A53665:67
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,…
Animadversions on a treatise entitled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion, between papist and Protestant, Presbyterian and independent by a Protestant.Animadversions on a treatise intituled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion, between papist and Protestant, Presbyterian and independent by a Protestant.
London: printed by E. Cotes for Henry Cripps, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
which, if they are in truth, such as they are by each other represented to be; it would be the Interest of mankind, to seek the suppression and extermination of some of them. I profess, I wonder, whilst their own house is so visibly on fire, that they can find leisure to scold at others for not quenching theirs. Nor is the remaining agreement that they boast of, one jot better, than either their own dissentions, or ours. It is not union or agreement amongst men absolutely, that is to be valued. Simeon and Levi never did worse, then when they agreed best; and were Brethren in evil. The grounds and reasons of mens agreement, with the nature of the things wherein they are agreed, are that which make it either commendable or desirable. Should I lay forth what these are in the Papacy, our Author I fear would count me unmannerly, and uncivil; But yet because ⟨p. 85⟩the matter doth so require, I must needs tell him, that many wise men do affirm, that Ignorance, inveterate prejudice, secular advantages, and external force, are the chief constitutive Principles of that union and agreement which remains amongst them. But whatever their evils be, it is pretended, that they have a remedy at hand for them all: But,
VII. That we have no Remedy of our Evils, no means of ending our Differences, but by a Returnal to the Roman See. Whether there be any way to end differences among our selves, as far, and as soon, as there is any need they should be ended, will be afterwards enquired into. This I know, that a Returnal unto R•me will not do it; unless when we come thither, we can learn to behave our selves better, then those do, who are there already; and there is indeed no party of men in the world, but can give us as good security of ending our differences as the Romanists. If we would all turn Quakers, it would end our Disputes; and that is all that is provided ⟨p. 84⟩[…] ⟨p. 85⟩