Dedication, 1578-04-01, Thomas Erastus to Heinrich Petri, Lucas Gebhardt and Balthasar Han
| Author: | Thomas Erastus |
| Recipients: | Heinrich Petri Lucas Gebhardt Balthasar Han |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | 1 April 1578 |
| Place: | Heidelberg |
| Pages: | 7 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2991 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Thomas Erastus, Repetitio disputationis de lamiis seu strigibus, Basel: Pietro Perna [1578], sig. ):(2r–):(5r [BP.Erastus.1578-02]
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| Reprinted in: | BP.Weyer.1579-01 |
| Translated in: | BP.Erastus.1606-01 |
| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Erastus reflects on a scholarly debate regarding the penalties for witches. He mentions how, seven years prior, a debate was sparked on this subject. He believed he had defended his position robustly, drawing arguments from religious texts. However, he was challenged by a compassionate scholar who defended the persecuted women, arguing against Erastus. Despite anticipating stronger counterarguments, Erastus was surprised to find none he hadn't already addressed. He emphasizes that their discourse is vital as it concerns human salvation. Erastus openly invites further refutation based on sacred writings, suggesting that clarity on such significant matters benefits the Republic. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. ):(2r] Ornatissimis doctrina et virtvte viris D.D.D[ominis] Henrico Petri, Lucæ Gebhardo, Balthasari Hanio, Reipub[licæ] Basiliensis Senatoribus prudentißimis, & Academiæ Patronis et Ephoris dignißimis, Dominis suis summa obseruantia colendis.
Anni iam sunt exacti septem, Senatores gravissimi, Scholarchæ prudentissimi & clarissimi, cum vir quidam doctissimus, & pietate singulari ornatissimus quæstionem mihi movit de strigum pœnis. Accidit non multò post, cum à nonnullis excitatus adversus absurda, profana, & prorsus perniciosa Paracelsi [sig. ):(2v] dogmatat disputare cœpissem, ut in prima disputationum parte, de Lamiarum quoque arte & viribus disserendum mihi esset. Huic disceptationi cum summi quidam Theologi me hortarentur, ut, quæ de earundem pœnis antè conscripseram, (viderant enim prius ac probaverant) adiungerem, non gravatè morem gessi. Feci eò libentius, quòd mihi videbar causam propositam illis argumentis probavisse, quæ refelelre conari nemo ausurus esset. Sunt enim ex sacris literis petita, non in animo meo nata. Verùm opinio me fefellit. Inventus enim est vir doctus, qui miseratione infelicium muliercularum permotus, pio magis, ut arbitror, quàm recto studio earum defensionem suscepit. Nec me inscio fecit, sed ante annos aliquot [sig. ):(3r] de consilio suo certiorem me reddidit. Ego vicissim ei respondi, non modò non ingratum mihi hoc fore, sed iucundissimum. Quinetiam obtestatus sum, ut, si errare nos videret, audacter nos confutaret. Equidem non de casse aut vitiosa nuce, sed de hominum, pro quibus Christus mortem subire acerbissimam dignatus est, salute agitur: ac proinde non sceleratus solum, verum etiam immaniter impius iustè censeri possem, si crudelem & falsam opinionem humaniori & veriori sententiæ anteponerem. Mori certè malim quovis mortis genere, quàm sciens & prudens, in re tanti momenti errare: præsertim cum error in talibus non sit simplex lapsus, sed periculosus & cum pernicie aliquorum coniunctus. Quam- [sig. ):(3v] obrem seriò eundem rogavi, ut publicæ hominum salutis causa argumenta sua, quibus meam sententiam refelli posse arbitraretur, vel privatim communicaret, vel publicè omnibus expendenda proponeret, me, si rectiora docuisset, publice quoque gratias libenter acturum esse, sive privatim sive publicè erudivisset.
Res est in annos aliquot dilata, & cum nihil sperarem amplius, tandem circa principium huius anni tanta ante intentata confutatio prodijt. Ego eam cum avidè perlegissem, & meliora me visurum frustra expecta vissem, mirum est, quàm fuerim de miratus. Nihil enim prorsus, quod quidem momenti alicuius esset, deprehendi, quod non antea solide à me confutatum fuisset. Itaque sic mecum ratiocinari cœpi: Si vir tan- [sig. ):(4r] tus, & in hac ipsa quæstione tam exercitatus tot iam annis nihil excogitare potuit, quo vel tua infirmaret, vel sua corroboraret, satis manifestum est, quanta causæ, quam defendis, bonitas sit. Quod ut alij quoque perspicere valeant, placuit totam illam disputationem repetere, & ad obiecta omnia plenius & clarius respondere, ne porrò aliquis temerè de hoc negotio dubitet, aut sententiam nostram velut sacris literis non consentaneam damnet. Si certiora quis ex eisdem proferet, (His enim solis pugnaturum me affirmavi aliàs, & nunc etiam affirmo: cum quid ius Romanum hîc statuat nesciam) non me tantùm immortali beneficio obstrictum reddet, [sig. ):(4v] sed & Deo rem gratam faciet, ac Reipub[licae] utilissimam & necessariam operam navabit. Vbis autem viri dignitate & virtute præstantissimi, hanc operam nuncupare libuit, non unam ob causam. Primum enim nullis alijs rectius dedicari poterit illiusmodi quæstionis explicatio, quàm illis, qui in Reipub[lica] rectione versantur, & iudicijs subinde pr{{EditAbbr|æsident. Quid enim ambigat, quin harum rerum cognitio ad tales maxime spectet? Deinde cum ea sit doctrina & experientia vestra, ut vos potissimum dignos aptosq́ue censuerit nobilissimæ urbis amplissimus Senatus, qui Academiam vestris consilijs gubernetis, conservetis & amplificetis, dubitare nullus potest, quin rectissimè de talibus controversijs iudicaturi sitis. Accedit huc, quòd accepti à vobis ante [sig. ):(5r] annos plures triginta beneficij memor: qualemcunque grati animi testificationem vobis debeo. Maximè verò diuinctum me vobis reddidit D[ominus] Iohan[nes] Iacobus Grynæus, Theologiæ Doctor, affinis charissimus, dum sæpè apud me non solum laudes & virtutes vestras prædicavit, verum etiam vestram beneficentiam erga se ad cœlos usque extulit. Hunc ego cum non minus me ipso diligam, non possum non vehementer amare & colere, quibus ipsum charum esse intelligo.
