IF ever any Author thought the Treatise he was publishing , needed an Introduction , methinks that I may not only have the same Opinion of this ; but even that I cannot forbear it . Two particular Reasons oblige me to it , one of which concerns the circumstances of what happened during the impression of this work , and the other , has relation to it's contents . Both these Reasons has something extraordinary , but the latter especially appears still more strange , because of the former ; and therefore I intend to give the Reader some explanation upon both .

Having form'd a design to write upon the matter treated of in this Book , I begun Eight Years ago in my Preface to the Book of Comets , to give some hints of what I intend to explain here more particularly . I had chosen for the subject of my publick Sermons , the Prophecy of Daniel , when I was come to the 11th v. of the 2 Chapter , in which the Magicians confess , they were not capable of expounding the King's Dreams ; I drew from that Declaration , such inferences , as evidently show'd what must be believed concerning the extent of knowledge , ascribed to the Devil ; afterwards judging it convenient to examine his power , and whether it extends as far as is ordinarily said ; the first occasion I had of ascending the Pulpit , I took my Text on Exodus Chap. 8. v. 18th , and examined why the Magicians could not as easily produce Lice , as Frogs and Serpents . The late Sieur de Tamininga , Lord of Belleingweer , a learned and pious Gentleman , heard my Sermon , and lik'd it extreamly ; thinking that if what I had proposed , were printed , it would obtain the approbation of understanding persons , and inform the ignorant . He exhorted me himself several times to print that discourse , and imployed other persons to desire me to do it ; but I was so taken up with other business , as may be judged by the Books I have published , and by the assistance I have afforded my friends in the Edition of theirs , that I could not answer his expectation so soon , thô never absolutely denyed to do it . Since that time , I preached twice again on the same matter , on occasion of the Witch of Endor , whom Saul went to consult , and of the Dev●● who tormented Job , many persons press'd it hard upon me , to publish my Opinion on this subject . In 1689 , as I was explaining in the Hospital Church , the 19th and following verses of the 5th Chap. to the Galatians , I searched deeper into this matter , expounding the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which the French and Dutch interpreters have translated Poisoning , and the English , Witchcraft . But as I could not comprise in a Sermon , whatever was to be said upon this subject , I referr'd my hearers to a fuller instruction , in a larger volum that I was going to publish . I have given an account why it was not undertaken before , and now I shall inform the Reader , why it has been so long in the Press .

