Treatise of Religion and Learning, Book 3 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
WIlliam Ames Doctor of Divinity, a judicious and solid English Divine, witnesse his Medulla Sacrae Theologiae, his five Books De Conscientia & ejus jure, vel casibus.
His Bellarminus Enervatus, his Corronis ad collationem Hagiensem, and his other works.
Amiraldus a learned French Divine.Est ejus ingenium comptum & acre, nec in ejus oratione desiderator nitor, nec in disputando solertia, eruditio ejus non est vulgaris. Molinaeus praefat. ad de Amyrald. adversus Spanhem. judicium. He hath written divers learned Tracts both in Latine and French. De libero arbitrio, de gratia contra Spanhemium, de secessione ab Ecclesia Romana.
Gulielmus de Sancto Amore, a Master of Paris, and chief Ruler then of that University.
He was a worthy and valiant Champion of Christ, and adversary of Antichrist. He wrote against the Friers and their hypocrisie, but especially against the begging Friers.
In his dayes there was a most detestable and blasphemous book set forth by the Friers, which they called Evangelium aeternum, or, Evangelium Spiritus Sancti, The Everlasting Gospel, or, The Gospel of the holy Ghost; it said, The Gospel of Christ was not to be compared with that Gospel, no more then darknesse to light. That the Gospel of Christ should be preached but fifty years, and then this Everlasting Gospel should rule the Church. He mightily impugned this pestiferous Book. Foxes Act. and Monum. Tom. 1. p. 410. to 416.
Ammonius Alexandrinus, an eloquent man, and great Philosopher.Cognomento Saccus, quod ex bajulo evasisset Philosophus, ac tantus, ut parem vix acne vix quidem habuerit, inter Aristotelis nimirum servos. Heerboord. Ep. Dedicat. ad Select. ex Philos. Disputat.
Amphilochius, He flourished about the year 380.Vide Bellarm. de Script. Eccles. Iconii Episcopus S. Gregorii aequalis. Non sacile judicari potest, quid in illis primum admirari debeas, eruditionem seculi an scientiam scripturarum. Hieron de Basilio, Gregorio Nazianzeno & Amphilochio.
Anacreon.
The learned and noble Poet Anacreon was born in Perche in France. His Poem concerning Gems and precious Stones, deserves the Laurelwreath.
Anastasius the Popes Library keeper, he hath written faithfully the lives of 109 Popes of Rome.Vir pro temporum conditione Graecis & Latinis literis eruditus. Sigon. de Rom. Histor. Scriptoribus.
Anastasius Synaita. In the year of our Lord 640.
He is by some *B. Ush. Answ to the Jes Challenge, p. 128.called Nicenus, by others Sinaita, and Antiochenus.
Petrus Ancharanus (sive Ancoranus) Bononiensis.Florebat in Italia anno Christi Servatoris 1410. Sigismundo Romanorum Imperatore. Bossardi Icones
He was of the illustrious Family of the Farnesii. He wrote in both the Laws. He wrote five Books upon the Decretals, one Book on six of the Decretals, one Book on the Clementines, one Book concerning the Rules of the Law, and others.
Bishop *Vir quanta dicendi vi praeditus ac in concionibus praecipue sacris, loquatur Aula Regis, loquatur universa Anglia, quanta eruditione, loquetur sed non sine stomacho credo, ab illo tortus, Tortus ille Cardinalis. Godw. de Praesul. Angl. Comment. Acutissimi & acerrimi judicii ac styli Praesul. Spanhem.Andrews.
De cujus alta doctrina in omni genere disciplinarum, quicquid dixeto minus erit. Casaub. ad Front. Dus. Epist.
Some learned men much commend his Tortura Torti, Exactissimae fidei & diligentia scriptum. Casaub. ubi supra.
Vulgarem secutus sermonem vir longè doctissimus, qui pro Juramento Fidelitatis in Anglia Matthaeo Torto respondens, opus suum Torturam Torti inscripsit. Vossius De vitiis Sermonis, l. 3. c. 53.
Anselme.
There were two Anselmes, ours, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other of Laon in France, Anselmus Landanensis, the Author of the interlineary glosse, who lived anno Christi 1110.
