And if any reader should be discouraged at the number of duties and directions set before him, I entreat him to consider, 1. That it is God, and not I, that imposeth all these duties on you: and who will question his wisdom, goodness, or power to make laws for us and all the world? 2. That every duty and direction is a mercy to you; and therefore should not be matter of grief to you, but of thanks. They are but like the commands of parents to their children, when they bid them eat their meat, and wear their clothes, and go to bed, and eat not poison, and tumble not in the dirt; and cut not your fingers, and take heed of fire and water, &c. To leave out any such law or duty, were but to deprive you of an excellent mercy; you will not cut off or cast away any member of your body, any vein, or sinew, or artery, upon pretence that the number maketh them troublesome, when the diminishing of that number would kill or maim you. A student is not offended that he hath many books in his library; nor a tradesman that he hath store of tools; nor the rich at the number of his farms or flocks. Believe it, reader, if thou bring not a malignant quarrelsome mind, thou wilt find that God hath not burdened, but blessed thee with his holy precepts, and that he hath not appointed thee one unnecessary or unprofitable duty; but only such as tend to thy content, and joy, and happiness.[9] O let it be the daily, earnest prayer of me and thee, that our hearts prove not false and unwilling to follow the directions which are given us, lest we condemn ourselves in the things which we allow. Your practice now will show, whether it be through want of will or skill, if henceforth you unfaithfully neglect your duty. If you are willing, obey now what is plainly taught you, and show by your diligence that you are willing. FOOTNOTES: [6] Noverint universi quod præsens opusculum non aggredior, ut fidelium auribus propbanas aliquas vocum ingeram novitates, sed ut innocenter et sobrie de altissimo, &c. Ockam de Sacram. Alt. prolog. In zelo domus Domini, nunc persolvo debitum, vile quidem, sed fidele ut puto, et animum quibusque egregiis, Christi tyronibus: grave vero et importabile apostatis insipientibus: quorum priores ni fallor, cum lachrymis forte quæ ex Dei charitate profluunt, alii cum tristitia, sed quæ ex indignatione et pusillanimitate deprehensæ conscientiæ extorquetur, illud excipiunt. Gildas Prolog. Excid. [7] Habet, inquies, Britannia rectores, habet speculatores: Quid tu negando mutiri disponis? Habet, inquam habet, si non ultra, non citra numerum: sed quia inclinati tanto pondere sunt pressi, idcirco spatium respirandi non habent. Præoccupabant igitur se mutuo talibus objectionibus, &c. Gildas ib.