P R E F A C E

...[so that all] might understand that I pay regard to no man's name, but to God alone, and to those things which are from Him: the Holy Scripture original: "Scripturæ Sacræ" and sound reason. And what more could you desire from me? For since I am a young man, I ought not to have stirred up the hatred and bitterness of others against me; rather, it was fitting to seek the favor and friendship of all, so that I might satisfy the high hope which the Fathers of our Academy original: "Academiæ"; referring to the university faculty or governing body had conceived for me. Indeed, friendships are cultivated through peace. Furthermore, this offspring original: "fœtus"; a common scholarly metaphor for a newly published book was born amidst many academic preoccupations—in which I was then a newcomer—and occasional physical weaknesses. Because of this, it happened that I was unable to consult every book, author, or Interpreters original: "Interpretes"; scholars who write biblical commentaries on every individual argument I was discussing. If, therefore, you happen to find something I have noted elsewhere, I truly wish that you do not believe it was stolen by me through some malicious intent. For that would be a most shameful act. Indeed, if such things should be found—though I neither hope for nor expect it—I will be the first of all to condemn that writing. The arguments of the first chapters have also been touched upon by others, but as far as I know, neither by a similar method nor