A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Your next labour consists in a pacific, charitable Enquiry, after the Author of the Animadversions, with an endeavour by I know not how many Reasons, to confirm your surmise, that he is a Person, that had an interest in the late troubles in the Nation, or as you phrase it, was a part of that dismal tempest, which overbore all before it, not only Church and State, but Ri•son, Right, Honesty, all true Religion, and even good Nature too. See what despair of managing an undertaking which cannot well be deserted, will drive men unto. Are you not sensible that you cry, —Vos ô miht manes. Este boni, quoniam Superis aversa voluntas. Or like the Jews, who when they were convinced of their errors, and wickedness, by our Saviour, began to call him Samaritan, and Devil, and to take ⟨p. 11⟩up stones to cast at him: Or as Crescens the Cynic dealt with Justin Martyr, whom because he could not answer, after he had engaged in a dispute with him, he laboured to bring him into suspicion with the Emperor, and Senate of Rome, as a person dangerous to the Commonwealth: And so also the Arians dealt with Athanasius. It were easy to manifest, that the spring of all this discourse of yours, is smart, and not Loyalty, and that it proceeds from a sense of your own disappointment, and not zeal for the welfare of others; but how little it is to your purpose, I shall show you anon, and could quickly render it as little to your advantage: For what if I should surmise, that you were one of the Friars, that stirred up the Irish to their rebellion, and unparalleled murders? Assure your self, I can quickly give as many, and as probable Reasons for my so doing, as you have given, or can give for your conjecture, about the Author of the Animadversions, on your Fiat Lux. You little think how much it concerns him to look to himself, who undertakes to accuse another; and how easy it were to make you repent your accusation, as much as ever Crassus did his accusing of Carbo. But I was in good hope, you would have left such reflections, as are capable of so easy a retortion upon your self, especially being irregular, and no way subservient unto your design, and being warned beforehand so to do.

Your next labour consists in a pacifick, charitable Enquiry, after the Author of the Animadversions, with an endeavour by I know not how many Reasons, to confirm your surmize, that he is a Person, that had an interest in the late troubles in the Nation, or as you phrase it, was a part of that dismall tempest, which overbore all before it, not only Church and State, but Rison, Right, Honesty, all true Religion, and even good Nature too. See what despair of managing an undertaking which cannot well be deserted, will drive men unto. Are you not sensible that you cry, —Vos ô miht manes. Este boni, quoniam Superis aversa voluntas. Or like the Jews, who when they were convinced of their errours, and wickedness, by our Saviour, began to call him Samaritane, and Devil, and to take