Ratio ineundae Concordiae inter Ecclesias reformatas, sive, quibus modis occurri possit mirificis artibus, quibus pontificii per quosdam imprudentes theologos universas Christi ecclesias potissimum autem et primum Germanicas pessundare conantur

A brief and clear declaration concerning the method by which the controversies that now exist among the churches of the Reformed religion may be composed and ended. By a noble author.

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Since it befits all Christians to apply all the powers of their mind and genius to the task of promoting the Christian religion (which is the glory of Christ), and to remove in a timely manner those things which hinder its progress and increase, I shall embrace in few words and relate those means by which I have learned from many prudent men of the highest judgment that these controversies now existing among the churches of the Reformed religion may be easily composed. I am led by the hope that, if these things are not of use, some, moved by this pious effort of mine, will be incited to propose more convenient measures, so that by their salutary counsels, the minds of Kings, Princes, and the Protestant Republic might be all the more easily moved toward restoring peace to the most afflicted and disturbed Evangelical churches. For who could recount the disasters that have occurred due to these contentions? Who could list the myriads of most pious men who have been most cruelly and nefariously killed? Who could duly commemorate the overturning of so many cities and the plunderings and devastations of so many most ample provinces? Who is of such a hard and tyrannical mind that he would hear these things without tears and immense grief? Truly, if anyone looks more deeply into the present state of the Christian Republic, he will easily judge that much more grievous things are yet to be feared unless they are met in a timely manner. For it is certain that the Papists are faithfully and diligently communicating counsels among themselves, pooling resources, and sparing no expenses or labors to thoroughly overturn the divided Protestants (given that opportunity which they most eagerly await).

But since some believe that alliances should be entered into and that agreement should be reached on the means by which Protestants may resist the forces of their enemies and break their efforts, I ask for pardon if I say that this labor is undertaken and these counsels are agitated in vain, before