Going from Francker to Loen , where I was call'd to be a Minister , I promised my Bookseller H. Nauta , that to keep our old acquaintance , I would give him to print the first Treatise I should compose in Holland ; almost as soon as I was come thither , there appeared a Comet in the Years 1680 , and 1681 , which gave me occasion to write a Book , Intituled , An Examination of Comets , which I put out in 1683. But as the Bookseller desired the Book might be somewhat larger , and I found it inconvenient to take care of a long impression beyond Sea ; I obliged him to continue it for that time ; promising him , that , if he ever re-printed the same Treatise , I would either increase it ; or add some other to it . I had no occasion to keep to the first promise , no body having said or written any thing against it , that required a more particular explication . And therefore I thought fit to hold my Second promise , by adding to my Examination of Comets , another tract upon a matter somewhat relating to it , and on which I had meditated a long time . To that end , I composed an Examination of Magick , and Witchcraft , that contained very near as many sheets as that of Comets ; and I caused in Autumn last , a new Edition to be made of the latter , on purpose to joyn it to this new Treatise . But having sometimes especially in November 27th 1689 , publickly confuted , in the Pulpit , the common Opinion ; two days after , a Book was delivered me coming from England , where it was Printed , and Intituled , A Relation of the discovery of some Witchcrafts , in which very many particular things were said to be contained . I thought by the reading of it , that it would quickly be translated into our Tongue , to satisfy the curiosity of People . And as my Opinions are directly opposite to what is laid down in that Book , I perceived it might breed prejudices against what I had so freely and openly declared in the Pulpit , and such as I should scarce be able to destroy afterwards ; because of the apparent strength of the proofs brought forth in that work ; for that Reason , I rather chose to translate it my self , than to leave it to another , adding some remarks , fit to open the Eyes of the Reader , by discovering the grounds on which such relations are laid ; that he might not thereby be in danger of being confirmed in the vulgar error ; but that he might make use of these Annotations , until my compleat work concerning Magick and Witchcraft were printed , which was to be , according to my expectation , in the following Months . But besides the inconveniences of the Weather in Winter , and the distance of the place where it was printed , viz. beyond Sea , together with the Book of Mr. Ainsworth , for which the same press was imployed , caused a great deal of delay ; during that time , I had leasure to review my Treatise of Magick , and to increase it so , that it became much larger , than that of Comets ; besides , the translation and publishing of the English Book , procured me letters from several learned Men , and afforded matter to many Conversations , as well with those that were of my Opinion , as with those that were contrary to it . Thus having had occasion to search deeper into this subject , to give new explanations of my Opinion , and to confirm them by new Reasons ; this works went on always increasing , and the order and disposition of it was so far changed ; that from a small Book it became a bulky Volumn . In the mean while , the impression that was made at Leeuwarden , seem'd to me , not only slow , but also very inconvenient , by Reason of the faults of the Press ; of which I could not so well purge it , but that the first Book is still full of them . I resolved therefore to print the Second part at Amsterdam . Some time past , before that could succeed ; however , without any inconveniency to the Book , for the Reasons just now alledged . The cause of this slowness being unknown , some were not afraid to publish , that I had lost courage , and durst not attempt to enter the Lists with the Devil : those Rumours , the questions that were continually put to me , and the writings that were sent me , when my Treatise was just coming out , obliged me to publish the two first Books , in which I mentioned something of the two last , that they might the better please the Reader . Besides I hop'd , God would give me the Grace to make an end of the whole work , and to add what the Readers might think wanting or convenient . But it could not be performed before the end of 1690 , as I intended it , and the Bookseller desired it , for his own Interest ; for the Frost that came in on a sudden , retarded the execution of it ; it being not possible to send the Three last sheets to Leeuwarden , and to get from thence those that were printed there , by reason of the Ice that put a stop to Navigation ; so that I could have no Copy to present my friends with . I hoped still however that it might be done , but the Frost continuing , my Book thus imperfect was publisht , and came without my knowledge , into the hands of many People in Friezeland . It was therefore only seen by piece-meal and without coherency , which gave occasion to some of the Readers , and others that had heard of it , publickly to pass heard , judgments upon it ; even some intended , as I am informed , to make me explain my self more precisely , had I not done it in the Book it self . For at last , when they read it intire and in order , they all agreed , I had given all the explications that , could be wisht , either as to the Reasons that had moved me to write it ; or as to to the scope I proposed to my self , which appears in the Preface , and in the first Chapter of the Book ; or as to the necessity and usefulness of its publishing , which I have shown in the same Chapter , and the last but one . They were just the places that were wanting , for which Reason I wrote to the Bookseller of Leeuwarden , and forbad him to give out any Copy of this Book , until the whole was compleat . Besides , during the Frost , I had time to add two Chapters to the end of the Second Book , and to enlarge the Preface , in order to inform the Reader of my Opinions , and the purity of my intentions , which has not proved altogether fruitless ; for I have heard that most of those , that have read the Preface and the work afterwards , have been satisfied , as they have told one another and my self ; whereas those that had taken upon them to criticise it , had read but some loose parcels of it , or had not read it at all , or perhaps had not so much as vouchsafed to read it .

Things remained a while in that state , every one enquiring after the Reason that hindered the publishing of my Book , and how it happened that I had none my self , since it had been sold in Friezeland for some time . The Thaw came at last , and many Persons arrived with News of the Edition of my Book , but brought no Copies along with them , save some privately , and as stolen goods ; then every body wondered , a Book should have been put out , in these Provinces , and it should not be found in Holland , where the Author lived ; and not only my Brother Pastors should not have seen it , but I should say , I had none my self to present them with . At last I received 26 Copies of it from Leeuwarden , but had scarce one for my self ; my friends came and took them away themselves , as they were sowed ; and most of those that ask'd for them , could not get 'em , unless they came just when they were sow'd up . So greedy Men are of Novelties , especially when they can hardly get 'em .

