Text.Bapst.1605-01.!2r
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Source: Michael Bapst von Rochlitz, Iuniperetum Oder WacholderGarten, ed. Joachim Tancke, Jacob Gaubisch (Eisleben) for Henning Grosse (Leipzig), 1605, sig. ):(2r–):(4v [BP.Bapst.1605-01]
Summary: Tanckius begins by reflecting on a biblical teaching that emphasizes the importance of using one's God-given talents for the betterment of humanity and the glory of God. He highlights the exemplary life of Michael Bapst, a late parish priest and brother of the addressee, who lived by this principle. Michael Bapst dedicated his life to theology, effectively spreading God's word, and establishing a school that nurtured the youth in piety and learning. Beyond his clerical duties, Michael Bapst also had a passion for nature and medicine, which he pursued in his leisure time, contributing to the field by publishing his findings for the public good.
Tanckius mentions Michael Bapst's posthumous work, a juniper garden compilation, which he decided to publish in honor of Michael Bapst's memory and to share his beneficial insights with a wider audience. He expresses hope that the work will be well-received and appreciated for its contributions. The letter concludes with Tanckius dedicating the publication to Paul Bapst, hoping it aligns with the values and friendship shared between them, and entrusting their endeavors to divine guidance. The letter is dated on the Day of the Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1605, underscoring the religious significance and context of the correspondence. (generated by ChatGPT)
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Ehrnvhester/ Achtbar vnd Wolweiser/ Vielgünstiger Herr vnd Freund/ Es vermahnet vns in Göttlicher heiliger Schrifft/ durch ein Gleichniß der Herr Christus/ vnser Erlöser vnd Seligmacher/ daß ein jeder Mensch sein Talentum oder Pfund/ so jhm von der Göttlichen Majestet gegeben vnd vertrawet worden/ nicht vergraben/ sondern dasselbige wol anlegen/ vnnd darmit Nutz schaffen soll. Ob nun wol diese des Herrn Christi Lehre fürnemlich auff das Göttliche Wort sihet/ so kan sie doch auff alle die Gaben/ welche Gott dem Menschen manichfaltig/ doch vnterschiedlich verleyhet vnd mittheilet/ gedeutet vnd verstanden werden.
Derwegen wir vnter andern dadurch erinnert/ daß wir die hohe Gaben/ so durch Göttliche Verleihung wir bekommen/ Erstlich gebrauchen [sig. )(2v] zur Gottes Ehre/ wie vnd welcher gestalt das nur geschehen möge vnd kan. Nachmals zum Nutz vnd besten des Menschen anwenden/ Weltlichen oder Heußlichen Stand damit beförderlich vnd dienstlich zu sein.
Diese Lehre vnsers Herrn vnd Heylandes Jesu Christi/ hat insonderheit der Ehrwürdige vnd Wolgelarte Herr Michaël Bapst/ weyland Pfarherr zu Möhern (des Herrn Bruder) seligen/ mit grossem Nutz practicirt/ darinnen verharret/ vnd sein Leben seliglichen geendet.
Denn er erstlich die Gaben/ so er von Gott gehabt/ nicht allein Gott wider gegeben/ sondern damit Gott gewuchert/ seine Ehre damit gesucht/ vnnd seinen Göttlichen Namen fortzupflantzen angewendet. Vnd weil aber er sich auff die Theologiam begeben/ hat jhm Gott nicht allein darzu seinen Segen gnediglich verliehen/ Sondern auch/ nach dem er jhn ins Kirchenampt gesatzt/ Göttliche Gnaden vnd fruchtbarlichen Gedeyen in Fortpflantzung seines heiligen Worts/ reichlich gegeben/ daß er mit sonderbarem Nutz seiner Pfarkinder/ das Göttliche Wort gelehret vnd geprediget/ vnd solches auch mit besserung jhres Lebens bey den Zuhörern ohne mercklichen Nutz [sig. )(3r] vnd Frucht nicht abgangen. Jn diesem seinem Beruff ist er standhafftig/ vleissig/ vnd mit sonderm Eyffer des Göttlichen waren Worts biß in sein letztes Ende verharret/ vnd sein Leben sänfftiglich damit beschlossen.
