Dedicatory Preface, no date (1563), Johann Albrecht (Wimpinaeus) to Frederick V, Count of Oettingen-Wallerstein (BP.Albrecht.1563-03)
| Author: | Johann Albrecht (Wimpinaeus) |
| Recipient: | Frederick V, Count of Oettingen-Wallerstein |
| Type: | Dedicatory Preface |
| Date: | no date [1563] |
| Place: | no place |
| Pages: | 5 |
| Language: | German |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2664 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Johann Albrecht (Wimpinaeus), Christliche unnd gegründte widerlegung, wider das ... schreiben Cyriaci Spangenberg, Ingolstadt: Alexander & Samuel Weissenhorn 1563, sig. *2r-*4r [BP.Albrecht.1563-03]
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| CP: | Not in Kühlmann/Telle, Corpus Paracelsisticum |
| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Johann Albrecht addresses Count Friedrich of Oettingen, praising his devout commitment to the Catholic Church. Albrecht highlights the historical battles fought by faithful defenders of the Church against its enemies, contrasting their valor with the defeat suffered by heretics. He urges Count Friedrich to unite all Christians against the common enemy and speak with one voice in defense of the faith. Albrecht warns against false teachers who use deceptive tactics to lead people astray, mixing the words of the Gospel with poisonous flattery. He commends Friedrich Staphylus as a courageous defender and refutes the writings of Cyriacus Spangenberg, emphasizing the unwavering strength of the Catholic faith. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
| Back to Paratexts Back to Texts by Johann Albrecht (Wimpinaeus) |
[sig. *2r] Dem Wolgebornen Herrn/ Herrn Fridreichen/ Graffen zů Oetingen &c. Seinem gnedigen Herrn/ wünschet hail vnd Wolfart in Christo.
Wolgeborner Genediger Herr/ Es tregt one zweyffel E[uer] G[naden] gůt zu wüssen/ wie Ritterlich/ vnnd Christlich die Männer Gottes/ durch beystandt vnd hilff des Hayligen Gaystes/ je vnd allwegen wider die Feindt der Catholischen Kirchen/ wölche ist gebaut auff den grundt der Propheten vnd Aposteln/ gestritten vnd gekempfft haben: Hergegen wie schändtlich die Ketzer/ vnnd diener der Teüffel den sig allwegen verloren/ vnnd gestürtzet sein worden: Als Simon der zauberer vom hailigen Petro/ Cerinthus vom hailigen Johanne/ ist offenbar. Jn summa fast alle hailigen männer/ vnnd lerer der Catholischen Kirchen/ haben den Ketzern steten vnnd festen widerstandt gethon/ one zweyffel vns zů ainem exempel/ wo sich Ketzereien vnnd frembde lehr (wie [sig. *2v] layder Gott erbarmbs zů vnsern zeiten geschicht) wurden einreissen/ wir der gleichen theten/ ain jedweder nach der gab/ die jme von Gott ist gegeben. Darumb dann der hailig mann Jgnatius ain Martyr Christi/ die Trallianer in gemain vermanet vnd spricht also.
Derowegen vermanet Euch/ nit Jgnatius/ sonder die lieb Jesu Christi/ das jhr (nach dem jhr jnnerlich mit dem gemüth vnnd sinn verainiget seyt/ vnnd alle Secten habt außgeschlossen) alle mit ainem mundt/ vnd mit ainer stimme vber ain kumpt.
Dann es seindt etlich/ wölche durch ainen truglichen schein der reden/ künden die gemüter der menschen vom rechten weg abfüren: Seindt aber des namens Christi nit nachfolger/ sonder verkauffer. Dann sie füren den namen Christi/ durch aine betrügliche kramerey herumb/ vnnd die wort des Euangelij/ tragen sie fail/ wölche sie mit ayner süssen schmaichlerey des jrrthumbs/ als mit gifft vermischen: vnnd mischen also vnder jren vberauß schädlichen gifft/ ain solche hönigsüsse liebligkayt/ auff das wölchers Trincke werdt von stundt an vnweyßlich durch den wollust des angenemen geschmacks gefangen/ vnnd darnach allen geschmack/ vnnd allen sinn/ dem vnuerhofften todt vnderwerffen.