I shall speak of the first who was an Italian.
Gente Italus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus ex Regis Gulielmi secundi consensu electus. Anni Christi 1093. Calvis. Chron. Lanfranci fuit discipulus in monasterio Beccensi, in quo Abbatis munus cir…a annum 1080. administravit juxta Sigebertum. Quarto post Lanfranci obitum anno in Cantuariensi Ecclesia à Rege accitus ipsi successit anno 1094. Illyr. Caral. Test. veritat l. 12.This Anselme though he was learned and continent all his life time, yet being obstinate in his opinion, he often swerved from the truth and doctrine of Christ, and rather loved the glory and vain fame of Christian praise, then truth it self.
He first in England forbad Priests marriage.
He flourished in the year of our Lord 1080.
For his witty inventions, forecastings, policies, disputations and other laborious affairs about the overthrow of princely Authority, and uprearing of Antichrists tyranny, Pope Vrbanus appointed both him and them that should afterward succeed in the Patriarchal seat of Canterbury to fit at his right foot in every general Councel,Bales English Volar…es. p. …4. and that he also ratified by a special decree. Thus it was proclaimed when that place was given him, in the open Synod, Includamus hunc in orbonost…o tanquam alterius orbis Papam.
Marcus Antoninus, Pius cognomento, Philosophus. Fuit hic u…us inter Caesares omnes aequissimus ac optimus Lyl. Gyrald. De Poet. Hist. Dial 5. Antoninus Philosophus Laudatissimus princep… Commodus Turpissimus, exemplum proverbii, Heroum filii noxae. Helv. Chronol. Pius Clemens, & pieras clementia, apud politos scriptores. Hinc Antoninus Pius appellatus, quod natura Clementissimus esset, inquit Spartianus. Herald. in Arnob.Marcus. Antoninus Emperor.
He was the greatest Philosopher of his time. When he was going to make warre upon the Germans. the Philosophers generally came with Questions to him to answer, least he dying in that expedition, they should be unresolved.
For his clemency and modest behaviour he had the name of Pius, and is for the same i… Histories commended.
Antoninus of Florence. Anno aerae Christianae 161.
He hath written three Tomes of Chronicles, and four Parts of Summes in great Volumes.
Marcus Antoninus de Dominis.
His Books De Republica are much commended.
Marcus Antonius Genuae, cui veterum doctrinarum arcana patent, quo nemo peritior Aristotelis interpres. Manut. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 5.
Alexandrum Aphrodisaeum; cujus de anima libros abs te Latinos factos miseras mihi de mense Octobri, legi magna cum voluptate cum ejus Philosophi causa, tum tua. Nam neque ille converti à quoquam meo quidem judicio, aut elegantius potuisset, aut majori cum fide: neque tu parvam laudem in eo explicando mihi assequutus videbare. Bembus lib. 2. Epist. Hieronymo Donato.Alex. Aphrodisaeus. One of the first Interpreters of Aristotle.
Petrut Apianus a famous Mathematician. Mathematicus superioris aetatis celeberrimus. Tych. Brah.Philippus Apianus, veteris illius Petri Apiaul, de rebus Astronomicis impensè meriti filius, inque his Disciplinis excolendis, non degener Parenti… sectaror. Tych Brah. Lib. 1. De nova Stella c. 9.
Petrus Aponensis seu Aponius, a chief Physician in his time.
He wrote Commentaries upon Aristotles Problems.
Vir Philosophiae & Medicinae famâ tam clarus, ut ab discrepantes in …is disciplinis sententiat in consonam aptamque unius sensus concordiam revocatas vulgò Conciliator appelletur. Castellanus De vitis Medicorum.
Apollinaris the Father and Son, both Hereticks.Apollinuaris pater & filius alter pro Homeri poemate Heroicis versibus Moysis libros & vetetes Hebraeorum res usque ad Santis regnum composuit, & Tragaedias ad imitationem Euripids, & argumenta Comica ad Menandri exemplum tractavit, alter vero sacra Evangelia & Pauli Epistolas ad Platonis imitationem dialogis inclusit. Pezel. Mellific. Histor. parte 2d2. p. 273.
