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 Mecaenas, noble Esquire
Ashmole,) no mortal man had any share in the composition or ordering of
the first part thereof, but my only self.
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