Dedication

HONORABLE Syr, hauing latelie translated this little volume out of Spanish into English, I began to thinke, to what person of our nation I might dedicate the same, that not onelie would gratefullie accept of so small a trauail, but also were able to iudge, as wel of the translation, as also of the fruite which maie be deriued to such, as shall list to reade it. At the length amongst all others, your honorable person seemed to me most fitte, for all the respects before mentioned. For if I regard your courtisie to all sortes of men, and your speciall good will and affection to those of mic coate in generall (to saie nothing of mie self in particular;) I maie with greate reason be esteemed verie vndiscreete, if I should think, that you would take this poore offer otherwise, then your Nobilitie and courtisie requireth. Also if I consider either your knowledge in both languages English and Spanish, or youre experience, and wounderful good affection to all sortes of spirituall, and Godlie Treatises, ioined with your Deuotion, Pietie and Zeale in the seruice of God; I can not but esteeme you to be a sufficient Iudge as well of the translation, as also of the profit, that manie maie take by this little woorke. Accept then, Honorable good Syr, the same, as the first frutes, & token of mie good will towards you; accept it, I saie, vntill I haue put som other thing in order, which maie further the spirituall auancement of deuoute persons, & be more worth your reading; and accept therewithall mie sincere affection, wholie addicted to praie for your long life, and prosperitie, which God graunt you, and preserue the same to his greater honour and glorie, and to your owne saluation and best contentment. Christ IESVS be alwaies in your safegard.

From our college of the Societie of IESVS in Louan this 19. of March 1599. being the feast of S. Ioseph. Yours most humble affectionate. Rich. Gibbons.