up in seventy-two days, but hath cost the workmen, as light as it seemeth, the pains of twice seven times seventy-two days, and more. Matters of such weight and consequence are to be speeded with maturity: for in a business of moment a man feareth not the blame of convenient slackness. Neither did we think much to consult the translators or commentators, [Sidenote: Φιλεῖ γὰρ ὀκνεῖν πραγμ’ ἀνὴρ πράσσων μέγα, _Sophocl. in Elect._] _Chaldee_, _Hebrew_, _Syrian_, _Greek_, or _Latin_; no, nor the _Spanish_, _French_, _Italian_, or _Dutch_; neither did we disdain to revise that which we had done, and to bring back to the anvil that which we had hammered: but having and using as great helps as were needful, and fearing no reproach for slowness, nor coveting praise for expedition, we have at length, through the good hand of the Lord upon us, brought the work to that pass that you see. [Sidenote: Reasons moving us to set diversity of senses in the margin, where there is great probability for each. πάντα τὰ ἀναγκαῖα δῆλα.] Some peradventure would have no variety of senses to be set in the margin, lest the authority of the Scriptures for deciding of controversies by that shew of uncertainty should somewhat be shaken. But we hold their judgment not to be so sound in this point. For though _whatsoever things are necessary are manifest_, as St. _Chrysostome_ saith; [Sidenote: _St. Chrysost. in 2 Thess. cap. 2. St. Aug. 2. De doctr. Christ, c. 9._] and, as St. _Augustine_, _in those things that are plainly set down in the Scriptures all such matters are found, that concern faith, hope, and charity_: Yet for all that it cannot be dissembled, that partly to exercise and whet our wits, partly to wean the curious from lothing of them for their every where plainness, partly also to stir up our devotion to crave the assistance of God’s Spirit by prayer, and lastly, that we might be forward to seek aid of our brethren by conference, and never scorn those that be not in all respects so complete as they should be, being to seek in many things, ourselves, it hath pleased God in his Divine Providence here and there to scatter words and sentences of that difficulty and doubtfulness, not in doctrinal points that concern salvation, (for in such it hath been vouched that the Scriptures are plain,) but in matters of less moment, that fearfulness would better beseem us than confidence, and if we will resolve, to resolve upon modesty with St. _Augustine_, [Sidenote: _St. August. lib. 8. De Gen. ad liter. cap. 5._] (though not in this same case altogether, yet upon the same ground,) _Melius est dubitare de occultis, quam litigare de incertis_: It is better to make doubt of those things which are secret, than to strive about those things that are uncertain. [Sidenote: ἅπαξ λεγόμενα.] There be many words in the Scriptures, which be never found there but once, (having neither brother nor neighbour, as the _Hebrews_ speak,) so that we cannot be holpen by conference of places.