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The postscript to all the readers of this Sur∣uey in generall.
AFter that I had accomplished this present volume, a friend of mine gaue me to vnderstand, that some per∣sons were offended, because I say in the epistle dedi∣catory of my Motiues, that S. Paul erred gentilizing. For whose satisfaction, if they wil be satified with rea∣son; I say first, that the nature and condition of some persons is such, that though they be slow to doe well themselues; yet are they very propense to reprehend that, which is well done by others. I say secondly, that if such persons would deeply consider the prudent law of the sage & wise Persians, other things well said shuld haue mooued them to conceale that fault, though it were as ill as they imagine. I say thirdly, that such persons seeke Nodum in scirpo, and that it is no fault at all. I prooue it euidently, because to gentilize is nothing els, but to play the part of a gentile, and consequently, since S. Paul, then named Saul, did as cruelly persecute the Christians, as euer did the tyran∣nicall gentiles, Nero, Domitian••, Traiane, Seuerus, Maximinus, D••cius, or Dio∣clesianus: It followeth of necessitie, that he did gentilize indeed. For as ho∣ly writ recordeth, Hee breathed out threatninges and slaughter a∣gainst the disciples of the Lord.* 1.1 He desired letters to Damascus, that hee might bring bound to Ierusalem, all aswell women as men, that professed the name of Christ Iesus, insomuch, that a voice cried from heauen vnto him,* 1.2 and saide, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? He likewise saith of himselfe, that hee is not worthy to be called an apostle, because he persecuted the church of God: and all this doubtlesse he did in error, be∣cause as himselfe saith of the Iewes his brethren if they had knowen,* 1.3 they would neuer haue crucified the Lord of glorie. Yea hee himselfe saith of himselfe,* 1.4 that hee was receiued to mercie, because hee erred ignorantly through vnbeliefe. S. Paul therefore erred gentilizing, though hee were a Iew, in that he persecuted Christ and his church, euen as did the Gen∣tiles, & in the error of Gentilitie. Which thing being spoken obiter in the way of mine honest purgation, and not to establish anie point of doctrin, was not a sufficient motiue to offend anie wel affected reader. Well, I say with the apostle,* 1.5 Si hominibus placerem, Christi seruus non essem. As before, so now againe, I willingly employ my whole industry to glorifie my God and to profite his church, if by any meanes I can. And as I greatly wish to pleasure thankful persons, who euer accept in good part godly la∣bors so do I make no great account to discontent malitious Zoili, who seldom or neuer broke that wel, which is well done by others.