Disputatio de tutelis

Decorative initial G.
To the most prudent and excellent men, the Councilors and Senators of the Imperial City of Schweinfurt, my observant Lords and Patrons.

Health and Peace be upon you.

JOHANNES KILIANSTEIN OF NEUSTADT.

A very grave sentiment of Chilon original: "Chilonis" is commonly celebrated: It is fitting to forget a benefit given, but to remember one received. When, upon returning home from France and Italy, I reflected with myself several times amidst such great disturbance of my native land, I felt that I owed much to you, most prudent men, by whose help, favor, and kindness the religion of a suffering fatherland rejoices. You kindly receive citizens cast out by the conscience of piety, you make them participants of your rights, you cherish them, you preserve them. Why say more? I myself, having been torn away from my ancient fatherland by a common evil, alas, see that a new fatherland has been constituted for me among you, until such time as a more merciful rule arises from God. Wherefore, so that I might produce some token of gratitude, both in the name of the common parent—which is the fatherland—and in my own name, I have judged that my Theses or Positions, which I have already decreed to defend publicly, God helping, by the counsel of the illustrious Basel Academy in a disputation for the honors of Jurisprudence, should be dedicated to you, P. V. original: "P. V." (vestra, likely meaning your Excellencies/Highnesses). I ask, therefore, that you receive these, consecrated to you as the first-fruits of my studies, with an even temper, and that you perceive from them a grateful will rather than expect thanks equal to your merits. Farewell for long and happily, most prudent men, and expect greater and other most prompt services from me when the time comes. Basel, 10th of September, according to the old calendar, in the year 1589.