On the Life and Missions of Jacobus Andreae for the Reformation of the Lutheran Church, Part I

When the boy had spent nearly a year there, being examined again by Snepfius, he was found not entirely unworthy to be sent to Tübingen. But he advised the father, who did not unwillingly undertake the new expenses, to nourish his son in the pedagogy for another year, so that he might emerge from the basic school trivium better learned. Thus, when Jacobus was already in his twelfth year, in 1541, he was sent to Tübingen to be joined to the stipendiaries of Duke Ulricus, with whom he went to Hisaugia Hirsau during the pestilential plague that was raging in Tübingen. In 1543, however, when the plague had subsided, he returned to the people of Tübingen and attained his first degree laurea, which his second degree followed in his seventeenth year of age. We read that nothing was desired in him that would be unbecoming to a youth, yet he could not altogether avoid the hidden hatreds that arose from the suspicion of his companions f, who accused Jacobus of being a traitor to the negligence and dissolute life of others. And how opportunely it happened that he had Erhardus Snepfius at the threshold of his theological study to lead the way, and whom he might imitate? Snepfius most constantly embraced Jacobus with singular benevolence. What, therefore, could happen more to the wishes of Jacobus than that Snepfius be called from Stuttgart to Tübingen at the same time that Jacobus had begun his theological studies? Jacobus seemed to hang uniquely on the words of that man; he gave himself entirely to him, whether he was speaking from the pulpit or teaching from the academic chair. He eagerly collected the flowers scattered by Snepfius and composed himself in all things after the example of that doctor g.

f) Fama Andreana p. 10.
g) There exist many letters of Snepfius to Jacobus, letter V, in one of which, given 4 Dec 1549, Snepfius has these things: "I understand that you have been instituted by God as my successor, namely a son to a father, and—which I wish to be said without arrogance—an image to its archetype. For nature has fashioned you thus, and diligent imitation has formed you, which I hear being proclaimed by many now, so that it seems you do not merely relate to my scantiness, but almost surpass it, so that I appear to still exist for mine, nay, to be present and to live, as it were, in your person to them."