"In the prospectus of the Hanserd Knollys Society it was stated, that 'to the baptists belongs the honour of first asserting in this land, and of establishing on the immutable basis of just argument and scripture rule, the right of every man to worship God as conscience dictates, in submission only to divine command.' The Council have now the pleasure of laying before the Subscribers the earliest writings extant in our language, on this deeply important subject." --From the Introduction