Preface.

2. What further and especially must be noted in this presentation are some of its particular qualities, which are depicted and painted here with these four things as if with their living colors. For 1. One sees among other qualities in the Dawn, in the Moon, Sun, and Battle Arrays altogether, a beauty elegant beyond measure.

1. In the Dawn, because of the light and radiance, as it first appears with a dark, then a gilded redness, then with a clear light and brightness, driving away the darkness.

2. In the Moon, because of its radiance with which it illuminates the night more than other stars.

3. In the Sun, because of its brilliance and clear light that illuminates everything and drives away the darkness entirely, even hiding and covering the stars through its radiance.

4. In the Battle Arrays, because of their order and arrangement. Also because of the delightful display of the flying and swaying banners, etc.

Yet it should be noted that these things do not have their light and beauty from themselves, but through communication In this context, "communication" refers to the theological concept of communicatio, where properties are shared or bestowed from a higher source to a lower one.: for the Dawn and Moon receive it from the Sun, the Sun from its Creator, and the Battle Arrays from the Commanders velt-oversten: military generals or field-marshals who arrange and equip them; for otherwise, it is but a confused and disorderly multitude.

2. One sees in these things a noticeable instability, change, and various forms. In the Dawn, seeing that it shows itself more clearly, joyfully, and pleasantly at one time than at another; for it is also covered and darkened by clouds and thick mists. Besides that, one sees in the same the instability and change of the place of its appearance according to the variety of time and season of the year. Likewise, the Sun and Moon do not always appear equally bright but are sometimes darkened by clouds and eclipses.

Furthermore, they also do not always appear in one and the same place and time, but change their rising and setting, climbing and descending, according to the season of the year. And that the Battle Arrays are likewise subject to their changes is well-known.

3. One sees that these also have their adversaries, against whom they must struggle, while the darkness is contrary to and fights against the Dawn, the Sun, and the Moon. The Battle Arrays have their enemies, against whom they are set and to whom they are terrifying.