PREFACE.

Christ has come both TO US and WITHIN US, having been fortified and strengthened, so that we may not only understand what must be believed, but may also render an account to the whole world of the faith that is in us. However, for this matter, the best Arabic books must be sought out, especially the most ample lexicons, which I have not yet been able to have on account of extreme poverty; and the writings of those who have also written in Arabic in Spain against the Ishmaelites; but especially, among the innumerable captives who are retained from the race of the Ishmaelites in Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, or Spain, and are already skilled in either the Italian or Spanish language (such as, if anyone seeks, there is no doubt that very many can be found, as was that distinguished Ioannes Leo Afer original: "Ioannes Leo Afer," known as Leo Africanus), they must be called to liberty and enticed with rewards, so that they may faithfully teach our people the very Semi-Hebrew a term Postel uses to describe the linguistic connections between Arabic and Hebrew language of the Ishmaelites. If I could perform anything...