A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Other Principles of Fiat Lux re-examined. Things not at quiet in Religion, before Reformation of the first Reformers▪ Departure from Rome no Cause of Divisions. Returnal unto Rome, no means of Union.

Other Principles of Fiat Lux re-examined. Things not at quiet in Religion, before Reformation of the first Reformers▪ Diparture from Rome no Cause of Devisions. Returnal unto Rome, no means of Union.

You proceed unto the fourth Assertion gathered out of your Fiat, which you thus lay down. It is, say you, frequently pleaded by our Author that all things, as to Religion, were ever quiet and in […], before the Protestants Relinquishment of the Roman Sea. That ever is your own addition, but let it pass; what say you hereunto? This Principle you pretend is drawn out of Fiat Lux, not because it is there, but only to open a door to your self to expatiate into some wide general discourse, about the many wars, distractions, alterations, that have been aforetime up and down in the world in some several Ages of Christianity. And you therefore say, it is frequently pleaded by me, because indeed, I never spake one word of it, and it is in truth a false and fond Assertion. Though neither you nor I can deny that such as keep unity of faith with the Church, can never, so long as they hold it, fall out upon that account. Sir, I take you to be the Author of Fiat Lux; and if you are so, I cannot but think you were a sleep when you talked at this rate. The Assertion is false and fond, you speak not one word of it. Pray Sir, take a little advice of your Son, Fiat, not to talk on this manner; and you will wonder your self, how you came to swallow so much confidence as in the face of the world to vent such things ⟨p. 90⟩as these. He tells us from you, p. 234, 235, 236. Chap 4. Ed. 2. that, After the conversion of this Land by the Children of blessed St Benet, notwithstanding the interposition of the Norman Conquest, that all men lived peaceably together without any the least disturbance upon the account of Religion, until the end of King Henry the eighth's reign, about five hundred years after the Conquest. See also what in general you discourse of all places to this purpose, p. 221, 222, And p. 227. you do in express terms lay down the position which here you so exclaim against as false and fond; but you may make as bold with it as you please, for it is your own. Never had this Land, say you, for so many hundred years as it was Catholic upon the account of Religion any disturbance at all; whereas after the exile of the Catholic belief in our Land from the period of King Henry the seventh's Reign to these days, we have been in actual disquiet or at least in fears. Estne haec tunica filii tui? Are not these your words? Doth not your Son Fiat wear this livery?