Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

efficient weapon against the attacks of Rome. Latin
was already common, but now Greek and Hebrew
began to be studied, that direct access might be had
to the Divine fountains of truth and salvation. The
national intellect, invigorated by Protestant truth,
began to expatiate in fields that had been neglected
hitherto. The printing-press, which rusts Unused
where Popery dominates, was vigorously wrought,
and sent forth works on science, jurisprudence,
theology, and general literature. This was the
Augustan era of letters in Poland. The toleration
which was so freely accorded in that country drew
thither crowds of refugees, whom persecution had
driven from their homes, and who, carrying with
them the arts and manufactures of their own lands,
enriched Poland with a material prosperity which,
added to the political power and literary glory that
already encompassed her, raised her to a high pitch
of greatness.
Footnotes:
1. Raynaldus, ad ann. 1556. Starowolski,
Epitomae Synodov. -- apud Krasinski, Hist.
77