1. I find not that I am denied the use

 Of this my method, so I no abuse

 Put on the words, things, readers; or be rude

 In handling figure or similitude,

 In application; but, all that I may,

 Seek the advance of truth this or that way

 Denied, did I say? Nay, I have leave

 (Example too, and that from them that have

 God better pleased, by their words or ways,

 Than any man that breatheth now-a-days)

 Thus to express my mind, thus to declare

 Things unto thee that excellentest are.

2. I find that men (as high as trees) will write
 Dialogue-wise; yet no man doth them slight

 For writing so: indeed, if they abuse

 Truth, cursed be they, and the craft they use

 To that intent; but yet let truth be free

 To make her sallies upon thee and me,

 Which way it pleases God; for who knows how,

 Better than he that taught us first to plough,

 To guide our mind and pens for his design?

 And he makes base things usher in divine.

3. I find that holy writ in many places
 Hath semblance with this method, where the cases

 Do call for one thing, to set forth another;

 Use it I may, then, and yet nothing smother

 Truth's golden beams: nay, by this method may

 Make it cast forth its rays as light as day.

 And now before I do put up my pen,

 I'll shew the profit of my book, and then

 Commit both thee and it unto that Hand

 That pulls the strong down, and makes weak ones stand.

This book it chalketh out before thine eyes

 The man that seeks the everlasting prize;

 It shews you whence he comes, whither he goes;

 What he leaves undone, also what he does;

 It also shows you how he runs and runs,

 Till he unto the gate of glory comes.