Of Dissenting Protestants.
Citt. You are to understand, that by the Protestant Religion is meant the Religion of the Dissenters in England, from the Church of England; As the First Protestants in Germany 1529. (from whom we denominate our Selves) were Dissenters from the Church of Rome: And So Call'd from the famous Protestation they enter'd against the Decree of the Assembly at Spires, against Anabaptists.
Bum. So that I perceive We Set up the Protestant Religion; we did not Destroy it: But they prest it Then, that the Church of England was a Protestant Church, and that the Jesuites had only Design'd the Destruction of it, where as We did Actually Execute it.
Citt. Your Answer must be, that the Church of England, though it be a little Protestantish, it is not yet directly Protestant: As on the Other side, it is not altogether the Whore of Babilon, though a good deal Whorish; and therefore the Reply to That must be, that we did not Destroy, but only Reform it.
Bum. Why I have answer'd People out of my Own Mother-Wit, that we did but Reform it. And they told me again, the Cutting of it off Root and Branch, was a very Extraordinary way of Reforming.
The meaning of Root and Branch.
Citt. The Answer to That is Obvious, that the Cutting Off Root and Branch, is only a Thorow, or a Higher degree of Reforming. But upon the whole matter, it was with Us and the Jesuites, as it was with Aaron and the Magicians; we did Both of us, make Froggs, but We alone had the Power to quicken the Dust of the Land, and turn it into Lice.
Thou art by this time, I presume, sufficiently instructed in the Methods, and Fundamentalls of the Holy Cause. I shall now give you some necessary Hints, to fit, and quallify you for the Province that I intend you. But besure you mind your Lesson.
Bum. As I would do my Prayers, Citt, or I were Ungratefull, for you have made me for ever.
Citt. Come we'l take t'other Sup, first, and then to work. Who wayts there without? Two Potts more, and shut the door after Ye.