A decorative headpiece woodcut at the top of the page, featuring a central mask-like face flanked by elaborate botanical scrolls and ornamental flourishes.

TO THE MOST REVEREND AND GREATLY REVERED

Father, and his most prudent and pious Patron,

GEORGE ABBOT,

BISHOP OF CANTERBURY,

PRIMATE AND METROPOLITAN OF ALL ENGLAND,

AS WELL AS ENROLLED IN THE NUMBER OF THE MOST HOLY COUNSELORS

of His Royal Serene Majesty; I pray for constant tranquility and health through Jesus Christ in this present life, and holy rest in future blessedness.

A large ornamental woodcut initial letter "V" decorated with intricate floral and scrollwork patterns.

VENERABLE and greatly revered Father in Christ, you who hold the highest rank of both dignity and authority in the theological magistracy of all England: since nothing in the nature of things can be more foul than ingratitude, and nothing more burdensome to mortals than the forgetting of benefits received (for he who has called a man ungrateful has said everything A reference to the classical proverb "Omne dixeris, si ingratum dixeris," suggesting ingratitude is the sum of all vices.), I have considered it to be my foremost duty to wash away every stain of ingratitude with the greatest effort and diligence. This is especially so for me, who has hitherto received so many favors from a man of such established religion, such exalted dignity, such manifest prudence, such distinguished learning, and such proven grace.

Therefore, just as I have dedicated my entire history of the two worlds original: "utriusque cosmi historiam." This refers to Fludd's major work detailing the Macrocosm (the universe) and the Microcosm (mankind). first to God, the Best and Greatest, as the sole actor, mover, and guardian of both my internal and external self; and then by highest right to the most illustrious and happy King James, His primary instrument among the British: so indeed does your kindness and gentleness toward me continually persuade and urge me to offer and vow this most excellent member i.e., this specific volume or section of the larger work. of that history to your Reverence and Paternity. For you not only occupy the superior seat in the English Church, but you are also prepared to pour out the serene rays of your humanity toward all men of letters.

May your grace, therefore, Reverend Father, be favorable and propitious to me; and I implore you not to disdain to receive with a serene brow and a cheerful, calm countenance what I have here consecrated to you with a sincere heart. Thus you will perceive a perennial monument of your goodness in these writings of mine—not built mechanically with dead and motionless stones in an artificial temple, but enlivened by the human spirit in letters, flying as if on spiritual wings through all the regions of Europe, and impressed or depicted in the temples of infinite hearts, to be contemplated by the eyes of the mind day and night. Thus you will find this volume of mine to be a patron or protector original: "Mœcenatem," a reference to Gaius Maecenas, the famous Roman patron of the arts. eminent in dignity, profound in judgment, abounding in grace, favor, and clemency; and finally, one who corrects and tempers errors (should any occur in the reading) more easily with leniency than correcting or condemning them with severity. May your Reverence be, I pray, favored in piety, long-lasting in the health of the body, illustrated by the light of the mind and divine rays, and finally, may you perpetually love Him who shall perpetually remain.