However it be , the Book could not be exposed to Sale before the 11th day of March . A long time after I had sent the last Sheets to Leeuwarden , to Mr. Nauta , Bookseller , who had had the Book perfect in his hands for a long time , A Bookseller ask'd 50 Copies from him , and thought to receive them speedily , but had none sent to him . In the mean while , I find my self much perplext . I was desir'd , during two Months , by my best Friends , to communicate this Work to them , which they had never seen , and had heard commended ; for this reason I wrote to Mr. Nauta , I would take all the Copies upon me ; and pay them at such reasonable rates , that he would be satisfied with it ; he need but to send them to me without delay , with the first Vessel . Then I thought to consult with my Friends , whether I should sell the two First Books , that had already appear'd imperfect in Friesland , and elsewhere , or whether I should keep them until the whole Work was finished . The first seem'd to be the best Advice , to avoid the suspicion , that I durst not publish my Book , or that I was forced to suppress it , because of many things that were spread abroad to discredit it ; however , the last counsel suited better with my inclinations . I conceived that a Work that was at first but a smal Treatise , thô it had since been much enlarged , would be more favourably received , and prove of greater use , if it were given compleat at the same time to the publick ; that the design and cohering of it might be better seen , its Doctrines be more easily comprehended , and the happy effects it was able to produce be more plainly perceived , which is chiefly done by the last Part. But as the causes before alledged , had already once smother'd this design , so they did it again this time ; for perceiving by the Letters of Mr. Nauta , it was impossible to agree with him , as to the price , and that it was unlikely he should ever do it , I was at last forced to give up the Book to him , that I might ( with the Blessing of God , ) pursue my design . So having altogether broken with that Bookseller , I have agreed some Months since , with another of this City , Mr. Daniel Vanden Dalen , to put divers Presses going upon it , and re-print the whole Work , revised and corrected , that I might incessantly publish all the four Parts , one after another , in the form in wnich the Reader now sees them . For as to the 750 Copies which Mr. Nauta had printed of the two First Books , and are most of them still upon his hands ; they being an inconsiderble number , that could not go very far , and the hasty Edition of the Book , being as yet imperfect , seem'd to give room to a new Edition , that the Pulick might be more speedily satisfied . I therefore here present the Reader with the First Book , enlarged with a new Chapter , that I thought necessary to add at the end . I hope , with the Blessing of God , that the three others shall successively appear every Month ; and I persuade my self , that the reading of the First Parts , will excite some Curiosities for the later ; and that altogether may invite the Reader to a serious consideration upon the Contents , and capacitate him to judge more soundly of this matter than he did , while this Treatise appear'd but in part , and confusedly . This is what I had to say , as to this Edition , that was made in such an extraordinary manner , and publish'd without my knowledge .

I come now to treat of my scope , and what has obliged me to embrace the Opinions I assert in this Book . In all my Studies I was always inclin'd , not to rest upon probabilities , but to search into the whole matter , and to get a clear and distinct knowledge of what I should know . Besides , many strange things had happen'd to me in Friesland , upon the first Writings I had publish'd , and experience had assured me , how little one ought to relye upon the Judgment of Men , especially when what they are accustomed to teach , is call'd in question . For is it not wonderful that my Book upon the Catechism should have been unanimously condemn'd in Friesland , thô amongst above 200 Ministers , who consented to that Judgment , none could alledge so much as one solid Reason against it ; and that afterwards it should have been twice unanimously approved of , without any change , as to the Doctrine and the controverted Points , having been made in it ? This has confirm'd me in this persuasion , that a true Christian , especially a Doctor of Divinity , ought groundedly himself to enquire into things , without resting upon the Judgment of others , that he may obtain a full certainty of the object of his Faith , and the matter of his Precepts . Since that time I resolved only to follow the Holy Scripture , and Reason , in such things in which it ought to supply the silence of the Sacred Writings , and to assure my self by those two means , of what I was to believe , and to teach others , without taking the trouble of following the steps of other Men ; never putting Pen to Paper , but to write upon those subjects , the importance of which I was convinced of , or had not been sufficiently explain'd and examin'd . I have therefore endeavour'd to free , as much as possible , our Holy Doctrine from such errors , as most Men appear to me to be taken with ; or at least , to set in order , such things whic I conceive to be confused ; Whether I was the first that discover'd it , or whether I needed only to promote what had been begun by others . There are other Reasons that have engag'd me in that design . For having sworn in the University of Franeker , faithfully to maintain the pure Doctrine of the Reformed Church , and defend it both by words and writings , in all necessary occasions ; I may now say with Prudentius , and as it becomes my Age.

