Father Gury's Preface to the Reader

PREFACE OF FATHER GURY

TO THE READER You have, most courteous Reader, in this small book a treatment of the matter of moral theology, brief indeed, yet complete, unless I am mistaken, put together from the doctrine of the most approved Doctors, both ancient and recent. But since, by the supreme judgment of the Holy See, ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGORIO has in this recent age shed brilliant light upon this science, nothing seemed to me preferable or more certain than to follow this excellent guide, and to present his doctrine digested in a certain new form and order.

As regards method, I have most willingly followed that which seemed plainer. And so, at the very beginnings of each treatment, you will have the definition and circumscription of the matter; and that it might be most accurate and fit the matter well, I have applied every effort. Hence you will find various divisions of the matter under consideration, or, as it were, the different faces which the thing offers when viewed from different sides. When the matter has thus been placed in the middle, the step will be made to principles, upon which, as upon so many hinges, the whole solution of the questions turns. These indeed will not be many; but they will be those which contain in themselves the whole force, and which, having been set forth by the weightier Theologians, have deserved to be sanctioned by common suffrage. Once these have been established, both the disputation and the descent to consequences will be easy, that is, to the solution of questions, which in moral matters is the immediate end. But since in these disciplines you will scarcely find any argument in which even the Doctors themselves are in agreement with one another, there will be a suitable place for resolving controversies; this I shall do according to the mode of questions, setting opposite opinions against one another, and indicating thereafter which I judge the more preferable or truly probable. This is the way, this the order, of almost the whole treatment. At times you will desire a richer supply of reasons, a greater number of authorities, and in some places also a fuller explanation. But then it will not be out of place to remember that this is nothing other than a Compendium, in which, if anything is lacking from those things which would render the matter complete in all its parts, that indeed will be lacking which ought altogether to be lacking from a Compendium.

As regards the manner of writing, in it you will find brevity according to the nature of the matters; not seldom, without doubt, you will censure dryness. As regards brevity, as a work of this kind required, I have pursued it as much as possible, yet in such a way that, while I labor to be brief, I may not become obscure. Therefore you will neither be overwhelmed by the force of words, nor, as I hope, ever wander in darkness. But as regards dryness, this has always been certain and firmly persuaded to me: that the charms and graces of diction are very alien from these matters. Therefore, provided that the matter is clear, even if it appears less graceful and adorned, I am not greatly anxious. It is my intention to furnish you a key fit for opening the treasury of this science. But yours, you will say, is an iron key. Let it be so; provided it opens, that will suffice. Try its use; and if it is able to unlock the treasury of the moral disciplines, I have nothing else in my wishes. I shall receive an ample reward for my labor if this little Work redounds to the greater glory of God and to your utility. One thing remains: that I ask you, most courteous Reader, to be of a benevolent mind; and if pardon must at any time be given, I ask that you kindly grant it. Farewell.