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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries




Habuit etiam nostra patria inter multos alios quendam insignem pietate
virum; cui Nialus nomen erat, qui circa annum Christi 1000 vixit in prædio
seu villa Berthors huol, sita in Parochia Islandiæ, Landenum: Quique rerum
humanarum experientia, circumspecta animi prudentia, sagacitate et
consilio, habebatur insignis. Cum enim, eius seculo, indomitis Islandia
motibus fluctuaret, incolis à nullo ferè superiore magistratu repressis,
nullis se factionibus immiscuit: Plurimas cauta animi virtute ac industria
composuit. Nunquam vim fecit, nec passus est, si vltimum tantum in vita
diem excipias. Adeò studiosè seditiones et turbas vitauit aliosque vitare
aut euadere cupientes optimè iuuit. Nec quisquam eius consilio, nisi maximo
suo commodo est vnquam vsus: nec quisquam ab eo, nisi cum vitæ et
fortunarum penculo deflexit. Tam certum ab eo oraculum petebatur, vt valde
mirandum sit, vnde homini tanta futurorum euentuum, et tam certa coniectura
et consilium esse potuerit, quanta in ipso deprehensa est. Vnde ipsius
cauta, prouidens et consilij plena sapientia, apud nostrates in prouerbium
abijt: Nials biita raden: quasi dicas, Niali consilium; vel, Niali consilio
res geritur, aut succedit: cùm quid prudenter et admirando cum consilio
gestum est.

Hic cum domi suæ, à 100. viris coniuratis ob cædem à filio ipsius, ipso
tamen inscio, patratam cingeretur, et inimicis domum vndique igni
succendentibus, sibi videret supremum fatum instare, ait tandem. Hæc quidem
fato, hoc est, voluntate diuina accidunt. Cæterum spem et fiduciam in
Christo sitam habeo, nos (de se et vxore loquens) licet corpus hoc nostrum
caducum, inimicorum flammis, mortalitatis corruptionem subeat, ab æternis
tamen flammis liberatum iri. Sicque inter has voces, et flammarum sævitiam,
vitam, An. Christo 1010. cum vxore et filio homicida, finiuit. Vox profectò
filijs Dei non indigna, animæ, cum mortis acerbitate luctantis summum
solatium arguens.

Hæc ideo addidi, vt ostendam quà coniectura adducar ad extstimamdum mox
initio Christianismi (vt sic loquar) apud nos recepti, non fuisse tam
deceptas et errorum tenebris immersas hominum mentes, quàm nunc, paulò ante
hæc nostra tempora fuerunt.

