A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Now if mens common Interest in Christ their head, and thereby their participation of the same Spirit from him, with their union in the bond of the Covenant of Grace, and an equal sharing in the Love of God the Father, be the Principles, and, upon the matter, the only grounds and reasons of that special Love without dissimulation which Christians ought to bear one towards another, from whence the moderation pleaded for must proceed, or it is a thing of no use, in our present case, at least no way generally belonging to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and if all these things may be obtained by virtue of that Truth which is professed in common among all known Societies of Christians, doth it not unavoidably follow, that we ought to exercise moderation towards one another, however differing in or about things which destroy not the Principles of Love and Union: Certainly we ought, unless we will resolvedly stifle the actings of that Love, which is implanted in all the Disciples of Christ, and besides live in an open disobedience unto his commands. This then indispensably exacts moderation in Protestants towards them that differ from them, and that not only within the lines of Protestancy; because they believe, that, notwithstanding that dissent, they ⟨p. 112⟩have, or may have for ought they know, an interest in those things; which are the only reasons of that Love which is required in them towards the Disciples of Christ. There is a moderation proceeding from the Principles of Reason in general, and requisite unto our common interest in humanity; which is good, and an especial ornament unto them in whom it is; especially if they are Persons exalted above others in place of Rule and Government. Men fierce, implacable, revengeful, impatient, treading down all that they dislike under their feet, are the greatest defacers of the Image of God in the world, and upon the matter the only troublers of humane Society. But the moderation which the Gospel requireth, ariseth and proceedeth from the Principles of Union with Christ before mentioned; which is that, that proves us Disciples of Christ indeed, and will confirm the mind in suitable actings, against all the provocations to the Contrary, which from the infirmities and miscarriages of men we are sure to meet withal.

Now if mens common Interest in Christ their head, and thereby their participation of the same Spirit from him, with their union in the bond of the Covenant of Grace, and an equall sharing in the Love of God the Father, be the Principles, and, upon the matter, the only grounds and reasons of that speciall Love without dissimulation which Christians ought to bear one towards another, from whence the moderation pleaded for must proceed, or it is a thing of no use, in our present case, at least no way generally belonging to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and if all these things may be obtained by vertue of that Truth which is professed in common among all known Societies of Christians, doth it not unavoidably follow, that we ought to exercise moderation towards one another, however differing in or about things which destroy not the Principles of Love and Union: Certainly we ought, unless we will resolvedly stifle the actings of that Love, which is implanted in all the Disciples of Christ, and besides live in an open disobedience unto his commands. This then indispensably exacts moderation in Protestants towards them that differ from them, and that not only within the lines of Protestancy; because they believe, that, notwithstanding that dissent, they