The author was also an able antagonist of Romanism. Like his brethren, though exposed to the charge of Popery, he was a more effective opponent of the errors of Rome, than the persons by whom his character was assailed. His Seasonable Antidote was published, in consequence of the apostacy of one of his congregation to the Church of Rome. The following extract may be taken as a specimen of the manner of his handling the controversy, and also as an evidence of the soundness of his own principles. "The decision of the Church (I mean the Catholic Church of Christ, properly so called) is expressly contrary to that of modern Rome, in all the points in controversy with the Church of England: as I am able and ready to prove to the conviction of all, whose eyes are not blinded with prejudices against the truth. Let me ask you, in the name of God, can you so firmly believe, as to admit of no longer doubt, that in the sacrament of the Eucharist,
tival of St. Bartholomew, being the 24th of August: and that indeed might, according to the variation of the Style, be the proper day, for aught I know: considering how many ages have passed since those Saints' Days were at first instituted. But sure I am, this, though it may be now reckoned the second of September by the New Style, cannot possibly be the proper anniversary of the Fire of London: for since that dreadful calamity there are still remaining eleven days to complete the ninetieth year: so that our solemn addresses to God, for pardon, cannot, with any due regard to religion or propriety, be offered up as an annual commemoration before the 13th. But what makes the absurdity still more glaring and ridiculous is, that to-morrow we are to see the magistrates of this great city, who have been here this day, marching to Smithfield in the like formality, there to proclaim the Fair! Thus it is wisely contrived, by the reformers and correctors of our Style, that the 2nd of September comes now as of course, the day before the 23rd of August, and the Feast of St. Bartholomew ten days before the eve of it." Pp. 8, 9, 10, 11.