Ast verò iam postquam Dominus Deus per Lutherum, et Lutheri in vinea Domini
collegas, et pios successores, salutis doctrinam illustriorem reddidit,
mentiùmque nostrarum graui veterno et densa caligine excussis, dextræ suæ
digito, hoc est, spiritu Sancto, (Matth. 12. vers. 28.) cordis nostri
auriculas vellicauit, ac oculos, quibus saluificam ipsius veritatem
cerneremus, nobis aperuit: Nos omnes et singuli credimus et confitemur Deum
esse Spiritum, (Iohan. 4. vers. 24.) æternum (Esai 40. vers. 28.) Infinitum
(Ierem. 23. vers. 24. Psalm. 136. vers. 7. 8. 9.) optimum (Matth. 19. 17.)
omnipotentem (Gene. 17. 1. Apocal. 1. 8.) Vnum essentia et natura: Vnum
prouidentia: vnum efficentia rerum et administratione (Deut 6. 5. Ephes. 4.
5.) At personis diuinitatis, proprietatibusque distinctum, Patrem, Filium
et spiritum Sanctum (Matth. 28. 19. & 3. 17.) Deum Patrem quidem, primam
diuinitatis personam, coeli terræ et omnium rerum creatorem (Gene. 1. vers.
1. & sequent.) Sustentatorem et gubernatorem (Psal. 115. 3. Heb. 1. 3.)
Patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi (Psalm. 2. 7. & sequent:) et nostrum per
eundem Patrem (Rom. 8. 15.) Animæ et corporis curatorem (Luc. 12. 12,) Tum
Iesum Christum, secundam diuinitatis personam, filium Dei patris (Iohan. 1.
18. &c.) Vnigenitum (Iohan. 1. 29. Heb. 1. 2.) æqualem patri (1. Paral. 17.
13. Iohan. 1. 1.) Deum verum (Iohan. 1. 2. &c.) ante omnia creata
præordinatum (1. Pet. 1. 20. Apocal. 13. 8. &c.) et statim post lapsum,
promissum Messiam (Gen. 3. 15.) Sanctis Patriarchis identidem promulgatum,
vt Abrahæ (Gen. 12. 3. &c.) Isaac. (Gen. 26. 4.) Iacob. (Gen. 28. 14.) et
promissionibus confirmatum (Genes. 49. 9. Esa. 11. 1. 10.) Sacrificijs
Mosaicis (Leuit. 1. 2. &c.) Et alijs typis præfiguratum: immolatione Isaac
(Gen. 22.) Exaltatione ænei serpentis. (Num. 21.) Iona (Ion. 2. &c.)
Prophetarum testimonio proclamatum (Esai 7. 14. &c.) ac tandem in
plenitudine temporis verè exhibitum: hominem verum (Iohan. 1. 14. &c. Paul.
Galat. 4.) mortuum pro peccatis nostris: resuscitatum propter
iustificationem nostri (Rom. 4. 25. &c.) Ascendentem in coelum (Act. 1. 9.
&c.) ac pro nobis ad dexteram patris sine intermissione interpellantem (1.
Iohan, 2. 1. &c.) per spiritum Sanctum suum qui tertia est diuinitatis
persona patri et filio compar et consubstantialis. (Actor. 5. 4.) Ecclesiam
sibi verbo et Sacramentis colligentem (Matth. 16. 18. Roman. 10. 14. &c) Et
ad vitam æternam sanctificantem (Actor. 9. 31. &c.) Ac tandem consummatis
seculis è coelo, venturum (Actor, 1. 11.) Iudicare viuos et mortuos (1.
Thess. 4. 15.) redditurum impijs secundum opera sua, eòsque poenis æternis
adiudicaturum (Mat 13. 42. & 25. 41.) credentes verò in nomine ipsius
æterna vita donaturum (Mat 25. 34. &c.) Hunc, inquam, Iesum Christum
redemptorem (Mat 1. 21.) Caput (1. Corinth. 12. 27.) et Dominum nostrum
(Ephes. 4. 5.) agnoscimus: Nosque illi nomen in sacro baptismo dare ac
dedisse (Actor. 2. 38.) Et per baptismum illi insertos esse (1. Cor. 12.
13.) apertè, ingenuè, liberè ac libenter fatemur ac contestamur: omnesque
alios, quicunque aliud nomen sub coelo datum esse hominibus, per quod salui
fiant, comminiscuntur, seriò detestamur, execramur et damnamus. (Actor. 4.
12.) Verbum ipsius sanctissimum vnicam salutis normam statuimus, illudque
tantummodò, omnibus humanis commentis abiectis et spretis, infallibilem
fidei nostræ regulam et amussim nobis proponimus: (Galat 1. 8. Esa. 29. 13.
Ezech. 20.) Quod duplicis Testamenti, veteris et noui appellatione
complectimur. (Hebr. 8.) traditum per Prophetas et Apostolos (Ephes. 2.
20.) singulari et immensa Dei bonitate in hunc vsque diem semper in
Ecclesia conseruatum et conseruandum in posterum. (Matth. 28. vlt. Psalm.
71. 18. 1. Cor. 11. 26.)

Deo igitur optimo maximo gratias ex animo et toto pectore agimus, quòd
etiam ad nos, vastissimo interuallo à reliquo Ecclesiæ corpore diuulsos et
vltimas mundi partes habitantes, lumen hoc suum, concessum, ad reuelationem
gentium, et paratum ante faciem omnium populorum, olim pio Simeoni benigne
ostensum (Nam in Christo omnes thesauri saptentiæ reconditi) quod nunc
totam nostram gentem radijs suis saluificis illuminat ac fouet, pertingere
voluerit. Hæc ita breuiter, ipsam summam perstringendo, fides nostra est,
et nostra religio, quaro monstrante spirtu Sancto, et ipsius in vinea
Christi ministris, bausimus: idque ex fontibus Isrælis.

