Bovius John Bapstist

Bovius John Bapstist  was a native of Bologna, and an early and intimate friend of Faust Socin. He was an only son, and, had he been possessed of more worldly prudence, would have inherited a large property from his father, who was rich, and of a noble family ; but having found it necessary to leave Italy about the year 1565, he became an exile and a wanderer. His father, though willing to assist him, was so strictly watched, that he could make him no remittances, without being regarded as an abettor of his heresy ; and when his resources were exhausted, he was compelled to beg his bread, and reduced to a state of complete destitution. He resided for some time at Dantzic, but was ill treated by the Mennonites of that place. We learn, from a letter, addressed by Faust Socin to John Balcerovicius, and dated Sept. 28th, 1584, that Bovius, who was then living at Dantzic, and whom Faust calls his "old friend," was an Antitrinitarian ; but that he did not agree in all points with the Polish Unitarians. In what the difference consisted is not known. Bock, who was desirous of further information on this subject, applied to Paul Crellius in the year 1746, but could learn nothing from him, as to the history, or religious profession of Bovius, except that a friendship had long subsisted between him and Faust Socin. Bovius, however, was unwilling to take up his residence for the winter of 1584 at Lublin, till he had ascertained from Faust, that he was likely to meet with a more favourable reception among the Unitarian Brethren of that place, than he had found among the Mennonites of Dantzic. Faust assured him that he need be under no apprehension on that point ; and wrote accordingly to his friend Balcerovicius, for the purpose of ensuring him the rites of hospitality. "I told him," says Faust, " to be of good courage ; for that persons of our persuasion were nowhere disposed to turn their backs upon any one. Nay, I promised him, that at Lublin he would experience nothing but humanity and kindness." Nor was this the only friendly act of Socin towards him ; for at his suggestion, Dr. Philip Buccella, a wealthy Unitarian, allowed him an annuity of fifty florins, which contributed, in some degree, to lighten the burden of his extreme poverty. The period of his death is not known ; nor has it been clearly ascertained whether he ever published anything. But it is not improbable, that he was the author of a small work, which was printed at Venice in the year in which he left Italy, and which bore the following title. "Jo. Bapt. Bovii, Juris Consulti Regiens. de statutaria Urbis Praescriptione, Tractatus, nunc primum in Lucem editus, cum Privilegio. Venetiis, apud Marcum Amadorum Bibliopolam Romanum, 1565," 8vo.

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