Vita clarissimi viri D. Iosiae Simleri Tigurini, S. Theologiae in Schola Tigurina Professoris fidelissimi

impious and wicked ingratitude of the world itself, both toward God and toward the pious and wise men whom it hates, despises, and vexes. The other is the singular love and benevolence of God Himself toward pious and wise men, by which He, as if touched by the desire for them, deigns to snatch them away—both from the present in which they wander, and from future and imminent evils—and to transfer and lead them through a premature death to His eternal joys. We, therefore, have been bereaved of an excellent and most outstanding man at a time most inconvenient for our Republic and Church, just as we have deserved by our sins: but he, as we clearly hope, brought out from the darkness and chains of this body and world into that immense light and freedom, sees and possesses the heavenly inheritance promised to all the pious. Wherefore his death, if we look to our own condition, is to be pursued with mourning and lamentations; but if we look to the times themselves and the storms and intemperance of our age, it is to be pursued with joy and congratulations. In his place has been appointed Ioannes Iacobus Frisius, son of the most famous man Ioannes Frisius, a leader of the school among us, of pious memory; we hope that, because of the excellent gifts of mind and intellect with which he is endowed, he will not be lacking in this duty. These things regarding the birth, life, and death of our Simler, written by me not so much ornately as truthfully, I pray and ask all lovers of piety and truth who shall read them to interpret them in the best part.