❧ Introduction

In 1491, Johann Froben, a printer in Basel remembered mostly for his close association with Erasmus, published the first Latin Bible in octavo format. Sometimes referred to as the ‘poor man’s bible’ because of its small size, this particular edition of the Latin Bible was undoubtedly intended for lay readers. Often overlooked, however, is the fact that this is the first Latin Bible to include an exhortation or call ‘to lovers of Holy Writ and true wealth’ intended to contrast those who seek mere worldly riches with those who seek the true riches hidden in the Sacred Scriptures. It is a remarkable text and prefigures some of the major themes that would emerge in the following years as the Reformation unfolded. Importantly, it also appeared with regular frequency in subsequent editions of the Latin Bible after 1500.

❧ Exhortation as it appears
in Gueynard’s 1522 Biblia

❧ Corrected Latin Text

  1. Ad divinarum literarum verarumque divitiarum amatores exhortatio.
  2. Qui terrenis opibus divites fieri volunt incidunt in tentationes et in laquam diaboli et desideria multa et nociva: que mergunt homines in interitum et perdidtionem.
  3. Unde et scriptum est. Qui confidit in divitiis suis corruet.
  4. Multos enim perdidit aurum et argentum.
  5. Et saepius conservatae sunt divitiae in malum domini sui.
  6. Pereunt namque in afflictione pessima.
  7. Neque profuerunt in die ultionis: propheta testante. Argentum inquiet eorum et aurum eorum non valebit liberare eos in die furoris domini.
  8. Hic etiam scriptum est. Qui amat divitias non capiet fructum ex eis.
  9. Unde et ab ipso veritatis magistro fallaces et deceptoriae divitiae appellatae sunt.
  10. Hoc longe ante beatus Iob declaravit dicens: Dives cum dormierit nihil secum auferet et cetera quae sequuntur.
  11. Hoc idem Sanctus David precinit cum dixit: Dormierunt somnum suum et nihil invenerunt omnes viri divitiarum in manibus suis.
  12. Hic Apostolus Iacobus exprobrans illis miserias eorum terrendo dicit: Agite nunc divites, plorate ululantes in miseriis vestris quae advenient vobis etc.
  13. Ipsimet quoque olim divites nunc vero miseri in inferno errores suum prae angustia spiritus gementes confitentur.
  14. Quid nobis pro fuit superbia aut divitiarum iactantia quid contulit nobis?
  15. Vos igitur literarum amatores: qui vere divites fieri cupitis.
  16. Veras divitias amate: quae nec corrumpi, neque consumi, neque auferri, neque exhauriri poterunt.
  17. Illas quaerite, illas vobis thesaurizate.
  18. Hoc thesaurarius vester eius Christus dives in omnes suadet.
  19. Hoc idem ipse magister vester docet et imperat: ‘Thesaurizate inquit vobis thesauros in caelo, ubi nec aerugo nec tinea demolitur, et ubi fures non effodiunt neque furantur.’
  20. Que autem sunt illae divitiae, per prophetam expressit cum dixit: divitiae salutis, sapientiae et scientiae. His perfecto divitiis, nihil locupletius, nihil pretiosius. Nihil denique desiderabilius invita hominum inveniri potest.
