Reasons for the Separation of Anabaptists, Title page – Printer to the reader
A Briefe REMONSTRANCE OF The REASONS and GROƲNDS of those People commonly Called ANABAPTISTS, for their Seperation, &c.
Or Certaine QUERIES Concerning their FAITH and PRACTICE, propounded by Mr. ROBERT POOLE; Answered and Resolved By WILLIAM KIFFEN.
1 Pet. 3.15.
Sanctifie the LORD GOD in your hearts, and be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meeknesse and feare.
Printed and published for publike Information in the Yeere 1645.
THE PRINTER TO THE READER.
Courteous Reader,
THE Copy of this Discourse comming accidentally into my hands, and upon the perusall thereof, conceiving it tended much to the vindication of the People of God, and Information of the ignorant, concerning the Order of the Gospel, I therefore was emboldened to Remonstrate the same unto the whole world, that the vertue thereof might not be smothered with me, but communicated to the publike benefit, and the professors thereof freed from the injurious Censure and Contumilie of the World: I need not much glosse it ouer with commendations, the better to invite thee to a serious examination thereof; I hope its own worth will speake better for it selfe, and prove more prevalent to the ingenious and moderate peruser, then mine applause: I will not further ingage my selfe in its praise, yet if the word of the Printer to the READER may passe, the perusall is worth thy paines, and the matter worth thy tryall, and the LORD put it into thy heart to hold fast that which is good; As in another …se it was said, … Jo…b with thee in all this? S…mitting these QUERIES propounded by Master ROBERT POOLE, I will not aske what Synodean Interest there is with him therein, much lesse affirm it, lest I trespasse too far upon the Authority of mine Intelligence; for I dare not be too positive, where neither mine eye nor my ears are privy to the Counsell, you I may be bold in my conceptions, for thought is free, but …e they … they are, or fro… whomsoever; I commit thee to the grace of GOD, in the consideration of what followeth. [{inverted ⁂}]