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,…

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,

1. Not by Apostasy; for that is not only a renouncing of the faith of Christ, but the very name and title of Christianity; and no man will say that the Church of Rome had ⟨p. 65⟩ever such a Fall, or fell thus. I tell you truly, Sir, your Church is very much beholding unto men, if they do not sometimes say very hard things of her Fall. Had it been an ordinary slip, or so, it might have been passed over; but this Falling into the mire, and wallowing in it for so many Ages, as she has done, is in truth a very naughty business. For my part, I am resolved, to deal as gently with her as possible; and therefore say, that there is a total Apostasy from Christianity, which she fell not into, or by; and there is a partial Apostasy in Christianity, from some of the Principles of it, such as St. Paul charged on the Galatians; and the old Fathers on very many that yet retained the name and title of Christians, and this, we say plainly, that she fell by; she fell by Apostasy from many of the most material Principles of the Gospel, both as to Faith, Life, and Worship. And there being no Reply made upon this instane, were it not upon the account of pure civility, we need not proceed any further with his Queries, the business of them being come to an end.