A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Thirdly, I desire you to take notice, that I do not this, as though it were necessary to the security and defence of the Cause which we maintain against you. It is abundantly sufficient and satisfactory unto our consciences, in your casting us out from your communion, that all the ways whereby we say your Church is fallen from her pristine purity, are judged and condemned in the Scripture, the Word of truth; whither we appeal for the last determination of the differences between us. These things being premised, to prevent such evasions as you have accustomed your self unto, I shall, as briefly as I can, give you somewhat of that, which you have now twice called for.

Thirdly, I desire you to take notice, that I do not this, as though it were necessary to the security and defence of the Cause which we maintain against you. It is abundantly sufficient and satisfactory unto our consciences, in your casting us out from your communion, that all the wayes whereby we say your Church is fallen from her pristine purity, are judged and condemned in the Scripture, the Word of truth; whither we appeal for the last determination of the differences between us. These things being premised, to prevent such evasions as you have accustomed your self unto, I shall, as briefly as I can, give you somewhat of that, which you have now twice called for.

1. Your Principle and Practise in imposing upon all Persons and Churches a necessity of the observation of your Rites and Ceremonies, Customs and Traditions, casting them out of Communion who refuse to submit unto this your great Principle of all the Schisms in Europe, was contradicted, written against, condemned by Councils and Fathers, in the very first instance that ever you gave of it. Be pleased to consider that this concerns the very Life and Being of your Church: For if you may not impose your Constitutions, observances, and customs upon all others, actum est, there is an end of your present Church State. Let us see then how this was thought of in the days of old: Victor the Bishop of Rome, An▪ Dom. 96. condemns and excommunicates the Churches of Asia, because they would not join with him in the Celebration of Easter precisely on the Lords day. Did this practise escape uncontrolled? He was written against, by the great Irenaeus, and reproved that he had cast out of Communion [Greek or Hebrew], whole Churches of God, for a trivial cause. His fact also was condemned in the justification of those Churches, by a Council in Palestine, where Theophilus presided; and another in Asia, called together for the same purpose by Polycrates; Euseb. Eccles. Hist. lib. 5. cap. 22, 23, 24, 25. This is an early instance of a considerable Fall in your Church, and an open opposition by Councils and Fathers made unto it. And do not you, Sir, deceive your self, as though the fact of Victor were alone concerned in this censure of Irenaeus and others. The Principle before mentioned, which is the very life and soul of your Church, is condemned in it. It was done also in a repetition of the same Instance attempted here in England by you, when Austin that came from Rome would have imposed