The nephewe of Olaus deceased, by the brothers side: also hee
being a Noruagian was elected the same yeere wherein his vncle
deceased.
He entreth the see. And for the space of 20. whole yeres is 1500
reported cruelly to haue entreated many of the subiects. In
the yeere 1520. when he was in the midst of his cups, and
banquetting dishes, and heard that Ionas Sigismundus was
departed out of this life (whom with his wife and children,
he had for many yeres most cruelly oppressed) he presently
fell into a sudden disease, and so not long after changed that
violence for miserable death, which in his whole life he had
vsed against his distressed subiects.
XX.
Ionas Aræsonius.
Entreth the see. 1525
This man was the last and most earnest mainteiner of Popish
superstitions. Who stoutely withstanding Gysserus and Martinus
bishops of Schalholt, was commanded by the most religious king
Christian the 3. vnder paine of banishment to come with all
speed into Denmarke. But neglecting the king's commaundement,
hee tooke Martine bishop of Schalholt, and committed him to
ward. At length he himselfe also being taken by a man of great
name (whom before that time, it is saide, he had prouoked) and
being brought to Schalholt, was, together with his two sonnes,
by the authoritie of the kings Lieutenant beheaded. In reuenge 1551
whereof not long after, the saide Lieu-tenant with some of his
company, was villanously slaine by certaine roysters, which
were once seruants to the parties beheaded.
XXI.
Olaus Walterus.
Departed his countrey. 1552
Entreth the see. 1553
This man (being as yet in the life time of his predecessour
fellow-labourer with him) was the first that kindled the loue
of sincere doctrine at Holen in the hearts of many: and then
being bishop did openly teache and defend the said doctrine.
He died. 1568
XXII.
Gudbrandus Thorlacius.
The ornament, not onely of his age, but of posteritie also who
besides that, by the direction of the holy spirit, he hath
most notably brought the worke begunne, and left vnto him by
his predecessour Olaus to that perfection which it hath
pleased God to vouchsafe: (namely his labours and diligence
in maintayning the trueth of the Gospel, and in abolishing of
Popish superstitions) euen in this his countrey hee is the
first that hath established a Printing house. For which cause
his countrey (besides, for many other books translated into our
mother tongue) shalbe eternally bounded vnto him, that the
sacred Bible also, by his meanes, is fairely printed in the
language of Island. (I say) being at this present, Hee Bishop,
when he was about to take his charge:
Departed his countrey. 1570
Returned and entred the see of Holen. 1571
Circa hæc igitur tempora mentibus nostris è coelo redditta lux est, et regni coelestis ianua per sinceriorem doctrinæ Christianæ expositionem reserata. Nam et Schola triuialis in vtraque sede Episcopali, laudatissimi Regis Daniæ Christiani tertij munificentia et pietate, circa annum 1553. fundata est: ac subinde patris Christianissimi eximiam pietatem imitante filio, Diuo Friderico secundo rege nostro sanctissimo, Anno 1588. ad coelestem patriam euocato, aucta et promota: quæ etiam hodiè, clementissimi regis et principis nostri, Christiani 4. fauore et nutu viget floretque: in qua iuuentus nostræ Insulæ, artium dicendi et sacræ Theologiæ rudimentis imbuta, ad scientiam et veram pietatem formatur, vt hinc ministri Ecclesiarum petantur.
Peruenimus tandem ad hodiernum vsque diem in Episcoporum Islandiæ catalogo: quo prædicti viri clarissimi Dom. Gudbrandus Thorlacius, et Dom. Otto Enerus ille Holis, hic Schalholtiæ Ecclesiarum sunt antistites: quorum vtrumque, vt Deus opt. max. Ecclesiæ suæ saluum et superstitem, propter gloriam nominis sui sanctissimi, diu conseruare velit, omnes seriò et ardentibus votis flagitamus.
The same in English.
In these times therefore light is restored vnto our soules from heauen, and the gate of the kingdome of heauen is opened vnto vs by the sincere preaching of Christian doctrine. For in either of the Bishops seats there is a free schoole founded by the liberality and pietie of that most renoumed King of Denmarke Christian the third: and afterward the sonne following the godly steppes of his most Christian father, the said Free schooles by Lord Friderick the second, our most religious King, being called vp to his heauenly countrey in the yeare 1588, haue beene encreased and furthered: which at this day also doe prosper and flourish by the fauour and authoritie of the most gracious King and our Prince, Christian the fourth, wherein the youth of our Islande being instructed in the rudiments of liberall artes, and sacred diuinitie, are trained vp to knowledge and true godlinesse, that from hence ministers of Churches may proceede.
We are come at length in the register of the Bishops of Island downe to this present day, wherein the forenamed excellent men Gudbrandus Thorlacius, and Otto Enerus, the one at Holen, and the other at Schalholt are Bishops of our Cathedrall Churches both of which men, that it would please God long to preserue vnto his Church in health and life, for the glorie of his most holy name, we all doe earnestly and with feruent prayers beseech him.