Preface.

printers, and bookbinders their proper profit for their employment. One can also be assured that through this work dedicated to God and His church, one seeks nothing less than the treasures of this world. Yet it will be pleasing if the work should accidentally serve in part so that one can further demonstrate sincere love toward poor members of Christ, including among the teachers, by giving away some copies.

§. XIV.

Since I have mentioned the Latin commentary on the Epistles of Peter and John, let this serve as notice that it has been reprinted in folio in the aforementioned edition of the Orphans' House under the title: Urim & Thummim Lights and Perfections, Light and Right, of the Epistles of Peter & John. It was reprinted for this purpose because a double appendix has been added to it. The first consists of 24 Academic Dissertations which, on the most important matters of Evangelical doctrine, are opposed to the well-known Oeconomiæ System of Principles of the famous Pierre Poiret Pierre Poiret was a French mystic and philosopher whose ideas Lange, a Pietist, often contested. The second is from the church history of the first two secula centuries after the birth of Christ, as it is treated from the fontibus original sources. This was indeed begun with the intention of a continuation, whereby the work would have made up a couple of folio volumes, but it had to be broken off because of other work and this Biblical project. As for the Latin exegesis interpretation, no one should think that it is essentially the same work as the German. For the difference, besides the Latin and German languages, is so great that in the Latin, the discussion is not only much more detailed but is also arranged according to the porismatic method a method of deriving practical or theological consequences from a text. I show how one can derive from each verse, in proper sequence for edifying discourse, a considerable number of porismata deduced truths or conclusions. Accordingly, if some churches in the Royal Prussian lands have some means, and the preachers have a desire for it, they will have the right to purchase it by virtue of the most gracious Royal ordinance. It is sold here in the bookstore of the Orphans' House for 3 Reichsthalers, which is quite cheap.

§. XIV. The author repeats the section number XIV in error; it should likely be XV.

Whoever is prevented from using the subscription pre-payment and yet wishes to acquire the commentaries should contact the booksellers in each place. For their sake, the lower price set for the subscription no longer applies after the first delivery, so that the copies they have taken to the fairs for a reasonable profit do not remain unsold. Regarding the paper, I will always strive for it to be of proper quality and whiteness. However, because some papermakers achieve whiteness through excessive lime, and this is harmful to the printer's type and to the bookbinders for sizing—since the paper does not accept the glue well because of it, and it therefore bleeds through when written upon—the reader will also be satisfied with a moderate whiteness for the sake of better quality. This is especially so since very white paper is not only difficult to obtain in such quantities as required for a large work, but it also harms the eyes during much reading. Therefore, even those who write a lot, even if they have sharp vision, do not usually use very white paper.

§. XV.

In conclusion, I must briefly mention the historical and geographical introduction placed before this volume, as well as the program appended to it. Everyone will easily recognize that the former is necessary for a proper concept of Biblical history and the literal understanding of many places. However, I have deemed it superfluous to add certain maps and other copperplate engravings, as these only increase the price, and almost every scholar is already specially provided with them. Regarding the academic program added at the end, I declare therein that my Biblical work, as large and extensive as it is, shall not and will not keep me from my regular lectures. I do this to remedy any misunderstanding that might have arisen or could still arise from it. And since it also contains much else which can serve as a good reminder to those who hold public offices and heard me many years ago, and can serve as good advice and warnings for those who wish to send their children to this university in the future, it will, I hope, be displeasing to no one. If some teachers should think that my small didactic gift talent for teaching could give them some guidance for their own imitation, the benefit thereof for the glory of God would be so much greater. Otherwise, as I have not been able to handle the proofreading myself, and a large work cannot be published without printing errors according to the current state of printing houses—since one can rarely achieve this even with a smaller treatise—the reader will find most of them listed after the index. He may please note them. He is hereby commended to God for the blessed use of this work. Halle, April 6, 1734.