A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

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, ⟨p. 25⟩or the use of Books, that may increase their knowledge, and improve their reason? And hath not the Papacy felt the fruits and effects of these Principles, in the writings of Kings, Princes, Noblemen, and Gentlemen, of all sorts? And do not you your self know all this to be true? And is it ingenuous to insist on contrary insinuations? Or do you think that truly generous Spirits will stoop to so poor a lure? But you proceed: This is one difference between Catholic Countries and ours, that there the Clergy man is only regarded for his virtue, and the power he hath received, or is at least believed to have received from God, in the great Ministry of our Reconciliation;

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