A Christian Directory

5. I do especially desire you to observe, that the resolving of practical Cases of Conscience, and the reducing of Theoretical knowledge into serious Christian Practice and promoting a skilful facility in the faithful exercise of universal obedience, and Holiness of heart and life, is the great work of this Treatise; And that where I thought it needful the Cases are reduced to express Questions and Answers: But had I done so by all, many such Volumes would have been too little: And therefore I thought the Directing way most brief and fit for Christian practice: For if you mark them, you will find few Directions in the Book, which may not pass for the answer of an (implied) Question or Case of Conscience, And when I have given you the Answer in a Direction, an ingenious Reader can tell what Question it is that is answered; And so, many hundred Cases are here resolved, especially in the two first Parts, which are not interrogatively named.

5. I do especially desire you to observe, that the resolving of practical Cases of Conscience, and the reducing of Theoretical knowledge into serious Christian Practice and promoting a skilful facility in the faithful exercise of universal obedience, and Holiness of heart and life, is the great work of this Treatise; And that where I thought it needful the Cases are reduced to express Questions and Answers: But had I done so by all, many such Volumes would have been too little: And therefore I thought the Directing way most brief and fit for Christian practice: For if you mark them, you will find few Directions in the Book, which may not pass for the answer of an (implyed) Question or Case of Conscience, And when I have given you the Answer in a Direction, an ingenious Reader can tell what Question it is that is answered; And so, many hundred Cases are here resolved, especially in the two first Parts, which are not interrogatively named.

6. And I must do my self the right as to notify to the Reader, that this Treatise was written when I was (for not-subscribing, Declaring, &c.) forbidden by the Law to Preach, and when I had been long separated far from my Library and from all Books, saving an inconsiderable parcel which wandered with me, where I went: By which means this Book hath two defects: 1. It hath no Cases of Conscience but what my bare memory brought to hand: And Cases are so innumerable, that it is far harder, methinks, to remember them, than to answer them: whereby it came to pass that some of the Ecclesiastical Cases, are put out of their proper place, because I could not seasonably remember them. For I had no one Casuist but Amesius with me. But (after about twelve years separation) having received my Library, I find that the very sight of Sayrus, Fragoso, Roderiquez, Tlt, &c. might have helped my memory to a greater number: But perhaps these will be enough for those that I intend them for. 2. And by the same cause the Margin is unfurnished of such citations as are accounted an Ornament, and in some cases are very useful. The scraps inserted out of my few trivial Books at hand being so mean, as that I am well content (except about Monarchy Par. 4.) that the Reader pass them by as not worthy of his notice.