[A]t my very first entrance upon the task, an intricate difficulty did in a manner wholly discourage me. For I lighted upon great piles and heaps of papers and writings of all sorts, reasonably well digested indeed in respect of the times, but in regard of the variety of the arguments very much confused. In searching and turning over whereof whilst I laboured till I sweat again, covered all over with dust, to gather fit matter together … I procured all the helps I possibly could for writing it.

For the bringing of which into this homely and rough-hewen shape, which here thou seest, what restleße nights, what painefull dayes, what heat, what cold I haue indured; how many long & chargeable iourneys I haue traueiled; how many famous libraries I haue searched into; what varietie of ancient and modern writers I haue perused; what a number of old records, patents, priuileges, letters, &c. I haue redeemed from obscuritie and perishing; into how manifold acquaintance I haue entred; what expenses I haue not spared; and yet what faire opportunities of priuate gaine, preferment, and ease I haue neglected.