42 ANIMADVERSIONS ON A TREATISE
IX. We are come at length unto tlie pope, of whom we are told that " he is a good man, one that seeks nothing but our good, that never did us harm, but has the care and inspection of us committed unto him by Christ." For my part I am glad to hear such news of him, and should be more glad to find it to be true. Our forefathers and predecessors in the faith we profess, found it otherwise. All the harm that could be done unto them, by ruining their families, de- stropng their estates, imprisoning and torturing their persons, and, lastly, burning their bodies in fire, they received at his hands. If the alteration pretended be not from the shortening of his power, but the change of his mind and will, I shall be very glad to hear of it. For the jsresent, I confess, I had rather take it for granted, whilst he is at this distance, than see him trusted with power for the trial of his will. I never heard of much of his repentance for the blood of those thousands that hath been shed by his authority, and in his cause; which makes me suspect he may be someAvhat of the same mind still as he was. Time was when the very worst of popes exhausted more treasure out of this nation, to spend it abroad to their OAvn ends, than some are willing to grant to the best of kings, to spend at home for their goods. It may be he is changed as to this design also, but I do not know it, nor is any proof offered of it by our author. Let us deal plainly one with another, and, without telling us that " the pope never did us harm," (which is not the way to make us believe that he will not, because it makes us suspect that all we have suffered from him is thought no harai,) let him tell us how he will assure us that if this good pope get us into his power again, he will not burn us, as he did our forefathers, unless we submit our consciences unto him in all things; that he will not find out ways to draw the treasure out of the nation, nor absolve subjects from their allegiance, nor excommunicate or attempt the deposition of our kings, or the giving away of their kingdoms, as he has done in former days. That these things he hath done we know; that he hath re- pented of them, and changed his mind thereupon, we know not. To have any thing to do with him, whilst he continues in such distem- pers, is not only against the principles of religion, but of common prudence also. For my part I cannot but fear, until I see security tendered of this change in the pope, that all the good words that are given us concerning him are but baits to inveigle us into his power; and, to tell you the truth, " teiTent vestigia." How the pope employs himself in seeking our good, which our author paints out unto us, I know not ; when I see the effects of it, I shall be thankful for it. In the meantime, being so great a stranger to Rome as I am, I must needs say, I know nothing that he does but seek to destroy us body and soul. Our author pleads, indeed, that " the care and inspection
ENTITLED FIAT LUX. 43
of our condition is committed to liim by Christ : " but he attempts not to prove it, which I somewhat marvel at ; for having professedly- deserted the old way of pleading the Catholic cause and interest (which I presume he did upon conviction of its insufficiency), — whereas he is an ingenious person, he could not but know that " Pasce oves meas, tu es Petrus, tibi dabo claves," are as weak parts of the old plea as any made use of, belonging nothing at all to the thing where- unto they are applied, — it is somewhat strange that he would substi- tute no new proofs in their room. But it seems it is not every one's hap, with him of old, to want opinions sometimes, but no arguments. When he has got proofs to his purpose, we will again attend unto him : in the meantime, in this case shall only mind him, that the taking for granted, in disputations, that which should principally be proved, has got an ill name amongst learned men, being commonly called " begging."
X. The last principle which I have observed diffusing its influences throughout the whole discourse is, that " the devotion of CathoUcs far transcends that of Protestants; their preaching also'' (which I forgot to mention before) " is far to be preferred above that of these ; and for their religion and worship, it is liable to no just exception." I desire that our author would but a little call to mind that parable of our Saviour about the two men that went up into the temple to jDray. To me this discourse smells rank of the Pharisee, and I wish that we might all rather strive to grow in faith, love, charity, self- denial, and universal conformity unto our Lord Jesus, than to bristle up and cry, " Stand farther off, for I am holier than thou." In the meantime, for the respect I bear him, I entreat our author to speak no more of this matter, lest some angry Protestant, or some fanatic, should take occasion to talk of old matters, and rip up old sores, or give an account of the present state of things in the church of Rome ; all which were a great deal better covered. If he will not take my advice, he must thank himself for that which will assuredly follow. I must also say, by the way, that that devotion which consists so much, as our author makes it to do, in the sweeping of churches and tinkling of bells, in counting of beads and knocking of breasts, is of very little value with Protestants, who have obtained an experience of the excellency of spiritual communion with God in Christ Jesus. Now, whether these parts of the profession and practice of his church, — which he is pleased to undertake, not only the vindication, but the adorning of, — be liable to just exception or no, is the last part of our work to consider, and which shall in its proper place be done accord- ingly.