But it would be too long to enter into particulars , I shall only say that I intend to imploy the rest of my Life ; first , to the Duties and Functions of my Ministry , which the circumstances and largeness of this Town make more painful than in other places ; and than to make an exact enquiry after whatever is falsly believed in the World , and the Erroneous Opinions that are entertained without any other ground then that they are every day told and heard of . For my most earnest desire is , to see Men become more wise and honest than they are , th●ugh very few sincerely intend it , or at least do their Endeavours to attain to that perfection ; most ●art choosing rather to believe , and to do , what is commonly believed and done , than to be at the trouble of freeing themselves from Errors . In the mean while ; what past in Freiseland , when my first Book appear'd abroad , ought to have taught me , how dangerous it is to write upon such matters ; there being neither favour nor profit to be expected for such Authors as rid themselves from all prejudices ; and having no regard , either for the Credit or Power of the Faction , whose Sentiments they reject , resolve to follow only what the Scripture teaches , or Reason dictates to them , and to embrace no Opinions , but such as are founded upon those two Grounds . Perhaps after my Death the usefulness of this Undertaking will be known ; and tho' I dare not hope that it will be done in my Life time ; yet I publish it my self , to learn the Judgment of the publick , to defend my Works , and to enlarge or correct them , according to the Light I may acquire a-new , or that shall be communicated to me . For methinks , I am more able to do it , and to be Interpreter of my own Words and Thoughts , than those that may afterwards adopt my Opinions , and have some regard for my Memory .

