Which is the true church? the whole Christian world, as headed only by Christ…

The next year the Countess of Balcarres (now Countess of Argyle) a person to whom I had extraordinary obligations, sent for me, being in great affliction for her eldest Daughter turned Papist. Whereupon I offered a Conference with the person that had persuaded her, or any other whom she would choose: which the Lady accepted, and undertook to bring one speedily to perform it. But at last she said the person was afraid of the danger of the Law. I urged her still, and then she told me, that when he knew who it was that he was to speak with, he professed that he feared no danger from me, and greatly honoured me, being one that knew me; but refused the Dispute. I provoked her to get some other, though it was the ablest that then attended on the Queen mother (who then encouraged her:) But she would have none but him that did refuse it. Whereupon (her mother being in danger of death by grief) I was forced to speak more harshly to her, and ask her, Whether she dealt wisely to follow such as durst not let her hear what was to be said? I told her, that if he would spend but one hour in giving the reasons why she should turn Papist, and let me spend another hour in giving her my reasons to the contrary, I would leave the issue to her Conscience. After long denial, at last she told me, that the person did consent, on condition that there might be no speaking, but only writing ex tempore, and nothing done but by syllogism, according to the Laws of Disputation. I asked her, Whether that way was most suitable to her understanding and patience? And whether she would stay till we had done our writings, which might possibly be some years? And whether she might not as well read what is written already? But when nothing else would be consented to, I yielded to such writing, so be it she would but hear our several Reasons one hour or two first. And when that could not be obtained, I consented to meet him, and only to write. But just when the time came, the Lady was stolen away; and when they followed and overtook her, she told them that she was but going on some business, and would presently return (her mother professed that before her perversion she scarce ever found her in a Lye or disobedience, and after could scarce believe any thing that she said). But she went to a Nunnery in France, and her Mother saw her no more;

The next year the Countess of Balcarres (now Countess of Argyle) a person to whom I had extraordinary obligations, sent for me, being in great affliction for her eldest Daughter turned Papist. Whereupon I offered a Conference with the person that had perswaded her, or any other whom she would chuse: which the Lady accepted, and undertook to bring one speedily to perform it. But at last she said the person was afraid of the danger of the Law. I urged her still, and then she told me, that when he knew who it was that he was to speak with, he professed that he feared no danger from me, and greatly honoured me, being one that knew me; but refused the Dispute. I provoked her to get some other, though it was the ablest that then attended on the Queen mother (who then encourag'd her:) But she would have none but him that did refuse it. Whereupon (her mother being in danger of death by grief) I was forced to speak more harshly to her, and ask her, Whether she dealt wisely to follow such as durst not let her hear what was to be said? I told her, that if he would spend but one hour in giving the reasons why she should turn Papist, and let me spend another hour in giving her my reasons to the contrary, I would leave the issue to her Conscience. After long denial, at last she told me, that the person did consent, on condition that there might be no speaking, but only writing ex tempore, and nothing done but by syllogism, according to the Laws of Disputation. I asked her, Whether that way was most suitable to her understanding and patience? And whether she would stay till we had done our writings, which might possibly be some years? And whether she might not as well read what is written already? But when nothing else would be consented to, I yeilded to such writing, so be it she would but hear our several Reasons one hour or two first. And when that could not be obtained, I consented to meet him, and only to write. But just when the time came, the Lady was stoln away; and when they followed and overtook her, she told them that she was but going on some business, and would presently return (her mother professed that before her perversion she scarce ever found her in a Lye or disobedience, and after could scarce believe any thing that she said). But she went to a Nunnery in France, and her Mother saw her no more;