[Sidenote: Krantzius.] Anno Domini 1070. vidit ad Christum conuersos
Islandos.

Dubium nobis est, vtrum his verbis dicere voluerit Krantzius, Islandos
primùm Anno Domini 1070. ad Christum esse conuersos an verò, prius quidem
esse conuersos non neget, sed eo primùm anno id Adalberto innotuisse dicat.
[Sidenote: Chronologiæ Islandicæ gentis antiquissimæ.] Vtrumuis autem
affirmet, tamen fidem ipsius hoc loco suspectam reddunt annales et
chronologiæ nostræ gentis antiquissimæ, quæ contrarium testantur: quibus
vtrum malis, de rebus nostris proprijs et domesticis et intra nostræ insulæ
limites gestis credere, an verò Krantzio, aut cuius alteri in nostratium
rerum historia peregrino, sit penes tuum, candide Lector, arbitrium. Ego
profecto multis adducor vt nostris potius assentiar. Nostrates emm nota
tantum et fere domestica asserunt: ille peregrina et ignota. Hi suas
Chronologias sine aliarum omnium nationum labe, macula et sugillatione
contexuerunt tantummodò, vt rebus gestis suum verum tempus seu æram
assignarent; ille quædam cum re et veritate pugnantia in contumeliam gentis
nostræ ignotissimæ, historiæ suæ admiscuit, vt paulò post apparebit: hi
omnium episcoporum Islandiæ nomina, annos, ordinem et successum describunt:
ille vnius tantùm mentionem facit, idque longè secus quàm res habet. Porrò
vt his fidem faciam, panca, quæ in ventustissimis nostris annalibus de
Islandia ad Christum conuersa, et de Episcoporum in nostris Ecclesijs
successione reperi, quorum etiam fides apud nos publicè recepta est, cum
extraneis communicabo. [Sidenote: Vetustissmum annales.] Quæ tametsi
leuiuscula, nec omnia prorsus digna quæ scribantur, scribenda tamen omninò
sunt ad nostrarum rerum veritatem, aduersus Krantzium et alios asserendam:
Sic igitur habent.

[Sidenote: 874. Islandia primum inhabituta.] Anno Christi 874. prius
quidem, vt ante commemorauimus, inuenta, sed tunc primum à Noruagis (quorum
princeps fuit Ingulphus quidam, è cuios nomine promontorium Islandiæ
orientalis Ingulffs hoffdi appellatitionem traxit) occupata est Islandia.
Hi plures quam 400. cum cognatis et agnatis et præterea numerosa familia
nominatim in annalibus nostris recensentur: nec illorum tantùm numerus
describitur, sed quas oras, quæ littora, et quæ loca mediterranea, singuli
occupauerint et incoluerint, et quomodo primi inhabitatores, fretis,
sinibus, portubus, Isthmis, porthmis, promontorijs, rupibus, scopulis,
montibus, collibus, vallibus, tesquis, fontibus, fluminibus, riuis, ac
denique villis seu domicilijs suis nomina dederint, quorum hodiè plæraque
retinentur et in vsu sunt, apertè narratur. Itaque Noruagi occupatæ iam
Islandiæ 60. annorum spacio, aut circiter, habitabiles partes sua
multitudine implent: Centum verò prope modum annis Ethnici manserunt, ci
paucissimos, qui in Noruagia fortè sacro fonte abluti fuerant, excipias.
[Sidenote: 974.] Annis autem vix centum à primo ingressu elapsis, mox de
religione Christiana agi coeptum est, nempe circa annum Domini 974. quæ res
non sine insigni rebellione plusquam 20 annis variè à multis tentata est.
[Sidenote: Fredericus Saxo.] Commemorantur autem duo Episcopi extranei, qui
cum alijs, in conuertenda ad fidem Christi insula, diligenter laborarint:
Prior Fridericus, Saxo natione, qui anno 981. ad Islandos venit, atque
docendi munere strenuè functus est, ac tantum fecit, vt Anno 984, sacræ
ædes Islandis in vsu fuerint.

