To the Reader

READER,

The Treatise, intituled Fiat Lux, which you will find examined in the ensuing Discourse, was lent to me, not long since, by an honorable person, with a request to return an answer to it. It had not been many hours in my hand, before the same desire was seconded by others. Having made no ingagement to the person of whom I received it, the Book, after some few days, was remanded; yet, as it fell out, not before I had finished my Animadversions upon it. But before I could send my papers to the Press, I heard of a second Edition of that Treatise; which also occasionally coming to my hands, I perceived it had been printed some good while before I saw or heard of the first. Finding the bulk of the Discourse increased, I thought it needful to go through it once more, to see if any thing of moment were added to that Edition which I had considered, or any alterations made by the author's second thoughts. This somewhat discouraged me, that, my first Book being gone, I could not compare the Editions, but must trust to my memory, none of the best, as to what [illegible], or was not, in that I had perused. But not designing any use in a mere comparing of the Editions, but only to consider, whether in either of them any thing material was remaining, either not heeded by me, in my hasty passage through the first, or added in the second, undiscussed; I thought it of no great concernment to enquire again after the first Book. What of that nature offered its self to me, I cast my thoughts upon, into the Margin of what was before written, inserting it into the same continued Discourse. I therefore desire the Reader, that he may not suspect himself deceived, to take notice that whatever quotations out of that Treatise he meets withal, the number of pages throughout, answers the first Edition of it.

Of the Author of that Discourse, and his design therein, I have but little to premise. He seems at first view to be a Napthali, an Hind let loose, and to give goodly words. But though the voice we hear from him sometimes, be the voice of Jacob; yet the hands that put forth themselves, in his progress, are the hands of Esau. Moderation is pretended, but his counsels for peace, center in an advice for the extermination of the Ishmael (as he esteems it) of Protestancy. We know full well, that the words he begins to flourish withal, are not Vox ultima Papae. A discovery of the inconsistency of his real and pretended design, is one part of our business. Indeed, an attentive Reader, cannot but quickly discern, that perswasions to Moderation in different professions of Christian Religion, with a relinguishment of all others to an embracement of Popery, be they never so finely smoothed, must needs interfere. But yet with words, at such real variance among themselves, does our Author hope to impose his sentiments in Religion, on the minds of noble and ingenious persons, not yet accustomed to those severer thoughts and studies, which are needful to form an exact judgement in things of this nature. That he should upon any obtain both his ends, Moderation, and Popery, is impossible. No two things are [illegible] inconsistent. Let him cease the pursuit of the latter, and we will follow after the former with him, or without him. And if any man be so unhappily simple, as to think to come to Moderation in Religion-fewds, by turning Romanist, I shall leave him for his conviction to the mistress of such wise men. My present business is, as I find, to separate between his pleas for the Moderation pretended; and those for Popery really, aimed at. What force there may be in his Reasons, for that which he would not have, I shall not examine, but shall manifest that there is none, in them he uses for what he would. And, Reader, if this hasty attempt for the prevention of the Application of them find acceptance with you, I shall, it may be, ere long, give you a full account of the new ways and Principles, which our Author, and the men of the same perswasion, have of late years resolved on, for the promotion of their Cause and Interest.

Farewel.