Animadversions on a treatise entitled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…Animadversions on a treatise intituled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…

The truth is, as to the Oral dispensation of the Gospel, it came forth from Jerusalem, by the Personal Ministry of the Apostles, and came equally to all the world: That Spring being long since dried up, it now comes forth to all from the written word; and unto them who receive it in its Power and Truth doth it come, and unto no other. What may further be thought necessary to be discussed, as to the matter of fact, in reference to this Rule, the Reader may find handled under that consideration of the first supposition; which our Author builds his Discourse upon.

The truth is, as to the Oral dispensation of the Gospel, it came forth from Jerusalem, by the Personal Ministry of the Apostles, and came equally to all the world: That Spring being long since dryed up, it now comes forth to all from the written word; and unto them who receive it in its Power and Truth doth it come, and unto no other. What may further be thought necessary to be discussed, as to the matter of fact, in reference to this Rule, the Reader may find handled under that consideration of the first supposition; which our Author builds his Discourse upon.

Sect. 4. Pag. 48. Heats and Resolution, is the Title of this Section; in which if our Author be found blameless, his charge on others will be the more significant: The Impartial Reader, that will not be imposed on by smooth words, will easily know what to guess of his temper. In the mean time, though we think it is good to be well-resolved, in ⟨p. 136⟩the things that we are to believe and practise in the worship of God; yet all irregular, and irrational Heats, in the prosecution, or maintenance of mens different conceptions and apprehensions in Religion, we desire sincerely to avoid and explode. Nor is it amiss, that, to further our moderation, we be minded of the temper of the Pagans, who in their Opinion-Wars (we are told) used no other Weapons but only of Pen and Speech: For our Author seems to have forgotten, not only innumerable other Instances to the contrary, but also the renowned Battle between Ombos and Tentyra. But this forgetfulness was needful, to aggravate the charge on Christians, that are not Romanists, for their heat, fury, and Fightings, for the promotion of their Opinions; as being in this so much the worse than Pagans, who in Religion used another manner of moderation. And who I pray is it, that manageth this charge? Whence comes this Dove, with an Olive-branch? This Orator of Peace? If we may guess from whence he came, by seeing whither he is going, we must say that it was from Rome. This is their Plea, this the