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,…

That which is termed our second Conversion, is the Preaching of Damianus and Fugatius, sent hither by Eleutherius Bishop of Rome, in the days of King Lucius, in the year 190. as our Author saith, Bede 156. Nauclerus, Baronius, 178. Henricus de Erfordia, 169. in the days of Aurelius, or Commodus. I have many reasons to question this whole Story. And sundry parts of it, as those about the Epistles of Lucius and Eleutherius are palpably fictitious. But let us grant, that about those days, Fugatius ⟨p. 252⟩and Damianus, came hither from Rome, and furthered the Preaching of the Gospel, which had taking footing here so long before, and was no doubt preserved amongst many; We know God in his Providence used many various ways for the propagating of his Gospel; Sometimes he did it by Merchants, sometimes by Soldiers, sometimes by Captives; as a poor Maid gave occasion to the Conversion of a whole Province. What will hence ensue to the advantage of the pretensions of the Romanists? The Religion they planted here, was, doubtless, that, (and no other) which was then professed at Rome, and in most other places in the world, with some small differences in outward observances, wherein each Church took liberty to follow Traditions or Prudential Reasonings of its own. When our Author, or any for him, can make it appear, that any thing material in that which we call Popery, was in those days taught, believed, preached, or known among the Churches of Christ, they will do somewhat to the purpose, But the present flourish about the Catholic ⟨p. 253⟩Faith, planted here, which no man ever denied, is to none at all. It was the old Catholic Faith we at first received, and therefore not the present Romish.

That which is tearmed our second Conversion, is the Preaching of Damianus and Fugatius, sent hither by Eleutherius Bishop of Rome, in the dayes of King Lucius, in the year 190. as our Author saith, Beda 156. Nauclerus, Baronius, 178. Henricus de Erfordia, 169. in the dayes of Aurelius, or Commodus. I have many reasons to question this whole Story. And sundry parts of it, as those about the Epistles of Lucius and Eleutherius are palpably fictitious. But let us grant, that about those dayes, Fugatius ⟨p. 252⟩and Damianus, came hither from Rome, and furthered the Preaching of the Gospel, which had taking footing here so long before, and was no doubt preserved amongst many; We know God in his Providence used many various wayes for the propagating of his Gospel; Sometimes he did it by Merchants, sometimes by Souldiers, sometimes by Captives; as a poor Maid gave occasion to the Conversion of a whole Province. What will hence ensue to the advantage of the pretensions of the Romanists? The Religion they planted here, was, doubtless, that, (and no other) which was then professed at Rome, and in most other places in the world, with some small differences in outward observances, wherein each Church took liberty to follow Traditions or Prudential Reasonings of its own. When our Author, or any for him, can make it appear, that any thing material in that which we call Popery, was in those days taught, believed, preached, or known among the Churches of Christ, they will do somewhat to the purpose, But the present flourish about the Catholick