Preface.

those [errors] set out for the present treatise treatise (Abhandlung): A formal written work dealing systematically with a subject. which concern entire sects original: "Secten" — refers to various religious groups or denominations that the author considers to be deviating from mainstream truth., because others follow from them without difficulty. Regarding the order I have used, I will not involve myself in an unnecessary dispute with anyone. Since it seems to me to matter little in such an undertaking which point occupies the first or the last place.

The elaboration itself is also not measured by a single standard; for I have made use of various styles as they came to hand and as I deemed most convenient. Should it prove annoying that most passages from the authors original: "Autorum" — a Latin plural form of "author." have been cited both in the language in which they were written as well as in our common mother-tongue original: "Mutter-Sprache" — referring to German, the language of the original readers.: let the kind reader consider that I have not done this without good reason.

For I seek with this writing especially to assist those who are not always skilled in foreign languages; therefore, it was indeed necessary to provide the words in German original: "Teutsch" — the author is explaining why he translates Latin or Greek quotes into the local language for his 18th-century audience.. However, because the enemies of truth often complain that one twists their innocent way of speaking,