, Duke of Saxony, when he was stricken
with a dangerous illness; but many desired that it be printed.
After passing through various editions it has now become so sadly
corrupted and mutilated that many passages are missing, whose
original form I myself have clean forgot. However, I have
restored the sense of them, as well as I was able, taking care to
set down only such views as I held when the work was first
written. I did not care to revise them now, as I might well do.
For it is my purpose in this book to put forth a public record of
my progress,[2] and also to show a kindness to the
"Contradictionists," [3] that they may have whereon to exercise
their malice. For me it is enough if I please my Lord Christ and
His saints; that I am hated of the devil and his scales, [4] I
rejoice with all my heart, and give thanks to God.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE[5]

To the Most Illustrious Prince and Lord, Frederick, Duke of
Saxony, Arch-Marshal and Elector Of the Holy Roman Empire,
Landgrave of THuringia, Margrave of Meissen, his most gracious
Lord.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus hath left us a commandment, which
concerns all Christians alike,--that we should render the duties
of humanity, or (as the Scriptures call them) the works of mercy,
[Luke 6:36] to such as are afflicted and under calamity; [Matt.
25:34 ff.] that we should visit the sick, endeavor to set free
the prisoners, and perform other like acts of kindness to our
neighbor, whereby the evils of this present time may in some
measure be lightened. And of this command our Lord Jesus Christ
hath Himself given us the brightest example, in that, out of
infinite love to the race of men. He descended out of the bosom
of the Father into our misery and prison-cell, that is, our flesh
and life so full of ills, and took upon Him the penalty of our
sins, in order that we might be saved; as He saith in Isaiah
xliii, "Thou hast made Me to serve with thy sins, and wearied Me
with thine iniquities." [Isa. 43:24]

Whoever is not moved by so bright an example, and driven by the
authority of the divine command, to show forth such works of
mercy, he will deservedly hear, in the last judgment, the voice
of the angry Judge saying: "Depart from me, thou cursed, into
everlasting fire! For I was sick, and thou didst not visit Me;
but, basely ungrateful for the many blessings I bestowed on thee
and on all the world, thou wouldest not so much as lift a finger
to succor thy brethren, nay Me, Chris