The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

Ficinus very truly noteth, that while children and youth are sufficiently conscious of their ignorance, to keep in a learning course, they may do well; but when they first grow to a confidence of their own understandings, and at ripeness of age imagine, that their wits are ripe, and think that their unfurnished ⟨image 9⟩minds (because they have a natural quickness) are competent judges of all that they read; then they are most in danger of infidelity, and of being undone for ever; (from 18 to 28 being the most perilous age.) But if God keep them as humble diligent learners, till they have orderly gone through their course of studies, and sanctify their greener youthful knowledge; they then grow up to be confirmed Christians. Ficin. de Verit. Rel. cap. 3. It is therefore the diligence and patience of the Reader which I still entreat, and not his belief: for I will beg nothing of his understanding, but justice to the truth; but (supposing God's help) do trust to the cogency of evidence.

Ficinus very truly noteth, that while children and youth are sufficiently conscious of their ignorance, to keep in a learning course, they may do well; but when they first grow to a confidence of their own understandings, and at ripeness of age imagine, that their wits are ripe, and think that their unfurnished ⟨image 9⟩minds (because they have a natural quickness) are competent judges of all that they read; then they are most in danger of infidelity, and of being undone for ever; (from 18 to 28 being the most perilous age.) But if God keep them as humble diligent learners, till they have orderly gone through their course of studies, and sanctifie their greener youthful knowledge; they then grow up to be confirmed Christians. Ficin. de Verit. Rel. cap. 3. It is therefore the diligence and patience of the Reader which I still intreat, and not his belief: for I will beg nothing of his understanding, but justice to the truth; but (supposing God's help) do trust to the cogencie of evidence.

Yet I must tell you, that I expect the Reader, by the truths which he learneth, should be able himself to answer an hundred trivial objections, which are here passed by: and that in particular textual difficulties, he have recourse to Commentaries and Tractates on those subjects: for this Book is long enough already. He that will diligently consider the connection of the consequent Propositions to the Antecedent, and will understand what he readeth as he goeth along, will see that I give him sufficient proof of all which I desire him to assent to. But I make no doubt but a hasty and half-witted Reader can find objections and words enough against the plainest truth here written; and such as he thinks do need a particular answer. When an understanding Reader would be offended with me, if I should recite them. I had more compassion on the sober Reader, than for the humouring of every brainsick Sceptic, to stand proving that two and two are four. I write for such as are willing to