Preface.

...one gives far too much free rein in this regard, and also does not refrain from violent, indecent, or bitter expressions, and the like. That this has happened frequently is well known; and anyone who considers the matter even slightly must confess that such things bring little benefit to the truth and give a bad reputation to polemical theology polemical theology original: theologiae polemicae. The branch of theology focused on defending a specific set of beliefs while refuting opposing views or "errors.".

I am well aware of how people attempt to excuse this. Regarding the harsh and often injurious insults frequently used in theological controversies, the well-known Jesuit Jesuit A member of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order known for its rigorous education and defense of the Catholic faith against the Reformation. Theophilus Raynaudus Theophilus Raynaud (1583–1663) was a prolific French Jesuit scholar known for writing on a massive variety of subjects, often with a combative tone. took great pains to justify them in his Questions on Good and Bad Books, Part I, Question IX, pages 93 and following original Latin: erotematibus de malis & bonis libris. "Erotemata" refers to a text organized as a series of questions and answers.. He even included a complete alphabetical register of names of irrational animals that the Church Fathers Church Fathers original: Patres. Ancient, influential Christian theologians and bishops whose writings formed the basis of orthodox Christian doctrine. applied to heretics heretics original: Ketzern. Individuals whose religious beliefs are officially declared to be in opposition to the established church..

However, in my opinion, the learned theologian of the Reformed Church Reformed Church A branch of Protestantism that follows the theological traditions of reformers like John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli., Hermannus Witsius Herman Witsius (1636–1708) was a prominent Dutch theologian known for his work on the covenants and his desire to bring peace to theological disputes., has answered this well, even though he does not mention Raynaud by name. He writes: "I could never bring myself to praise without exception that immoderate vehemence—whether of ancient or modern theologians (or indeed, even philosophers)—with which they often received their adversaries, hardly otherwise than like dogs..." original Latin: Numquam ab animo meo impetrare potui, vt absque exceptione laudarem immoderatam illam siue veterum siue recentiorum theologorum (immo & philosophorum) vehementiam, qua aduersarios saepe suos exceperunt, vix aliter quam canum...