Preface.

...gives too much rein to this behavior, and does not refrain from violent, indecent, bitter expressions, and the like. It is well known that this happens often, and that such things bring little advantage to the truth, and also earn a bad reputation for polemical theology polemical theology The branch of theology concerned with defending a specific doctrine and refuting opposing views.; every person who considers the matter even a little will have to admit this.

I well know, of course, how some wish to excuse this; and particularly regarding the harsh and often injurious insults used in theological controversies, the well-known Jesuit Theophilus Raynaudus Theophilus Raynaud (1583–1663) was a prolific and controversial French Jesuit writer. went to great lengths to justify them in his Questions on Good and Bad Books, Part I, Question IX, page 93 and following original: erotematibus de malis & bonis libris; indeed, he even included a complete alphabetical index of names of irrational animals that the Church Fathers The influential early Christian teachers and bishops of the first few centuries. had applied to heretics original: Ketzern. Individuals whose religious beliefs are at odds with established church doctrine.. In my opinion, however, the learned theologian of the Reformed Church One of the major branches of Protestantism, following the traditions of Calvin and Zwingli., Hermannus Witsius Herman Witsius (1636–1708), a leading Dutch theologian known for his moderate and irenic (peace-seeking) approach., responded well to this—although he does not mention Raynaud by name—when he writes:

I have never been able to bring myself to praise, without exception, that immoderate vehemence of either ancient or modern theologians (and indeed even philosophers), with which they often received their opponents, scarcely otherwise than like dogs [snarling at] swine- original: 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 porco-