The novelty of the modern Romish religion set forth in an answer to three queries propounded by N.G., priest, with a rejoynder to his reply, and a reply to an answer made to three queries propounded unto him : together with animadversions upon some reflexions made by an unknown author ... / written by S.F., M.A. and vicar of Mitton in Craven.

POSTSCRIPT.

HAving examined the Reflections, and shewed what Stuffe they afford for publick view; I can easily conjecture what Stormy weather I shall have, and what a blustring return will be made by the Reflector, or some other daring Champion that shall ingage himself in the Quarrel.

When the Romanists are Distressed for want of Arguments, not finding any thing of weight to plead for themselves, (which is their constant and woful fate) it is their common practice (as the Reflector hath done) to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an inundation of words, and to swell into the highest considence of boasting, exclaiming against their Adversaries for unhand∣some

and Injurious dealing, charging them with Mis-interpretation, False Quotations and Corrup∣tions, and accusing them as guilty of Immodest Re∣viling, and Exasperating Language; and all this is done purposely to set a glittering shew upon their own performances, to deceive the common people into a perswasion that they are no less then Con∣querors.

In this Case, the defence that I shall make for my self shall be this: First, if any Champion shall fall into the temperate, and petulant humour of boasting; he is required not to hide himself under a Cloud of Generals, but (that I may know where to find him) to set down the particular grounds and reasons, whence his vapours do arise; otherwise the Intelligent Reader will Judge his boasting to be like unto Cardinal Campegios great Flourish with his Twenty Gilded Sumpters in Henry the 8. time, which made a glorious shew outwardly to the Beholders; but being by accident Overturned in Cheapside, discovered nothing within, but Old Rotten, Mouldy Shoes, and Boots, and Musty Marrow Bones.

Secondly, My greatest Ability, and Industry not reaching to the possession of most of those Ancient Fathers, which I have Quoted, I must confess that the Quotations were taken at the second Hand, but from Approved Authors of the Protestant perswa∣sion, and from such Romish Authors as are placed in the highest rank among the Romanists; and I am ready to justify my proceeding in this, that I have Charged nothing upon the Fathers, but what they have pressed thems••lves, and in that sense, for which I have quoted them.

Thirdly, If I do not judge Partially, I think I have not given any immodest Reviling, or exaspe∣rating Language, only I have used some simili∣tude to illustrate the Truth; and why should not that kind of Illustration be used, when nothing but Truth is spoken; if by mine own practice I should in any respect imitate a Taylor, or a Cobbler, or a Tinker, I should not suffer my Choller to Swell, for being minded of that resemblance: But were it so, that I had been guilty of some sore biting Expres∣sions, and Reflections; I am indebted to the Ro∣manists, more than my Ability can reach, or my will is inclined to repay: Should I dip my Pen in Vinegar, or write Characters with Gall and Worm∣wood, mingled with drops of Blood, yet I should not repay in that measure, which they have meted unto me.