Book of Collections on the Art of Preaching

The Book of Collections on the Art of Preaching by Johannes Reuchlin of Pforzheim, Doctor of Laws, begins, addressed to the Reverend Father, Lord Peter, Provost in Denckendorf, Vicar and General Visitor of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre throughout Germany.

Whether it has happened because of our impiety toward those above, or the usual influence of the heavens, or the providence of God who governs all things, the plague now rages so fiercely everywhere among our people that one can barely remain safely even in the caves of rocks. You, pious father, moved by your singular benevolence both toward me and mine—which is known to all and has been clear to me for many years—when I was thinking about where I might retreat from home with my wife and family, you specifically called me through your household members to your own monastery. This action should appear to me as worthy of my perpetual gratitude for all time: not only toward you, who wished to be of such great help to me, but also toward your brothers and the servants of God in your monastery, who labor day and night in the service of the Creator. For what duty or benefit did they ever omit in pleasing me? Or what kindness did they deny my household? When, in such bothersome leisure and the sad absence of my library, I was long debating with myself what gratitude I might return, I was made certain by your encouragement that nothing would be more profitable for your young men, or even for priests of advanced age who govern parishes—of whom you have an abundance—than if I were to see to it that they become most learned in the art of preaching. Therefore, I have done what I could in such a suspicious storm, whether out of fear or sorrow, to gather together in one small work these documents on the art of preaching, which...