A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

The first great fundamental of Christian Religion, which is the Truth and Divinity of Christ, had it not been for him, had failed long ago in the world; with much more to the same purpose. Hence it is evident that in your judgment, all Truth and Certainty in Region depends on the Popes Authority and Infallibility; or, as you express it, his unerring guidance. This is your Principle, this you propose as the only medium to bring us unto that Settlement in Religion, which you suppose the Scripture is not able to do. What course should we now take? would you have us believe you at the first word without further trial or examination? would you have a man to do so, who never before heard of Pope or Church? We are commanded to try all things, and to hold fast that which is good; to try pretending Spirits and the Beraeans ⟨p. 163⟩are commended for examining by the Scripture, what Paul himself preached unto them: An implicit Credulity given up to such Dictates, is the height of Fanaticism. Have we not reason then to call you and your copartners in this design to an accoun •how you prove that which you so strenuously assert and suppose; and to examine the Principles of that Authority whereunto you resolve all your faith and Religion. If upon mature consideration, these prove Solid, and the Inferences you make from them Cogent, it is good Reason that you should be attended unto. If they prove otherwise; if the first be false, and the latter Sophistical; you cannot justly take it ill of him that shall advise you to take heed, that whilst you are gloriously displaying your Colours, the ground that you stand upon do not sink under your feet. And here you are forced to go many a step backward to fix your first footing, (until you leave your Pope quite out of sight) from whence you advance towards him by several degrees, and so arrive at his Supremacy and Infallibility; and so we shall have—Reditum Diomedis ab interitu Meleagri.

The first great fundamental of Christian Religion, which is the Truth and Divinity of Christ, had it not been for him, had failed long ago in the world; with much more to the same purpose. Hence it is evident that in your judgment, all Truth and Certainty in Region depends on the Popes Anthority and Infallibility; or, as you express it, his unerring guidance. This is your Principle, this you propose as the only medium to bring us unto that Settlement in Religion, which you suppose the Scripture is not able to do. What course should we now take? would you have us believe you at the first word without further triall or examination? would you have a man to do so, who never before heard of Pope or Church? We are commanded to try all things, and to hold fast that which is good; to try pretending Spirits and the Beraeans