De betoverde weereld ... in vier boeken

(6.)

I show through reason: that those who understand the Schrift Scripture the least believe in these things the most, and are already settled in the opinion that the Duivel Devil has such great power before they even read the Scripture; or at least, before they ever examine it.

Therefore, I also give the reader this to consider: whether we would interpret many things in the Scripture in that way if we were not already previously, and from childhood on, occupied with that opinion and confirmed in it by habit? Indeed, there lies a harmful judgment: one believes that it is so, and then it is easy for us to take Reason or Scripture as an aid, and further to believe that they also teach this. All the more so, since we have the first explanations of the Scripture and declarations of matters contained therein from those ancient Teachers Referring to the early Church Fathers; regarding whom I have pointed out in the 15th chapter how one more and the other less was occupied with various heathen lessons and opinions. It was not immediately noticed that these had given rise to such interpretations. This is the content of the 24th chapter and the conclusion of the first Book.

From all the aforementioned, it is easy to see that this part of my work must not be considered as useless as most people seem to do. Because of this, they barely touch the 1st Book, considering it merely historical, and take their first view against the second. For if I understand anything of the building of my own edifice, I have lawfully (as I believe) drawn the second from the 24th chapter. Is it otherwise? Then I may reasonably stand amazed at how not one of the many who so boldly slander my second book, while letting the first pass, has noticed this until this hour; indeed, few have shown themselves to be aware of it. It is all lost labor that they do to refute the second book if they let the first stand. But not perceiving my aim and my judgment, which first befits true searchers of the truth; since in the second part so many things taken according to the letter are against them, they immediately attack it. They act like unpracticed debaters who deny the Conclusion (as being most against them) and skip over the Premises, upon which the Conclusion nevertheless rests. It is also not well done,

dat catchword: that

(7.)

that one half of my work has been judged, without waiting until it was finished in its entirety. There was no such hurry in the time: as I would have lost no time in having the other two parts follow, had I not been hindered by many created difficulties. One cannot see so clearly where someone finally wants to go as long as he is only halfway there. Now the Reader shall see everything together, and the body first in its full limbs.

General report concerning the two following Books.

I have something to say first concerning the 2nd and 3rd Book before I speak of each in particular. That is concerning the manner of treatment which I follow in investigating the certainty and truth of these things. If anyone properly pays attention to all that is written above, he will soon notice how I am wrongly accused of inventing a new proposition out of my head, to which I then bend Reason and Scripture; or that I take the people as a rule to arrange the Scripture accordingly. For the Reader sees well that I have not even thought of such a ground or proposition to build upon: but have only investigated, everywhere, the whole World and through the whole time of the World; where the right ground of such an opinion as I first want to investigate may be found. For one must know how to judge correctly whether an opinion or usage rests on good reason or not. Now I have not sought out those diverse Heathen, Jewish, Mahometaansche Muslim, old and new Christian, Roman and non-Roman opinions, teachings, and usages to explain them thus or so, or to defend or refute them: but to test and show them as they are; without stating my judgment of them, or bringing any proof for or against them. This uncommon labor no one will easily undertake who is not concerned for the truth. I am thus far still without a ground, I who am a Protestant Christian; who wants to be neither Papal, nor Jewish, nor Heathen: if I find no other firmness, then I let go of everything that is said of the Geesten Spirits in general, or of the Devil in particular. But

Maar catchword: But