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[Testamenti Veteris Biblia Sacra, Sive, Libri Canonici, Priscae..., Volume 1]
Dedication to the Most Illustrious Prince Frederick III:
To the Most Illustrious Prince and Lord, Frederick III, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Holder of the Electoral Dignity and Heir of the Palatinate, Duke of Bavaria, My Most Clement Lord, Greetings.
The first fruits of our labor, Most Illustrious Prince, we offered nigh unto thirteen years past unto Frederick III, the most illustrious prince, thy grandfather. And we offered them for that he was the founder of our undertaking, for that his piety deserved it, and for that it was due unto his proven virtue. From that time, good men and certain lovers of sacred letters have not ceased, by speech, by writings, and by prayers, to urge that what they perceived I sometimes spake more fully concerning certain passages, or what they judged might by themselves be advised, should be committed unto this second labor, and that I should at last bestow mine earnest endeavor. Chiefly, they pressed and insisted that the historical books, the first two parts of the Old Testament, had not been sufficiently adorned with notes for the understanding of many, as we had shown through Moses. I have yielded unto their desire: in performing this duty, I confess that I have gained an increase of learning, both by mine own efforts and by the aids of others, with the Lord’s blessing: and I hope and trust that the pious shall likewise find some accession, and that not to be despised (unless mine own mind deceiveth me). For I have made those books, concerning which I was entreated, richer in translation and interpretation, and others, which seemed full of many things, I have made fuller by new study. But whatsoever this be that we dedicated unto thy grandfather, now revised, I commend unto thy patronage, for thy sake, because thou art the lawful heir of that grandfather (oh, what a man, good God!), because thy zeal for piety deserveth it, and because it is due unto thy character. Wherefore, I humbly and submissively beseech and pray that thou wouldst graciously approve mine endeavor as inspired by God, accept the labor as sacred unto God, and finally, religiously and unceasingly cherish the thing itself, as divine in its origin, argument, and fruit. Farewell.
May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, preserve Thy Highness safe for as long as may be, guide thee with His eternal Spirit, and adorn thee with every blessing, increased and most abundantly. Heidelberg, the day before the Kalends of April, 1587.
Thy Highness’s most devoted servant,
Francis Junius.