A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Though we like not the Popery they have admitted, yet we love them for the Christianity which they have retained. And must not that needs be a doubty Consequence that is induced out of Principles where in there is not a word of truth! Besides, I have already in part manifested unto you, that supposing both of them to be true, as neither of them is; yet your Consequence is altogether inconsequent, ⟨p. 328⟩and will by no means follow upon them. And this will yet more fully appear in an examination of your ensuing Discourse.

Though we like not the Popery they have admitted, yet we love them for the Christianity which they have retained. And must not that needs be a doubty Consequence that is enduced out of Principles where in there is not a word of truth! Besides, I have already in part manifested unto you, that supposing both of them to be true, as neither of them is; yet your Consequence is altogether inconsequent, ⟨p. 328⟩and will by no means follow upon them. And this will yet more fully appear in an examination of your ensuing Discourse.

That which you fix upon to accept against, is towards the close of my Discourse to this purpose in these words as set down by you, pag. 40. Many things delivered us at first with the first news of Christianity, may be afterwards rejected for the love of Christ, and by the Commission of Christ. The truth of this Assertion I have newly proved again unto you, and have exemplified it in the instance of Papists bringing the first news of Christianity to any place, which is not impossible but they may do, though to this Nation they did not. I had also before confirmed it with such reasons as you judged it best to take no notice of; which is your way with things that are too hard for you to grapple withal. I must I see, drive these things through the thick obstacles of your prejudices with more instances, or you will not be sensible of them. What think you then of those who received the first news of Christianity by believers of the circumcision, who at the same time taught them the necessity of being circumcised, and of keeping Moses Law? were they not bound afterwards upon the discovery of the mistake of their teachers to retain the Gospel, and the truth thereof taught by them, and to reject the observation of Mosaical rites and observations? or were they free upon the discovery of their mistake to esteem the whole Gospel a Romance? What think you of those that were converted by Arians, which were great multitudes, and some whole Nations? were not those Nations bound for the Love of Christ, by his word, to retain their Christianity, and reject their Arianism, or must they needs account the whole