A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Fourthly, We know this pretence should it take place, would prove extremely hazardous unto the Truth of the Promises of Christ given unto the Catholic Church. For, suppose that to be one and the same with the Roman, and whatever mishap may befall the one must be thought to befall the other; for ⟨p. 198⟩on your Supposition, they are not only like Hippocrates twins, that being born together, wept and joyed together, and together died, but like Hippocrates himself, as the same individual Person or thing, being both the same; one Church, that hath two names, Catholic and Roman, that is Universal-Particular; no otherwise two, than as Julius Caesar was, when by his overawing his Colleague from the execution of his Office, they dated their Acts at Rome, Julio & Caesar Consulibus. For, as they said, Non Bibulo qui•quam nuper sed Caesare factum est; Nani Bibulo fieri Consule nil memini. Now, besides the failings which we know your Church to have been subject unto in point of Faith, Manners, and Worship; it hath also been at least in danger of Destruction in the time of the prevalency of the Goths, Vandals, Huns, and Longobards; especially when Rome its self was left desolate and without Inhabitant by Totilas. And what yet farther may befall it before the End of the world, [Greek or Hebrew]. Only this I know that many are in expectation of a sad Catastrophe to be given unto it, and that on grounds not to be despised. Now God forbid, that the Church unto which the Promises are made, should be once thought to be subject unto all the dangers and hazards that you wilfully expose your selves unto. So that as this is a very groundless presumption in its self, so it is a very great aggravation of your miscarriages also, whilst you seek to entitle the Catholic Church of Christ unto them, which can neither contract any such guilt as you have done, nor be liable to any such misery or punishment as you are.

Fourthly, We know this pretence should it take place, would prove extreamly hazardous unto the Truth of the Promises of Christ given unto the Catholick Church. For, suppose that to be one and the same with the Roman, and whatever mishap may befall the one must be thought to befall the other; for ⟨p. 198⟩on your Supposition, they are not only like Hippocrates twins, that being born together, wept and joyed together, and together died, but like Hippocrates himself, as the same individuall Person or thing, being both the same; one Church, that hath two names, Catholick and Roman, that is Universall-Particular; no otherwise two, than as Julius Caesar was, when by his overawing his Collegue from the execution of his Office, they dated their Acts at Rome, Julio & Casare Consulibus. For, as they said, Non Bibulo quiquam nuper sed Caesare factum est; Nani Bibulo fieri Consule nil memini. Now, besides the failings which we know your Church to have been subject unto in point of Faith, Manners, and Worship; it hath also been at least in danger of Destruction in the time of the prevalency of the Gths, Vandals, Huns, and Longobards; especially when Rome its self was left desolate and without Inhabitant by Totilas. And what yet farther may befall it before the End of the world, . Only this I know that many are in expectation of a sad Catastrophe to be given unto it, and that on grounds not to be despised. Now God forbid, that the Church unto which the Promises are made, should be once thought to be subject unto all the dangers and hazards that you wilfully expose your selves unto. So that as this is a very groundless presumption in its self, so it is a very great aggravation of your miscarriages also, whilest you seek to entitle the Catholick Church of Christ unto them, which can neither contract any such guilt as you have done, nor be liable to any such misery or punishment as you are.