A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

But what now is the End in all this heap of things which you would have mistaken for Reasons, that you aim at? it is all to show how unfit I am to defend the Protestant Religion, and that I am not such a Protestant as I would be thought to be. But why so? I embrace the Doctrine of the Church of England, as declared in the 29 Articles, and other approved public writings, of the most famous Bishops and other Divines thereof. I avow her rejection of the pretended Authority, and real Errors of the Church, to be her duty and justifiable. The same is my judgment in reference unto all other Protestant Churches in the world, in all things wherein they agree among themselves, which is in all things necessary that God may be acceptably worshipped, and themselves saved. And why may I not plead the Cause of Protestancy, against that imputation of demerit which you heap upon it? Neither would I be thought to be any thing in Religion but what I am: Neither have I any sentiments therein, but what I profess. But it may be you will say in some things I differ ⟨p. 22⟩from other Protestants: wisely observed; and if from thence you can conclude a man unqualified for the defence of Protestancy, you have secured your self from opposition; seeing every Protestant doth so, and must do so whilst there are differences amongst Protestants: But they are in things wherein their Protestancy is not concerned. And may I be so bold as to ask you, how the case in this instance stands with your self, who certainly would have your competency for the defence of your Church unquestionable? Differences there are amongst you; and that as in and about other things, so also about the Pope himself, the head and spring of the Religion you profess. Some of you maintain his Personal Infallibility, and that not only in matters of Faith, but in matters of Fact also. Others disclaim the former as highly erroneous, and the latter as grossly blasphemous. Pray what is your judgment in this matter, for I suppose you are not of both these opinions at once, and I am sure they are irreconcilable. Some of you mount his Supremacy above a General Council, some would bring him into a Coordination with it, and some subject him unto it; though he hath almost carried the Cause, by having store of Bishoprics to bestow, whereas a Council has none, which was the Reason given of old for his prevalency in this Contest.

But what now is the End in all this heap of things which you would have mistaken for Reasons, that you aym at? it is all to shew how unfit I am to defend the Protestant Religion, and that I am not such a Protestant as I would be thought to be. But why so? I embrace the Doctrine of the Church of England, as declared in the 29 Articles, and other approved publick writings, of the most famous Bishops and other Divines thereof. I avow her rejection of the pretended Authority, and reall Errours of the Church, to be her duty and justifiable. The same is my judgment in reference unto all other Protestant Churches in the world, in all things wherein they agree among themselves, which is in all things necessary that God may be acceptably worshipped, and themselves saved. And why may I not plead the Cause of Protestancy, against that imputation of demeric which you heap upon it? Neither would I be thought to be any thing in Religion but what I am: Neither have I any sentiments therein, but what I profess. But it may be you will say in some things I differ