TO THE READER.

[...perils] which shall use this wonderful History History Dutch: Historie. In the 17th century, a "history" (Latin: historia) referred to a systematic, descriptive account of a natural phenomenon—what we might today call a scientific study—rather than a narrative of past events. as an image of his natural and spiritual miseries. These are so manifold that no one, amidst the great and inevitable throng of them, shall find the straight and narrow path to God, unless he sincerely renounces everything that is natural and perishable, in order to attach himself to nothing else but that which is spiritual and eternal, and which, surpassing nature, can satisfy the soul forever and continually.

To encourage us toward this communion with spiritual and supernatural things, and to climb through visible things to the Creator Dutch: Schepper. and Maker of the same, the Apostle A reference to Saint Paul, specifically the theology found in Romans 1:20. says: That the eternal power and Divinity, from the creation of the world, is understood and seen through the creatures. original: "Dat de eeuwige kracht ende Goddelijckheydt, van de scheppinge der werelt aan, uyt de schepselen verstaan ende deursien wordt." And the Royal Singer A common honorific for King David, the traditional author of the Psalms. cries out with a full voice: The works of the Lord are great, they are sought out by all who have pleasure therein. And in another place he says: The wicked man does not investigate the works of the Lord, as he says in his heart that there is no God. Whereupon Isaiah cries out: Woe to those who rise early in the morning, chasing strong drink, and lingering until the twi-