Dominus noster Iesus Christus æterni Dei Patris æternus Filius ὁμοούσιος Sancto suo spiritu vos regat, ac Reipub[licae] & Scholæ incolumes diutissimè conservet. Amen.
Heidelbergæ[c1] Cal[endis] April[is] Anno M. D. LXXVIII.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 16 August 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the most distinguished men in doctrine and virtue, Heinrich Petri, Lucas Gebhardt and Balthasar Han, the wisest Senators of the Republic of Basel, and most worthy Patrons and Overseers of the Academy, whom I honor with the utmost respect.
It has been seven years, most esteemed Senators, most prudent and illustrious School-leaders, since a very learned man, adorned with singular piety, raised a question to me about the penalties for witches. Not much later, when I, prompted by some, began to dispute against the absurd, profane, and utterly harmful teachings of Paracelsus, I found myself in the first part of the disputes also having to discuss the art and powers of witches. Some esteemed theologians urged me to add what I had written before about their penalties (for they had seen and approved it earlier), and I willingly obliged. I did this more willingly because I believed I had proven the proposed cause with arguments which no one would dare try to refute. For they are derived from sacred writings, not born in my own mind. However, my belief was mistaken. For there arose a learned man, moved by compassion for the unfortunate women, who, more from piety than, I think, right reason, took up their defense. He did not act without my knowledge but informed me of his intention some years ago. In turn, I replied to him, saying that not only would I not be displeased by this, but I would find it most pleasant. I even urged him that, if he saw us erring, to boldly refute us. Indeed, this is not about a chestnut or a defective nut, but about the salvation of men for whom Christ deemed to undergo the most bitter death. Therefore, I could justly be deemed not only wicked but also monstrously impious if I preferred a cruel and false opinion over a kinder and truer sentiment. I would certainly rather die in any manner than knowingly and consciously err in a matter of such great significance: especially since an error in such matters is not just a simple lapse but is dangerous and linked with the ruin of some. Therefore, I earnestly asked him to either privately share or publicly present for everyone's consideration his arguments, which he thought could refute my opinion, for the sake of public welfare. I promised that if he showed a better way, I would gladly give thanks publicly, whether he enlightened me privately or publicly.
The matter has been postponed for several years, and when I had given up all hope, at last, around the beginning of this year, an unprecedented refutation was published. After I eagerly read it and vainly expected to see better arguments, I was amazed at how much I was astounded. For I found absolutely nothing of any importance that had not already been solidly refuted by me. Thus, I began to reason to myself: If such a distinguished man, so well-practiced in this very question for so many years, could not devise anything to either weaken your arguments or strengthen his own, it's clear how valid the cause you defend is. To allow others to also see this, I decided to revisit the entire argument and respond more fully and clearly to all objections, so that henceforth no one might rashly doubt this matter or condemn our opinion as not consistent with the sacred writings. If anyone presents more certain proofs from the same (for I have elsewhere declared, and declare again now, that I will only debate using these, as I am unaware of what the Roman law dictates here), they will not only oblige me with an eternal favor but will also please God and provide the Republic with the most useful and necessary service.
And why, most distinguished and virtuous men, I have chosen to dedicate this work to you, is for several reasons. Firstly, no others are better suited to receive such an explanation than those who are involved in the governance of the Republic and regularly preside over judgments. Who can doubt that knowledge of these matters especially concerns such men? Secondly, given your wisdom and experience – so esteemed that the noble Senate of our great city believes you especially worthy and apt to oversee the Academy with your counsel, to preserve and expand it – no one can doubt that you will judge most rightly in such controversies. Added to this is my memory of the favor I received from you more than thirty years ago: I owe you any indication of my gratitude. But most of all, Johann Jacob Grynaeus, Doctor of Theology and my beloved relative, has bound me closely to you, as he often not only praised your virtues and deeds in my presence but also elevated your kindness towards him to the heavens. As I cherish him no less than myself, I cannot help but profoundly love and honor those whom I understand he holds dear.
May our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the eternal God the Father, and consubstantial with his Holy Spirit, guide you and keep you safe for the Republic and the School for the longest time. Amen.
Heidelberg, 1st of April, Year 1578.