Apollinaris the Syrian, was excellently skilled in the Greek Language. Sozomen saith, He wrote in Heroick verse the Antiquity of the Hebrews after the imitation of Homer, even to the times of King Saul after the number of the letters in 24 Volumes.
He translated also the Psalms in Heroick verse, which are yet extant.
He also imitating Menander, is said to have written Comedies, and Euripides, Tragedies, and Pindar, Lyricks. Lil. Gyrald. De Poet. Histor. Dial. 5.
This Apollinaris brought in a new Heresie, those which follow him are called Apollinarists, he held that Christ took the body but not the soul of a man, but when he was urged with reasons he somewhat changed his opinion, saith Ruffinus. He lived from Constantine to the time of the elder Theodosius. Lil. Gyrald. De Poet. Hist. Dial. 5.
Sidonius Apollinaris a Frenchman, anno Christi 557. About 450. saith Peter du Moulin in his Antibarbarian cap. 12. He was Bishop of Cleruant in Auvernie, He married the daughter of the Emperour Avitus, by whom he had children.Moulin. ibid.
Apollonius being a Roman *Apollonius Romanae urbis Senator, sub Commodo Principe, à servo Severo proditus, quod Christianus esset, impetrato, ut fidei suae rationem redderet, insigne volumen composuit, quod in Senatu legit: nihilominus tamen sententia Sena…us, pro Christo, capite truncatus est. Veteri apud eos obtinente lege, absque negatione non dimitti Christianos, qui semel ad corum judicia pertracti essent. Hieron. De Eccles. Script.Senator wrote and recited in the Senate his Apology for the Christians, and was after crowned with Martyrdom.
Apollonius Pergaeus, a great Mathematician.Vir sune in Mathematicis excellens Rami Schol. Mathem. l. 7.
Magnut Giometra, nulla ratione Archimede inferior, quam mira, quam abstrusa in suis conicis in lucem profert? Blancani Dissertat. De Natura Mathemat.
Apollonius *Alexandriaus fuit, cum malè auditer, patriam fugiens Rhodum concessit, ubi diutius versasatus, Rhodius quam Alexandrinus cognominari maluit. Cum esset adolescens, Argo…antica scripsisse dicitur, opus quidem varium, & multis vigiliis elucubratum, durum tamen, & alicubi ingratum, nisi qua parte Medeae amores describit. Lil. Gyrald. De Poet. Hist. Dial. 3.Rhodius.
He only of the Greek Poets after Pindar wrote Argonautica, of which subject there are four Books of his.
He was Callimachus his Scholar, although Alexandria was his Countrey, yet he was called Rhodius, after he came from Alexandria to Rhode, and lived there long in great honour.
Appianus Alexandrinus.
He is called deservedly by Jos. Scalig. animad. Euseb. p. 163. Alienorum laborum fuous, yet is a profitable writer, because many of those whom he exscribes, are lost.
He lived in the time of Adrian, and hath written De Bello Civilli Romanorum.
Apuleius a Platonick Philosopher, anno Domini 161.
Scriptor eruditissimus. Casaub. de Satyr. poesi. a most learned writer.In asino plane rudit. In aliis sonat hominem, nisi quod florida sint ridicula, sed excusat ea inscriptio. Lud. Viv. de erad. discipl. l. 3. Apuleius non omnino malus auctor & antiquarum vocum usurpator. Turneb. Advers. l. 18. c. 14. Apuleius interdum non malus auctor, praesertim cum l…sciviae ingenii non indulget, neque ludum sibi permittit. Id. ib. l. 29. c. 13.
There are twelve Books of his De aureo asino, ex Graec… Afino Luciani descripta orationis genere tali, ut rudere verius quam loqui, ibi Apuleius viris eruditis videatur. Neand. Geog. parte 3.
Aquila a Translator of the Bible. He was converted from Judaism to the faith, afterward being again made a Proselyte,Floruerunt hisce temporibus (viz. anno Aerae Christi 142.) Aquila Interpres Bibliorum, Suetonius Historicus, Justinus Historicus, & Galenus Medicus. Calvis. Chron. he translated the Old Testament into Greek.
