synonymous. The former is a disquisition or essay, while the latter can mean either quite generally a discussion or more specifically a comparison or comparative study. Erasmus begins with a lengthy Preface and a short Introduction, in which he states the problem and the difficulties that it raises. He points out that Luther has the weighty authority of the church fathers against him, but agrees to abide by the verdict of Scripture on the subject, since that is all that Luther will accept. At the