A decorative woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical ornate scrollwork, floral elements, and stylized acanthus leaves, flanked by two mythical dragon-like creatures with curled tails at the left and right ends.

OSWALDI CROLLII

Introductory Preface

To the God-fearing

and good-hearted Reader.

In which, after the manifest and proven excellence and the far-surpassing glory of man—as the little world microcosm—which has hitherto been regarded by few, the deepest and most hidden mysteries of both Philosophies, namely of GRACE and NATURE, are treated.

Ps. 145. sect. 9. Matth. 5. Iohan. 1. sect. 5. Strabo: Then mortal men imitate the gods most when they show themselves to be beneficent. Matth. 5. Luc. 19. Vict. r. The gifts of God

Although, most generous and good-hearted reader, the Romans boasted of their Angerona Roman goddess of silence, and the Greeks of their Hippocrates for their discretion; and likewise, all philosophers have forbidden—following the example of Actaeon the hunter who saw Diana bathing and was torn apart for his transgression—the revealing of the mysteries and treasures of nature to filthy and unpurified or unclean persons: However, since God the Heavenly Father, like the bright and clear sun, shines abundantly upon us all with His gifts, and shares them without any distinction both with the good and the evil, the grateful and the ungrateful, we—as whose sons and daughters we are—should reasonably follow His praiseworthy example. Especially, however, those whom He has brought through His mild and grace-filled mercy out of the dark labyrinth and maze to the open road and goal of wished-for rest and incontrovertible truth.

In consideration of this, I have not wished to keep back any longer the talent gift/endowment which was shared with me by the Father of Light, nor to wrap it up—as if in a sweat-cloth—through an irresponsible silence, but rather...