To any devout Christian.
I have gladly put this booklet into print, and have done so before, firstly for the benefit of all who love Christian doctrine. Secondly, for the strengthening of all pious Christians against many an annoying sect and blasphemy, through which the angry Satan violently storms against our dear gospel, and would like to tear it down. But these fine books of ours, which so honestly confess and preach Christ, will remain secure on the rock on which they are built. For Christ says in the seventh chapter of Matthew: The house that is built on a rock is built securely, and though the winds and the downpours and the waters storm against it, it still stands, and lets the angry winds, the raging rains, and the raging waters rush by, and whistles after them with a little cliff, saying, "Behold! Was it you, angry lords and scholars, who wanted to snatch me away and destroy me?
Behold, here I still stand, you are past; who knows where you remain, I nevertheless remain here.
2 So now we let the papists, the Rottists, the Erasmists, with their blasphemies and lies, rush upon us also, and strike at our rock, and run up and down, and judge who will mock the other at the last. They defy that they have much wind, rain and water; we insist that we have nothing but a small, poor, patient rock, and if it could fear as much as they are angry (perhaps they are), then we would truly also have to build on water, wind and rain. But it is better to throw ourselves into the water, wind and rain than to build on them. For if one builds on it, it falls to pieces; if one throws it in, it flows and flows away, so that the stench does not harm our noses, and finally remains with them in the abyss of the sea, yes, of hell, where they go and want to go; the devil leads them. Our rock protect us, and stand by us, amen.