“If the opinion of those who have declared that these Books ought not to be published, or ought to be suppressed, wins the day, I shall not fall claiming to have championed in the struggle the fortunes of the Church or any great issue. No! but relying on conscience and on the conviction that I must promote the cause of God to the best of my poor ability, I shall preserve my writings of whatsoever sort in my own house under my own roof; with the hope that if I can but present a willing and ready spirit I shall be not unworthy to serve the world, even though opportunities and resources fail; for has not the Poet said, ‘In magnis est voluisse satis.’ “In everything I have tried to follow the counsel of S. Paul,--neglecting my own conscience, taking no care for my bodily health, not seeking your money, but yourselves, not trying to profit myself but to benefit the world. “Finally, that there be no mistake as to the editions which I have used in the compilation, I have appended the following Index. Lest you experience difficulty in perusing it or strike upon the rock which has proved fatal to others, I would have you remember (being desirous of removing the obstacle which has long troubled many readers) that I have devised a way by which all future Editions may be referred to my pages, thus saving readers the expense and trouble of buying Edition after Edition. With these words of instruction, learned Reader, I would bid you farewell. May God direct and preserve us and our studies to the glory of His name and to the advancement of His Church. “For the State and the Catholic Church of God these labours. TH. JAMES, D.D. “OXFORD, 1627.” The preface to the Index itself reads as follows: TO BE NOTED IN THIS CATALOGUE “First, as regards the numerals 1, 2, 3, occurring throughout the book. “1. Denotes condemned authors, that is, authors whose religious opinions are orthodox and pious, but whose books are prohibited. “2. Denotes pontifical authors, in whose case caution or expurgation is prescribed. “3. Denotes works of doubtful authorship which are prohibited.