The History of Helyas, Knight of the Swan, from the Ed. [Tr. And] PR. by Copland (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827. Excerpt: ... A DISCOURSE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DR. JOHN FAUSTUS, OF WITTENBURG, IN GERMANY, CONJURER AND NECROMANCER; WHEREIN IS DECLARED MANY STRANGE THINGS THAT HIMSELF HAD SEEN AND DONE IN THE EARTH AND AIR, WITH HIS BRINGING UP, HIS TRAVELS, STUDIES, AND LAST END. CHAP. I. OF HIS PARENTAGE AND BIRTH. John Faustus, born in the town of Rhodes, being in the province of Weimer, in Germany, his father a poor husbandman, and not able well to bring him up, yet having an uncle at Wittenburg, a rich man, and without issue, took this Faustus from his father, and made him his heir, insomuch that his father was no more troubled with him, for he remained with his uncle at Wittenburg, where he was kept at the university in the same city, to study Divinity; but Faustus being of a naughty mind, and otherwise addicted, plyed not his Mudies, but betook himself to other exercises, which his uncle oftentimes hearing, rebuked him for it; as Eli oftentimes rebuked his children for sinning against the Lord, even so, this good old man laboured to have Faustus apply his study to Divinity, that he might come to the knowledge of God and his law. But it is manifest that many vertuous parents have wicked children, as Cain, Reuben, Absolom, and such like, have been to their parents. So Faustus having godly parents, who seeing him to be of a toward wit, were desirous to bring him up in those vertuous studies, namely, of Divinity; but he gave himself secretly tn necromancy, and conjuration, insomuch that few or none could perceive his profession. But to the purpose, Faustus continued at study in the university, and was by the rectors, and sixteen masters afterwards, examined how he had profited in his studies, and being found by them, that none of his time were able to argue with him in divinity, o...