Dedicatory Preface, 1594-01-16, Henning Scheunemann to Bernardus Hasenbein
| Author: | Henning Scheunemann |
| Recipients: | Bernardus Hasenbein |
| Type: | Dedicatory Preface |
| Date: | 16 January 1594 |
| Place: | Würzburg |
| Pages: | 1 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=5846 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Philip Harisson, Positiones de demonstratione quas in [...] Herbibolensi Academica, pro indipiscenda philosophiae laurea defendet, Defendent:, Würzburg: Georg Fleischmann 1594, sig. A1v [BP.Scheunemann.1594-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Scheuneman draws a parallel between his own journey and the biblical story of the Israelites leaving Egypt, who were instructed to take golden and silver vessels from their neighbors. He likens these vessels to the intellectual and cultural riches he has gathered, not for personal adornment but for the benefit of the Republic. Scheuneman references Boethius as an exemplar of Christian resilience and intellectual rigor, particularly in his fight against heresies. He admires Boethius for his ability to balance civic duties as a consul in Rome with his intellectual pursuits, especially in the field of logic. This balance, Scheuneman implies, is crucial for the advancement of society and the combating of heretical ideas. He also critiques the work of Petrus Ramus, a logician whose new interpretations of Aristotle he views skeptically. Scheuneman suggests that Ramus, in his attempt to innovate, actually removed many valuable aspects of traditional logic rather than contributing anything new. This criticism underscores Scheuneman's appreciation for classical learning and its enduring value. Scheuneman expresses a desire to share his intellectual pursuits, particularly in philosophy, with Hasenbein. He acknowledges Hasenbein's influence and guidance, not only as a godfather but also as a figure of intellectual and moral stature. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. A1v] Excellentiss[imo] ac prvdentiss[imo] viro Bernardo Hasenbein &c. Patrino suo piè admodum venerando.
Israelitas abitum ex AEgypto parantes, diuina quondam vox exciuit, vt vasa aurea, argenteaq́ue singuli suis à vicinis totius AEgyptiaci soli incoli vtenda, acciperent: Accepta in digressu ad terram promißionis Deo literaturi asportarent: Haud ita multum absimile, Excellentiss[ime] ac prudentiss[ime] D[omi]n[e] mihi vsu venit. In feruentem musarum cultum assurgendum erat: is iussu parentum ad detrahendas cultioris literaturæ manubias me armauit. Licet nil ad AEgyptiacas, quidem vulgi opinione, gemmas, vsu tamen & fine nobiliori præponderans. Illæ in ornamenta cuiusdam templi manibus artificum excitati collatæ: Hoc ad totius Reip[u]b[licae] emulumentum deseruiet: Seuerinus enim ille Anitius Boethus stirpe Romanus patritius, quem Christiani inuictum ac fidum sibi aduersus efferatam Nestorij, Euthychis, Arijq́ue rabiem percensêre, cum logices elementis manum admouisset, Romæ præter spem consul est renunciatus: vario curarum æstu haud quaquam nimium alio abreptus, inchoatam pertexuit telam. Arbitrabatur ne hoc ipsum quidem consulis vacare officio, si elucubratæ rei doctrinæ priscos ciuitatis mores informaret, & fontes quibus hæresum scintillantes igniculi restinguerentur, panderet. Id Caluiniopapistas non fugit. Quid illa quæ nuper prodijt Petri Rami Dialectica? qui nescio, quo cothurno græcogallico nouam sibi logica inuentionem venditans, pleraq́ue quæ ad demosntrationis naturam toto in decursu ὑσερων ἀναλυτικῶν Arist facere crediderat, resecuit, atq́ue præcipuos istorum librorum interpretes reprehendit. Vt Archimedes sphæram & Cylindrum, suo incidi sepulchro voluit; Haus decus ille logicam artem sui sarcophagi columnam desiderauit, paucula scilicet, quæ è Rethorum deprompsit scholis, ac nonnulla satis pervulgata inuenit. Sustulisse potius plurima quam quid noui in lucem protrusisse credendus est. Astni sitibundum scientiæ pectus haustæ à philosophiæ riuulis refocillent aquæ? Tritam olim Excell[entissimi] ac prudentiss[issimi] D[omi]n[i] ingenio tuo palæstram, per hasce thesium velitationes mentis oculis peruagari iam pridem aues? Hoc T[uo] D[omino] transmittere dudum mihi mens ac animus fuit, idque vel duplici nomine, cum quod vegeta illa animi tui maturo in corpore virtus patriæ non infimum decus ac ornamentum addat: tum quod te mihi sacramentali Baptismatis charactere insignito patrinum præstiteris. Hoc itaque tuorum in me meritorum, velut exile testimonium, accipe. Vale. Datum Herbip[olis] è cœnobio Augustiniano 16. die Ianuarij Anno 1594.
H[enningus] Scheuneman philosophiæ ac Medicinæ studiosus.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 13 January 2024. 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 excellent and most prudent man, Bernardus Hasenbein, &c., his very piously revered godfather.
As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, a divine voice once stirred them to take golden and silver vessels from their neighbors across the entire land of Egypt for their use: These, taken upon departure to the land of promise, they were to carry away to honor God. Not too dissimilarly, most excellent and most prudent Sir, has it happened to me. I was to rise to the fervent cultivation of the muses: by the command of my parents, I was armed to draw the spoils of more refined literature. Although nothing like the Egyptian gems, in popular opinion, it nevertheless outweighs them in use and nobler purpose. Those were collected for the ornamentation of a certain temple by the hands of craftsmen: This serves the benefit of the entire Republic: Severinus Anitius Boethius, a Roman patrician of Roman descent, whom Christians consider invincible and faithful against the wild rage of Nestorius, Eutyches, and Arius, when he applied himself to the elements of logic, was unexpectedly proclaimed consul in Rome: not too distracted by a variety of cares, he completed the work he began. He thought that even this duty of a consul was not exempt from informing the ancient customs of the city with the fruits of learned work, and revealing the sources to extinguish the sparking fires of heresies. This was not lost on Calvinist Catholics. What about the recently published Dialectics of Peter Ramus? Who, I know not by what Greco-Gallic cothurnus, selling his new invention in logic, cut away many things that he believed Aristotle had done in the course of his Analytics, and criticized the main interpreters of those books. As Archimedes wanted a sphere and cylinder carved on his tomb; this Haus desired the column of his sarcophagus to be the art of logic, a few things, namely, that he took from the schools of Rhetoricians, and some quite common findings. He is believed to have removed many things rather than brought anything new to light. But would not the thirsty heart of knowledge be refreshed by waters drawn from the streams of philosophy? Have you long desired to wander through this well-trodden arena of your most excellent and most prudent mind through these thesis disputes? It has long been my intention and desire to send this to Your Honor, and that for a double reason: because that vigorous virtue of your mature mind adds no small honor and ornament to the fatherland, and because you have presented yourself to me as a godfather, marked with the sacramental character of Baptism. Therefore, accept this as a modest testimony of your merits towards me. Farewell. Given in Würzburg from the Augustinian monastery, on the 16th day of January, in the year 1594.
Henningus Scheuneman, a student of philosophy and medicine.
