Page:History of the wicked life and horrid death of Dr. John Faustus (6).pdf/2



JOHN FAUSTUS was born in Germany; his father was a poor labouring man, not able to bring up his son John; but he had a brother in the same country, who was a very rich man, but had no children, he took a great fancy for his nephew, and resolved to make a scholar of him; and in order thereunto, put him to the Latinschool, when he took his learning extraordinary well; afterwards he put him in the university to study divinity; but Faustus could in no wise fancy that employment; wherefore he betook himself to the study of that which his inclination was most for, viz. Necromancy and Conjuration, and in a little time, few or none could outstrip him in the art; He also studied divinity, of which he was made doctor; but within a short time fell into such deep fancies and cogitations, that he resolved to throw the scriptures from him, and betake himself wholly to the studying of Necromancy and Conjuration, Charms and Soothsaying, Witchcraft, and the like.