To All Loyal Covenanters

To all loyall Covenanters, contending for the Faith of JESUS the CHRIST, once given to the Saints; (Matthew 16:16, 17).

Curteous Reader, be not too censorious concerning him that is the Publisher of this little Treatise, stiled, The difference between the Christian and Antichristian Church, as if he condemned the Ages and Generations that are past, as in a lost condition; because he says they have built their house upon wood, and hay, and stubble, and not upon the sure rock Jesus the Christ. Far be it from him to judge so rashly of the Ages and Generations past, or present, concerning their final estate; for he is commanded to judge no man before the time, knowing that they stand and fall to their own Master. And, we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ; and then and there every one shall give an account for himself to God (Romans 14:4, 10, 12). Knowing, as it is recorded in the inspired Scriptures, that If any man build upon this foundation (Jesus the Christ) gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it; because it shall be revealed by fire: and the fire shall try every man's work. If any man's work abide, which he has built thereon, he shall receive a reward: If any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss; but himself shall be saved yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:12, 13, 14, 15).

Secondly, Know that the discovery of this truth was (as the vision that is his for an appointed time) and is become to us, as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this I pray you: And he says, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this I pray you: And he says, I am not learned (Isaiah 29:11, 12). So that it is not in him that is learned, nor in him that is unlearned, to discover the mystery of iniquity, by which Antichrist has filled the Temple so full of smoke, that no man can see how to enter into it, until God enlighten him; which caused the Lord Jesus in the days of his flesh, to break out into an Eucharistia of praise, looking on his Disciples, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hid these things from the wise and learned, and has revealed them to babes. Even so, O Father, because it seemed good in your sight (Matthew 11:25, 26). That the whole glory in discovering of truth to any, might be given to God.

Thirdly, Know (gentle Reader, who are a searcher after truth in these inquiring times) that the Publisher wrote this Treatise, to discover that the difference lieth not so much among us in point of Baptism; as it is about the doctrine of the Faith of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God; which whoever believes and confesses, that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God, it is lawful to baptize him (Acts 8:36, 37, 38). And, to which Faith of Jesus the Christ, and Baptism, the promise of receiving the gifts of the holy Spirit is given (Acts 2:38, 39). And though for publishing this mystery of Faith, which has been hidden for some Ages and Generations that are past, he suffer reproach and contempt from the hands and tongues of some; yet, if the will of God be so, it is better he suffer for well-doing, than for evil. Yet the love that he bears to the loyall Covenanters in the Nation, constrains him to do it, rather than his countrymen should ever remain in blindness, under the power of Antichrist.

Your, who is the unworthiest of all the servants of Christ, (who is content it should be said of his good name, that is as a precious ointment, as Luther said of Moses his body, Let it die and rot, so God may be glorified, and Jesus the Christ exalted in all his royal Offices;) FRAN. CORNWELL.