PREFACE.

wine, and other things abound copiously throughout our Germany, the matter should be led to such a state that such abundance does not perish uselessly, but is preserved in imitation of that Joseph, the steward most famous in the Holy Scriptures, for the sake of alleviating the dearness of grain in the coming years.

Who does not believe that at no time since the memory of man has the abundance of grain and wine been greater and more plentiful than this? In many places, three measures original: "medimni" — a measure of grain of the best grain are sold for only one imperial coin, and everywhere wine is of such a low price that the former rots in the granaries and the latter in the cellars? Should not the condition of this time be considered, and should it not be pondered that the cheaper things are, the more they ought to be preserved? Not a few, however, say: Where shall we store such an abundant yield? Our granaries and cellars are so full that they hold no more, and if we wished to store more, to what end would we do it? When could we sell it again? Since everyone himself enjoys such a large abundance of these things, it would only rot from neglect: Therefore, it is better that another should suffer the loss of these rotten things than I myself. Such is the frequent talk among men: Nay, some are found of such desperate impiety that when they cannot make money from the fruits of the earth, they pray for them to be struck by lightning or consumed by fire.