TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE OF POMERANIA, ETC., LORD.

To John Frederick, his most clement Lord, Peter Artopæus sends greetings. original: "S. D." stands for "Salutem Dicit," a standard Latin greeting meaning "sends health" or "sends greetings." Peter Artopæus (1491–1563) was a Pomeranian reformer and theologian.

So that they may quickly meet the eyes and the receptive mind,
And remain stored for a long time in a remembering heart:
You will be able to look upon signs, or brief images,
Of sacred history, dear Reader.
They achieve more than if you were to look at secular likenesses
Of Hector, or whatever brave deeds of military leaders you might see. The author compares the "profane" or secular heroes of Greek mythology and history, like the Trojan prince Hector, to Biblical figures, arguing that religious art is more spiritually beneficial.
These images will be able to shape the soul, the life, and the faith,
And quickly bring to mind the whole of the matter.
I pray you receive these things graciously, most illustrious Prince,
And pass them on through your hands to be seen by others.
Through these you will also be able to mold tender youth,
While a more mature age will provide greater things to be read. The author suggests that while children ("tender youth") can learn from the pictures, they will grow into reading the complex text of the Bible later.
It is of great importance to grow accustomed to sacred things
From a tender age, so that the later life may be a pious one.
Which life I pray God may preserve until a grey and righteous old age,
Along with great prosperity for the homeland.

A formal dedication in verse by Peter Artopæus to Prince John Frederick of Pomerania, defending the use of Biblical illustrations as a tool for moral education and youth catechesis.