Works of Hooker, To the reader 3
To The Christian Reader.
WHereas many desirous of resolution in some Points handled in this learned Discourse, were earnest to have it Copied out; to case so many labours, it hath been thought most worthy and very necessary to be printed: that not onelyonly they might be satisfied, but the whole Church also hereby edified. The rather, because it will free the Author from the suspition of some Errors, which he hath been thought to have favoured. Who might well have answered with Cremutius in Tacitus,Lib. 4. Ann. Verba mea arguuntur, adeò factorum innocens sum.Lib. 1. Hist. Certainly, the event of that time wherein he lived, shewed that to be true, which the same Author spake of a worse, Cui deerat inimicus, per amicos oppressus; and that there is not minus periculum ex magna fama, quàm ex mala.In vita Agricolae. But he hath so quit himself, that all may see how, as it was said of Agricola, Simul suis virtutibus, simul vitiis aliorum, in ipsam gloriam praeceps agebatur. Touching whom I will say no more, but that which my Author said of the same man, Lib. ….Integritatem, &c. in tanto viro referre, injuria virtutum fuerit. But as of all other his Writings, so of this I will adde that which Velleius spake in commendation of Piso, Nemo fuit, qui megis quae agenda erant curaret, sine ulla ostentatione agendi. So not doubting, good Christian Reader, of thy assent herein, but wishing thy favourable acceptance of this Work (which will be an inducement to set forth others of his Learned labours) I take my leave, from Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford, the sixth of July, 1612.
Thine in Christ Jesus, HENRY IACKSON.