As for the rest , though my intention and scope may be plainly perceived by the first Chapter ; yet I shall add , that no Men in the World are more remote from any Atheistical Sentiments , more persuaded of the Divinity of the Holy Writ , and more disposed to render to God the Honour and Reverence due to him , than those , who as I am , are opposed to the common Opinion of the Power and Vertue of the Devil . Whoever shall read this Book with attention , and without partiality , will undoubtedly be persuaded of it ; at least , I mean , that there is enough to satisfie those that absolutely reject the Principles of Descartes , concerning the use of Reason ; and at the same time such as give too much extent to those Principles ; and that those two Parties will equally approve of the manner in which I distinguish Spirits from Bodies , and both from God , without however establishing any thing as to their Operations that cannot be proved by plain and necessary Inferences . So that I powerfully confute the foolish Errors of Spinosa , who confounds God and Nature together . I believe not that there is any Author , who has more solidly establisht the infinite difference that there is betwixt God and the Creature , and the inconsistency of the Properties of Bodies with those of Spirits , then I do here ; as was necessary to be done to lay a firm foundation to this work , that is wholly grounded upon that Principle , at least as to those things that are the object of the Light of Reason . Besides , I have this internal satisfaction , that I confirm by an evident proof the Doctrine of our Churches , that tends still to diminish the Honour paid to the Creatures , in order to increase that which is due to God . This Book witnesses for me that I set up the Glory , Power , and Wisdom of the Soveraign Master of the World , as much as they had been taken from him , to be communicated to the Devil . I banish from the Universe that abominable Creature to chain him in Hell , that Jesus , our Supream King , may more powerfully and securely reign . Though his Empire that is to endure to the last day , is likewise to subsist in the midst of his Enemies , that are here upon Earth , that is amongst the People of the Devil , or such in whom Sin keeps still imprinted the Image of the Devil . With that intention I am not afraid to explain in my second Book several passages of the H●ly Writ in another Sense , than they have hitherto been taken : But if by the publishing of such new explications , one aimed not at the Honour of God , and only sought to impair and stain the Reputation of those that are of contrary Opinion , he should take more to heart his own Credit than the Glory of God . As for me , who have formerly been in Opinions contrary to those I speak of , and which are still held by the greatest part of Men ; I willingly propose my present Sentiments , but only with a sincere intention of glorifying God , and bringing Truth to Light . I think not therefore to be blameable for not sticking to the vulgar explications , I had formerly follow'd , and preferring before them those of some Persons , who have not done what I now suppose to be obliged to do . Yet I am not alone in these Opinions ; for they are agreeable to those of many others , some of whom have appear'd in the World even after me . And though they have produced and asserted in Writing those new Interpretations and Translations of the Bible , but by way of Exercises , and to shew what subtilty and parts they acquir'd in their Youth , by the alteration of such Expositions as had learned Men for their Authors ; yet as for me , methinks that in my old Age I ought to make use of my own Eyes , and to speak with liberty . As for the rest , if there are amongst us , who , to multiply the proofs of our Opinion , and diminish those of the contrary Party , stretch the Holy Scripture too far , that 's their own fault , and not ours . We presume to be provided with better Arms , to dcfend the Fundamental Truths of the Church . But it must be observ'd as a general fault , that the reading of the Bible is undertaken with a Mind full of its own prejudices , or those of its Masters ; and that 't is generally explain'd according to those Notions , without any other Reason or Ground but that of chance , or of some cases that have occasioned the choice of such parts as is then followed . I take the Vail from those prejudices , and shew what Method is to be observ'd to undertake the explication of the Holy Writ , without any prevention . For I hold it for certain , that none would have explain'd such passages of the said Writings as I here treat of , so as they are usually Interpreted , had he not been imbu'd with a prejudice of the great and extraordinary power of the Devil , or had he not intended to confute some particular Errors . I have already proofs of it ; for several learn'd and pious Persons have very much approv'd of my Method of examining those Texts , and the searching into their Sense ; and having treated in my Sermons of the chief Points of this subject , I am inform'd that many People shew a great impatience to see my Writings upon it . I have frequently been in Conversations , where the most important matters , especially those that are contain'd in my second and third Book , were discuss'd , and they seem'd partly satisfi'd with my Explications , and in hopes of being fully convinc'd by those they expected from me : I refer my self to their Judgment , to know whether their expectation has been deceived or fulfill'd ; being persuaded that if they do not agree to some particulars , yet they will approve of my intention , and contribute their utmost , that the greatest part of the things I propose may be receiv'd and relish'd . If I were so capricious as to disturb my self on account of what may be said and believ'd of my design , and to make more of the number than of the quality of the Readers , I should undergo great hardships : For I doubt not but most Men , having little meditated upon this matter , will think that I commit a great Sin in publishing this Treatise ; not however in reference to the first Book , where I only relate the various Opinions of the several Nations from very credible Authors , without declaring my own Sentiments , or confuting those of others . Neither do I believe that the two last parts will be found fault with , but only the second , where the most important Doctrines are discuss'd , will raise some difficulty , and not please every one . It will especially seem strange , that I make so little account of the Devil , and endue him with such an inconsiderable Power . For matters have been carried so far , that some Men think it a piece of Piety to ascribe many Miraculous Effects to the Devil , and to hold for rash and impious People those that cannot believe , that he does what is testified by thousands of Witnesses . If any contradict their Opinion , he is taken for an Atheist , that is , such as denies the Existence of one God , tho' he is only guilty of the Crime of not believing two , viz. a good and a bad . But those that are of your Mind , deserve themselves to be called Ditheists , or such as believe two Gods : [ as the Arians ] got the name of Tritheists , because they believ'd three Gods [ of different nature . ] If any desire to put a new name upon me , in reference to my Opinions , I willingly yield to that of Monotheists , that is , who believes but one God , and one Saviour Jesus Christ ; upon whose words I wholly trust , where he says , Fear not them who kills the Body , but fear him who can destroy both Soul and Body , Mat. 10.28 . I fear him much less , who has no power either over Body or Soul , and trouble not more my head with the judgments of those Judg 6.13 . In the name of the Lord the God of hosts , I encounter that Goliah ; let 's see who will lend him a helping hand ! It any think to have reasons so strong as to confute my Opinion , I desire him to propound them , with as much softness , as I am favourably dispos'd to hear them ; but at the same time I intreat him to spare to himself and to me , an unprofitable labour , and to wait till he have read the whole work , from the beginning to the end , before he makes his objections . By those means he shall perfectly know whether those particular and private places which he has read , and with which he had not been satisfyd , have afterwards been explain'd , and made worthier of his approbation , by the concatenation of the whole Treatise , and the reasons contain'd in it : For it would be troublesome to view and examine again , all the places of my Answers I would quote . So that it must not be take ill , if I give none to those that shall follow another Method , and would make me waste with them the time that can be better spent .

