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54 of the sons of God; for they are indeed happy who, turning their backs on the world and all worldly things, adhere, and indeed inhere, to God. I admit that what I offer here is but begun, not completed. I see, indeed, that the subject is very abundant, and so fit for sharpening the mind and refining the style that it might, by the means of repeated new conceptions, be enlarged almost to infinitude. Yet such as the book is, I wish to collect its contents from my stray papers and to offer it to your Illustriousness, for what purpose I dare not now clearly to say. But the sagacity of the mind of your Illustriousness will perceive it while reading the book, or will be able otherwise to explain it. This only will I intimate, that I did not consider it inappropriate to offer this work to one who, after having a thousand times experienced the storms and sorrows of the sea of the world, has found repose in the most tranquil harbour of his conscience. Now it only remains to me to wish that your Illustriousness, safe from the world and Satan, should live gladly for Christ, and should joyfully and rightfully look forward to the future life that follows this one (alas, but a wretched one!). Meanwhile, may the blessed spirit of God our eternal Redeemer rule us, cheer us, console us, strengthen us. Amen.

2em

Of your Illustriousness,

The most Devoted Client,

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