| rdfs:comment | - Martin, born in Treuenbrietzen in Brandenburg to Paul and Euphemia Chemnitz, was the last of three children. His older siblings names were: Matthew and Ursula. His father was a successful merchant, who died when Martin was eleven: from then on the family suffered from financial difficulties. When he was old enough, Martin matriculated at the University of Magdeburg. Upon completion of the course work, he then served as a weaver's apprentice. He helped his family with its clothing business for the next few years. When he was twenty he again began his education at the University of Frankfurt on the Oder. He remained in school until his finances were exhaused; he then took a teaching job in the town of Wrietzen, supplementing his income by collecting the local sales tax on fish. His time at F
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| abstract | - Martin, born in Treuenbrietzen in Brandenburg to Paul and Euphemia Chemnitz, was the last of three children. His older siblings names were: Matthew and Ursula. His father was a successful merchant, who died when Martin was eleven: from then on the family suffered from financial difficulties. When he was old enough, Martin matriculated at the University of Magdeburg. Upon completion of the course work, he then served as a weaver's apprentice. He helped his family with its clothing business for the next few years. When he was twenty he again began his education at the University of Frankfurt on the Oder. He remained in school until his finances were exhaused; he then took a teaching job in the town of Wrietzen, supplementing his income by collecting the local sales tax on fish. His time at Frankfurt gave him the basic tools to continue his education on his own, researching areas in which he was interested and applying his naturally inquisitive mind to problems others too had worried over in the past. In 1545 he accompanied his cousin Georg Sabinus to school in Wittenberg (1538 - 1539), Wittenberg (1545 - 1547) where he studied under Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. From Melanchthon he learned how to shape his theological education correctly beginning with the difference between "law," and "gospel". Though he heard Luther lecture often, in Chemnitz's own words, he did not pay Luther the attention he should have. (cf. Autobiography) Because of Luther's death and political events, Chemnitz transferred from the University of Wittenburg to the University of Königsberg (1547 – 1548). Chemnitz graduated in the first class with a Master of Arts degree (1548). However, a plague soon infested the town of Koenigsberg, so Chemnitz left quickly for Salfeld. When it was safe he returned to Koenigsberg and was employed in 1550 by Prince Albrecht as the court librarian. In return for caring for the library and teaching a few courses as a tutor, he had unrestricted access to what was considered one of the finest libraries in Europe. For the first time Chemnitz applied himself completely to theological study. It was during these years that his interest shifted from astrology, which he had studied in Magdeburg, to theology. He began his own course of study by carefully working through the Bible in the original languages, and answering question that had previously puzzled him. When he felt sufficiently ready to move on, he then turned his attention to carefully reading through the early theologians of the church. He read them slowly and carefully. Then he turned to current theological concerns and once again read slowly, carefully and painstakingly while making copious notes. This course of self-study was at Melanchthon's suggestion. (cf. Autobiography) Chemnitz moved back to Wittenberg in 1553 as a guest of Melanchthon.
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