To those truly devoted to wisdom, from Christ

the fountain of wisdom, greeting.

Jacobus Acontius Jacobus Acontius (1492–1566) was an Italian jurist, theologian, and philosopher known for his work on logic and his advocacy for religious tolerance., a most excellent man, offended by the bad habits of our "scribbling age," wished that it could be arranged that no one should write and publish anything unless it were something new. This new material should be based on the author's own observation and should contribute to the glory of God and the edification original: edification; the process of instructing or improving someone morally or intellectually, often in a religious context of the Church. From such work, so much fruit might be hoped for that the time spent reading it could not be better spent elsewhere. In this way, nothing would be done that had already been done, but only that which was yet to be accomplished. For few writers (he says) bring any