Truth and innocence vindicated in a survey of a discourse concerning ecclesiastical polity, and…

I could indeed have desired, that he had given us a more clear account of that ⟨p. 10⟩Religion which in his judgement he doth most approve. His commendation of the Church of England, sufficiently manifesteth his interest to lye therein; and that in pursuit of his own principles he doth outwardly observe the Institutions and prescriptions of it. But the Scheme he hath given us of Religion, or Religious duties, wherein there is mention neither of Sin, nor a Redeemer, without which no man can entertain any one true notion of Christian Religion, would rather bespeak him a Philosopher, than a Christian. It is not unlikely, but that he will pretend he was treating of Religion, as Religion in general, without an Application of it to this or that in particular; but to speak of Religion as it is among men in this world, or ever was since the fall of Adam, without a supposition of sin, and the way of a relief from the Event of it mentioned, is to talk of Chimaera's, things that neither are, ever were, or will be. On the other hand the profit and advantage of his Design falls clearly on the Papal Interest. For whereas it is framed and contrived for the advantage, security, and unquestionableness of absolute Compliers with the present Possessors of Power, it is evident, that in the States of Europe, the advantage lies ⟨p. 11⟩incomparably on that hand. But these things are not our Concernment. The design which he manageth in his Discourse, the subject matter of it, the manner how he treats those with whom he hath to do, and deports himself therein, are by himself exposed to the judgement of all, and are here to be taken into some Examination. Now because we have in his Preface a perfect Representation of the things last mentioned throughout the whole, I shall in the first place take a general view and Prospect of it.

I could indeed have desired, that he had given us a more clear account of that ⟨p. 10⟩Religion which in his judgement he doth most approve. His commendation of the Church of England, sufficiently manifesteth his interest to lye therein; and that in pursuit of his own principles he doth outwardly observe the Institutions and prescriptions of it. But the Scheme he hath given us of Religion, or Religious duties, wherein there is mention neither of Sin, nor a Redeemer, without which no man can entertain any one true notion of Christian Religion, would rather bespeak him a Philosopher, than a Christian. It is not unlikely, but that he will pretend he was treating of Religion, as Religion in general, without an Application of it to this or that in particular; but to speak of Religion as it is among men in this world, or ever was since the fall of Adam, without a supposition of sin, and the way of a relief from the Event of it mentioned, is to talk of Chimaera's, things that neither are, ever were, or will be. On the other hand the profit and advantage of his Design falls clearly on the Papal Interest. For whereas it is framed and contrived for the advantage, security, and unquestionableness of absolute Complyers with the present Possessors of Power, it is evident, that in the States of Europe, the advantage lyes