The Preface. -defign but to cafi: them down and feparate thetn fro111 this impregnable Rock, ·this precious Foundation. _ lh the defence of thefe Tr.uths did they conflict in prayers, fl:udies, travels and writings, again£l: the f\varms of Se- ·.ducers, by whom they were oppofed. And for thi~ ca.ufe I thought to have confirmed the ptihcipal paffa- · ges of the enfuing Difcourfe with forne tefi:imonies from the mofi: Antient Writers of the firfi: Ages of the Church ; but I omitted that courfe, as fearing that the interpofition of fuch paffages might obfi:rutt intl:ead. · of promoting the edification of the common fort of Rea.4o ·rs, which I principally intended. Yet withal I thought not good utterly to neglect that defign, but to give at leaft a Specimen of their fentiments a.bout the principal Truths pleaded for, in this Preface to the whole. But herein alfo I meet with a difappointment ; for the Book""feller having unexpectedly unto m-e, finiil1ed the Printing of the Difcourfe it felf, I ·mufi: be contented to make ufe of \Vhat lyeth already colleCted under tny hand, not having leift1re or time to tr:Y:·:~e any farther . . enqmry. . · I £hall do fomething ofthis nature the rather,becaufe ·I fhall have occafton thereby to give a fi.11nn1ary ac, count of fome of the principal parts of the Difcourfe it felf, and to clear fotne paffages· i11 it, which, by fotne may be apprehended obfcure. Chap. 1. The fou11dation of the whole i3 laid in the B vindi-
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