Ioannis Vuieri medicarum observationum rararum Liber I

by what use of the art, and by what benefit to the republic, I leave the judgment to the intelligent and fair reader.

Whatever it may be, I have desired to dedicate and consecrate it to your Amplitude, and to the assembly of the society committed to you, for many reasons. Primarily, because you have embraced me with no vulgar benevolence, and that of your own accord, on account of my published books original: "De Praestigijs daemonum" On the Illusions of Demons: which so suited your palate that you did not disdain to testify to this in your most learned letters, and to provide an argument for their expansion and ornamentation. To this is added that recently I happened upon your Zuerchmondium a book or work associated with Hovaeus unexpectedly in Emmerich, where I had by chance turned aside to a bookshop: which I bought immediately and read with such eagerness and zeal that I neglected my night's rest on this account. For the argument of the matter, the affection of piety, the elegance of the oration, and the disquisition instructed on both parts, or rather the modest comparison, pleased me so much: that whom I previously loved, cultivated, and revered, I now deemed worthy of greater observance: although I could smell with no dull nose that some things were being acted in that dialogue in a feigned manner, due to the moroseness of certain people. And although I easily acknowledge that the memory of my own name is unworthy of such a distinguished comparison (for, conscious of my own insignificance, I know how to measure myself by my own foot), yet I willingly suffer it to be done by your Amplitude for the sake of your humanity and candor. Furthermore, regarding what the plan of the thing itself looks at in that Dialogue, you seem to me clearly to be recalling to use the custom of the Fathers, which is never to be praised enough, by which, in the society of brothers, they are accustomed to converse most amicably and piously, not contending over wine cups, but about celebrating the praise of virtues and eradicating the root of vices, and mutually admonishing one another, not without much interest of an innocent life. Thus, that you insist upon the footsteps of the Fathers, restore the well-instituted norm of religion, and truly relate and act the Abbot, anyone led by even a slight zeal of true piety can judge. Having therefore found this Spartam assignment/duty, proceed to adorn it. Thus, by your example, you will excite others established in the amplitude of the same function, but more sluggish: so that, partly from shame, and partly from a pious affection of repentance, they may strive to conform themselves to the rule of your amendment. Happy meanwhile that sodality which has chanced upon such a prelate: happy the flock which has obtained so vigilant a shepherd.