Secondly, I thought it a duty incumbent upon me, to satisfy the whole
kingdom of the lawfulness thereof, by framing a plain and easy method
for any person but of indifferent capacity to learn the art, and
instruct himself therein, without any other master than my
_Introduction_; by which means, when many understood it, I should have
more partners and assistants to contradict all and every antagonist.

Thirdly, I found it best as unto point of time, because many of the
soldiers were wholly for it, and many of the Independant party; and I
had abundance of worthy men in the House of Commons, my assured friends,
no lovers of Presbytery, which then were in great esteem, and able to
protect the art; for should the Presbyterian party have prevailed, as
they thought of nothing less than to be Lords of all, I knew well they
would have silenced my pen annually, and committed the _Introduction_
unto everlasting silence.

Fourthly, I had something of conscience touched my spirit, and much
elevated my conceptions, believing God had not bestowed those abilities
upon me, to bury them under a bushel; for though my education was very
mean, yet, by my continual industry, and God's great mercy, I found
myself capable to go forward with the work, and to commit the issue
thereof unto Divine Providence.

I had a hard task in hand to begin the first part hereof, and much
labour I underwent to methodize it as it is.

I ingenuously confess unto you (Arts' great Mecænas, noble Esquire
Ashmole,) no mortal man had any share in the composition or ordering of
the first part thereof, but my only self. You are a person of great