Aquila Ponticus ex Gentili Christianus, posteaque Judaeus factus, cum Hebraicè didicisset, sub Caesare Hadriano anno 129. veteris instrumenti libros. Graecè ita transtulit, ut verbum verbo redderet. Vossius De Arte Grammatica, l. 1. c. 3.
Tho. Aquinas born at Aquinus a Town in Abruzza in Italy.
Neapoli cum ad imaginem crucifixi vehementius oraret (nunquam enim lectioni aut scriptioni absque praevia oratione operam dedit) hanc vocem audivit, Bene scripfisti de me Thoma Angel. Roc. Biblioth. Vat. Circa annum Domini 1260 vixit, illum inprimis Papistae ob suam quandam sanctitatem & eruditionem, venerantur & praedicant. Illyr. Catal. Test. verit. l. 16. Theologorum fuit, ac Philosophorum omnium quos in hunc usque diem Scholasticorum Academia protulit, sire ulla controversia princeps: quippe qui primus omnium Latinorum Philosophorum non minus incredibili, quam felici ausu omnem Aristotelis Philosophiam Commentariis lucidinimis illustravit. Sixt. Seneus. Biblioth. lib. 4. Thomas iste natus illustri genere, totum se dedit literarum studiis, & Italia relicta, Coloniam primum, deinde. Lutetiam profectus, inter sui temporis viros doctos principem locum obtinuit, variis editis libellis quibus & Theologica tractat & philosophica, fuit ordinis Dominicani, discipulus Alberti Magni, mortuum Joannes XXII. pontifex retulit in numerum divorum, quinquagesimo circiter anno post, quam è vita decesserat. Sleid. Comment. De Statu. Relig. & Reipub. lib. 1. Vide plura ibid. Aquinum patria Thoma Aquinatis, scholasticorum doctorum Celebetrimi, qui & Thomistarum familiam condidit, & in omni Philosophia ac Theologia innumeros libros scripsit, qui annis superioribus Romae Tomis seprendecim in folio feruntur excusi esse. Neand. Geog. parte 1a. Quo scripto (viz. Summa totius Theologiae) Aquinas videtur ingenium suum ad Romani pontificis praescrip…um, & mandatum accommodasse. Episc. Carlet. Consens. Eccles. Catholacontra Trid. De Gratia c. 8. Vide Gerhardi Patrologiam. p. 600. usque ad 606.He is the great Dictator of the Schools.
For his profound Learning and great piety, he is commonly called in the Popish School Divus Thomas, because he was canonized by Pope John the 22. Doctor Angelicus ob acumen ingenii.
He was a great maintainer of the Authority of the Bishops of Rome.
Upon whose Scholastical Works by Popish Divines, are published as many Commentaries, as upon the holy Scripture, and his Summes are more frequently read in their Schools and Academies, then the Bible it self; yet he when he was near his end, taking the Bible, is said to have uttered this speech, Credo quicquid in hoc libro scriptum est, I believe whatsoever is written in this book.
It is said, he got his knowledge rather by prayer then labour and industry, therefore he would still pray before he did write, reade or dispute.
He was so intent upon his studies, that supping at Court with Lewis the French King, whilst others were discoursing of pleasant matters, he was so deep in his Meditation, that forgetting himself, he strook the Table with his hand, saying, Jam conclusum est contra Manichaeos, Now it is concluded against the Manichees.
Stephanus Paschasius in his Icones, hath these verses of Thomas Aquinas.
Cedite Pythagorae qui dogmata vana putatis;
Redditus in terris alter Aristoteles.
He was more then 1200 years after Christ, and was both overwhelmed with the corruption of his time, and wholly wedded to the See of Rome. B. Bils. Differ. betw. Christ. Subject. and unchrist. Rebel.
Aratus an ancient Poet, there is nothing of his but his Phoenomena which Tully translated into Latine.
Archimedes the Syracusan Mathematician. See of him Plin. Natural. Hist. l. 7. c. 37. and Plutark of Marcellus and himself.
