To the most Reuerent Father in God EDMVND by the permissi∣on of God Archbishop of Caunterbury, Primate and Metrapolitan of England: Iohn Brooke wisheth in this life prosperitie, and eter∣nall felicitie in Christ our Sauiour.

REading for mine owne priuate exercise and studies, the worthie worke of Ma∣ster Peter Viret, entituled, The Christi∣an disputations (right Reuerent Father) the sweete entrie into the same, with such pleasant allurementes of comforta∣ble matter, so drewe and tolled me for∣wade, as vnnethes I coulde cease, vntill I had cleane discoursed and gone thorowe the whole worke. Which hauing once accomplished, and due consideration there∣vppon had, according to my slender capacitie, I thought I coulde not bestowe my time in any thing more wor∣thy gratefull acceptaunce, then in publyshing and set∣ting foorth the same, that others might bee made per∣takers of my comfortable delights, and delightfull com∣forts 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 prepa∣red and dressed very cunningly after the French fashi∣on, I haue, for the great good will and zeale •owe vnto my natiue Countrie, and for their better taste, trans∣lated and set foorth the same, after the English manner: Page  [unnumbered] wherein my small vnlearned skill desirous of sure sup∣portacion and good defence, craueth your grace as chiefe to giue me credite and countenaunce, against the byting sting of Zoilous persons & hereticall Papists, whose sto∣macks may in no wise digest or abide the good & whole∣some dyet in this feast prepared, whose vnsauorie tastes, as I seeke not to content, so I feare not to offende. Trus∣ting 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 in∣tent, and the Godlinesse of the matter vnto the vnwor∣thinesse and slender skill shewed in the translati∣on. As I shall dayly pray vnto Almightie God, to gouerne and direct your grace, in all your affaires, by his holy spirite, remayning euer.