Reading for mine own private exercise and studies, the worthy work of Master Peter Viret, entitled, The Christian disputations (right Reverent Father) the sweet entry into the same, with such pleasant allurements of comfortable matter, so drew and tolled me forward, as unnethes I could cease, until I had clean discoursed and gone through the whole work. Which having once accomplished, and due consideration thereupon had, according to my slender capacity, I thought I could not bestow my time in any thing more worthy grateful acceptance, then in publishing and setting forth the same, that others might be made partakers of my comfortable delights, and delightful comforts taken in reading hereof. Not meaning like a churl, alone to devour such a rich banquet, furnished with so great a number of Junkets and delicate dishes, but to invite thereunto (according to the intent of mine Author, a company worthy such a feast, which being first prepared and dressed very cunningly after the French fashion, I have, for the great good will and zeal •owe unto my native Country, and for their better taste, translated and set forth the same, after the English manner: ⟨image 3⟩wherein my small unlearned skill desirous of sure supportacion and good defence, craveth your grace as chief to give me credit and countenance, against the biting sting of Zoilous persons & heretical Papists, whose stomachs may in no wise digest or abide the good & wholesome diet in this feast prepared, whose unsavoury tastes, as I seek not to content, so I fear not to offend. Trusting your grace will accept this my bold enterprise as proceeding of hearty good will towards you, and earnest love borne unto my country, preferring my zealous intent, and the Godliness of the matter unto the unworthiness and slender skill showed in the translation. As I shall daily pray unto Almighty God, to govern and direct your grace, in all your affairs, by his holy spirit, remaining ever.
REading for mine owne priuate exercise and studies, the worthie worke of Master Peter Viret, entituled, The Christian disputations (right Reuerent Father) the sweete entrie into the same, with such pleasant allurementes of comfortable matter, so drewe and tolled me forwade, as vnnethes I coulde cease, vntill I had cleane discoursed and gone thorowe the whole worke. Which hauing once accomplished, and due consideration therevppon had, according to my slender capacitie, I thought I coulde not bestowe my time in any thing more worthy gratefull acceptaunce, then in publyshing and setting foorth the same, that others might bee made pertakers of my comfortable delights, and delightfull comforts takē in reading hereoff. Not meaning like a chorle, alone to deuoure such a rich banket, furnished with so greate a number of Iunkets and delicate dishes, but to inuite thervnto (according to the intent of mine Author, a company worthy such a feast, which being first prepared and dressed very cunningly after the French fashion, I haue, for the great good will and zeale •owe vnto my natiue Countrie, and for their better taste, translated and set foorth the same, after the English manner: ⟨image 3⟩wherein my small vnlearned skill desirous of sure supportacion and good defence, craueth your grace as chiefe to giue me credite and countenaunce, against the byting sting of Zoilous persons & hereticall Papists, whose stomacks may in no wise digest or abide the good & wholesome dyet in this feast prepared, whose vnsauorie tastes, as I seeke not to content, so I feare not to offende. Trusting your grace will accept this my bolde enterprise as proceeding of heartie good will towards you, and earnest loue borne vnto my countrie, preferring my zealous intent, and the Godlinesse of the matter vnto the vnworthinesse and slender skill shewed in the translation. As I shall dayly pray vnto Almightie God, to gouerne and direct your grace, in all your affaires, by his holy spirite, remayning euer.
