BE pleased (I pray thee) to understand in a word, as the occasion of undertaking, so the motive of publishing this Controversy. Having had some Conference with an Honourable Lady nobly descended, whom some Factors for Rome had endeavoured to pervert, about the Point of Transubstantiation, and Christs corporal presence in the Eucharist; I was by her requested to deliver her in writing, the sum of that that had passed then by word of mouth from me, as well in way of Answer to the exceptions taken to our Doctrine, as in way of opposition to the Roman tenet therein. Whereupon within a few days after, having digested it as well as straits of time would permit, and added some further enforcements of the general heads then insisted on, I delivered it verbatim as here thou now hast it. Which writing being imparted to one of those Factors, a speedy answer was promised, and (after long expectation of it) at length performed, such as here it is exhibited (under the letters of N. P. put for a Nameless Popish Priest) without word or syllable detracted, ⟨image 4⟩added, or altered. Unto which I soon after dispeeded a Reply; which was to the same Honourable Personage also not long after represented. Now having hitherto heard of nothing returned further thereunto, (albeit some years be past since the exhibition of it) I have thought good by the advice of some judicious Friends to publish all together (my Reply only in some few places enlarged) as well thereby the more fully to clear some objections urged commonly (to the simpler sort especially) against our Faith and Doctrine concerning that Sacrament, and our exposition of some passages of holy writ, either concerning, or supposed to concern the same; as also further to discover (to such especially as are not so well acquainted therewith) the gross and palpable frauds and falsehoods, with such Popish Factors too frequent, which in the advised reading and perusing hereof may easily and evidently be descried. And this is all that (not listing to detain thee long from the discourse it self) I was desirous by way of Preface to fore-acquaint thee withal. The Lord vouchsafe thee and us all true understanding, sound judgement, and a love of the truth both in this and in all other things.
BE pleased (I pray thee) to vnderstand in a word, as the occasion of vndertaking, so the motiue of publishing this Controuersie. Hauing had some Conference with an Honourable Lady nobly descended, whom some Factors for Rome had endeauoured to peruert, about the Point of Transubstantiation, and Christs corporall presence in the Eucharist; I was by her requested to deliuer her in writing, the summe of that that had passed then by word of mouth from me, as well in way of Answere to the exceptions taken to our Doctrine, as in way of opposition to the Romane tenet therein. Whereupon within a few daies after, hauing digested it as well as streights of time would permit, and added some further enforcements of the generall heads then insisted on, I deliuered it verbatim as here thou now hast it. Which writing being imparted to one of those Factors, a speedy answere was promised, and (after long expectation of it) at length performed, such as here it is exhibited (vnder the letters of N. P. put for a Namelesse Popish Priest) without word or syllable detracted, ⟨image 4⟩added, or altred. Vnto which I soone after dispeeded a Reply; which was to the same Honourable Personage also not long after represented. Now hauing hitherto heard of nothing returned further thereunto, (albeit some yeeres be past since the exhibition of it) I haue thought good by the aduice of some iudicious Friends to publish all together (my Reply onely in some few places enlarged) as well thereby the more fully to cleere some obiections vrged commonly (to the simpler sort especially) against our Faith and Doctrine concerning that Sacrament, and our exposition of some passages of holy writ, either concerning, or supposed to concerne the same; as also further to discouer (to such especially as are not so well acquainted therewith) the grosse and palpable frauds and falshoods, with such Popish Factours too frequent, which in the aduised reading and perusing hereof may easily and euidently be descried. And this is all that (not listing to detaine thee long from the discourse it selfe) I was desirous by way of Preface to fore-acquaint thee withall. The Lord vouchsafe thee and vs all true vnderstanding, sound iudgement, and a loue of the truth both in this and in all other things.
