the kindness of the Divine Power original: "Diuini Numinis." This refers to God's guiding will or providence. allows me to take part in mortal affairs. Farewell: and continue to allow this man to be counted among your friends. Given in haste at Hamburg, May 21, 1621. original: "XII. Kal. CIƆ. IƆ. C. XXI." The Roman date "12 days before the Kalends" (of the following month) and the "apostrophic" numeral notation for 1621.

CORNELIUS DREBBEL'S

TO HIS TREATISE

ON THE ELEMENTS

PREFACE.

When this discourse comes into your hands, Friend Reader, be persuaded that it was written not for my sake, but for your grace and honor alone. For I am not unaware of how vain and empty a thing is the glory of mortals. Do we not all owe our origin to the one GOD the creator—an origin that is humble and without any pride? Which humility (I speak of) having lost through our own neglect and wickedness, it is no wonder if you seem different to me, and I to you, or we to others,