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,…

VI. That our departure from Rome hath been the cause of all our Evils, and particularly of all those Divisions, which are at this day found amongst Protestants, and which have been since the Reformation, ⟨p. 80⟩is a supposition, that not only insinuates it self into the hidden Sophistry of our Authors Discourse, but is also every where spread over the face of it; with as little truth, or advantage to his purpose, as those that went before. So the Pagans judged the Primitive Christians, so also did the Jews, and do to this day. Here is no new task lies before us. The Answers given of old to them, and yet continued to be given, will suffice to these men also. The truth is, our Divisions are not the effect of our Leaving Rome; but of our being there. In the Apostasy of that Church came upon men all that darkness, and all those prejudices, which cause many needless Divisions amongst them. And is it any wonder, that men, partly led, partly driven out of the right way, and turned a clean contrary course for sundry Generations, should upon liberty obtained to return to their old paths, somewhat vary in their choice of particular Tracts, though they all agree to travail towards the same place, and in general, steer their course accordingly. Besides, let men say what ⟨p. 81⟩they please, the differences amongst the Protestants that are purely religious, are no other but such as ever were, and, take away external force, ever will be amongst the best of men, whilst they know but in part; however they may not be managed with that prudence and moderation, which it is our duty to use in and about them. Were not the Consequences of our Differences, which arise merely from our folly and sin, of more important consideration then our differences themselves, I should very little value the one or the other; knowing that none of them in their own nature are such, as to impeach either our present tranquillity, or future happiness. So that, neither are the Divisions that are among Protestants in themselves of any importance, nor were they occasioned by their departure from Rome. That all men are not made perfectly wise, nor do know all things perfectly, is partly a consequent of their condition in this World, partly, a fruit of their own lusts, and corruptions; neither to be imputed to the Religion which they profess, nor to the Rule ⟨p. 82⟩