The Preachers' Garden of the Triumphant City of Jerusalem

are contemptible, yet this honey is in itself most excellent. Wherefore, while I was considering deeply within myself to which of the great men I might dedicate this work, so that by the greatness of his splendor, authority, magnificence, learning, prudence, and wisdom, he might illuminate, cultivate, and adorn it, and also provide it with grace and beauty; I recognized the exceeding brightness of your prudence, knowledge, skill, and virtues, and the eminence of your power. Moreover, in the arduous business, events, necessities, and opportunities of the Holy Roman Church, occurring daily from every side for governance, all know and admire more clearly than the light that you are most skillful, most expert, most distinguished, most accurate, and most diligent in dispatching, disposing, ordering, defining, and decreeing, and a most devoted lover of the highest virtues. Finally, also, that you are the most zealous Father, Defender, Leader, Governor, Corrector, and Protector of our Order, and my own most excellent and singular Patron. Receive therefore (I urgently pray) with a joyful countenance these our Considerations which I have prepared, and by the light of your learning correct them of all errors, defects, and faults, as you are able and powerful to do, and illuminate and adorn them. Farewell. Given at Venice in our Friary of St. Bonaventure, on the 26th day of the month of April, in the year of our Lord 1617.