Alter verò ille extraneus Episcopus siue concionator, quem Thangbrandt
nuncupauere, anno 997. in Islandiam primùm venit.

[Sidenote: Anno Dom. 1000.] Hinc post 26, annorum disceptationem de
religione, tandem Anno 1000. in conuentu generali omnium incolarum decretum
est, vniuersali eorundem consensu, vt Ethnicorum numinum cultu seposito,
religionem sectarentur Christianam.

Rursus in solenni incolarum conuentu Anno 1050. sancitum est, vt leges
seculares seu politicæ (quarum constitutiones allatas ex Noruagia quidam
Vlfliotus, Anno 926. Islandis communicarat) vbique cederent iuri Canonico
seu diuino.

Anno 1056. abit peregrè ex Islandia Isleifus quidam, in Episcopum Islandiæ
ordinandus.

Redit ordinatus in Islandiam, et Cathedram Schalholtensem adit Anno 1057.
Moritur 1080. Ætatis 74. 4. Kalendas Iulias.

Videbuntur forsitan hæc minuta, concisa, vilia, nec narratione satis digna,
cum multis fortè quæ sequuntur: Sed nec historiam Romanam conteximus, nec
tam minuta erunt, quin contra Krantzij et aliorum errores conuincendos,
prout nostrum est institutum, valeant. Et certè, quantum ad fidem nostrarum
Chronologiarum, constat Saxonem Grammaticum non parum illis tribuisse:
Cuius, in præfatione suæ Danæ, hæc sunt verba. Nec Thylensium inquit, (sic
enim Islandos appellat) industria silentio obliteranda: qui cum ob natiuam
soli sterilitatem, luxuriæ nutrimentis carentes, officia continuæ
sobrietatis exerceant, omniàque vitæ momenta ad alienoram operum notitiam
conferre soleant, inopiam ingenio pensant. Cunctarum quippe nationum res
gestas cognosse, memoriæque mandare, voluptatis loco reputant non minoris
gloriæ iudicantes, alienas virtutes disserere, quam proprias exhibere.
Quorum thesauros Historicarum rerum pignoribus refertos curiosius
consulens, haud paruam præsentis operis partem ex eorum relationis
imitatione contexui: nec arbitros habere contempsi, quos tamta vetustatis
peritia callere noui. Hæc Saxo. Quare lubet Episcoporum Islandiæ Catalogum
persequi, vt ex annalibus nostris continuata diligenter, quoad eius fieri
potest, omnium series, his quæ de primo Isleifo contra Krantzium attulimus,
fidem faciat.

The same in English.

THE FIRST SECTION

[Sidenote: Krantzius in præfatione suæ Norwegiæ.] Adalbert Metropolitane of
Hamburg in the yeere of Christ 1070. saw the Islanders concerted
Christianitie: albeit, before the receiuing of Christian faith, they
liued according to the lawe of nature, and did not much differ from our
lawe: therefore at their humble request, he appointed a certaine holy man
named Islief to be their first Bishop.

Krantzios in these words, and Munster other where, doe seeme to attribute
vnto the Islanders the prerogatiue of Christian faith and they should deale
both beseeming themselues and the trueth, if they did not in other places
depriue vs of the same. For (to speake of Krantzras anone) that which
Munster before reported concerning our faith or opinion about the place and
situation of hell, is very farre from Christian pietie: namely to be
desirous to prie into those secrets which God hath kept close vnto himselfe
alone, and which his pleasure is, should exceed our capacitie: for there is
not any thing found in the holy Scriptures of this matter, where the place
and situation of hell, or of eternall fire prepared for the deuill and his
angels, and so for all damned soules, is bounded or compassed about. The
holy Bible (I say) assigneth no locall or bodily situation beneath the
earth, or vpon the earth, or in any other place of this world, to that
prison of the damned: but it affirmeth that this earth shall perish, and
that a new earth, and new heauens shall be created for the habitation of
iust and holy men, Reuel. 2. 2. Pet. 3. and Esay [Footnote: Isaiah] 65.
wherefore a Christian man willingly giueth ouer to search into such hidden
secrets and he accounteth it vnlawful to receiue or deliuer vnto others,
opinions (grounded vpon no plaine and manifest places of Scripture) for
certainties and trueths, Deut. 4. and 12. Esay 8. Matth. 27. 2. Tim 3.

Further also that commendation wherewith Munster and Krantzius doe grace
the Islanders, is meerly contrary to Christian religion: namely that they
make al one reckoning of their whelps and of their children. But more of
this matter anone in the 7. section. So therefore Munster disagreeth with
himselfe, whereas those whom he affirmeth to be Christians, afterward, he
maketh to be master builders of hell. Also Krantzius and Munster both
together, when as those whom they affirme to be engraffed by faith into
Christ, they except from all sense of piety and honesty, in that they write
that their sonnes are not dearer vnto them then their whelpes.

But to returne to the matter: In very deed we haue no great thing to say
concerning our religion, what, or of what sort it was when Gentilisme was
first put to flight. No more (I thinke) haue other Northern nations neere
vnto vs to say concerning the beginning of their faith. For (alas) we must
needs confesse and bewaile with deepe sighes, that vntill that day which
shined vnto vs like the beginning of immortalitie, and brought vnto vs the
pure doctrine of the gospel, our countrymen, as likewise other churches of
the North, were ouerspred with more then Cimmerian darkenesse. But we may
iustly and religiously thinke thus muche, that among vs and our neighbours
of Norway (for I will not range out of my bounds, nor affirme any thing of
vnknowen people) after heathenish idolatry was rooted out, Christian faith
and religion did florish far more sincere, and simple, as being lesse
infected with the poison of poperie, at that time, then afterward, when as
the pestiferous leauen of the see of Rome being augmented, and the
contagious mischiefe growing ripe, the poison thereof was dispersed through
the whole world: for, as it shal afterward appeare, Island embraced Christ
many yeeres before the new idolatry of the papists began to preuaile, and
did sound foorth nothing but faith in God the Father, the Sonne and the
holy Ghost, like vnto those two most renouned kings of Norway, who as they
had one common name, so had they one common care and profession to aduance
the gospel of Christ. [Sidenote: The first christian king of Norway] I
meane Olaus the sonne of Thryggo, who was borne in the yere of Christ 968.
attaining to the kingdom of Norway in the 27. yeere of his age, and was the
first, as we haue heard, that offred Chnst vnto the Norwegians, ouer whom
hee reigned fiue yeeres and another of that name called Olaus Sanctus the
sonne of Harald, who in the yeere of Christ 1013. or there about, gouerned
with more seueritie, and for the space of 17. yeeres did boldly deliuer the
doctrine of Christ. In the yere of Chnst 1030. being vniustlie slaine by
wicked murtherers, he shed his blood for the name of Christ in a town of
Norway called Sticfla Stodum.

[Sidenote: Nialus the first knowne professour of Christian faith in
Island.] Our countrey also had, among many other, one man of excellent
pietie whose name was Nialus, who about the yeere of Chnst 1000. liued in
the village of Berthorshuol situate in the parish of Island called
Landehum: who also for his experience in humane affaires, for his great
wisedome and sage counsell was accompted famous. For whereas in his time
Island was turmoiled with many fierce mutinies, the inhabitants being in
subiection to no superiour magistrate, he intermedled not in any quarels,
sauing that by his discreet vertue and diligence he set through and brought
to composition a great number: hee neuer did nor suffered violence, but
onely vpon the last day of his life. So carefully auoyded he al seditions
and strifes: and gaue good assistance to others, who were desirous also to
auoyd and escape them: neither did any man euer put in practise his
counsel, but it turned to his especiall good: nor euer any did swerue
therefrom, but with the danger of his life and possessions. The wordes or
rather the oracles that came from him were so certaine, that it was
wonderful from whence any man should haue so great and so sure forecast and
counsell of things to come, as was found to be in him. Whereupon his
discreet and prouident wisedome, ioyned with counsell became a prouerbe
amongst vs, "Nials byta raden:" That is to say, the counsel of Nialus or,
the thing is done, or succeedeth by Nialus his counsel: when any business
was atchieued prudently, and with admirable discretion. This man, when, for
a slaughter committed by his sonne without his knowledge, he was in his
owne house beset with a 100. men, who had conspired his death, and when his
enemies began on all sides to set his house on fire, seeing his ende
approch, at length he brake into these words. "Doubtlesse these things
happen by fate, that is, by the will of God. Howbeit, I put my hope and
confidence in Christ, that we (meaning his wife and himselfe) although this
our fraile body shal vndergoe the corruption of death, in the fire of our
enemies, yet, that it shalbe deliuered from eternal flames." And so in the
midst of these voyces, and in the fury of the flames, he with his wife and
the manslayer his sonne, in the yere of Christ 1010. ended his life. A
voyce vndoubtedly full well beseeming the sonnes of God, arguing the
notable comfort of his soule amidst the very pangs of death.

