Truths Victory Over Error, Title page – Dedication
TRUTHS VICTORY OVER ERROR.
OR,
An Abridgement of the Chief Controversies in Religion, which since the Apostles days to this time, have been, and are in agitation, between those of the Orthodox Faith, and all Adversaries whatsoever; a list of whose names are set down after the Epistle to the Reader.
Wherein, by going through all the Chapters of the Confession of Faith, one by one, and propounding out of them, by way of Question, all the Controverted Assertions; and answering by Yes, or No, there is a clear Confirmation of the Truth; and an evident Confutation of what Tenets and Opinions, are maintain'd by the Adversaries.
A TREATISE.
Most useful for all Persons, who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant Religion, who would shun in these last Days, and perillous Times, the Infection of Errors and Heresies, and all dangerous Tenets and Opinions, contrary to the Word of GOD.
EDINBVRGH, Printed by IOHN REID, Anno DOM. 1684.
To the Right Honourable GEORGE DRUMMOND Of Milnenab, Lord Provost,
Iohn Iohnston, Thomas Douglas, Thomas Fairholm, and Iohn Chanceler Bailiffs; Charles Murray Dean of Gild, Thomas Young Thesaurer, and remanent Members of the Honourable Council of the Ancient City of Edinburgh.
May it please your Lordship, And the Honourable Senate▪
MY first Application is for Pardon, that I should adventure to prefix your names to the Frontispice of this small Fabrick, between which and your singular Merits, there is no Proportion, save what flows from the Uniformity and Delicacy of the Contrivance, and sincerity of his Respects who presents it. I have sometimes appeared in publick, though not with the Gold of Ophir, and Tyrian Purpure, wherewith the Persians were accustomed to present their Princes, and Benefactors, in testimony of their Obeysance and Gratitude; yet with Oblations sutable to my Ability as now, though unsutable to your Honour and Dignity.
Your unstained Reputation, Candour, and Ingenuity, by which you are guided in the Management of the weighty Affairs of the City. Your encouraging by your Authority and good example the holy Ministry, Vertue and Learning in Schooles and Universities, within the Verge of your Iurisdiction. The commemoration of Favours, which I have received from the Council, these many years bygone, have had no small Influence upon me, to make this publick, yet humble Address. And though I have done but little by way of Remuneration, yet Somewhat, to be a Remembrance of my hearty affection to the Good Town.
I have made some small attempts, during the twelve years I taught Peripatetick, and Experimental Philosophy, and since, for the Advancement of Learning among others, which have not wanted success, whereby the Author hath been encouraged; especially by the kind acceptance, his Writings have met with from the greatest Philosophers and Mathematicians in this Age, in England, Holland, Germany and France. It is yet recent in the minds of many Noble and worthy Persons, what esteem His Royal Highness had of my Observations, of the great Blazing Star, which appeared in December 1680, which since have been published. I do not mention this for applause, or out of vanity, but for some peculiar reasons hinted at below. But these studies being only Hand-maids, and Subservient to Divine Knowledge, and not so generally useful, I have now given them a Manumission, unless I be animated by the benign, and favourable aspect of those, who may and can. I move in a distinct Sphere from Masters of Universities. They teach in Philosophy, the Causes and Reasons of Things. What I write is but Practical and Mechanical, for the promoting of natural Knowledge and Learning, as do the Virtuosi. But in stead of such I present your Honours with a small bundle of Orthodox Truths confirmed by plain Scripture Testimonies, wherewith the true Christian Church hath in all Ages scattered the swarms of dark Errors, and damnable Heresies, Locusts from the bottomless pit.
But least I seem too tedious upon one Subject, I shall beg your Lordships liberty, to interpose for your Divertisement, this pleasant Interlude, the contemplation whereof may recreate the mind, and have its own usefulness. That brave Athenian Orator Demosthenes writes, that there was a standing Ordinance among the Locrians a people in Greece, that whosoever desired a new Law to be made he should make an overture thereof to the whole Assembly with a rope about his neck. If it was Judged profitable for the Publick-Good, the Author was assoild, and got the thanks of the house. If not, he was instantly strangled. By this means for the space of 200 years and more, no new Law was made, save this only that follows. It was a received custome there, that if any man should strick out his neighbours eye; his on the other part was to be stricken out likewise, in imitation of Lex Talionis. Neither was this crime to be expiated by any sacrifice, nor redeemed by any summ of Money or Gold, how great soever. A certain man who had but one eye, was threatned by his Adversary with the loss of it. This man taking it grievously, and judging the want of his sight more bitter than death, adventur'd with a halter about his neck to offer this new Law to the Senate, viz. that whosoever should strick out his neighbours eye, who had but one, he should be requited with the lose of both his, as a just recompence; that the one might share equally with the other in the same calamity. The Law was approven and Ratified by the whole meeting. Demosthenes relates this, teaching that in a well ordered City; Magistrates should take special care that new Laws be not rashly made or changed. But I return thither whence the famous Orator hath led me aside by this digression.
I cannot but now after these wieghty perswasives, make my next application for Acceptance, and seriously entreat, that this little Book, if not for the value of the thing offered, yet for its design, which is that Truth may have victory over Error, and for the ingenuity and affection it flows from*In magnis voluisse satest., may be received into the tuition of your favour, and get a full protection against the Champions of the uncircumcised Philistimes, and being enlightned with the splendor of your Lordships name, and receiving the impression of the Councils Authority upon it, may by the Lords blessing, be useful to young Students in Religion, and others too. For which singular Favour, I shall fervently pray the Almighty God to bless you in your Persons, and Government, sub auspiciis Augustissimi regis Caroli a Carolo, the Ancient City may flourish with Religion and Righteousness, Peace and Truth, that the Lord may be in it, in the darkest night, a pillar of fire to enlighten and direct, in the hotest affliction a pillar of cloud to overshadow and protect, and to us all both a Sun and a Shield. And shall think my self very happy, while I live to be under the Character of
Your Lordships and the Councils much Obliged Servant Geo. Sinclar. Edin. January 2. 1684.