THE INTRODƲCTION.

AS it is matter of grief, and trouble, to many so∣ber, and pious Christians, so it is no less of ad∣miration to see such eminent, and worthy Per∣sons beclouded, and darkned, concerning one Or∣dinance that are so clear in, and so much for the practise of another, how well hath Mr. Danvers written of late concerning Baptisme? How hath he defended it, against strong opposition, as a glo∣rious Institution of Jesus Christ? did he not ap∣pear like a Starr of the first Magnitude? but how soon eclypsed: and darkned of his light? (I do not mean from the Interposition of an earthy or cloudy Body, that was observed to arise a little after, to diminish, or lessen his shining, which is Page  2 thorow the operation of his light ready to vani• away) but it is from some inward defect, I mean th• darkness of his own understanding, or ignorance concerning another Principle of the Christian R•¦ligion, viz. Imposition of hands upon baptised B•¦lievers, as such which he hath in a latter Tre•¦tise cried down, as much as he cried Baptisme up¦rendring it to be nought else, save a meer human• innovation, or Anti-Christian forgerie, wherea• nothing can be more clear, then that it is of th• same nature, and authority with Baptisme, an• ought equally to be contended for, being Inte¦prima Rudimenta Fidei Christianae: Amon• the first Rudiments of the Christian Faith Dangerous it is to pull one stone out of the Foun¦dation of the House of God, the Lord open his eye• to see his weakness; however what he hath writ¦ten concerning this Principle, is in this ensuin• Treatise examined, weighed, and particulerly ans¦wered.