Dedication, no date (1569), Thomas Erastus to Georg Ernst Graf von Henneberg-Schleusingen and Poppo X. Graf von Henneberg (BP.Erastus.1569-01)
| Author: | Thomas Erastus |
| Recipients: | Georg Ernst Graf von Henneberg-Schleusingen Poppo X. Graf von Henneberg |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | no date [1569] |
| Place: | no place |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2976 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Thomas Erastus, Defensio Libelli Hieronymi Savonarolae de Astrologia Diuinatrice, [Genève]: Jean Le Preux and Jean Petit 1569, sig. *2r–*2v [BP.Erastus.1569-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Erastus writes to the Princes of Henneberg, sharing a defense of Hieronymus Savonarola against a physician named Christoph Stathmion. Erastus converted the text from German to Latin to ensure its philosophical nuances were captured and to cater to those proficient in Latin. He delayed its publication because of other commitments and potential challenges from adversaries. Erastus acknowledges the Princes' desire for pure worship of God and hopes others will follow their noble example. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. *2r] Illvstrissimis Imperii Principibvs, Comitibvs ac DD[ominis] Hennenbergensibus, &c. D[omino] Georgio Ernesto, & D[omino] Bopponi, fratribus, DD[ominis] suis clementißimis.
Tandem ad vos mitto, Principes illustrissimi ac clementissimi, defensionem Hieronymi Sauonarolæ aduersus Christophorum Stathmionem Medicum Coburgensem, ante decennium istic Germanicè scriptam, vestræque C[omitibus] destinatam. Latinam ex Germanica duabus de causis feci. Prima est, quia inter ignaros Latinæ linguæ perpaucos esse animaduerti, qui has disputationes intelligere possint. requirit enim saltem principiorum Philosophiæ notitiam aliquam, quæ à nostris hominibus vix aliunde, quàm ex Latinis aut Græcis autoribus peti potest. Altera est, quia non satis aptè mihi videbar nostrate lingua exprimere posse, quæ vsitatè apud Latinos dicuntur. Etenim qui Germanicè philosophiam tractarit, scio neminem. Proinde meritò verebar, vt vel non satis aptè res istas eloquerer: vel certè non magno cum fructu tractarem: quòd intelligerem peritos Latini serminis sic ferè affectos esse, vt libentiùs meliùsque intelligant ha- [sig. *2v] rum rerum explicationes Latinas, quàm Germanicas. Vt enim quædam videantur significantiùs Germanicè quàm Latinè[c1] dici posse, non tamen ea multa sunt: nec assueuerunt multi philosophicis illis sententiis loquendíque modis.
Quòd non temporiùs in lucem venire passus sum præsentem Apologiam, effecerunt partim multæ & variæ occupationes aliæ: partim quòd audieram alios quosdam bellum Sauonarolæ mihíque indixisse. Horum ergo copias dum coniungi cum illo cupio, vt vna pugna & huic & illis occurram, editionem differo. Sanè credidi aliquos ex ipsis prodituros, propterea quòd alii publicè editis libellis prognosticis minitarentur: alij autem priuatim ad Stathmionem aliósque scriptis literis ex alto descpicere argumenta Sauonarolæ viderentur. Iam verò quum & ocij plusculum fuissem nactus, & aliæ me præterea occasiones ad editionem hortarentur, quas recensere hoc loco non est opus, statui eam publicare, & ad vos, illustrissimi Principes, vt est æquum, transmittere. Primùm quidem, quia vestræ Celsit[udinis] nomine suscepta à me fuit. Deinde quia vobis hoc vnum maximè scio esse cordi, vt impietate omni sublata, Deus verus rectè ac purè iuxta præscriptim verbi sui colatur. Præterea quia non dubito permultos alios fore, qui exemplis tantorum ac talium Principum moti, diligentiùs de hisce rebus sint cogitaturi. Postremò vt meæ erga vestram Celsit[udinem] perpetuæ constantísque obseruantiæ hoc etiam testimonium extet. Deus opt[imus] max[imus] pater Domini nostri Iesu Christi. V[estram] C[elsitudinem] clementer tueatur, sanctissimóque suo Spiritu sic regat, vt nomen eius per vos à plurimis laudetur & honoretur. Amen.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 15 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 illustrious Princes of the Empire, the Counts and Lords of Henneberg, etc., Lord George Ernest, and Lord Boppon, their most gracious lords.
At last, I send to you, most illustrious and gracious Princes, the defense of Hieronymus Savonarola against Christoph Stathmion, a physician from Coburg, written in German there a decade ago and intended for your Counts. I translated it from German to Latin for two reasons. First, because I observed that among those unfamiliar with the Latin language, very few can understand these arguments, as at least some basic knowledge of philosophy is required, which for our people can scarcely be sought from sources other than Latin or Greek authors. Second, because I felt I couldn't adequately express in our vernacular what is commonly said in Latin. Indeed, I know no one who has discussed philosophy in German. Hence, I had a rightful fear that I might either not express these matters adequately or not address them with much benefit: because I understand that those skilled in the Latin tongue prefer and better comprehend Latin explanations of these subjects than German ones. While some things seem to be more meaningful when said in German than in Latin, they are not many, and few are accustomed to those philosophical sentiments and modes of speech.
The reason I didn't allow this Apology to be published sooner was partly due to many diverse occupations and partly because I had heard that some had declared war on Savonarola and me. While waiting for their forces to join, hoping to confront them and him in a single battle, I deferred the publication. Indeed, I believed some of them would come forward because some threatened with publicly published predictive pamphlets, while others seemed to disdain Savonarola's arguments in private letters to Stathmion and others. Now, having found some leisure and other reasons urging me to publish, which I need not list here, I decided to make it public and, as is fitting, send it to you, most illustrious Princes. First, because I undertook it in the name of your Highnesses. Next, because I know that you are deeply concerned that all impiety be removed and that the true God be rightly and purely worshiped according to His word's prescription. Moreover, because I do not doubt that many others, moved by the example of such great and such Princes, will think more carefully about these matters. Lastly, to stand as a testament to my perpetual and unwavering devotion to your Highness. May the greatest and best God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, graciously protect your Highness and guide you with His holiest Spirit so that His name, through you, is praised and honored by many. Amen.
