Some dialogues between Mr. G. and others with reflections upon a book called Pax vobis.

THE PREFACE▪

IN these following Dialogues, I have not pretended to inquire whether the Author of Pax Vobis, has in his Dialogues fairly represen∣ted those of the Reformation; being resolved to see where the mighty strength of that piece of Reasoning lay, upon supposition that all the Sayings and Matters of Fact, which he charges upon Protestants, were just as he has reported them. I fancy it will come into some bodies head or other, to take a little pains about that. But be it so or not, I

am apt to think it will be allowed by every unprejudiced Person, That a sufficient Reply is here given to the great design and business of that Book; and that for the future, it is not likely to impose upon any, who are not very weak in their Under∣standings, or something that is much worse.

As to the different Opinions a∣mongst those of the Reformation, it cannot be more objected against us by our Adversaries, than it is la∣mented amongst our selves: but we cannot but wonder to hear them make that an Objection against us, of which it is so manifest, themselves have been so great a Cause.

We are much obliged to them, for their being so sollicitous to render us

less liable to Mistakes, than accor∣ding to our own Principles it seems we are, and are very ready to embrace any Directions which may be helpful to us in our Inquiries after Truth; but we think they take a most pre∣posterous way to bring us to the know∣ledg thereof, who, because we and others may be deceived, go about to perswade us, that we shall always ne∣cessarily be so, unless we submit to the Direction of such Guides, which without giving us any assurance of what they pretend, that they neither will nor can deceive us, they are pleased to recommend unto us.

As if because among those who walk through London-Streets in the day-time, some happen to stumble, others to fall into the dirt, others to

lose their way, that therefore it is the most prudent course which any Man can take, to come out in the Night, and according to the Di∣rection of those who confidently as∣sure him, that they will bring him safe to his Journeys end, having put his Neck into an Halier, to suffer himself to be drag'd through thick and thin, until he is almost choaked, and instead of being brought to the place whither he designed to go, finds himself at last thrown into a Ditch with his Pockets pick'd.

None can be more ready than we should be to submit to the Guidance of an infallible Directer did we know where to find him; but of this we despair, especially since one of the best Arguments to perswade us to in∣quire

after him, is nothing else but an Objection against Human Na∣ture, and a Reflection upon God Almighty for having made us such Creatures as we find our selves to be.

Because some in the use of their Reason are, and may be deceived, that therefore all must, is a Conse∣quence which any one might be apt to think would seem ridiculous to all Mankind.

And therefore it is easie to guess of what Spirit and Temper they are, who, by such weak Motives, are tempted to leave our Communion.

Especially since we cannot but take notice, that even amongst those whose Conversations, to our great grief, have not discovered that pre∣vailing

Sense of Religion, which might be expected from Men pro∣fessing the pure and sincere Doctrine of Christianity, there are but very few, who by much more powerful Arguments have been prevailed with to forsake it.

Who the Author of Pax Vobis is, we are not inquisitive to know, but some are inclinable to believe him a Convert, both from his being so well acquainted with the Scrip∣ture, and from the profane use which he now thinks fit to make of it.

To apply these [Stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, Gal. 5.1. — Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty, 2 Cor. 3.17. In my Father's House are many

Mansions; Joh. 14.2.] and such like places after such a manner, as to make them import a Liberty given by Christ, to believe and act as we please, is an excellent way to ridicule the Bible. And the Church of R. does very well to forbid the free use thereof, if they of her Communion are so apt to abuse it as this Author has done.

The Controversie between us and our Adversaries, has been hitherto managed with as little Reflection as the Cause would bear; but if in these Dialogues we do not behave our selves so very gravely towards them as we have done formerly, they who gave the occasion are to be blamed for it.

For they have no just Reason to be angry with us if (as long as we keep within the bounds of Decency, Truth, and Loyalty) we are by them provoked to express our selves after a different manner than we had otherwise intended.