686 Bapt. Baimerman ADVERTISEMENT. Or the three small works, by different writers, that compose the present volume, the first is a reprint-the others appear for the first time. Their publication in a connected form had its origin in the following circumstance: A few months ago, a copy of the first English Edition of the American Treatise was put into the writer's hands, having manuscript notes appended, containing objections to some of the views advocated, relating chiefly to the subject of baptism. Having been asked to give his opinion of the validity of these objections, he complied with the request in a series of Letters addressed to a friend. When these Letters were completed, being urged to publish them, together with the Notes mentioned and the Treatise itself, he was the more readily induced to adopt the suggestion, as the latter seemed well calculated to excite attention to the order of the first churches; a subject which has hitherto in this country been much overlooked. In America, it is well known, the religious communities who act on the principles stated in the ensuing pages, form a very considerable body; and their number seems rapidly increasing. There is reason to fear, indeed, that several of these American churches have imbibed some doctrinal views of a very questionable nature and tendency; but with such views, the principles |