Defense from the Imputation of Self Contradiction by Daniel Cawdry, Preface
The Preface.
THE Servants of the Lord (saith Paul) must not strive, but be Gentile towards all men, 2 Tim. 2. 24. how much more towards their Brethren? But what if a Brother, should become an Adversary (whether Adversarius lit is, or Personae,) and speak hard words, yea and write a Booke against his fellow Servants? Job telleth us, though he could, yet he would not speak as they doe, Job. 16. 4, 5. And for the book against him, He would take it and bind it upon his shoulder, And yet I doe not think he meant to cast it behind his Backe, but that he would bearé it as a light loade, and in case of his Innocency, He would we are it as his Crowne: And for that end, would declare unto Him the Number of his steps, Job. 31. 35, 36, 37? Yea though such a Booke might seeme to Impartiall and Judicious mindes written with a Spirit of Bitternesse, and contempt, and in a Style suitable, yet the Servants of the Lord have not so learned Christ, nor the Truth (as it is in Jesus) as to Returne Evill for Evill, or Reviling for Reviling. Hard words are not Given, but as the Lord commandeth, if not in his Ordinances, yet in his Providence: And either they are Deserved, & then they are an excellent Balme which will not break the head: or undeserved, and then the Lord will Requite Good to him that suffereth evill. It is no new Thing for God's owne Servants to be taken with Paroxismes (as Paul and Barnabas were, Act. 15.) that is, with Pangs of Passion, And that is the worst I conceive of the tartest Passages of Mr Cawdryes Reply. For I see by his dealing with Mr Hooker, that he can write with more meeknesse, and moderation, when the Lord helpeth him: Let me therefore briefly give Account of such Passages of mine, as have seemed most offensive to Him: and that in such termes, as may not unbeseeme either my selfe, or the cause.