Oration on the life of Rudolf Agricola, of Frisia, given in the month of July by Johann Sachs of Holstein, when he conferred the title of Master on some worthy and erudite young men, at the University of Wittenberg

It is most profitable for us to understand correctly the kind of life in which we abide, and the obligation given to us by divine providence, that is, the preservation and propagation of the true teaching about religion and other worthy things. For even though other ranks and orders of life have more magnificence, nevertheless, if we judge truly, the schools have the greatest merit. The realms and all states should protect them in particular. For, since men are made for the purpose that knowledge of God may shine in this world, and since civil society is established by divine providence so that there would be assemblies of teachers and students, and knowledge of God be kindled and spread wide, it is sufficiently clear that it is the highest duty of all rulers to preserve the Church and the schools. Consider, I entreat you, how majestic and venerable the congregations of the angels are. The assemblies of scholars must be their images on Earth; this is certainly an obligation and a duty. They should in the same way profess what the angels sing: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace on Earth, and joy to men.’