To the Christian Reader

By a Reformed Catholic, I understand any one that holds the same necessary heads of religion with the Roman Church: yet so, as he pares off and rejects all errors in doctrine whereby the said religion is corrupted. How this may be done, I have begun to make some little declaration in this small Treatise: the intent whereof is to show how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must forever dissent.

My purpose in penning this small discourse is threefold. The first is, to confute all such politicians as hold and maintain, that our religion and that of the Roman Church differ not in substance, and consequently that they may be reconciled: yet my meaning is not here to condemn any Pacification that tends to persuade the Roman church to our religion. The second is, that the papists which think so basely of our religion, may be won to a better liking of it: when they shall see how near we come to them in sundry points. The third, that the common protestant might in some part see and conceive the point of difference between us and the Church of Rome: and know in what manner and how far forth, we condemn the opinions of the said Church.

I crave pardon for the order which I use, in handling the several points. For I have set them down one by one, as they came to mind, not respecting the laws of method. If any Papist shall say, that I have not alleged their opinions aright, I answer that their books be at hand, and I can justify what I have said.

Thus craving your acceptance of this my pains, and wishing to you the increase of knowledge and love of pure and sound religion, I take my leave and make an end.

By a Reformed Catholic, I mean anyone who holds the same essential heads of religion as the Roman Church, but who trims away and rejects all the errors in doctrine by which that religion has been corrupted. How this can be done I have begun to lay out in this small treatise, which aims to show how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in various points of religion, and where we must forever disagree.

My purpose in writing this short discourse is threefold. The first is to refute all those politicians who hold and maintain that our religion and that of the Roman Church do not differ in substance, and consequently that they may be reconciled — though I do not here intend to condemn any effort at reconciliation that aims to persuade the Roman church toward our religion. The second is that the papists who think so poorly of our religion may come to have a better regard for it when they see how closely we agree with them on various points. The third is that the ordinary Protestant might in some measure see and understand the points of difference between us and the Church of Rome, and know in what manner and how far we condemn the opinions of that church.

I ask pardon for the order in which I handle the various points. I have set them down one by one as they came to mind, without following any systematic method. If any papist says I have not stated their opinions correctly, I answer that their books are at hand and I can defend what I have said.

Asking your acceptance of this effort, and wishing you an increase of knowledge and love of pure and sound religion, I take my leave and make an end.