A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

And for the present Ecclesiastical policy of the Church of England, if you yet know it not, let me inform you, that the very foundations of it are laid in a direct contrary supposition; namely that there is no such single Person delegated under Christ for the Rule of the whole Catholic Church; which gives us a new evidence of your Conscientious •are in what you say and write. 3. If you intend, (that which is not at all to your purpose) Persons to rule under Christ in the Church, presiding according to his direction and institution, in and over the Particular Churches whereunto they do relate, governing them in his name, by his Authority, and according to his Word, I desire you to inform me, wherein I have said, or written, or intimated any thing that may give you the least countenance in your affirming that by me it is denied; or where it was ever denied by any Protestant whatever, Prelatical, Presbyterian, ⟨p. 388⟩or Independent: neither doth this concession of theirs in the least impeach the sole Sovereign Monarchy of Christ, and single Headship over his Church to all ends and purposes. A Monarch may be, and is the sole supreme Governor and Political Head of his Kingdom, though he appoint others to execute his Laws by virtue of Authority derived from him, in the several Provinces, Shires and Parishes of it. And Christ is the only head of his Church, though he have appointed others to preside and rule in his name, in those distributions of his Disciples whereinto they are cast by his appointment. But you proceed, Christ in their way is immediate head not only of subministration and influence, but of exterior derivation also and government to his Church. Ans. He is so, the supreme and only Head of the Church Catholic in the one way and other, though the means of conveying influences of Grace, and of exterior Rule be various. Then say you, is he such an Head to all Believers or no? to all, the whole body in general, and every individual member thereof in particular? if he be so to all, you say, then no man is to be governed in Affairs of Religion by any other man: But why so I pray? can no man govern in any sense or place but he must be a supreme Head? The King is immediate Head unto all his subjects, he is King not only to the whole Kingdom, but to every individual person in his Kingdom;

And for the present Ecclesiastical policy of the Church of England, if you yet know it not, let me inform you, that the very foundations of it are laid in a direct contrary supposition; namely that there is no such single Person delegated under Christ for the Rule of the whole Catholick Church; which gives us a new evidence of your Conscientious are in what you say and write. 3. If you intend, (that which is not at all to your purpose) Persons to rule under Christ in the Church, presiding according to his direction and institution, in and over the Particular Churches whereunto they do relate, governing them in his name, by his Authority, and according to his Word, I desire you to inform me, wherein I have said, or written, or intimated any thing that may give you the least countenance in your affirming that by me it is denied; or where it was ever denied by any Protestant whatever, Prelatical, Presbyterian,