Darkness Vanquished, Introduction
THE INTRODƲCTION.
AS it is matter of grief, and trouble, to many sober, and pious Christians, so it is no less of admiration to see such eminent, and worthy Persons beclouded, and darkned, concerning one Ordinance 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 glorious Institution of Jesus Christ? did he not appear 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 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 uprendring 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 Inteprima Rudimenta Fidei Christianae: Amon… the first Rudiments of the Christian Faith Dangerous it is to pull one stone out of the Foundation of the House of God, the Lord open his eye… to see his weakness; however what he hath written concerning this Principle, is in this ensuin… Treatise examined, weighed, and particulerly answered.