and considering the backwardness of others, it the more induced me to it. And tho but abruptly done, yet such as it is, I present it to the serious perusal and consideration ⟨image 3⟩of all, whose Souls long after the good, full restoration, and perfection of Zion; hoping the God of Truth will cause it to entertainment in the hearts of the humble, tho I expect it will be slighted by such as are passionately opinionated of their own attainments and persuasions, and who are below receiving instruction from their Inferiors. It is the grief of some of you (as I believe) to see any whom you love and tender in the Lord, opposing so holy an Institution of Jesus Christ; but however, this you will find in perusal of this Discourse, that tho too many Baptized Christians utterly disallow and reject it, nay seem not desirous to know the Mind of God herein, yet many godly Persons both of the Presbyterian and Independent Persuasions (tho dark and negligent about the business of Baptism) have longed, and searched after the knowledge and discovery of this Truth, nay have attained to a good understanding and satisfaction herein, having laboured after a perfect restoration of it to its primitive use and purity, refining it from the Corruptions and Mutations of the Popish Church, not only in respect of those abominable additions and mixtures of Chrism, and other ridiculous Ceremonies in its administration, but also of the Subject to whom of right it belongs, as abundantly appears in a Treatise of Mr. Jonathan Hanmar's, writ 1658. when 'tis apparent their Spirits were very hot upon it. I find Mr. Caryl (writing Epistolary wise in commendation of the said Book) speaking thus: I conceive (saith he) the Learned Author of these elaborate Exercitations has deserved well of the Churches, by clearing the way of those ⟨image 4⟩admissions from Scripture-grounds, and the concurrent Testimony of many, both Ancient and Modern Writers; also by discovering and removing those Popish Additions and Pollutions, which by several steps have crept into it. And further he says, that this ingenious and pious Overture holds forth more, than most Churches have hitherto attained.
and considering the backwardness of others, it the more induc'd me to it. And tho but abruptly done, yet such as it is, I present it to the serious perusal and consideration ⟨image 3⟩of all, whose Souls long after the good, full restoration, and perfection of Sion; hoping the God of Truth will cause it to entertainment in the hearts of the humble, tho I expect it will be slighted by such as are passionately opinionated of their own attainments and perswasions, and who are below receiving instruction from their Inferiours. It is the grief of some of you (as I believe) to see any whom you love and tender in the Lord, opposing so holy an Institution of Jesus Christ; but however, this you will find in perusal of this Discourse, that tho too many Baptized Christians utterly disallow and reject it, nay seem not desirous to know the Mind of God herein, yet many godly Persons both of the Presbyterian and Independent Perswasions (tho dark and negligent about the business of Baptism) have longed, and searched after the knowledg and discovery of this Truth, nay have attained to a good understanding and satisfaction herein, having laboured after a perfect restoration of it to its primitive use and purity, refining it from the Corruptions and Mutations of the Popish Church, not only in respect of those abominable additions and mixtures of Chrism, and other ridiculous Ceremonies in its administration, but also of the Subject to whom of right it belongs, as abundantly appears in a Treatise of Mr. Jonathan Hanmar's, writ 1658. when 'tis apparent their Spirits were very hot upon it. I find Mr. Caryl (writing Epistolary wise in commendation of the said Book) speaking thus: I conceive (saith he) the Learned Author of these elaborate Exercitations has deserved well of the Churches, by clearing the way of those ⟨image 4⟩admissions from Scripture-grounds, and the concurrent Testimony of many, both Antient and Modern Writers; also by discovering and removing those Popish Additions and Pollutions, which by several steps have crept into it. And further he says, that this ingenious and pious Overture holds forth more, than most Churches have hitherto attained.