Dise vermanung vnnd warnung/ W[ohlgeborner] G[raf und] H[err] ob sie schon in sonderhait von dem hayligen Man Jgnatio/ den Trallianern/ ist zůgeschriben worden: betrifft sie doch warlich alle rechtgeschaffene Christen in gemain. Dann wie mich bedunckt/ hat der haylig Mann zůuor gesehen/ was sich zů vnsern zeiten werdt zůtragen: vnnd durch was hinderlist die Ketzer werden sich jhre lehr außzůpraitten/ vnderstehn. Wölches Christus auch selber zůuor hat geweyssaget/ vnnd vns als ain getrewer Vatter seyne kinder gewarnet/ als Er imm Matheo[m1] also spricht. Vnnd es werden vil falscher Propheten aufferstehn/ vnd werden vil verfüren. Vnd dieweyl [sig. *3r] die vngerechtigkeyt wirdt vberhandt haben genommen: wirdt bey vilen die lieb erkalten/ welcher aber verharren wirdt biß ans endt/ der wirt selig. Vnd bald hernach spricht er weytter. Dann es werden falsche Christen vnd falsche Propheten auffstehn/ vnd werden grosse zaichen vnnd wunderwerckh thůn/ also wann es müglich were/ das auch die ausserwöten verfürt wurden.
Welches wir alles (Gott erbarms) täglich erfaren: dann warlich vil von den Kätzern durch einen falschen schein des Euangelij/ werden von der Catholischen kirchen ab/ in jrrthumb gefürt. Hat sich derowegen ein yetweder Christ wol zůerhütten/ vnd acht zůgeben/ darmit jhn der Teüffel nit auch etwann durch seine Legaten vberlistige vnnd hindergeh.
Dieweil aber solche/ jren gifft dermassen mit honig temperiern/ vnd sich der Teüffel also in ein gestalt eines Engels des liechts verwandelt/ das weder er noch seine gesandten künden von einem yetwedern erkannt werden: hat Gott zů vnsern letzten zeyten seyne kirch auch mit leüten versehen/ welche die Gaister vnderscheyden/ die Bockslehr von der Schafslehr absondern/ vnnd klärlich an tag thon/ welche lehr Christi sey/ oder welche frembde sey.
Vnder welchen rechtgeschaffnen dienern Christi/ dieweil D[octor] Fridericus Staphylus nit der geringest/ sonder einer auß den trefflichsten (welches dann etliche die ausserhalb der Catholischen kirchen sein/ frey bekennen vnd sagen/ das zů vnsern zeyten nye keiner den Ketzern so dapffer als Staphylus widerstanden) hat der Teüffel nit künden feyren/ sonder grossen fleiß angewendt/ ob er etwann möcht vnrhüwige/ aygensinnige köpff auffbewegen/ die sich wider Staphylum legerten/ vnd seinen schrifften ein widerstandt thetten: welches dann auch beschehen.
Dann nit wenig/ ettlich mal/ jr heyl am Staphylo versůcht haben: aber doch/ dieweil Christus dem Teüffel zů [sig. *3v] starck: vnnd der Geyster der lugen allezeyt můß weichen dem Geyst der warhait/ haben sie nichts außgericht/ dann allein zůuerstehn geben/ das jr hertz vnd gmüt gegen Christo vnd seiner lieben gespons/ für welche er sein blů vergossen/ gantz erbittert/ vnd mit gifft entzündt sey.
Dann sehe E[uer] G[naden] an die schrifften Cyriaci Spangenbergij (auff das ich der andern geschweyg) werden sie von stundan befinden/ was solche aigensinnische lehrer gegen der Catholischen kirchen gesinnet seindt. Diß (sage ich G[ott] H[ilf] in der warheyt) ist allein jr beger/ das Christus vnd was Catholisch ist/ werde außgedückt: Belial vnnd was singulare, erhaben vnd angenommen.