  21. Istas ut vobis comparatis, ipsa sapientia invitat ad vos, clamitans iuxta portas civitatis, in ipsis foribus loquitur dicens: O viri, ad vos clamito, et vox mea ad filios hominum. Intelligite parvuli astutiam: et insipientes animadvertite.
  22. Et paulo post, accipite igitur disciplinam meam et non pecuniam, doctrinam magis quam aurum diligite.
  23. Melior est enim sapientia cunctis opibus pretiosissimis, et omne desiderabile ei non potest comparari &c.
  24. Precipuusque qui cultus illius, qua a iuventute eam amovit: et ad amorem ipsius vos trahat: ingentibus eam laudum perconiis extollit dicens: beatus hominem qui invenit sapientiam et qui affluit prudential, melior est acquisitio eius negotiatione auri et argenti &c.
  25. Et iterum alibi. ‘Preposui illam inquit regnis et sedibus: et divitias nihil esse dixi in comparatione illius’ etc. et infra. ‘Si divitiae ait appetuntur, quod sapientia locupletius quod operatur omnia’.
  26. Est multos fortassis quaestio pulsat ubi inestimabilis iste thesaurus inveniatur.
  27. Sic enim et Beatus Job secum quaesivit dicens: ‘Sapientia unde invenitur? Et quis est locus intelligentiae?’
  28. Et infra, sibi ipsi ruminando. Deus inquit intelligit viam eius et ipse novit locum illum.
  29. Huius itaque quaestionis solutionem Salvator noster Deus et Dei verbum sibi reservavit, quam et aperuit cum incredulos et beati thesauri ignaros ad scripturas dixerit dicens:
  30. Scrutamini scripturas, quia vos putatis in ipsis vitam aeternam habere.
  31. In scripturis namque sacris, veluti in agro, absconditus est sapientiae thesaurus, quo ad vitam aeternam pervenitur.
  32. De quo doctus ille scriba evangelicus perfert nova novi et vetera veteris testamenti mysteria.
  33. Scripturae vero sacrae quibus et mente teneantur et voce perferantur.
  34. Commodius tum et utilius in libris tantum in vasis domini recorduntur et in illis permanentius conservantur.
  35. Omnes igitur qui hunc thesaurum invenire desideratis, in libris divinis quaerite.
  36. Ibi pulsate et aperietur vobis. Ibi quaerite et invenietis. Ibi petite et accipietis.
  37. Verum cum multi ac varii sint sanctarum scripturarum libri, valde laborosum atque difficile esset studiosis singulos quosque conquirere.
  38. Et scriptura eorum revolvere, si separati duntaxat et sparsim haberentur.
  39. Jovi spiritu sapientiae factum est ut omnes tam veteris quam novi testi libri in unum volumen coadunati sint.
  40. Quod recte Bibliam, id est librum per excellentiam, appellamus.
  41. Quae post iteratam accuratioremque emendationem concordes scripturarum finitas annotat.
  42. et ob id singula quaeque capitula per literas distincta: quibus scripturae concordantes indicant et facile cito queque reperiunt.
  43. Cum brevi contentorum expositione, ut sic saltem generalis omnium prae-notitia habeatur.
  44. Hoc scripturarum singulare opus si comparaveritis facilius sapientiae divitias invenire.
  45. Et custodire valebitis donec in regno caelorum, apertis thesauris vestris, cum magis, id est, sapientibus aeternae sapientiae Jesu Christo, grata munera sine fine offeratis.
  46. Cui cum Genitore et Spiritu eius honor, gloria, et imperium in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

