The grand impostor discovered, or, An historical dispute of the papacy and popish religion ... divided in four parts : 1. of bishops, 2. of arch-bishops, 3. of an œcumenick bishop, 4. of Antichrist : Part I, divided in two books ... / by S.C.

TO HIS GRACE The DUKE of LAUDERDALE, Marquess of Marche, Earl of Lauderdail, Viscount Maitland, Lord Thirlestane, Mus∣selburgh, and Bolton, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, His Majesties High Commissioner, President of His Council, and Sole Secretary of State in His Kingdom of Scotland.

May it please your Grace,

THat the Christian Faith (as it was taught by Christ and his Apostles, and confirmed by the four first General Councils) is established by His Majesties authority; all have reason to be thankful both to God, and to His Majesty.

While we are contending for things of lesser moment at home, Religion is dange∣rously assaulted from abroad; their artifices are subtile, their success is lamented.

By what perswasions they endeavour to gain Proselyts; and how they are refuted? Your Grace will find affirmed in the Preface, and proved in the Disput following. The first part whereof I present to your Grace, it be∣ing difficult for me to publish it all at once.

My Lord, some perhaps, as their motive of such an address as this, would fall a painting out the praises of your Grace, and your Ancestors in your Face; as, that one or other of your Race, could be no more spa∣red from the State in every age, then one of the Aeacides from the warrs of Greece: which although most true, yet I forbear, lest I should offer violence, vim facere, to your Graces Modesty, by unseasonable mention∣ing things which all know to be undenyable.

Nevertheless, I hope your Grace will par∣don me if I affirm, that it is a main encou∣ragement of my troubling you, that your Grace is a Gentle-man of Spirit, versed in Antiquity, and able to discern if I perform any thing to the purpose, in this great sub∣ject, or process of greatest importance, that ever depended before the Tribunal of Hea∣ven.

My Lord, I have likewise privat obliga∣tions to your Grace. I had the honour to be your Condisciple, at which time it did not obscurely appear, what your Grace would prove afterwards? Also having pre∣sented several Trifles to your Grace, at your two times being in Scotland, you seemed to accept of them, with a favou∣rable countenance: which encouraged me to trouble your Grace afresh. A Spaniel, the more he is taken notice of, the more he troubles his Benefactors, with importunat kindness.

Taking all for good coyn, whether they be in jest or in earnest.

If I perform any thing in this great subject worthy of your Graces perusal, I would be infinitly proud of it: otherwise, the greatest censure I expect from your Grace, is, that either your Grace would smile at my folly, or else put me back with a gentle frown; hop∣ing your Grace, will pardon presumption, proceeding from simplicity and good-will.

I will trouble your Grace no more, but be∣ing sorry, that I can give no greater evi∣dence of my propension, to your Graces ser∣vice, I rest as I am able, most addicted to it.

Samuel Colvill.