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,…

CHAP. V.

& Chap. I. Contests about Religion and Reformation, Schoolmen, &c.

The Title of this Chapter was proposed; the pursuit of it, now ensues. The first Paragraph is a declamation about sundry things which have not much blame-worthy in them. Their common weakness is, that they are common. They tend not to the furtherance of any one thing more then another; but are such as any Party may flourish withal, and use to their several ends as they please. That, desire of honour and ⟨p. 120⟩applause in the world, hath influenced the minds of men to great and strange Undertakings, is certain. That it should do so, is not certain, nor true: so, that when we treat of Religion, if we renounce not the Fundamental Principle of it in Self-denial, this consideration ought to have no place. What then was done by Emperors and Philosophers of old, or by the later School-men on this account, we are little concerned in. Nor have I either desire or design to vellicate any thing spoken by our Author, that may have an indifferent interpretation put upon it; and be separated from the end which he principally pursues. As there is but very little spoken in this Paragraph, directly tending to the whole end aimed at, so there are but three things, that will any way serve to leaven the mind of his Reader, that he may be prepared to be moulded into the form he hath fancied to cast him into, which is the work of all these previous Harangues.

THe Title of this Chapter was proposed; the persuit of it, now ensues. The first Paragraph is a declamation about sundry things which have not much blame-worthy in them. Their common weakness is, that they are common. They tend not to the furtherance of any one thing more then another; but are such as any Party may flourish withal, and use to their several ends as they please. That, desire of honour and