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Christian Reader,
THe ensuing Trea∣tise designs not so much the gratify∣ing of the Learned, as the satisfaction of the more ignorant, and mis-informed; and the motive to this publick exposing of it un∣to view, is, a necessity rather of the Times,
than of the Thing it self. The very same truths have been frequently suggested by eminent De∣fenders of the English Church, the most Reverend Whit∣gift, Hooker, Andrews, Morton, Hammond, San∣derson, and others. But so long as old mistakes and errors have the confidence to creep a∣broad into the World daily, in some or other new Disguise, it is but cha∣rity to endeavour the removal of that stum∣bling-stone, and rock of
offence, which may be otherwise cast in the way of the unskilful. The Book examined, is the sink indeed of all Non-con∣forming, and Separating Prin∣ciples from the Protestant Religion established in these Kingdoms, under the modest Name of
[A brief Instruction in the VVor∣ship of God, and disci∣pline of the Churches of the New Testament, by way of Question and Answer, with an Explication, and Confir∣mation of those Answers.Printed 1667.†] The
Author I neither know, nor list to enquire after, but am content to leave his character to thy discre∣tion, upon the impar∣tial perusal of that which follows; wherein I have demonstrated him, First, False in his fundamental Prin∣ciple, that runs through all the rest; Secondly, False unto it: and so in the first part undermined his general foundation; and in the second, cast down the chief of his superstru∣ctures. — If thou art a friend to the Holy Scripture,
it will offend thee, I am confident, to see it so much abused, under a pre∣tence of cleaving most exactly to it; if to the Reformed Interest, to find it so disgraced, by open∣ing a gap unto all confusi∣ons. But not to trouble thee with a tedious pre∣face, I crave no more be∣lief at thy hands, than evidence shall extort from thy Ʋnderstanding; only, I beseech thee, to read without prejudice, and consider what thou readest; and, That God, the Father of
Lights, would guide us all into, and confirm us in the Truth, is the hearty Prayer of
Thy Well-wishing Friend and Servant B. C.
So in the Title page, and then contracted∣ly in the head of the following pages. [A short Cate∣chism, with an Explica∣tion upon the same.]