A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

The Pope by Bulls, and Consistorial Determinations, executed by intricate ⟨p. 183⟩Legal Processes, and Officers unknown not only to Peter but all Antiquity, whose ways, practices, orders, terms, St Peter himself were he upon the earth again would very little understand, Doth he succeed him in his Personal Infallibility? agree among your selves if you can, and give an answer unto this inquiry. Doth he succeed him in his power of working Miracles? you do not so much as pretend thereunto. Doth he succeed him in the Doctrine that he taught? it hath been proved unto you a thousand times, that he doth not; and we are still ready to prove it again if you call us thereunto. Wherein then doth this Succession consist that you talk of? In his Power, Authority, Jurisdiction, Supremacy, Monarchy, with the Secular Advantages of Riches, Honour, and pomp that attend them; things sweet and desirable unto carnal minds: This is the Succession you pretend to plead for: And are you not therein to be commended for your wisdom? In the things that Peter really enjoyed, and which were of singular Spiritual advantage unto the Church of God, you disclaim any Succession unto him; and fix it on things wherein he was no way concerned, that make for your own Secular advantage and interest. You have certainly laid your design very well if these things would hold good to Eternity. For, hence it is that you draw out the Monarchy of your Pope, direct and absolute in Ecclesiastical things over the whole Church; indirect at least, and in ordine ad Spiritualia, over the whole world. This the Diana in making of Shrines for whom your occupation consists, and it brings no small gains unto you. Hence you wire-draw his Cathedral Infallibility, Legislative Authority, Freedom from the Judgment of any, whereby you hope to secure him and your selves from all opposition, endeavouring to terrify them with this Medusa's head that ⟨p. 184⟩approach unto you. Hence are his Titles: The Vicar of Christ, Head and Spouse of his Church, Vice-Deus, Dius alter in Terris, and the like, where by you keep up popular veneration, and preserve his Majestic distance from the poor Disciples of Christ.

The Pope by Bulls, and Consistorial Determinations, executed by intricate ⟨p. 183⟩Legal Processes, and Officers unknown not only to Peter but all Antiquity, whose ways, practices, orders, terms, St Peter himself were he upon the earth again would very little understand, Doth he succeed him in his Personal Infallibility? agree among your selves if you can, and give an answer unto this inquiry. Doth he succeed him in his power of working Miracles? you do not so much as pretend thereunto. Doth he succeed him in the Doctrine that he taught? it hath been proved unto you a thousand times, that he doth not; and wee are still ready to prove it again if you call us thereunto. Wherein then doth this Succession consist that you talk of? In his Power, Authority, Jurisdiction, Supremacy, Monarchy, with the Secular Advantages of Riches, Honour, and pomp that attend them; things sweet and desireable unto carnall mindes: This is the Succession you pretend to plead for: And are you not therein to be commended for your wisdome? In the things that Peter really enjoyed, and which were of singular Spiritual advantage unto the Church of God, you disclaim any Succession unto him; and fix it on things wherein he was no way concerned, that make for your own Secular advantage and interest. You have certainly layed your design very well if these things would hold good to Eternity. For, hence it is that you draw out the Monarchy of your Pope, direct and absolute in Ecclesiasticall things over the whole Church; indirect at least, and in ordine ad Spiritualia, over the whole world. This the Diana in making of Shrines for whom your occupation consists, and it brings no small gains unto you. Hence you wire-draw his Cathedrall Infallibility, Legislative Authority, Freedom from the Judgment of any, whereby you hope to secure him and your selves from all opposition, endeavouring to terrifie them with this Medusa's head that