[Sidenote: Krantzius Munsterus] Episcopum suum colunt pro Rege ad cuius
nutum respicit totus populus. Quicquid ex lege, scripturis, et ex
consuetudine aliarum gentium constituit, quam sancte obseruant.
Fuit equidem initio fere ad repurgatam Euangelij doctrinam maxima Episcopi
obseruantia; sed nunquam tanta vt exteris legibus aut consuetudini cederent
nostra leges politica, ex nutu Episcopi. Nec tempore Alberti Krantzij,
multo minus Munsteri (quorum ille 1517, hic 1552. post partum salutiferum
decessit) Episcopi Islandorum regiam obtinuerunt authoritatem, cum scilicet
multi ex ijs, qui diuitijs paulo plus valebant aduersus ipsos consurgere
non dubitarint; qua res apud nostrates liquido constat. Intenm tamen
Episcopi, anathematis fulmine terribiles, alios in suam potestatem
redegerunt, alios furibunda sauitia id temporis persecuti sunt.
Porro etsi tum fuit magna, imo maxima Episcopi obseruantia, tamen nunc
dispulsis tenebris Papisticis, alia ratione homines Satan aggreditur,
eorumque mentes contemptus libertate et refractaria contumacia, aduersus
Deum et sacrum ministerium, etiam hic armare non negligit.
The same in English.
THE EIGHTH SECTION.
[Sidenote: Krantzius, Munsterus] They honour their Bishop as their King
vnto whose command all the whole people haue respect. Whatsoeuer he
prescribeth out of the law, the scriptures, or the customes of other
nations, they do full holily obserue.
There was indeed at the beginning, about the time of the reformation of
religion, great reuerence had vnto the bishop; but neuer so great, that our
politique lawes at the bishops command should giue place to outlandish
lawes and customes. Neither in the time of Albertus Krantzius, much lesse
of Munster (of which two the first deceased in the yere of our Lord 1517,
and the second 1552) the bishops of Island had the authonty of kings, when
as many of the country which were of the richer sort, would not doubt to
rebell against them; which thing is too well knowen in our countrey. Yet in
the meane time, the bishops being terrible with their authority of
excommunication, reduced some vnder their subiection, and others at that
time they cruelly persecuted.
Moreouer, albeit at that time the bishop was had in great, yea, in
exceeding great reuerence, yet now adayes, the darkenesse of popery being
dispelled, the deuill assaulteth men after another sort, and euen here
amongst vs, he is not slacke to arme their minds with contempt, and
peruerse stubburnnesse against God, and his holy ministery.
SECTIO NONA.
[Sidenote: Munster.] Illic victitant plerumque piscibus, propter magnam
penuriam frumenti, quod aliunde a maritimis ciuitatibus infertur: & qui
inde cum magno lucro pisces exportant. Item Munsterus. Illic piscibus
induratis vtuntur loco panis qui illic non crescit.
Vide Lector, quam Munsterum iuuet, eadem oberrare chorda: vt cum de gente
ignota nihil scribere possit, quod coloris aliquid habeat, vel falsa
afferre, vel eadem sapius repetere, sicque cramben eandem recoquere
sustineat: Dixerat enim paulo ante, Islandos piscibus viuere. Verba ipsius
superius etiam recitata, hac sunt. Islandia populos continet multos, solo
pecorum pastu et nunc captura piscium victitantes, etc.
