A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

The same way and means that lopped off some branches, will do the like to others, and root too: (but the errors and mistakes of men are not branches growing from the root of the Gospel) A Vilification of that Church wherein they find themselves who have a mind to prevaricate upon pretence of Scripture and power of interpreting it, light, spirit or reason, adjoined with a personal obstinacy that will not submit, will do it roundly and to effect. This first brought off the Protestants from the Roman Catholic Church; ⟨p. 341⟩this lately separated the Presbyterians from the English Protestant Church, the Independent from the Presbyterian, and the Quakers from the other Independent. And this left good, maintains nothing of Christian Religion but the moral part, which indeed and truth is but honest Paganism. This speech is worthy of all serious Consideration.

The same way and means that lopt off some branches, will do the like to others, and root too: (but the errours and mistakes of men are not branches growing from the root of the Gospel) A Vilification of that Church wherein they find themselves who have a mind to prevaricate upon pretence of Scripture and power of interpreting it, light, spirit or reason, adjoyned with a personal obstinacy that will not submit, will do it roundly and to effect. This first brought off the Protestants from the Roman Catholick Church; ⟨p. 341⟩this lately separated the Presbyterians from the English Protestant Church, the Independent from the Presbyterian, and the Quakers from the other Independent. And this left good, maintains nothing of Christian Religion but the moral part, which indeed and truth is but honest Paganism. This speech is worthy of all serious Consideration.

That which this Discourse seems to amount unto, is that if a man question or reject any thing that is taught by the Church whereof he is a member, there remains no way for him to come unto any certainty in the remaining parts of Religion, but that he may on as good grounds question and reject all things as any. As you phrase the matter, by mens vilifying a Church which a mind to prevaricate upon pretence of Scripture, &c. though there is no consequence in what you say, yet no man can be so mad as to plead in justification of such a proceeding. For it is not much to be doubted, but that he who layeth such a foundation, and makes such a beginning of a separation from any Church, will make a progress suitable thereunto. But if you will speak unto your own purpose, and so as they may have any concernment in what you say with whom you deal, you must otherwise frame your hypothesis. Suppose a man to be a member of any Church, or to find himself in any Church state with others, and that he doth at any time by the light and direction of the Scripture, discover any thing or things to be taught or practised in that Church whereof he is so a member, which he cannot assent unto, unless he will contradict the Revelation that God hath made of himself, his mind and will, in that complete Rule of all that Religion and worship which are pleasing unto him, and therefore doth suspend his assent thereunto, and therein