De sententia, re iudicata, appellationibus, & executione rei iudicatae, Theses L

TO THE NOBLE AND
DISTINGUISHED YOUTHS,
WILLIAM & ARNOLD Ratz of Frens,
brothers, Greetings.

Decorative drop cap letter C containing floral and foliate motifs. Since, by the decree of the most distinguished faculty of law in the celebrated Academy of Basel, the public task of debating a traditional requirement for the purpose of obtaining the degree of Doctor in both Laws had been enjoined upon me, and I saw it was received custom that the materials which are proposed for debate by candidates of the Laws are usually dedicated to some patron or friend: among many to whom I confess myself bound by ties of benefits and duties, I thought you were to be preferred. For from the time that your parents first entrusted you to my care, I have drawn a certain singular affection of piety and love toward you, such that I am held by a kind of natural desire to gratify you. Although I trust this has been evident to you from many arguments before now, and I hope you will recognize it more and more in the future, yet I wanted to signify this also by this quasi-public testimony. You therefore receive this sign of a ready mind, such as it is, and apply yourselves equally with the greatest efforts, so that you may have an accurate plan for your age and the convenience of studying: so that as soon as you have arrived at more mature years