4 And therefore, Reader, I acquaint thee beforehand, that in this point I shall speak much otherwise than all former or later writers whatever, that I have met with: and though 1 do not, without some fear and trembling, dissent from so many worthy and gracious men that have been, and are otherwise minded; yet it is the less grievous to me, because I differ from them (I can say it in the truth before the Lord) not out of any desire to be singular, or for any worldly or carnal end whatsoever, but only that I might cleave to the clear and evident word of God alone, even there where I see the very faithful to leave it; seeing I am rather to join to the word without men, than to join to men without the word; and where I find the holiest men in the world and the word parting, I am there to leave them, and to go along with the word. And so in all love and meekness I tender this discourse to thee ; desiring that if thou canst not at present agree to what is therein contained, yet that thou wouldgt not rashly judge and reproach it, seeing, through God’s goodness, it may come to pass, that what thou knowest not now, thou mayst know afterwards. But because I see this present generation so rooted and built up in the doctrines of men, I have the less hope that this truth will prevail with them ; and therefore, I appeal to the next generation, which will be farther removed from those evils, and will be brought nearer to the word; but especially that people whom God hath, and shall form by his Spirit for himself; for these only will be able to make just and righteous judgment in this matter, seeing they have the Anointing to be their Teacher, and the Lamb to be their Light.
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