A ij

On Prayer and the

Distinction thereof.

Be greeted in our Lord and King Jesus Christ with a wish and plea to God that the Holy Spirit Original: "h.gaist" might fill your hearts with his rich gifts and dwell in your souls through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, since I have been requested several times now to write something beneficial to you, and your earnest zeal and godly love for the Lord Jesus Christ—as well as for his sound, pure teaching—has been reported and made known to me; namely, how you have recognized the divine truth through his grace and faithfully search for the same with diligence for the salvation of your souls, also gladly reading the Holy Scriptures; and moreover, how you make use of my—albeit humble and poor—service or labor, the little books about the Lord Christ;

So I offer praise and thanks to the almighty, merciful God for you, with a pleading request that the Lord Jesus, the only true teacher leermaister: literally "learning-master" or instructor of all heavenly divine teaching, might continue to teach and enlighten your hearts more and more through his Spirit, and might daily increase his grace within you with desire, love, and zeal for his holy word and will, and also lead your souls blissfully to the inheritance of his kingdom of heaven. Whatever I might further contribute to this, according to my ability The text cuts off here at "vermö", likely "vermögen" (ability/capacity).