For the matter of it, it is chiefly improved to maintain the dignity and use of the Moral Law against late errors about it, and thereupon I have been forced to consult more with those books that are filled with such poison, then to peruse those Authors that have maintained the truth; and I found the looking upon their Heterodoxies a special help to propagate and confirm the truth, as that Roman Painter curiously drew the picture of an Horse, by constant looking upon an Ass, avoiding whatsoever he saw ridiculous or deformed in him. I acknowledge this work above my strength, it being a subject not much handled by former writers, and so I could not be guilty of that fault, [Greek or Hebrew]: but I say, as Austin, Ego parvas vires habeo, sed Dei Verbum magnas habet; I have small strength, but the Word and Truth of God hath great power. None is more unwilling then my self to come in print; but, because he that ⟨image 4⟩writeth good Books, doth retia salutis expandere, spread the nets of salvation to catch some men in; and the good works of such will last as long as their Books live; I have hardened my self, and overcome mine own temper, to publish to the world these conceptions of mine. I have not affected to appear in this Book [Greek or Hebrew], about words and phrases, because it's controversial matter, and so fitter to be represented to the understanding in naked unaffected explications, then curiously adorned to please fancy: Yea, I have grudged at words, as being too long and cumbersome, desiring (if possible) to convey my sense in as brief a manner as may be, lest any that comes to look for fruit, should find the leaves too broad, and so cover it from sight. And this endeavouring of brevity will make the matter seem too obscure and abrupt, till there be a familiar acquaintance with my way.
For the matter of it, it is chiefly improved to maintaine the dignitie and use of the Morall Law against late errours about it, and thereupon I have been forced to consult more with those books that are filled with such poyson, then to peruse those Authors that have maintained the truth; and I found the looking upon their Heterodoxies a speciall help to propagate and confirme the truth, as that Roman Painter curiously drew the picture of an Horse, by constant looking upon an Asse, avoiding whatsoever he saw ridiculous or deformed in him. I acknowledge this work above my strength, it being a subject not much handled by former writers, and so I could not be guilty of that fault, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: but I say, as Austin, Ego parvas vires habeo, sed Dei Verbum magnas habet; I have small strength, but the Word and Truth of God hath great power. None is more unwilling then my selfe to come in print; but, because hee that ⟨image 4⟩writeth good Books, doth retia salutis expandere, spread the nets of salvation to catch some men in; and the good workes of such will last as long as their Bookes live; I have hardened my selfe, and overcome mine owne temper, to publish to the world these conceptions of mine. I have not affected to appeare in this Book 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, about words and phrases, because it's controversall matter, and so fitter to be represented to the understanding in naked unaffected explications, then curiously adorned to please fancy: Yea, I have grudged at words, as being too long and cumbersome, desiring (if possible) to conveigh my sense in as briefe a manner as may be, lest any that comes to look for fruit, should find the leaves too broad, and so cover it from sight. And this endeavouring of brevity will make the matter seem too obscure and abrupt, till there be a familiar acquaintance with my way.