Wiewol aber des Spangenbergij schreiben/ vnnd sonderlich welches wider des Herrn Staphyli Christlichen Gegenbericht &c. ist geschehen/ dermassen ist gestellt/ das menigklich/ welcher kein verkert vrtheil hat/ sicht vnnd spürt/ das auß dem brunnenqual der lugen sein vrsprung habe: vnd gentzlich dahin gericht sey/ ob man mehr leüt möcht inn jrrthumb vnnd verderbnuß bringen: were derowegen nit von nöten das man solches hett widerlegt: yedoch dieweil/ W[olle] G[ott] H[elfen] vil ainfeltiger gůthertziger leüt seindt/ welche die Geister nit vnderscheyden künden: künden auch nit auß einem festen grundt die warheyt von der lugen/ das böß vom gůtten absondern: habe ich mich/ denen zů nutz/ vbergemacht/ vnd dem Spangenberg mit hilff des allmechtigen Gottes/ sein schreiben/ welches wider des mehrgemelten Herrn Staphyli Christlichen Gegenbericht ist geschriben/ abgelaint: gůtter hoffnung/ yederman/ (souerr jme nit einer selbs etwann wirdt für dem liecht stehn) werdt sehen/ auff was vngrundt die lehr Spangenbergij gebawt sey: von was Geyst er getriben werde: vnd were jme wider Christum vnd seyne einigen Catholischen kirchen beystandt thů.
Dieweil aber W[olle] G[ott] H[elfen] mit nit vnwissendt/ wie bestendigklich E[uer] G[naden] biß auff den heüttigen tag/ von den gnaden [sig. *4r] Gottes/ bey der Catholischen/ allein seligmachenden lehr verharret: habe ich E[uer] G[naden] dise meine rettschrifft/ als einem warhafftigen/ lebendigen glid Christi/ welches die schmertzen/ one zweyffel/ welche von den Dienern der finsternuß werden dem leib Christi/ das ist der Catholischen kirchen zůgefügt/ entpfindt/ wöllen zůschreiben/ vnnd vnderthenigklich vberantwortten: darmit E[uer] G[naden] den vngrund der eygensinnischen: den bestandt vnd die vnbewegligkeyt der Catholischen lehr/ klärlich spüre: vnd wie gewaltigklich Gott den grossen Goliad/ durch das klein hirtlen Dauid nyderwerfft/ vnd das hirn zerschmettere/ acht nemme.
Bitt derowegen vnderthänigklich E[uer] G[naden] wöllen diß schreiben von mir gnädigklich auffnemmen. Der barmhertzig güttig Gott wöll E[uer] G[naden] langwirige regierung/ gesundes leben an seel vnd leyb verleyhen: auff das E[uer] G[naden] noch lenger die kirchen Christi vnder E[uer] G[naden] flügel/ welche jr bißhero außgebrait habt/ vnderschlaiffe. Amen.
E[uer] G[naden] Vnderthenigster/
Ioannes Albertus Vuimpinensis, Ordinarius Professor in Acad[emia] Ingolst[adiensi].
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT on 29 June 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 highly esteemed Lord, Count Friedrich of Oettingen, etc., his gracious Lord, wishes health and prosperity in Christ.
Highly esteemed and gracious Lord, undoubtedly you are aware of the noble and Christian valor with which the men of God, through the assistance and help of the Holy Spirit, have always fought against the enemies of the Catholic Church, which is founded upon the principles of the prophets and apostles. On the other hand, it is evident how shamefully the heretics and servants of the devil have always been defeated and overthrown, as in the cases of Simon the sorcerer by Saint Peter and Cerinthus by Saint John. In summary, almost all holy men and teachers of the Catholic Church have consistently opposed the heretics. We should take them as an example and, if heresies and foreign doctrines (which unfortunately prevail in our times) were to arise, each one of us should act according to the gifts bestowed upon us by God. Therefore, the holy man Ignatius, a martyr of Christ, exhorts the people of Tralles in general, saying:
Therefore, I urge you, not Ignatius, but the love of Jesus Christ, that you (after being united inwardly in mind and spirit and having excluded all sects) may come together with one voice and one accord.
