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,…

For ought then, that I can perceive, we are not at all concerned in the following Queries; the Supposition they are all built upon, being partly sophistical, and partly false. But yet, because he doth so earnestly request us to ponder them, we shall not give him cause to complain of us, in this particular at least, (as he doth in general of all Protestants) — That we deal uncivilly; and therefore shall pass through them; after which, if he pleaseth, he may deliver them to his friend of whom they were borrowed.

1. Saith he, This Church could not cease to be such, but she must fall either by Apostasy, Heresy, or Schism: But who told him so? Might she not cease to be, and so consequently to be such? Might not the persons of whom it consisted, have been destroyed by an earthquake, as it happened to Laodicea? or by the sword, as it befell the Church of the Jews, or twenty other ways? Besides, might she not fall by Idolatry, or false Worship, or by Profaneness, or Licentiousness of Conversation, contrary to the whole rule of Christ? That then he may know what is to be removed by his Queries, if he should speak any thing to the purpose, he may do well to take notice, that this is the dogma of Protestants concerning the Church of Rome; that the Church planted there pure, did by degrees in a long tract of time, fall by Apostasy, Idolatry, Heresy, Schism, and Profaneness of life, into that condition wherein now it is. But, says he,

1. Saith he, This Church could not cease to be such, but she must fall either by Apostacy, Heresy, or Schism: But who told him so? Might she not cease to be, and so consequently to be such? Might not the persons of whom it consisted, have been destroyed by an earthquake, as it happen'd to Laodicea? or by the sword, as it befel the Church of the Jews, or twenty other wayes? Besides, might she not fall by Idolatry, or false Worship, or by Prophaneness, or Licentiouss of Conversation, contrary to the whole rule of Christ? That then he may know what is to be removed by his Queries, if he should speak any thing to the purpose, he may do well to take notice, that this is the dogme of Protestants concerning the Church of Rome; that the Church planted there pure, did by degrees in a long tract of time, fall by Apostacy, Idolatry, Heresie, Schism, and Profaneness of life, into that condition wherein now it is. But, sayes he,