The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three main questions concerning…The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three maine questions concerning…

IT was not my purpose, (Christian Reader) at the first to have sent abroad only one part of the Cases of Conscience, without the rest; but that I was moved thereunto, partly upon the importunity of some of the Authors friends, and partly because I desired to satisfy thy expectation in a thing, which I persuade my self hath been long expected. Upon which two motives, I have now commended unto thee this first part, promising by the grace of God, ere it be long, to add the second, and the third, so far as the Author proceeded in this Treatise before his death. And although I could have wished, this labour had been undertaken by others, better able to perform it then my self; yet being well acquainted with the copy, which is mine own, and knowing it to have bin perused by the Author himself, before his death, I was the more encouraged, to bestow my pains for thy good in that behalf. If in reading thereof thou find, either any thing amiss, or thy self not fully satisfied in the particulars; then remember that the Author himself is gone, who might have brought the work to perfection, if God had pleased to prolong his days upon the earth. And withal consider, that it were better for thee, to accept of these his labours, as they are now imparted to thee, then by the suppressing of them to be deprived of so great a benefit. And thus hoping of thy kind acceptance of my pains for thy behoof, I commend thee to God, and to the word of his grace. June 28. 1604.

IT was not my purpose, (Christian Reader) at the first to haue sent abroad onely one part of the Cases of Conscience, without the rest; but that I was mooued thereunto, partly vpon the importunitie of some of the Authors friends, and partly because I desired to satisfie thy expectation in a thing, which I perswade my selfe hath beene long expected. Upon which two motiues, I haue now commended vnto thee this first part, promising by the grace of God, ere it be long, to adde the second, and the third, so farre as the Author proceeded in this Treatise before his death. And although I could haue wished, this labour had beene vndertaken by others, better able to performe it then my selfe; yet beeing well acquainted with the copie, which is mine owne, and knowing it to haue bin perused by the Author himselfe, before his death, I was the more incouraged, to bestow my paines for thy good in that behalfe. If in reading thereof thou finde, either any thing amisse, or thy selfe not fully satisfied in the particulars; then remember that the Author himselfe is gone, who might haue brought the worke to perfection, if God had pleased to prolong his daies vpon the earth. And withall consider, that it were better for thee, to accept of these his labours, as they are now imparted to thee, then by the suppressing of them to be depriued of so great a benefit. And thus hoping of thy kinde acceptance of my paines for thy behoofe, I commend thee to God, and to the word of his grace. Iune 28. 1604.