❧ English Translation

  1. A call to the lovers of Holy Writ and true wealth.
  2. Those who seek earthly riches often fall prey to temptations, ensnared by the Devil, ensnared by harmful desires that lead to ruin and devastation.
  3. As the Scriptures state, those who trust in wealth are destined to fall.
  4. Both gold and silver have led many astray.
  5. Indeed, amassed wealth can even turn against its holder.
  6. Such people meet their end in the direst of afflictions.
  7. For what good is wealth on Judgement Day? As the prophet has confirmed, clanging silver and gold will offer no salvation on the day of God’s wrath.
  8. It is written as well: Those who love wealth will not profit from it.
  9. The wisest understand that wealth is deceitful and deluding.
  10. Reflect upon blessed Job, who stated that a rich man takes nothing with him when he dies.
  11. The devout man David echoed this sentiment, noting, “those wealthy in their lifetime wake up to find nothing in their hands.”
  12. The Apostle James warns about the misery that awaits the rich with startling words: “Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for the afflictions that shall befall you.”
  13. Those who were rich in life now languish in Hell, too late in confessing their sins, and writhing in spiritual agony.
  14. What are the results of boasting about wealth? What are the benefits?
  15. To you, lovers of literature, who seek something more:
  16. Cherish true riches, wealth that can’t be corrupted, consumed, taken away, or exhausted.
  17. Strive for these things, store these things for yourselves.
  18. Christ Himself, who is rich in all things, urges you to do so.
  19. As He says, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth destroys, and where thieves do not break in nor steal.”
  20. What are these riches? The prophet says true wealth lies in salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. There is nothing more essential, more precious, than these perfect riches. For any human being, there is simply nothing more desirable.
  21. To acquire these, Wisdom herself invites you, calling out at the city gates, speaking at the very doors: “O men, I call out to you, my voice extends to the sons of men. Become clever, little ones, and pay attention you fools.”
  22. Soon, you will prefer my teachings to money, value knowledge more than gold.
  23. “Wisdom is truly better than the most precious of possessions, nothing desirable can compare to it.”
  24. Blessed, indeed, is the one who respects Lady Wisdom, who has chosen her since youth, who is drawn by her love, who extols her with great praise, saying: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and who overflows with prudence, better to possess her than to trade in gold and silver.”
  25. “I favoured her,” he says, “over kingdoms and thrones, and compared to her, wealth was nothing.” And elsewhere: “If riches,” he says, “are what you desire, wisdom enriches more abundantly than anything else.”
  26. But, you ask, where can this invaluable treasure be found?
  27. Blessed Job also asked: “Where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?”
  28. Then, while pondering to himself, he comprehended: “God,” he exclaimed, “understands her path, and He alone knows her place.”
  29. The secret was guarded by our Saviour, the Word of God, until He directed the ignorant and unbelievers to that blessed treasure found within the Scriptures:
  30. “Search the Scriptures, for you believe they hold eternal life.”
  31. Indeed, the Holy Scriptures contain the wealth of wisdom, like a treasure hidden in a field, which leads to eternal life.
  32. Here we discover the learned evangelical scribe unfurling both the new teachings of the New Testament and the ancient mysteries of the Old Testament.
  33. Keep the Holy Scriptures in mind and give them voice.
  34. It is good to guard the Sacred Scriptures in physical books, the Lord’s vessels, but it is even better to commit these words to memory for safekeeping.
  35. So, for all who wish to find this treasure, look for it in the Sacred books.
  36. Knock there, and it will be opened. Seek there, and you will find. Ask there, and you will receive.
  37. And yet, because the Sacred Scriptures are many and varied, pursuing each one separately would be hard work and difficult even for scholars.
  38. It is a task made even more challenging if one were to consider all these books separately and at random.
  39. And so, by the will of the Divine Spirit of Wisdom, all the books of the Old and New Testament have been gathered into a single volume.
  40. This volume we call the Bible, a book above all others.
  41. After careful and meticulous correction, we now have annotations that help unite the Scriptures in harmony.
  42. With that in mind, each chapter herein is marked with letters to indicate readings that correspond with one another, making it easier and quicker to find what you seek.
  43. That, together with a brief summary of the entire contents, will help you achieve a general overview of everything.
  44. Thus if you use this unique edition of the Scriptures, you will discover the riches of wisdom more easily.
  45. Guard this wisdom until you reach the kingdom of heaven, when your treasures are unveiled and, alongside the truly great – that is, those wise in eternal wisdom – you offer pleasing gifts to Jesus Christ without end.
  46. To whom, with His Father and His Spirit, be honour, glory, and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

❧ Some Historical Fiction

Basel’s cobbled streets echoed with the rhythmic clip-clop of horse-drawn carts and the distant chime of evening bells. The narrow alleys carried a riot of pleasant and unpleasant scents: fresh-baked bread from a nearby bakery, the earthy aroma of leather from a shoemaker’s workshop, and, occasionally, the sharper odours of refuse and animal waste.

