A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Outward force and violence, corporal punishments, swords and faggots, as to any use in things purely spiritual and religious, to impose them on the consciences of men, are condemned in the Scripture, by all the ancient or first writers of the Church, by sundry Edicts and Laws of the Empire, and are contrary to the very light of Reason whereby we are men, and all the principles of it from whence mankind consenteth and coalesceth into civil society. Explaining, declaring, proving and confirming the truth, convincing of gainsayers by the evidence of common principles on all hands assented unto, and right reason, with prayer and supplications for success, attended with a conversation becoming the Gospel we profess, is the way sanctified by God unto the promotion of the truth, and the recovery of them that are gone astray from it. Into this work according as God hath imparted of his gifts and spirit unto them, some in most ages of the Church have been engaged; and therein have not contracted any guilt of the evils of the contentions and divisions in their days, but cleared themselves of them, and faithfully served the interest of those in their generation. And this ⟨image 9⟩justifies and warrants us in the pursuit of the same work, by the same means, in the same days wherein we live. And when at any time men sleep in the neglect of their duty, the envious one will not be wanting to sow his Tares in the field of the Lord; which as in the times and places wherein we live it should quicken the diligence and industry of those upon whom the care of the preservation of the truth is by the providence of God in an especial manner devolved, and who have manifold advantages for their encouragement in their undertaking; so also it gives countenance even to the meanest endeavours that in sincerity are employed in the same work by others in their more private capacity, amongst which I hope the ensuing brief discourse may with impartial Readers find admittance. It is designed in general for the defence and vindication of the truth, and that truth which is publicly professed in this Nation, against the solicitation of it, and opposition made unto it with more then ordinary vigilancy, and seeming hopes of prevalency, on what grounds I know not.

Outward force and violence, corporal punishments, swords and faggots, as to any use in things purely spiritual and religious, to impose them on the consciences of men, are condemned in the Scripture, by all the antient or first writers of the Church, by sundry Edicts and Laws of the Empire, and are contrary to the very light of Reason whereby we are men, and all the principles of it from whence mankind consenteth and coalesceth into civil society. Explaining, declaring, proving and confirming the truth, convincing of gainsayers by the evidence of common principles on all hands assented unto, and right reason, with prayer and supplications for success, attended with a conversation becoming the Gospel we profess, is the way sanctified by God unto the promotion of the truth, and the recovery of them that are gone astray from it. Into this work according as God hath imparted of his gifts and spirit unto them, some in most ages of the Church have been engaged; and therein have not contracted any guilt of the evils of the contentions and divisions in their dayes, but cleared themselves of them, and faithfully served the interest of those in their generation. And this