Zum andern/ nach dem er schöne Gaben von Gott empfangen/ die blühende Jugend in Gottes Furcht vnd guten Künsten auffzuziehen vnd zu instituiren/ hat er neben verrichtung seines Ampts/ eine Scholam oder Seminarium pietatis vnd Doctrinæ auffgerichtet/ darzu jhm denn Christus seine Gnade vnd Segen verliehen hat/ daß er viel gelehrte Leute erzogen/ so hernach widerumb mit Nutz Kirchen vnd Schulen dienen: Ja es hat seine Institution so viel Nutz bey der Jugend geschaffet/ das auch vornehme Leute bewogen worden/ jhre Kinder aus den fürnehmen Städtischen Schulen zu nehmen/ an den ort zuschicken/ vnd seiner Disciplin zu vntergeben/ welches denn jederzeit wol vnd glücklich gerathen ist.
Zum dritten/ Weil er auch sonderliche Zuneigung vnd Lust zur Natur vnd Medicin getragen/ so hat er die vbrige zeit/ wenn er sein Ampt vnd Gotteßdienst verrichtet/ vnd die Jugend mit [sig. )(3v] der Institution versorget/ zu einer Ergetzung vnd Belüstigung angewand/ neben dem Studio Historiarum/ der Naturkündiger/ vnd von Artzney-Bücher durchlesen/ vnd wie in einem Garten darinne spatzieren gangen/ sich nicht allein darinne zu belüstigen/ sondern wie ein zartes Bienlein/ die schönsten vnnd lieblichsten Blümelein vnnd Früchte delibirt/ außgelesen vnd zusammen getragen. Ob er nu wol diese Arbeit mit sonderm Lust vnd Ergetzligkeit verrichtet/ so hat ers dennoch darbey nicht beruhen lassen wollen/ sondern daß diese Nutzbarkeit auch andere geniessen mögen/ sein Quellbrünnelein auff des Nehesten Acker fliessen lassen. Jst derwegen verursacht worden/ solche Arbeit in öffentlichen Druck/ allgemeinem Nutz zum besten/ zuverfertigen vnd außgehen zu lassen. Weil aber solche Arbeit jedermänniglich angenehm gewesen/ ist er ferner verursachet worden/ in diesem Wercke fortzufahren/ welches er dann mit Lust biß in seine Gruben getrieben hat.
Zu dieser letzten Arbeit aber ist er verursachet worden/ weil er an dem Ort/ da er in Dienstbestallung gewesen/ vnter den Wacholderstreuchen gesessen/ als hat er jhm einen WacholderGarten angerichtet/ vnd denselben aus vieler Autorum Schrifften zusammen getragen vnd gelesen/ darein gepflantzet/ was solchen WacholderGarten zie- [sig. )(4r] ren/ vnd was jhn wol anzurichten/ darzu gehören möchte. Er hat aber diß Werck in den ordentlichen Druck nicht geben/ sondern nach seinem Tode hinderlassen/ sintemal es aber würdig/ daß es ans Liecht komme vnd gebracht werde/ habe ich solch posthumum Scriptum dem gemeinen Nutz zum besten vbersehen/ vnd zur Publicirung beförderung thun wollen. Vnd weil der Autor (seligen) keine Præfation dafür gemacht/ habe ich dieses dem Autori zu lob vnd Ruhm von Gedechtniß zuuor erzehlen wollen.
Weil nu diß Werck nicht mein ist/ so hett es wol in der Erben Namen sollen publicirt werden/ welches doch füglich nicht geschehen können. Damit aber gleichwol es bey dem Namen vnd der Freundschafft bleibe/ so bin ich vervrsacht worden/ diesen posthumum Iuniperetum in des HErrn Namen in öffentlichen Druck zu verfertigen vnd publiciren zu lassen/ aus jetzo angezogenen vrsachen/ vnd nachmals/ daß dieses Büchleins Ruhm neben mir einen gewissen vnd zuverläßlichen Patronen haben möge. Jch trag wol kein zweiffel/ das Werck werde seinen Meister selbst loben/ doch wenn andere verstendige Leute durch jhr Zeugniß solches approbiren/ pfleget es dem Leser annemlicher zu sein. Es wolle aber der Herr diese meine wolmeinende DedicationSchrifft von mir willig [sig. )(4v] vnd in Freundschafft jhm gefallen lassen/ vnd annehmen. Solches bin ich gegen dem Herrn hinwiderumb nach vermögen zu verschulden/ jederzeit gantz willig geflissen/ Vnd thue vns beyderseits Göttlicher Allmacht befehlen. Am Tage der Beschneidung vnsers Herrn Jesu Christi/ Anno 1605.
