Preface.

not cite them unfaithfully: So I have sought to prevent such a complaint as much as possible by citation (Citation): the act of quoting a specific passage as evidence. of the original text and wished to clear myself of the charge. For I have generally made it my aim to present nothing that I have not drawn from the source (Quelle): primary historical or theological documents. itself. And even if I found some passages already cited by others, I always looked them up in the writings of the original: "Irrlehrigen" — those considered by the author to be teachers of false doctrine or heretics. themselves, and in doing so, I observed false original: "Allegationen" — citations or references. and even some changes to the text more than once; I have, however, diligently guarded myself against such things throughout. Should any error be noticed in this regard, I ask that it be imputed (imputiren): to attribute or assign blame. not so much to me as to the printer, as I could not possibly keep a watchful eye on each and every thing during my absence It was a common practice for 18th-century authors to blame the "Buchdrucker" (printer) for typos if they were not present to supervise the final press run..

But what thanks will I receive from the world for this well-intentioned work of mine? Without doubt, very little. He who stumbles into a nest of bumblebees and wasps puts himself in danger. False Lutherans (Lutheraner): followers of the theology of Martin Luther. and hypocrites will say: the cited prejudices (Vorurtheile): in this context, false religious opinions or preconceived errors in doctrine. were refuted with nothing but more prejudices. Those, on the other hand—