Calculating almost as much of the time that is come, as of that which is past, comprehending it in the present time, and what by the course of the said time shall be known to happen in all Regions punctually as it is here written, adding nothing superfluous to it, although it be said; _Quod de futuris contingentibus, non est determinata omnino veritas_. It is very true Sir, that by my natural instinct given me by my Progenitors, I did think I could foretel any thing; but having made an agreement between this said instinct of mine, and a long Calculation of Art, and by a great tranquility and repose of mind, emptied my Soul of all care and carefulness, I have foretold most part of these _ex tripode æneo_, though there be many who attribute to me some things that are no more mine, then what is nothing at all. The only Eternal God, who is the searcher of men’s hearts, being pious, just, and merciful, is the true Judge of it, whom I beseech to defend me from the calumny of the wicked men, who would as willing calumniously inquire for what reason all your ancient Progenitors Kings of _France_ have healed the disease called the _Kings-evil_, and some other Nations have cured the biting of venomous Beasts; others have had a certain instinct to foretell things that are to come, and of several others, too tedious to be here inserted; notwithstanding those in whom the malignancy of the wicked spirit shall not be suppressed by length of time; after my decease my work shall be in more esteem, then when I was alive; nevertheless if I should fail in the supputation of times, or could not please some, may it please your most Imperial Majesty to forgive me, protesting before God and his Saints, that I do not intend to insert any thing by writing in this present Epistle, that may be contrary to the true Catholick Faith, in conferring the Astronomical Calculation, according to my learning; for the space of times of our Fathers that have been before us, are such, submitting my self to the correction of the most Learned, that the first man _Adam_ was before _Noah_, about one thousand two hundred forty two years, not computing the time according to the supputation of the _Gentiles_, as _Varro_ did, but onely according to the Sacred Scriptures, and the weakness of my wit in my Astronomical Calculations. After _Noah_ and the universal Flood about a thousand and fourscore years came _Abraham_, who was a supreme Astrologer, according to most mens opinion, and did first invent the _Chaldæan_ Letters; after that came _Moses_, _viz._ some five hundred and fifteen or sixteen years after, and between the time of _David_ and _Moses_ have passed about 570. years. After which between the time of _David_ and that of our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin _Mary_, have passed (according to some Chronographers) a thousand three hundred and fifty years. Some body may object, that this supputation is not true; because it differeth from that of _Eusebius_.