E[uer] E[hrenvest] D[ienst] W[illiger] Joachimus Tanckius, Doctor vnd Professor in der Vniversitet Leipzig.Modern English Raw Translation
Honorable, Esteemed, and Wise, Very Gracious Lord and Friend, The Holy Scriptures remind us through a parable by Lord Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, that every person should not bury their talents or gifts given and entrusted to them by Divine Majesty, but should invest them wisely and generate benefit. Although this teaching of Lord Christ primarily focuses on the Divine Word, it can also be applied to all gifts that God has bestowed upon humans in various but distinct ways.
Therefore, among other things, we are reminded to first use the high gifts we receive from Divine Providence to honor God, in whatever way possible. Then, to use them for the benefit and betterment of humanity, serving and aiding in both secular and domestic spheres.
This teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was particularly practiced with great benefit by the Reverend and Learned Mr. Michaël Bapst, the late parish priest of Möhern (the Lord's brother), who remained steadfast in it and ended his life blessedly.
For he first returned the gifts he had received from God not only back to God but also used them to multiply God's glory, seeking His honor and spreading His divine name. And as he devoted himself to theology, God not only blessed him in this endeavor but also, after placing him in a church office, granted him divine grace and fruitful growth in spreading His holy word, allowing him to teach and preach the Divine Word to his parishioners with remarkable benefit, improving their lives without fail. In his calling, he remained steadfast, diligent, and fervently devoted to the true word of God until his peaceful end.
Secondly, having received wonderful gifts from God, he dedicated himself to raising and educating the blooming youth in the fear of God and in good arts. Alongside his duties, he established a school or seminary of piety and learning, to which Christ granted His grace and blessing, allowing him to educate many learned individuals who later served churches and schools beneficially. His institution was so beneficial to the youth that even prominent individuals were persuaded to send their children from prestigious city schools to his, entrusting them to his discipline, which always proved successful.
Thirdly, having a special inclination and passion for nature and medicine, he spent his remaining time, when not performing his duties and caring for the youth's education, in relaxation and enjoyment, reading through histories, natural sciences, and medical books, wandering through them as if in a garden, not just for pleasure but like a delicate bee, selecting the most beautiful and sweetest flowers and fruits. Although he pursued this work with special delight and pleasure, he did not want to keep its benefits to himself but allowed his "little spring" to flow onto his neighbor's field, leading him to publish his work for the public good. As his work was well-received by everyone, he was further motivated to continue in this endeavor, which he pursued with pleasure until his death.
He was prompted to undertake this last work because, while serving in his official capacity, he sat among juniper bushes and thus established a juniper garden, gathering and reading various authors' writings on the subject, planting what would adorn such a garden and what was necessary for its cultivation. He did not publish this work during his lifetime but left it for posthumous publication, deeming it worthy of being brought to light. I have overseen this posthumous manuscript for the common good and facilitated its publication. Since the author (blessed) did not write a preface, I wanted to recount this in praise and memory of the author.
Since this work is not mine, it could have been published in the name of the heirs, but that was not feasible. However, to maintain the name and friendship, I was prompted to publish and release this posthumous Juniperetum in the Lord's name for the reasons mentioned above and so that the reputation of this booklet might have a certain and reliable patron alongside me. I have no doubt that the work will praise its master itself, but when other knowledgeable people endorse it with their testimony, it tends to be more acceptable to the reader. May the Lord kindly and in friendship accept this well-intended dedication from me. I am always willing to be indebted to the Lord as much as I can and commend us both to the Divine Almighty. On the Day of the Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Anno 1605.
Your Honorable's Willing Servant, Joachimus Tanckius, Doctor and Professor at the University of Leipzig.