Sylvanus John

Sylvanus John    was a Tyrolese, of Etschland, on the banks of the Adige. He was first a Catholic ; then a Lutheran ; and finally an Antitrinitarian. Sandius says that he was Inspector or Comptroller of Ladenburg ; and alludes to a report of his having been Superintendent of the Churches of the Palatinate of the Rhine. But Bock denies that he ever held the latter of these two offices. He was tutor to Frederick, Elector Palatine ; by whose authority he was beheaded, on a charge of heresy, in the year 1571. Lubieniecius describes him as a man of learning and integrity. He wrote

1. A Letter to Paul Scalichius, dated Feb. 17th, 1558, in which he ingenuously exposed the abuses and errors of the Romish Church.

2. A Book against the Lutheran Church, composed about the same time, for the purpose of freeing himself from the suspicion of being favourable to the doctrines of that Church. MS.

3. Christliche Bekanntniss Johannis Sylvani Athesini, mit einer Vorrede Johannis Brentzen : Tubing. 1560, 8vo. This Confession is dedicated to Balthasar de Giiltlingen ; and is divided into three Books, of which the first treats upon the authority of Scripture and the Church, and the second and third upon the articles of faith controverted between the members of the Reformed Church and the Catholics.

4. Neue Zeitung wie ein Bild geredt, klagt und bekannt habe, zur Warnung sich vor allem Gotzenleben zu hiiten : mit einer Vorrede Johannis Sylvani Athesini. Tubing. 1561, 8vo. This is dedicated to the Free Baron, John Ungnad.

5. "Wahre Christliche Bekenntniiss des uralten Glaubens von dem einigen wahren Gott, und von Messia Jesu der wahren Christen ; wieder den dreypersonlichen Abgott und zwey naturten Gotzen des Wiederchrists. 1570. This is probably the work, to which Sandius refers, as " Contra Eutych. errorem, Germanice. 8vo."

6. A Letter to Blandrata.

7. Another Letter to Frederick III., Elector Palatine, to whom he relates, how he drew over Matthias Vehe to his party, and longed to visit Transylvania.

8. Two Books against John Marbach. 1565-6, 8vo.

9. Some other writings of Sylvanus are mentioned in the "Epitome Bibl. Gesn."

(Vidend. Sandii B. A. pp. 60, 61. Bock, Hist. Ant. T. I . pp. 970— 973.)

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