Prodromus or Foreword

...of this, and each person’s own conscience can best tell the truth; likewise, one cannot mock the truth, much less God, who sees into hidden things.

The letters are released in print, complete and without any omission or change, as well as several documents could be copied—though some, especially those by the Nuncio original: "Nuncii"; the diplomatic representative of the Pope in Vienna, were difficult to read in his own hand. No glosses interpretive commentaries or annotations have been made, nor has anything been left out with an "etc."; rather, the whole matter, as it is in itself, is intended to be put into print. Everyone will be able to consider for themselves the main work and all the circumstances—namely, the great danger to the common Protestant original: "Evangelischen"; referring to the Lutheran and Reformed/Calvinist faith cause in this Religious War, which was stirred up by the opposing side with diligence and true intent for such an end. Although the opposition has hitherto tried to conceal this with pretenses, one should also weigh this against the aforementioned fundamental constitutions of the Empire. From this, each may judge for themselves what every Estate Estate original: "Standt"; the political ranks or territories represented in the Imperial Diet, such as princes or imperial cities ought to do for the sake of their office, honor, and conscience before God and men.

For once and for all, it is truly and as clearly as daylight revealed from the many aforementioned intercepted letters original: "intercipirten Schreiben" why the harmful internal war in the Empire against the Electorate of the Palatinate original: "Chur-Pfaltz" and other Protestant Estates was begun and continued with such great earnestness, zeal, and expense—even if under other pretexts and apparent causes. [It reveals] what the actual fundamental purpose was for the unlawful declaration of the Ban Imperial Ban original: "Achts erklärung"; a legal process by which a person was declared an outlaw and stripped of their lands and rights and, in summary, the universal sch... sch...?