God would have some singular, Idea, as it were, to be in all Arts, which all that are studious of that Art should propound to themselves to imitate, as Demosthenes and Tully in eloquence, Hippocrates and Galen in Physick, Archimedes in the Mathematicks. He had an admirable Genius or wit for the Mathematicks, and by study he perfected it. He did so bend his thoughts that way, that he almost neglected other necessaries. If he were at any time led to the Bath by his servants, he would make figures in the ashes, and upon his anointed body.Ram. Schol. Mathem. l. 1. Ob deprehensum in aurea regis corona, aurificis furtum nudus è balneo profiliit, totaque urbe corporis immemor, animi memor exclamavit foreign. Describendis quarundam Machinarum figuris tam attentus erat inpulvere, ut tumultum captae urbis non senserit. Rami Orat. de sua professione. Sepulcro ipsius columella imposita fuit cum sphaerae figura & Cylindri, ut apud Ciceronem legere est l. 5. Tusculanarum. Quod inter opera ejus hic tractatus nobilissimus ac subtilissimus habitus esset, ideo monumento ejus insculpta sphaerae ac Cylindri figura: ita Sophoclis tumulo veteres insculpendam curarunt Antigones vel Electrae statuam, quod in his tragediis componendis seipsum superasset ac primatum inter caeteros obtineret. Salmas. Plinian. exercitat.
He is said to have composed a Sphere of transparent glasse, representing unto the life the whole frame of the Heavens, wherein the Sun, Moon and Stars, with their true motions, periods, and limits were shewed to the sight, in such sort, as if it were natural.
Petrus Aretinus, He wrote so well on the Penitential Psalms,Circumfertur & liber de omnibus veneris schematibus sub ejus nomine: opus dignum quod cremetur cum autore. Boissardi Bibliotheca. that he was called Divine Aretine, yet he hath written very lasciviously in Italian.
He was studiosissimus morum Explorator.
Leonardus *Felici quadam & foecundissima ingenii vi atque bonitate, eloquentiaque pollebat. Primus Graecarum literarum decus à multis saeculis barbarorum immani tyrannide proculcatum erexit, atque restituit. Ut de eo in elogiis doctorum virorum Paulus Joviús refert. Boxhorn. Monum. Illust. Vir. & Elog. Vide Volaterani Anthropol. l. 21.Aretinus, a most learned Historian, Orator and Philosopher, his works are mentioned by Boissard.
Benedictus Aretius inter suos plerisque scriptis editis clarus Thuanus.
His three Works, viz. his Commentary upon the New Testament, his Problems or Common-places, and his Examen Theologicum made his name illustrious.
He was Professour of Divinity at Bern.
Architas Tarentinus.
He was esteemed the rarest Mathematician of his time.
Joannes Argyropylus, aByzantius Peripateticorum sui temporis longe clarissimus. Polit. Miscel. Cent. 1.he was of Constantinople.
He was Politians Master in Philosophy, and a learned Scholar.
He translated some Books of Aristotles more elegantly then faithfully.
Joannes *Vir sine dubio summus, omnium quoque esserri laudibus meruisset, nisi manifestae aemulationis reus, ubique-ad censenda veterum scripta nimiam reprehendendi libidinem attulisset. Castellanus De vit. Medic.Argenterius, a learned Physitian, but too forward in censuring Galen and other of the Ancients.
Aristophanes *Perpetuus Euripidis obtrectator, Comicus pure impurus. Herald. Animadvers. in Salmat. Observat. Ad Ius Attic. & Rom. lib. 6. cap. 10.a great Comedian.
He was the first that called himself Philologus, as Pythagorus was the first that called himself Philosophus.
Facetissimus quidem sed & obscaenissimus veteris Comaediae scriptor. Dilher. Disput. Acad.
Chrysostom laid him under his pillow.
Gregorius Ariminensis, 1386.Vir (teste Trithemis) tum eruditionis tum pietatis nomine percelebris, adeò à Scholasticis dissensit, ut eos asseruerit esse Pelagianis deteriores. In doctrina de gratia Dei & de libero hominis arbitrio rectè nobiscum sentit adversus Sophistas & Pontificios Neopelagianos. Floruit Parisiis circa annum 1350▪ Illyr. Catal. Test. verit. l. 18. Quo nullus ferè est in schola subtilior. Dallans.
A learned and a famous man. He disputed about the Doctrine of Grace and Free-will, as we now, and dissented from the Sophisters and Papists, counting them new Pelagians.