Vanguard and Introduction.

Highly worthy/ Favor-inclined Reader.

Although my insignificance initially, after fair, ripe, and considered judgment and guidance of the mind; as in past times several famous Tractatus treatises dealing with this very Materi subject were prepared by various men equipped with special eloquence, for the love and benefit of beginning scribes and the blooming youth, wished to unburden myself of such a nearly burdensome labor, and did not dare at all to publish this my little work—which, although not superfluous, is yet poor and without special artistic splendor of words, set to paper in spare hours—; yet I have been urged and requested to submit the same to the press by not a few: especially by good Lords and confidential acquaintances, and also other hearts and fellow Christians somewhat devoted to such knowledge and further desirous of it, who had previously seen this manual—set up by me for my own incoming use—for the building of beautiful Episteln epistles/letters with me.

Although I have often, in consideration of my very few years and slight youth, asked to be excused from this, with the pretense that my incumbent diligence overpowers me to submit the power of the yoke of its given laws to other things; yet I have had to experience almost wondrously that neither my youth could protect me from this labor, nor could my young years excuse me.

Therefore, in the name of the high Majesty of GOD, I have been compelled to take up again the pen long since laid down from such matters, and so that the Almighty might be mindful of mine henceforth in greater graces, to serve the above-mentioned,