A BOOK WANTED OF ENZINAS.--FRANCISCO DE ENZINAS, OR DRYANDER, TRANSLATOR OF THE SPANISH NEW TESTAMENT, 1543.
Can any obliging reader of the "NOTES AND QUERIES" inform me of the existence, in any of our public libraries, or for sale, of the following book: _Dryandri (Franciscus) Flandriæ propriæ incarcerationis et liberationis Historia_: Antwerpiæ(?) 1545. Sm. 8vo.? Fox, the martyrologist, writing of Dryander, says:
"I read the book in the shop of John Oporine, printer, of Basil."
I have a French translation of it, and a Spanish version is sanctioned by Pellicea (after Gerdes), under this title: _Breve Descripcion del Pais Baxo, y razon de la Religion en España_, en 8vo.; but in such a manner as leaves it questionable. If a Spanish version is known, I should esteem it a favour to be informed where it can now be found.
Enzinas passed part of the years 1542-3 with Melancthon at Wittemberg. Having completed his New Testament, he returned early in the latter year to Antwerp to get it printed. After much reflection and advice with his friends, he made an agreement with Stephen Mierdmann of Antwerp, in the following manner:
"I determined," says he, "to do my duty in the affair, at all events; which was, to undertake the publication, and to leave the consequences, and the course of the inspired Word, to the providence of God, to whom it of right belonged. I therefore spoke with a ----, and asked him whether he was willing to print my book. He answered, Yes, very gladly; partly because I desire to do some good for the commonweal more than for my own particular interest, caring little for gain or for the slander of opponents; and partly, also, said he, because it is a book that has long been desired. Then I asked him whether it was needful to have a _license_ or _permission_, and whether he could not print it without these: for, said I, it would ill beseem the Word of God, from which kings and rulers derive the authority for the exercise of their power, that it should be subject to the permission or prohibition of any human feeling or fancy. To this he answered, that no law of the Emperor had ever forbidden the printing of the Holy Scriptures; and this was well known, for in Antwerp the New Testament had already been printed in almost every language of Europe but the Spanish, and that neither himself nor any other printer had ever previously asked permission. From his experience, he had no doubt that, provided it was faithfully translated, the New Testament might be freely printed without leave or license. Then, said I, get ready your presses and everything needful for the work. I will answer for the interpretation of the text, and you shall take the risk of printing. And more, in order that you shall not suffer by loss or fine from our Spaniards, I will take the expense of the impression on myself. So I delivered to him the copy, and begged him to dispatch the business as soon as possible.