The Epistle Dedicatory.

...throwing away the vain persuasion or superstition of men, custom, time, or the masses, and being moved only by the authority of Truth: I ask for your support in this matter, but only so far as the law of God, the law of Nature, the law of this Land, and the rule of Reason shall require. Nor do I plead for these poor people in any other way than this: that with one hand you may support the good, and with the other suppress the evil. In doing so, you shall be regarded as a Father to Orphans, an Advocate to Widows, a Guide to the Blind, a Support to the Lame, a Comfort and Encouragement to the honest, and a Scourge and Terror to the Wicked.

Up to this point, I have been bold enough to test your Lordship’s patience. I am disappointed in myself that I could not express more briefly the matters I have explained at such length. I confess this might cause boredom original: "tediousness", were it not for your great seriousness and your remarkable persistence in reading and judging, which prevent that from happening. And I wish with all my heart that I could help people understand the core of my writing and not misinterpret original: "misconster" any part of my meaning. Then I would surely be convinced that once the company of Witchmongers Scot's term for those who zealously promote the belief in and prosecution of witches has decreased, the number of "Witches" would also soon be diminished. But the words of the Poet are true:

You can by no means do all things bravely alone; original Latin: Haudquaquam poteris fortiter omnia solus
For the gods have granted some to excel in war,
To this one the art of dancing, and to that one singing with the voice and lute;
While in the heart of another, great wise
Jupiter has implanted intelligence, etc. This is a Latin translation of Homer’s Iliad, Book 13, lines 729–733.

Therefore, as I am doubtful of succeeding through persuasion—even though I have reason and common sense on my side—I rely instead on earnest wishing. Specifically, I wish for all people to have an absolute trust in God the Creator, and not in created beings, which is like making human strength original: "flesh" our support. I wish this so that God may receive his due honor (which many people’s lack of duty has turned into dishonor) and so that there will be less cause for offense and error caused by widely accepted bad examples. And to your Lordship, I wish both an increase of honor and the continuation of good health and happy days.

Reginald Scot.