Johann Froben’s workshop, a tidy two-story building with a wooden sign depicting a printing press, stood between the shops of a bookseller and a candlemaker. A dim light glowed through its ground-floor windows, casting shadows on the street outside. Passersby would occasionally pause, drawn by the rhythmic thud of the press and the muffled voices of craftsmen discussing their work.

Inside, the space was filled with the warm glow of candlelight. At its centre stood a long oak refectory table, its scarred surface betraying countless hours of work. On it, sheets of freshly printed text lay scattered alongside manuscripts, some annotated with the meticulous notes of a proofreader. The smell of fresh ink hung in the air, mixing with the faint scent of smoke from the fireplace, providing a welcome warmth against the chill of the evening. Nearby, bundles of paper cluttered the corners of the room, unmarked and waiting.

Johann Froben, a man approaching his sixties, sat with his arms folded on the table. He had a chiseled face with a trim beard and a sharp chin. His deep-set blue eyes, still intense, were accentuated by his high forehead, a mark of unremitting intellectual pursuits. Dressed in a simple tunic and a soft cap, the man radiated a quiet intensity.

Opposite him was Father Benedikt, visiting Basel on Church matters. Benedikt was a tall man, his white hair a stark contrast with the deep black of his cassock. His sharp, hawk-like eyes, framed by thin wire spectacles, belied a warm nature, as evidenced by the gentle smile lines around his mouth. A silver crucifix dangled from his neck, catching the candlelight with every subtle movement.

“Johann,” Father Benedikt began, lifting the octavo Latin Bible and finding it surprisingly heavy in his hands, “I’ve heard much about this endeavour of yours. I had to see it for myself. It is indeed a remarkable achievement — a ‘poor man’s Bible’!” he exclaimed suddenly. “But,” he added, “tell me about this ‘Exhortation’ you’ve written. I am eager to know what prompted it.”

Froben’s eyes, always thoughtful, twinkled. “Father, in this age of discovery, are we not witnessing a relentless pursuit of earthly riches? Gold, lands, titles—in the end what do any of them mean? True wealth, I am sure, lies solely in the wisdom of the Scriptures.”

The priest nodded, considering Froben’s words, the room filled for that moment only by the crackle and occasional hiss of the fire. “Indeed, Johann. But, of course, even earthly wealth, when aligned with the Church’s mission, can bring about good. Is it not a tool that can be wielded for charity, for growth, for the betterment of our faithful?”

Froben leaned forward, the light casting deep shadows on his earnest face. “Of course, Father, and yet, how often does this wealth turn against its holder? My ‘Exhortation’ warns against the deceitful nature of riches. As Job teaches us, a rich man takes nothing with him when he dies.”

The priest’s eyes gleamed. “Ah, but then, this ‘Exhortation’ is not merely a caution against wealth but an invitation to seek true riches. Knowledge. Wisdom. Salvation.”

“Exactly, Father!” Froben thundered, his voice filled with passion. “It’s a call to all, not just the clergy, to seek these eternal treasures. To become wise, as Wisdom herself invites, to value knowledge more than gold.”

The priest’s face clouded for a moment as he seemed to remember something. What was it? “Your intentions are noble,” he added slowly, “But tread carefully, my friend. The path to knowledge is fraught with risks.”

The conversation flowed on and whatever complexity occasioned Father Benedikt’s sudden hesitation seemed to fade. Indeed, as they spoke, the room itself seemed to shrink as the world outside receded into insignificance. All that mattered in that moment was the remarkable and compact Bible resting on the table between them.

As the evening wore on, a soft knock interrupted them and a young boy, one of the children Froben paid to fold sheets in the printshop, entered carrying a tray with two goblets of spiced wine, its fragrant aroma mingling with the room’s scents. The boy placed the tray on the table, casting a sidelong glance at the Bible, a hint of reverence in his eyes. Froben, noticing, smiled inwardly. Perhaps one day even a lad like that might possess his own copy?