A theological dialogue Wherin the Epistle of S. Paul the Apostle to the Romanes is expounded. Gathered and set together out of the readings of Antonie Corranus of Siuille, professor of Diuinitie.

To the Christian Reader.

THe Apostle Peter exhorteth the faythful in these words, To be rea∣die to yeelde an account of their faith. Be ye al∣ways readie to answere euery man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in you, with mildnesse and reuerence, hauing a good conscience, that they which slaunder your good con∣uersation in Christ, may be ashamed of their misreporting of you as euil doers. Beeing warned by this counsel, an eight yeeres agoe when I taught at Andwerp in the French tung, I wrate a confession

of my fayth in the same language, which (by Gods grace) shall within a while come foorth in Latin and Englishe also. Afterwarde I wrate at London certeyne Tables concerning Gods works, which were printed in fower Languages, La∣tin, Frenth, Dutche, and English. In the short Articles of those Tables I inde∣uered to comprehende as it were in pro∣positions, the holy doctrine of bothe the Testamentes. And I beleeue assured∣ly that in that writing I haue sette foorth the true, the right meaning, and the very pure truthe of the Christian Religion, drawen oute of the foun∣taynes of the holye Scriptures, and that in suche orderlye methode and ap∣parante playnnesse as my conscience vpbraydeth mee not withe any errour: Howe beit that soome reporte other∣wise, eyther peraduenture bicause they perceyue not my meaning at all, or else bicause they looke but slightly vppon the articles them selues. Now therefore for their sakes which haue not read those writings, I will set downe certen shorte articles concerning y^e chief points of our christian religion, which I imbrace with

all my hart. Farewell gentle reader, and hereafter neither thinke nor speake euill of any man for the reports that are spred abrode of him, but first giue him eare and heare his reasons.

Notes

• 1. Pet. 1.15.