A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Nay you perceive well enough your self, that this is nothing at all to your design, and therefore in your following discourse you double and sophisticate, making it evident that either you understand not your self what you say, or that you would not have others understand you, or that you confound all things with a design to deceive: for when you come to speak of the Gospel you attempt to prove the appointment of one supreme Pastor to the whole Catholic Church, and by the Law of the Land, the Superiority of Bishops over Ministers, as though these things were the same, or had any relation one to another: whereas we have showed the former in your sense to be destructive to the latter. Truth never put any man upon such subterfuges; and I hope the difficulties that you find your self perplexed withal, may direct you at length to find, that there is a deceit in your right hand. But let us hear your own words.

Nay you perceive well enough your self, that this is nothing at all to your design, and therefore in your following discourse you double and sophisticate, making it evident that either you understand not your self what you say, or that you would not have others understand you, or that you confound all things with a design to deceive: for when you come to speak of the Gospel you attempt to prove the appointment of one supream Pastor to the whole Catholick Church, and by the Law of the Land, the Superiority of Bishops over Ministers, as though these things were the same, or had any relation one to another: whereas we have shewed the former in your sense to be destuctive to the latter. Truth never put any man upon such subter fuges; and I hope the difficulties that you find your self perplexed withall, may direct you at length to find, that there is a deceit in your right hand. But let us hear your own words.

As for the Gospel, the Lord who had been visible Governor and Pastor of his flock on earth, when he was now to depart hence, as all the Apostles expected one to ⟨p. 392⟩be chosen to succeed him in his care, so did he notwithstanding his own invisible presence and providence over his flock, publicly appoint one. And when he taught them, that he who was greatest among them should be as the least, he did not deny but suppose one greater; and taught in one and the same breath, both that he was over them, and for what he was over them, namely to feed, not to tyrannize; not to domineer and hurt, but to direct, comfort, and conduct his flock in all humility and tenderness, as a servant of all their spiritual necessities; and if a Bishop be otherwise affected, it is the fault of his Person not his place.