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,…

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 ⟨p. 137⟩persuasion of men of the Roman-Interest: This their charge on Protestants: To this height the confidence of mens ignorance, inadvertency, and fullness of present things amounts. Could ever any one rationally expect, that these Gentlemen would be public decriers of Fury, Wars, and Tumults for Religion? May not Protestants say to them, Quae regio in terris nostri non plena cruoris? Is there any Nation under the Heavens, whereunto your power extends, wherein our blood hath not given testimony to your wrath and fury? After all your cursings, and attempted depositions of Kings and Princes, translations of Title to Sovereignty and Rule, invasions of Nations, secret Conspiracies, Prisons, Racks, Swords, Fire, and Fagot, do you now come and declaim about moderation? We see you not yet cease from killing of men, in the pursuit of your fancies and groundless Opinions; any where, but either where you have not power, or can find no more to kill: