Preface.

—to [withhold] them. First, so that God’s omnipotence might be recognized through His creation, which He has endowed with great wonders beyond human understanding; and also that the cunning of the false unauthorized reprint original: "Nachdruck." As noted previously, the editor is highly concerned with "pirated" editions that lacked his authorization or corrected text. might be made known through this announcement (of which I took measure and made mention in the other printing, in the dedicatory writing to his Electoral Grace of Brandenburg original: "Churf. Gnad zu Brandenburg." This refers to the Elector of Brandenburg, one of the high-ranking princes of the Holy Roman Empire who possessed the right to elect the Emperor. By citing this formal dedication, the editor asserts his legitimacy against "pirate" publishers.), so that such people are not given any credit.

By these recounted circumstances, I have been moved to dedicate this short treatise, as if before your eyes, to your Excellencies, as my most generous lords, brothers-in-law, and good friends—