and will look upon these books, which have been given to the press for the first time in your lands, just as graciously as this edition was granted to me. I consider myself happy in this regard for a twofold reason. I have the honor to testify my most submissive reverence to Your High Princely Serenity and Your Royal Highness immediately at the commencement of your reign through this dedication: and I can deliver this printing to you at a time when the wishes of many thousands unite for your welfare. Should errors be found in this dedication, these circumstances will justify me; Princes who possess as much affability as you, Most Illustrious ones, are satisfied with a pure heart, even if it expresses itself in the simplest way. I mix my sighs with the sighs of the whole land, and my plea before the Lord is that the blessing promised to the seed of the righteous may flow richly over Your High Princely Serenity, over Your Royal Highness, and over your whole house. May the God to whom all is subject fill your Princely souls with wisdom, light, and power from above, and make you instruments of his mercy among your people. May he bless the beginning and progress of your reign, and may his grace increase with the days of your life. May his Spirit sanctify all your activities and designs and fill your hearts with Princely thoughts. May peace spread over the palaces and satisfaction over the huts, so that it can be seen that God dwells in the gates of Bayreuth and his honor in the land which his wisdom has entrusted to your supervision.

If the powers of my life are consumed before the day appears when these faithful wishes are fulfilled, I shall nevertheless die with the deepest veneration.

Grace be with all who love our Lord JESUS CHRIST sincerely, Amen!

Christian-minded Reader!

An ornamental woodcut initial 'D' decorated with foliage and floral motifs begins the text.

The chosen vessel of JESUS CHRIST, Paul, calls the Christian religion or the Christian doctrine: wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine of godliness, 1 Timothy 6:3. He describes it thus partly 1) by its Author original: "ab Autore", from the Originator, they are words of our Lord Jesus Christ which he himself carried and taught in his most holy mouth, also commanded his apostles to preach, saying: Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Matthew 28:20. Partly 2) by its effect original: "ab effectu", from its impact, they are wholesome words. The Apostle very gladly gives the Christian doctrine this name, calling it wholesome, a healthy or health-giving hygiainousan didaskalian healthy teaching, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 1:13, Titus 1:9. Namely, because it heals the consciences wounded by sin and teaches, presents, and offers the best medicine for the soul: the forgiveness of sins and God's grace through Christ. It also reveals and preserves the right and true understanding and opinion of the will of God regarding our salvation; whereas false and erroneous doctrine is a poison that corrupts everything, eating around itself like a cancer and killing the soul. Partly 3) by its object original: "ab objecto", from the matter with which it mostly deals and which it primarily promotes, that is eusebeia piety, the service, according to the emphasis of the Greek word, where one honors God well and rightly, according to his will and pleasure, and faithfully and honestly observes all duties that he has prescribed for us in his word. This doctrine is one such kat’ eusebeian according to godliness. The Greek preposition kata when used with the accusative case means according to, towards, with, among, or because of. Luther translated it as "of godliness"; the Popish Catholic translation: "The doctrine which is similar to godliness"; the Reformed: "That which points to godliness." All these translations aim at the fact that Christian doctrine teaches, drives, requires, promotes, and encourages true godliness; so that Christian doctrine and godliness are inseparable, and where no godliness is found, there the Christian doctrine must either not be practiced at all, or not practiced rightly, or have entirely insurmountable obstacles. Therefore the Apostle exhorts the Ephesians: they should walk as is becoming of their calling wherein they are called, Chapter 4:1; the Philippians: they should walk worthily of the Gospel of Christ, Chapter 4:27; Peter his chosen strangers: they should lead a good conduct among the heathens, so that they may see their good works, 1 Peter 2:12. Our dear city of Hof must count it among the highest benefits of God that the light of the Gospel rose upon it immediately with the beginning of the wholesome Reformation.