life of john picus earl of mirandola - The Center for Thomas More ...
life of john picus earl of mirandola - The Center for Thomas More ...
life of john picus earl of mirandola - The Center for Thomas More ...
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26 <strong>Thomas</strong> <strong>More</strong>’s Life <strong>of</strong> John Picus<br />
all compassed in fire, and showed unto him that he was such wise in<br />
purgatory punished <strong>for</strong> ⌐ his negligence ¬ and his unkindness.° 1<br />
Now since it is so that he is adjudged to that fire from which he<br />
shall undoubtedly depart unto glory, and no man is sure how long it<br />
shall be first, and maybe the shorter time <strong>for</strong> our intercessions, let every<br />
Christian body show their charity upon him to help to speed him thither<br />
where, after the long habitation with the inhabitants <strong>of</strong> this dark world<br />
(to whom his goodly conversation gave great light) and after the dark<br />
fire <strong>of</strong> purgatory ⌐ (in which venial sins be cleansed) ¬ he may shortly (if<br />
he be not already) enter the inaccessible and infinite light <strong>of</strong> heaven,<br />
where he may in the presence <strong>of</strong> the sovereign Godhead so pray <strong>for</strong><br />
us that we may the rather by his intercession be partners <strong>of</strong> that unspeakable<br />
joy which we have prayed to bring him speedily to. Amen. ∆2<br />
⌐ Here endeth the <strong>life</strong> <strong>of</strong> John Picus, Earl <strong>of</strong> Mirandula. ¬<br />
⌐ HERE FOLLOWETH THREE EPISTLES 3 OF THE SAID<br />
PICUS; OF WHICH THREE, TWO BE WRITTEN UNTO JOHN<br />
FRANCIS, HIS NEPHEW, THE THIRD UNTO ONE ANDREW<br />
CORNEUS, A NOBLEMAN OF ITALY ¬<br />
⌐ <strong>The</strong> Argument and Matter <strong>of</strong> the First Epistle <strong>of</strong> Picus unto his Nephew<br />
John Francis. It appeareth by this epistle that John Francis, the nephew<br />
<strong>of</strong> Picus, had broken his mind unto Picus and had made him <strong>of</strong><br />
counsel in some secret godly purpose which he intended to take upon<br />
him; but what this purpose should be, upon this letter can we not fully<br />
perceive. Now after that he thus intended, there fell unto him many<br />
impediments and divers occasions which withstood his intent, and in<br />
manner letted° him and pulled him back, where<strong>for</strong>e Picus com<strong>for</strong>teth<br />
2 unkindness ingratitude / 30 letted prevented<br />
1. And after…unkindness: Edwards argues, “<strong>The</strong> Latin…here is ambiguous: either a man who had<br />
been present at the sermon approached Savonarola and told him <strong>of</strong> the vision (the more likely<br />
meaning), or Savonarola told the man <strong>of</strong> his own vision (as <strong>More</strong> takes it)…. After this point<br />
until the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the Latin Life…<strong>More</strong> largely replaces the Latin with his own summary”<br />
(CW 1:228).<br />
∆2. Now since…Amen.: Lehmberg observes that this summary paragraph by <strong>More</strong> substitutes <strong>for</strong><br />
two and a half pages <strong>of</strong> lavish praise and exhortation to emulate Picus’ <strong>life</strong> (69).<br />
3. THREE EPISTLES: “Gianfrancesco included <strong>for</strong>ty-seven <strong>of</strong> Picus’ letters in the Opera omnia.<br />
<strong>More</strong> translated three <strong>of</strong> them, two…to Gianfrancesco himself…and the third to Andrea<br />
Corneo” (CW 1:229).<br />
5<br />
10<br />
15<br />
20<br />
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