For there are some who, through cunning speeches, can lead people astray from the right path. They do not follow the name of Christ but rather exploit it. They carry the name of Christ like deceptive merchants, but they twist the words of the Gospel, which they mix with the sweet flattery of error, like poison. Thus, they mix such harmful poison with a honey-like sweetness so that those who drink it will be captivated by the pleasure of its pleasant taste and afterward subject all taste and senses to the unexpected death.
This admonition and warning, highly esteemed Lord, although it was originally addressed by the holy man Ignatius to the people of Tralles, truly concerns all righteous Christians in general. As it seems to me, the holy man foresaw what would happen in our times and how heresies would spread through cunning methods. This is also foretold by Christ Himself, warning us, His faithful children, as He says in Matthew: "And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Furthermore, He says, "Then false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."
All this (may God have mercy) we experience daily, for indeed many heretics, through a false appearance of the Gospel, are led away from the Catholic Church into error. Therefore, each true Christian should be on guard and pay attention so as not to be deceived by the devil through his agents. However, since these agents temper their poison with honey and the devil disguises himself as an angel of light, making it difficult to recognize him or his messengers, God, in these latter times, has also equipped His Church with people who can discern spirits and distinguish between true and false teachings, clearly revealing which is the doctrine of Christ and which is foreign.
Among these righteous servants of Christ, Doctor Friedrich Staphylus is not the least, but one of the most distinguished (as some who are outside the Catholic Church openly acknowledge and say that in our times no one has resisted the heretics as boldly as Staphylus). The devil has not been able to silence him, but has made great efforts to incite disobedient and stubborn minds to oppose Staphylus and his writings, which has indeed
happened.
Although some have tried, on several occasions, to harm Staphylus, the devil, being weaker than Christ, and the spirits of lies always having to yield to the Spirit of truth, they have achieved nothing except to reveal their own bitterness and poisoned hearts against Christ and His beloved bride, for whom He shed His blood.
Consider, highly esteemed Lord, the writings of Cyriacus Spangenberg (not to mention others), and you will find that they are filled with hatred towards Christ and everything that is Catholic. This, I say in all truth, is solely their desire: to suppress Christ and everything that is Catholic, and to promote Belial and everything that is singular, exalted, and accepted.
However, the writings of Spangenberg, especially those against the Christian refutation by Herr Staphylus, are so composed that anyone without a distorted judgment can see and feel that they originate from the bubbling fountain of lies and are completely directed towards causing more people to fall into error and destruction. Therefore, it was not necessary to refute them. Nevertheless, since, God willing, there are many simple-hearted and well-meaning people who cannot discern spirits and who cannot clearly distinguish between truth and lies, good and evil, I have taken it upon myself, for their benefit, to refute Spangenberg's writings, which were written against the aforementioned Christian refutation by Herr Staphylus, with the help of Almighty God. Every person (unless one willfully stands in the way of the light) will see the unfounded nature of Spangenberg's teachings, the spirit that drives him, and how he opposes Christ and His one Catholic Church.
However, since, God willing, you have remained steadfast until this day, by the grace of God, in the teachings of the Catholic Church, which alone leads to salvation, I have humbly dedicated this letter to you as a true and living member of Christ, who undoubtedly feels the pains inflicted upon the body of Christ, that is, the Catholic Church. By doing so, I wish to make it clear to you, highly esteemed Lord, the groundlessness of their own opinions, as well as the stability and immovability of Catholic doctrine, and how mightily God throws down the great Goliath through the humble shepherd David and shatters his arrogance.
Therefore, I humbly request that you kindly receive this letter from me. May the merciful and benevolent God grant you a long reign and a healthy life in soul and body, so that you may continue to protect the Church of Christ under your care, which you have spread so far, and keep it safe. Amen.
Your most obedient servant,
Johannes Albertus of Wimpfen, Ordinary Professor at the University of Ingolstadt.
