PREFACE.

For this reason, I undertook to explain this small and difficult tract, which I consider to be the Heaven of the Philosophers, intending to show nothing other than the truth and the abstruse mind hidden within it, so that even his haters, whether they wish to or not, may acknowledge that he was and will be their surviving master. I trust that once this is done, many will sing a palinodia recantation, will grant the palm of victory to the truth that has been long opposed, and that many disputes will be put to rest.

Why do we allow the reputation of an excellent man, worthy of every praise, to be endangered? He published his writings for nothing but the glory of God and the benefit of his neighbor. Certainly, he did not seek profit, as his slanderers claim, from the misfortunes of others led astray by his writings. Nor did he occupy himself with Medicine to make money from the sick, as his enemies are accustomed to doing. Whatever he did, he did with a good spirit, without payment, which he neither accepted nor needed, as his arts were abundantly sufficient for him without detriment to others. He performed many benefits for all, especially for the needy, of which testimonies exist everywhere. Among others, there is the epitaph which is erected on the wall in the Xenodochium hospital sacred to St. Sebastian at Salzburg, where he was buried and to which he bequeathed his goods, carved in capital letters on marble.