I therefore added those things to shew by what reason I was moued to thinke
that in the very beginning of Christianitie receiued amongst vs, mens minds
were not so beguiled and ouerwhelmed in the darkenes of errors, as of late,
a little before these our times they haue bene.

[Sidenote: A summe of the Islanders Religion.] But after the Lord God by
Luther, and Luthers fellow-labourers in the vineyard of the Lord, and by
godly successours, did make the doctrine of saluation more manifest, and
shaking off the heauie slothe, and thicke miste of our minds by the finger
of his right hand, that is by his holy spirit (Matth. 12. v. 28.) did
plucke the eares of our hearts, and opened our eyes that we might behold
his sauing health: We all, and euery of vs do belieue and confesse that God
is a spirit (Iohn 4. v. 24.) eternal (Esay. 40. v. 28.) infinite (Iere. 23.
v. 24. Psal 139. v. 7. 8. 9.) most good (Matth. 19. v. 17.) almighty (Gen.
17. 1. Reuel. 1. 8.) one in being, and nature: one in prouidence, one in
the making and gouerning of all things (Deut. 6. 5. Ephe. 4. 5.) But
distinguished by the persons of the Godhead and their properties, the
Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost (Matth. 28. 19. and 3. 17.) God the
Father the first person of the Godhead creator of heauen and earth, and all
other things (Gen. 1. v. 1. and in those that folow) the vpholder and
gouernor of all (Psa. 115. 3. Heb. 1. 3.) Father of our Lord Iesus Christ
(Psal. 2, 7. and verses following) and our Father through him (Rom. 8. 15.)
keeper of our soules and bodies (Luke 12. 12.). And that Iesus Christ the
second person of the Godhead is the sonne of God the Father (Iohn 1. 18.
&c.) onely begotten (Iohn 1. 29. Heb. 1. 2.) equal to his Father (1. Chro.
17. 13. Ioh. 1. 1.) true God (Iohn 1. 2. &c.) foreappointed before the
creation of all things (1. Pet. 1. 20, Reuel 13. 8. &c.) and presently
after mans fell promised to be the Messias (Gene. 3. 15. &c.) published
eftsoones vnto the holy Patriaches, as vnto Abraham (Gen. 12. 3. &c.) vnto
Isaac (Gen. 26. 4.) vnto Iacob (Gene. 28. 14.) and confirmed by promises
(Gen. 49. 9. Esa. 11. 1, 10.) prefigured by the sacrifices of Moses (Leu.
1. 2. &c.) and by other types, as namely by the offering of Isaac (Gen.
22.) by the lifting vp of the brazen serpent (Num. 21.) by Ionas (Ionas 2.
&c.) proclaimed by the testimony of the Prophets (Esa. 7. 14.) and at
length in the fulnesse of time truely exhibited: true man (Iohn 1. 14. &c.
Gal. 4.) that he died for our sinnes, and was raised again for our
iustification (Rom. 4. 25. &c.) Ascending into heauen (Acts 1. 9. &c.) and
making intercession for vs at the right hand of his Father without ceasing
(1. Iohn 2. 1. &c.) by his holy Spirit (which is the thirde person of the
Godhead, coequall, and consubstantial to the Father and the Sonne, Acts. 5.
4.) gathering the Church to himselfe by the word, and Sacraments (Matth.
16. 18. Rom. 10. 14. &c.) and sanctifying it to eternal life, (Acts. 9. 31.
&c.) And that one day at the end of the world he will come from heauen
(Acts 1. 11.) to iudge the quicke and the dead (1. Thessal. 4. 15.) that he
will render vnto the wicked according to their workes, and that he will
iudge mem to eternal paines (Matth. 13. 42. and 25. 4.) but that he wil
reward them, with eternal life, who beleeue in his Name (Matth. 25. 34.)
This Iesus Christ (I say) wee acknowledge to be our Redeemer (Matth. 1.
21.) our head (1. Corinth. 12. 27.) and our Lord (Ephe. 4. 5.) And that wee
in our holy baptisme do giue, and haue giuen our names vnto him (Acts. 2.
38.) and that wee are engraffed into him by baptisme (1. Corin. 12. 13.)
And this we do plainely, ingenuously, freely, and willingly confesse and
witnesse: And as for all others who inuent any other name in heauen giuen
vnto men by which they may be saued, we doe earnestly detest, cursse, and
condemne them (Acts. 4. 12.) We holde his most holy Word to be the onely
rule of our saluation: and that alone (al mans deuises being cast away and
contemned) we propound vnto our selues as an infallible rule, and leuel of
our faith (Galat. 1. 8. Esai 29. 13. Ezech. 20.) which we conteine vnder
the name of the olde and newe Testament (Hebr. 8.) deliuered by the
Prophets and Apostles (Ephe 2. 20) by the singular and infinite goodnesse
of God, presented euer vnto this day and to be preserued here after alwayes
in the Church (Matth 28. last verse. Psal 71. 18. 1 Cor 11. 26.)

