A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Two Principal Heads, the Discourse which you premise unto the Particular consideration of the Animadversions, is reducible unto: The first whereof is, your endeavour to manifest, that I understood not the design and end of Fiat Lux, a Discourse (as you modestly testify) hard to deal with, and impossible to confute. The other, your Enquiry after the Author of the Animadversions, with your attempt to prove him one in such a condition, as you may possible hope to obtain more advantage from, than you can do by endeavouring the refutation of his Book. Some other occasional passages there are in it also, which as they deserve, shall be considered. Unto these two General Heads I shall give you at present a Candid Return, and leave you when you are free from Flies to make what use of it you please.

Two Principall Heads, the Discourse which you premise unto the Particular consideration of the Animadversions, is reducible unto: The first whereof is, your endeavour to manifest, that I understood not the design and end of Fiat Lux, a Discourse (as you modestly testifie) hard to deal with, and impossible to confute. The other, your Enquiry after the Author of the Animadversions, with your attempt to prove him one in such a condition, as you may possible hope to obtain more advantage from, than you can do by endeavouring the refutation of his Book. Some other occasionall passages there are in it also, which as they deserve, shall be considered. Unto these two Generall Heads I shall give you at present a Candid Return, and leave you when you are free from Flies to make what use of it you please.

The Design or Fiat Lux, I took to be the promotion of the Papal Interest; and the whole of it, in the relation of its parts unto one another, and the general End aimed at in it, to be a persuasive induction unto the embracement of the present Roman Faith and Religion. The means insisted on for this end, I conceived principally to be these; 1. A declaration of the evils that attend differences in Religion, and disputes about it: 2. Of the good of Union, ⟨p. 5⟩Peace, Love, and Concord among Christians: 3. Of the impossibility of obtaining this good by any other ways or means, but only by an embracement of the Roman Catholic Faith and Profession, with a submission to the deciding Power and Authority of the Pope, or your Church: 4. A defence and illustration of some especial parts of the Roman Religion, most commonly by Protestants excepted against. This was my mistake; unto this mistake I acknowledge my whole discourse was suited. In the same mistake are all the persons in England, that ever I heard speak any thing of that discourse, of what persuasion in Religion soever they were. And Aristotle thought it worth while to remember our of Hesiod. Moral. Nicom. lib. 7. that [Greek or Hebrew] [Greek or Hebrew]. That report which so many consent in, is not altogether vain. But yet least this should not satisfy you, I shall mind you of one who is with you, [Greek or Hebrew], of as much esteem it may be as all the rest, and that is your self; you are your self in the same mistake: you know well enough that this was your End, this your Design, these the means of your pursuing it; and you acknowledge them immediately so to have been, as we shall see in the consideration of the evidence you tender to evince that mistake in me which you surmise.