A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

But (1.) That must needs be a bad Cause which stands in need of such a Defence. Is this the voice of Jacob, or Esau? Are these the expressions of Christians, or Pagans? from whose quiver are these arrows taken? Is this fair, sober, Candid Christian dealing? have you no way to defend the Authority of your Church, but by Questioning the Authority of the Scripture? Did ever any of the Fathers of old, or any in the world before your selves, take this course to plead their interests in any thing they professed? Is this Practice Catholic, or like many of your Principles; singular, your own, Donatistical? Is it any great sign that you have an interest in that living Child, when you are so ready he should be destroyed, rather than you would be cast in your Contest with Protestants? (2.) Do you think that this course of proclaiming to Atheists, Turks, and Pagans, that the Scripture, which all Christians maintain against them to be the Word of the Living GOD, given by inspiration from Him, and on which the Faith of all the Martyrs who have suffered from their opposition, rage, and cruelty, and of all others that truly believe in Jesus Christ, was and is founded, and ⟨p. 136⟩whereinto it is resolved, hath no Arguments of its Divine Original implanted on it, no lines of the Excellencies and Perfections of its Author drawn on it, no power or efficacy towards the Consciences of men, evidencing its Authority over them, no ability of its self to comfort and support them in their trials and sufferings with the hope of things that are not seen? Is this, think you, an acceptable service unto the Lord Christ, who will one day judg the secrets of all hearts according unto that Word? or, Is it not really to expose Christian Religion to scorn and contempt? And do you find so much sweetness in, Delus an Virtus? quis in hoste requirat, as to cast off all Reverence of God and his Word, in the pursuit of the supposed Adversaries of your earthly Interests? (3.) If your Arguments and Objections are effectual and prevalent unto the end for which you intend them, will not your direct issue be the utter overthrow of the very foundation of the whole Profession of Christians in the world? And are you, like Sampson, content to pull down the house that must fall upon your selves also, so that you may stifle Protestants with its shall? It may be, it were well you should do so;

But (1.) That must needs be a bad Cause which stands in need of such a Defence. Is this the voice of Jacob, or Esau? Are these the expressions of Christians, or Pagans? from whose quiver are these arrows taken? Is this fair, sober, Candid Christian dealing? have you no way to defend the Authority of your Church, but by Questioning the Authority of the Scripture? Did ever any of the Fathers of old, or any in the world before your selves, take this course to plead their interests in any thing they professed? Is this Practice Catholick, or like many of your Principles; singular, your own, Donatisticall? Is it any great sign that you have an interest in that living Child, when you are so ready he should be destroyed, rather than you would be cast in your Contest with Protestants? (2.) Do you think that this course of proclaiming to Atheists, Turks, and Pagans, that the Scripture, which all Christians maintain against them to be the Word of the Living GOD, given by inspiration from Him, and on which the Faith of all the Martyrs who have suffered from their opposition, rage, and cruelty, and of all others that truly believe in Jesus Christ, was and is founded, and