I had scarcely finished the previous passage when, behold, word came that my most distinguished father had died at Vienna. On hearing the news, whether it would be right for me to deny that I was moved is for wise men to judge; but I would certainly be lying. I was moved, for I had been deprived of a father such as, in my opinion, no other mortal remains. Since I was dedicating these studies of mine to him, and had undertaken my labors chiefly for his sake, I stopped for a time. Until then, the composition of this book had been so pleasant to me that it not only wiped away every weariness of labor but also made the labors themselves gentle and pleasant. But afterward there was absolutely nothing to relieve my weariness and care. While my father lived, whenever I wished to write something about loci theologici, he came to mind as not only worthy of this task, but also as someone in whose name our vigils would appear more pleasing. Now, however, whom shall I find like him to take his place as my father? 1
I used to set before myself the beloved face of my father. Whenever I had to write, either I was with him or he was with me. He added goads; he roused me when I grew sluggish; he would not even let me yawn. Such was my reverence even for my absent father. But now, when I want to continue the work I began, I am stuck, as the saying goes, and whatever I attempt, my spirit quickly falters and is overcome. For, separated from me by a long distance, he left me in his death no less sorrow than he had brought me joy while living. Yet since, after receiving this wound, I have unexpectedly gained great leisure, while my spirit neither ought nor can remain idle, I had to press on to the final place, lest this work, begun well and usefully, be cut short by the death of the man who still, from heaven, demands the gift of my vigils. Nor would I hesitate, if asked for whom I write, to answer: I write for my father, who wished me not only to give these things to him but also to publish them for others. We are now about to explain how useful and authoritative human history is for theologians. My father will undoubtedly pray that, just as at his urging we began this journey on earth, with his favor from heaven we may now complete it.