Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

The Preface.

IT is not long ago since it was exceeding far from my thoughts, that ever I should have been so much employed in Controversies with dear and Reverend Brethren, as since that time I have been. I repent of any temerity, unskilfulness or other sin of my own which might occasion it, and I am much grieved that it hath occasioned offence to some of the Brethren whom I contradict: But yet I foresee that some light is like to arise by this collision, and the Church will receive more good then hurt by it. We are united in Christ, and in hearty Love to one another, (which as my soul is certainly conscious of; so I have not the least doubt of it in most of ⟨image 4⟩my Brethren with whom I have these Debates) we are so far agreed, that we do without scruple profess our selves of the same faith, and Church: and where the Consequences of our Differences may seem to import any great distance, which we are fain to manifest in our Disputes, we lay that more upon the opinion then the persons, as knowing that they discern not and own not such Consequences. And if any salt be mingled in our Writings (which is usual in Disputes that are not lifeless) or it is intended rather to season then to fret, or to bite that which each one takes to be an error, rather then the man that holdeth it; (If there be two or three toothed contenders that have more to do with persons then with doctrines, that's nothing to the rest) And thus on both sides those that err, and those that have the truth, do show that Error is the thing which they detest, and would disclaim it, if they saw it; and that Truth is it which they love, and are zealous for it so far as they know it▪ And doubtless the comparing of our several Evidences, will be some help to the unprejudiced, to the attainment of a clearer discovery of the Truth.

IT is not long ago since it was exceeding far from my thoughts, that ever I should have been so much imployed in Controversies with dear and Reverend Brethren, as since that time I have been. I repent of any temerity, unskilfulness or other sin of my own which might occasion it, and I am much grieved that it hath occasioned offense to some of the Brethren whom I contradict: But yet I foresee that some light is like to arise by this collision, and the Church will receive more good then hurt by it. We are united in Christ, and in hearty Love to one another, (which as my soul is certainly conscious of; so I have not the least doubt of it in most of