IT may well be reckoned among Problems or hard Questions, whether it were better for those who write and print, to publish their Names or conceal them; because many things Pro and Con might be argued upon that Subject; especially about things Polemical, when they are handled. But when Causa Dei, the Cause of God (as our learned and famous Bradwardine entitled his Book, when he wrote against the Pelagians) comes to be treated of, all Circumstances are duly to be weighed. Quis, Quid, Quare, Quando, Quomodo, &c. Who, What, Why, When and How. Among those of this kind, it's very momentaneous to know for one, that this Gentleman is one of the Sages of the Law, an Oracle in the Country where he lives. An Eirenarches, well worthy of that Name and Place. A Justice of Peace and not of Trouble, according to the distinction which our unhappy times have made. Conformable himself; yet one who affects rather to be Orthodox, and to mind the Power of Godliness, more than the Form thereof. I write this Testimony of him (though be neither ⟨image 10⟩needs, desires or knows of it) because I have bad knowledge of him à teneris, from his Childhood, and have been certified of his Domestical Piety, and Exemplariness in all which appertains to the Practice of Piety. Concerning the Book, it needs not Patron or Advocate: Let it speak for it self. Aetatem habet. It quickly shows Arma Virúmque, the Spirit of the Man and his Weapons. This pleases me above all the rest, that though it treats of most intricate and mysterious Controversies, yet that is done humbly, reverently, freely and with Candour. I make not my self his Hyperaspistes or Second, or a Party to his Opinion; but because his Habitation is remote in a Corner of the Land; his Converse more with Books than with Men; he seldom sees London; and is not yet in these parts, any of our Anshe Shem, noted or famous Persons. Lest any Reader should cast him off with a scornful Ignoramus, I know not the man, I have presumed to prepare this little Lenitive, that no offence should be taken in such respects as are herein mentioned. I shall not conclude with Ecce hominem, but ad rem.
IT may well be reckoned among Problems or hard Questions, whether it were better for those who write and print, to publish their Names or conceal them; because many things Pro and Cou might be argued upon that Subject; especially about things Polemical, when they are handled. But when Causa Dei, the Cause of God (as our learned and famous Bradwardine intituled his Book, when he wrote against the Pelagians) comes to be treated of, all Circumstances are duly to be weighed. Quis, Quid, Quare, Quando, Quomodo, &c. Who, What, Why, When and How. Among those of this kind, it's very momentaneous to know for one, that this Gentleman is one of the Sages of the Law, an Oracle in the Country where he lives. An Eirenarches, well worthy of that Name and Place. A Justice of Peace and not of Trouble, according to the distinction which our unhappy times have made. Conformable himself; yet one who affects rather to be Orthodox, and to mind the Power of Godliness, more than the Form thereof. I write this Testimony of him (though be neither ⟨image 10⟩needs, desires or knowes of it) because I have bad knowledge of him à teneris, from his Childhood, and have been certified of his Domestical Piety, and Exemplariness in all which appertains to the Practice of Piety. Concerning the Book, it needs not Patron or Advocate: Let it speak for it self. Aetatem habet. It quickly shews Arma Virúmque, the Spirit of the Man and his Weapons. This pleases me above all the rest, that though it treats of most intricate and mysterious Controversies, yet that is done humbly, reverently, freely and with Candor. I make not my self his Hyperaspistes or Second, or a Party to his Opinion; but because his Habitation is remote in a Corner of the Land; his Converse more with Books than with Men; he seldom sees London; and is not yet in these parts, any of our Anshe Shem, noted or famous Persons. Lest any Reader should cast him off with a scornful Ignoramus, I know not the man, I have presumed to prepare this little Lenitive, that no offence should be taken in such respects as are herein mentioned. I shall not conclude with Ecce hominem, but ad rem.
