To the Reader.

-sion, have passed over to the enemy’s the enemy: a common 17th-century term for Satan or the Devil. will,
and have lost their first simple wisdom original: "eenvoudige wijfheyt." This refers to a state of uncorrupted, direct spiritual knowledge or innocence held by Adam and Eve before the Fall.,
and with their entire lineage
have fallen into the manifold worldly-
wisdom, being nothing else
than a great power of darkness
and blindness; So one can easily
perceive, how necessary it is for
each of us, to be brought back from this
lost state to the state of our salvation
and blessedness faligheydt: the state of being eternally saved or in a state of grace., and that we
first learn to recognize the apostasy original: "afval." The act of falling away from faith or a state of grace.
and state of corruption original: "ftant des verderfs." A theological term for the wretched condition of humanity after the Fall. within us,
confess the same before God, and with
ashamed and downcast hearts
humbly pray Him, that it might
please Him to [bring] us, along with the Holy
Apostles and all other faithful
and God-fearing people Godtfalighe Menfchen: people who live a life of piety and devotion to God. through a
true repentance and sorrow original: "berou en leetwefen." These two words together emphasize a deep, heartfelt grief for one's sins combined with a turning toward God. out of this
great power of darkness and
spiritual blindness to His marvelous
light, and to the kingdom of His dear
Son