A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Pag. 5. Upon occasion of a passage in my discourse, wherein upon misinformation, I expressed some trouble, that any young men should be entangled with the Rhetoric and Sophistry of your Fiat Lux, you fall into an harangue, not inferior unto some others in your Epistle, for that candour and ingenuity you give your self unto.

Pag. 5. Upon occasion of a passage in my discourse, wherein upon misinformation, I expressed some trouble, that any young men should be entangled with the Rhetorick and Sophistry of your Fiat Lux, you fall into an harangue, not inferiour unto some others in your Epistle, for that candour and ingenuity you give your self unto.

First, You make a Plea for Gentlemen, (not once named in my Discourse) That they must be allowed a sense of Religion, as well as Ministers; that they ⟨p. 24⟩have the body, though not the cloak of Religion, and are masters of your own reason. But do you consider with your self, who it is that speaks these words, and to whom you speak them. Do you indeed desire that Gentlemen should have such a sense of Religion, and make use of their reason in the choice of that, which therein they adhere unto, as you pretend? Is this pretence consistent with your Plea in your Fiat Lux, wherein you labour to reduce them to a naked fanatical Credo? Or is it your interest to court them with fine words, though your intention be far otherwise? But we in England like not such proceedings. [Greek or Hebrew], [Greek or Hebrew]. Nothing dislikes us more than dissimulation. And to whom do you speak? Did I, doth any Protestant deny, that Gentlemen may have? Do we not say, they ought to have their sense in Religion, and their senses exercised therein? Do we deny they ought to improve their reason, in being conversant about it? Are these the Principles of the Church of Rome, or of that of England? Do we not press them unto these things, as their principal duty in this world? Do we disallow or forbid them any means, that may tend to their furtherance in the knowledge and profession of Religion? Where is it, that if they do but look upon a Bible, —Furiarummaxima juxta Accubat, & manibus prohibet contingere merits. The Inquisitor lays hold upon them, and bids them be contented with a Rosary, or our Ladies Psalter? Do we hinder or dissuade them from any Studies,