Therefore we render thankes vnto our most gratious and Almighty God from
our soule, and from our whole heart, because that euen vnto vs being
separated an huge distance from the rest of the body of his Church, and
inhabiting the farthest parts of the world, hee would that this light
graunted for the reuelation of the Gentiles, and prepared before the face
of all people, and in olde time fauourably shewed to holy Simeon (for in
Christ are all the treasures of wisedome hidden) which now doeth enlighten
and cherish with the sauing beames thereof our whole nation, that hee would
(I say) this light should come vnto vs. This in briefe (running ouer the
very summe) is our faith, and our Religion, which by the direction of the
holy Spirt and of his Ministers in the vineyard of Christ, we haue drawen
and that out of the fountaines of Isræl.

[Sidenote: Kranzius] In the yeere of our Lord 1070. saw the Ilanders
conuerted vnto Christ, &c.

It is doubtful vnto vs whether in these words Kranzius would haue said,
that the Islanders were first conuerted vnto Christ in the yeere of our
Lord 1070. or whether he doth not deny that they were indeed before
conuerted, but saith that it was knowne first vnto Adalbert that yeere.
[Sidenote: The most ancient Chronicles of Island.] But whethersoeuer of
these he affirmeth: notwithstanding the yeerely records, and most auncient
Chronicles of our nation testifying the contrary do make his credite to be
suspected in this place, vnto which records and Chronicles, whether you had
rather giue assent concerning our owne proper and domesbcal affaires, done
within the bounds of our Island, or to Krantzaus or any other being
ignorant in the story of our countrey, I appeale (friendly reader) vnto
your owne discretion. For my part I am enforced by many reasons to agree
rather vnto our owne writers. For our countreymen affirme those things
onely that be knowen, and in a maner domesticall he writeth matters
forreine and vnknowen they haue compiled their histories without the
diffaming, disgracing or reprehending of any other nations, onely that they
might assigne vnto their owne acts and exploits the true time or age
thereof: he hath intermedled in his historie certaine things contrary to
the trueth, and that to the vpbraiding of our nation being most vnknowen
vnto him, as it shall immediatly appeare: they describe the names, yeres,
order, succession of all the Bishops of Island: he mentioneth onely one,
and that farre otherwise then the trueth. Furthermore that I may make good
the credite of our Countreymen, I wil impart with strangers a fewe things
which I found in our most ancient records of the conuersion of Island vnto
Christ, and of the succession of Bishops in our Churches. Which although
they be of litle moment, and not altogether worthy to be written, yet must
they of necessitie bee set downe for the defence of the trueth of our
affaires against Krantzius and others: thus therefore standeth the
certaintie thereof.

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