Revis'd , enlarg'd , and given to the Printer , March 16. 1691 May 26. 1691 August 1. 1691

I may assure here , that nothing has ben taken off , from what is contain'd in the Edition of Leeuwarden . It 's true , something has been added in some places , for the better understanding of the matter ; as may be seen at the end of the Original , where a whole Chapter has been added , in which , the last Chapter of the Friesland Edition is compriz'd . It seeming to me it was convenient to inlarge a little more in that place ; more exactly to shew the use and design of the search I make in this First Book , after the various opinions of all Nations , and better to discover the foundation of those prejudices , that have so long kept us from examining the true state of the matters contain'd in the following Parts . Many other additions have been made to the French Translation , which it is not needful precisely to mark . The curious may compare the Translation with the Original .

AS the two first Books of this work that I published at first , have been differently received , for Reasons alledg'd in the Preface ; It will not be amiss to represent to the Reader , what has been properly my design in these four Books , that I have Intituled , The World Bewitch'd , nor to shew what foundation I built upon , and what way I take to find out the truth . For althô I express my self clearly enough in the beginning of the work , and in the Preface to the first part ; I know nevertheless , that is not sufficient to destroy the prejudice wherewith , the learned themselves appear more biassed than the Vulgar ; which I should never have thought ; but it seems at present , I have found out the Reason , which is , that the most part of those which do not put themselves to the trouble to pass through all the Degrees of the Schools , aspire to Sciences and sublime knowledge , but for their particular pleasure ; they are the People that love liberty , and to whom it matters not , who is the Master that instructs them , provided that they may learn something ; or if they are greedy of rarities , they have not so much respect to the mode , nor to that which is New or Antient , as to the beauty of the matter , and to that of the work . On the contrary , it is with those who pass through the Schools , as with those who live in Shops , where every one has his way , every Master has his Method in the work he makes . In one Town they make the same things after one fashion , and in another , after another ; when one is taken up with the mode , he often rejects what is pleasing , without any other Reason , then because it is not as commonly used in the World . And we have a strangeness for all novelties , so long as they have not the common vogue ; althô otherwise , we might approve them , and have them cheap enough ; but as soon as Custom has introduced them , one begins to seek them out , and to be disgusted at the former . Sciences are subject to the same inconveniencies . Those that we send to the Schools , continue in the road which has been mark'd out to them for their exercises ; they endeavour to form themselves upon the model of those which have most reputation , or of those who are the nearest to their first prejudices ; so this is disapproving the part they have taken , not to be apt to take any , and to preserve our own liberty , and thus we expose our selves very much ; but one runs a greater risk , if willing to ascend higher , and search things in their Fountains , it happens at last , that we find our selves out of the ordinary Road , and that we are obliged to take another . Hinc illae lachymae , From thence proceeds all disorders .

The common Opinion of the Devil , of his knowledge , power , and Operations , and of People which are accused of having commerce with him , began by little and little to become very suspitious by the help of natural light , which I have common with others , which was strengthened and purified by the Scripture ; so after I had well examined it , I was in doubt , whether I ought to maintain it any longer , or abandon it , not only by Reason of the truth , but also because of the Piety which it seem'd to contradict : My Conscience it self compel'd me to it ; for I was obliged to answer those that ask'd me , and to take care of my Conduct , because of the disposition I saw the People in . It was the Duty of my charge , and every Day occasions offer'd themselves , my pain increased every moment , by the continual necessity I found my self in , to speak and act as others did , or to oppose the publick with words or actions , which agree not with my Character , which is to be complaisant , and to agree with all the World , as much as is possible . Besides I found not as yet foundation enough to act after an other manner , which made me at first resolve to make an exact search , after the Original of this common and general Opinion , to know whether it was founded upon truth . But because I make this examination , à priore and not à posteriore , as they in the Schools , I have proposed the state of the Question , but at the end of the first Book ; where I discovered in the 22th Chapter , how many of the Opinions , which I have related ; ( which are all those that ever were in the World upon this subject , ) The Protestants have at last got together , and formed those which they retain to this Day . In the 23th Chapter I compare them with the Opinions of other Nations ; and in the 24th Chapter , I shew by what means they have been introduced amongst us ; and what keeps us so strongly tyed to them : So in the first Book , I examine what is the rise of the Opinion concerning the Devil , and in the following Books , I discover what sentiments we ought to have of him .