But what can I give, so barren of eloquence, and ornate phrase? If you did not remember me, I should forget my just debt, now that you press me, I will do what I can, and y• more is, I dare be bold to say, this compendious narration will delight you much For I write as I have had experience, trusting you will communicate to none this discourse, but keep it to your self
YOVR request is (deare friend Agathy) I should publysh a matter as worthy notice, as surmounting the compasse ••ing skyll. For great thynges requyre supportacion of great power, as yet I haue ramforced onely. For I am bothe weake to attaynd to high matters, and naturally giuen to atchieue low enterprises. Think you this is a triuial argumēt to discourse I wyl not say descriue the historye of Zuinglius lyfe? for suche is not your desire, weying the sterility of my skyl and eloquence. Tully the Prince of al good learning, & the famous Plutarche, might with their greatest vessels