I did not much question but the _Bishop_ of St. _Davids_, whom I look'd upon as a Person of Ingenuity and Learning, would, before this Time, have publish'd somewhat in Confutation of one or other of my former _Discourses_. Whether he was not obliged to it, or to make me some publick Reparation of the Injury done to my Reputation, by his slanderous Sermon, I appeal now to the worshipful _Societys_ for Reformation of Manners; to whom, and to other Civil Magistrates, I hope his Sermon, without Reason, will be a Caution, that no Pulpit-Invective move them to prosecute or think the worse of any Author. Liberty of thinking, writing and judging for our selves in Religion is a natural, a Christian, and a protestant _Right_: It is a _Right_ that the Magistrates as well as the Subjects are interested in, and are to see to the Conservation of, or their Understandings as well as their Purses will be ridden and oppress'd by an ignorant and tyrannical Priesthood. I urge not this for my own security against Prosecution for Infidelity and Blasphemy, declaring that if the _Bishops_ of _London_, St. _Davids_, or _Arch-Deacon Stubbs_, who are zealous for Persecution, will but engage me on the Stage of Controversy, and make good their Accusations against me, I will submit to the worst Punishment, that can be inflicted on the worst Offender. In the mean time I will go on with my Undertaking, to the advancement of Truth, and demonstration of the _Messiahship_ of the Holy _Jesus_, to whom be Glory for ever, _Amen_. ~_FINIS._~ FOOTNOTES: [205] John. ix. [206] Quid Lutum i linere opporet? hoc potius eæcum reddere, quis unquam hoc pacto curatus est? _In Loc. Johan._ [207] Quam ob causam dicet aliquis, cum omnia solo Verbo præstare possit, nulloque negotio, Lutum quidem sputo macerat? _In Loc. Johan._ [208] Sed Rationem quandam mysticam habet Vis Rei istius de sputo. _Ibid._ [209] Ei autem qui cæcus fuerat a Nativitate, jam non per sermonem sed per operationem præstitit visum; non vane, neque prout evenit, hoc faciens, sed ut ostenderet manum Dei, eam quæ ab initio plasmavit Hominem, _&c._ Contra Hæres. L. v. c. 15. [210] _See his Sermons before the Societys for Reformation._ p. 12. [211] Ipse Salvator noster apertissime ostendit, quod ejus Miracula Aliquid significent, dum ea faciendo, aliquid agit, quod Ratione carere videatur. Nisi enim aliquid significaret, quid necessarium fuit, in hujus cæci Illuminatione, ut Lutum faceret, quo oculos ejus liniret, cui solum dicere sufficiens erat. Quæramus igitur significationem, & videamus quid cæcus iste significet. _In Homil. quarta post quartam Dominicam._