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 story of the Reformation of Religion he distributes into three parts, and allots to each a particular Paragraph, the first is of its occasion and rise in general, the second of its entrance ⟨p. 263⟩into England, the third of its progress amongst us. Of the first, he gives us this account: The pastor of Christianity upon some solicitation of Christian Princes for a general compliance to their design, sent forth in the year 1517. a plenary Indulgence in favour of the Cruciata against the Turk. Albertus the Archbishop of Ments being delegated by the Pope to see it executed, committed the promulgation of it to the Dominican Fryers; which the Hermits of St. Augustine in the same place took ill, especially Martin Luther, &c. Who vexed that he was neglected, and undervalued, fell a-writing and preaching first against Indulgences, then against the Pope. &c. He that had no other acquaintance with Christian Religion, but what the Scriptures and ancient Fathers will afford him, could not bu• be amazed at the canting Language of this Story; it being impossible for him to understand any thing of it aright. He would admire who this Pastor of Christianity should be, what this plenary Indulgence should mean, what was the preaching of plenary indulgence by Dominicans, and what all this would avail against the Turk. I cannot but pity such a poor man ⟨p. 264⟩to think what a loss he would be at▪ like one taken from home and carried blindfold into the midst of a Wilderness, where when he opens his eyes, every thing scares him, nothing gives him guidance or direction. Let him turn again to his Bible, and Fathers of the first •or 500 years, and I will undertake he shall come off from them, as wise, as to the true understanding of this story, […] he went unto them. The Scene in Religion is plainly changed, and this appearance of an Universal Pastor, Plenary indulgences, Dominicans and Cruciata's, all marching against the Turk, must needs affright a man accustomed only to the Scripture-notions of Religion, and those embraced by the Primitive Church. And I do know, that if such a man could get together two or three of the wisest Romanists in the world, which were the likeliest way for him to be resolved in the signification of these hard names, they would never well agree to tell him what this plenary Indulgence is.