A Second Letter to Mr. Foster on the Subject of Heresy (Volume 4); In Answer to His First. by Henry Stebbing (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1735 Excerpt: ... all Occasion from you of diverting the Minds of your Readers from the Point in Debate by any Complaints of ill Treatment: But I find my self thus far unsuccessful in my Attempts, that my Style and Manner of Writing does not please you. I am not willing to tun the Hazard qf pleasing you le/s by making Apologies, nor is this a Matter worthy of the publick Attention. One thing only; 1 shall take Notice of, because it may serve HEN I first undertook the Controversy, which is the Subject of a former Letter, I determined with my self, thatj if it were possible, I would cut off as an Evidence, to shew how ready you are to find Fault without Reason. I had said, that your Sermon upon Heresy has given just Offence. You tell me, that I ought not to have said Just Offence, till J had Jbewn that there isere sufficient Grounds for it; and hereupon charge me with condescending to the lowest Arts of a Disputant; which can only be calculated to amuse the Ignorant with unmeaning Sounds, or to engage the passions of the Reader, and thereby prejudice and blind his Judgment . What Arts, what Amusement s do you talk ot? The Offence given by your Sermon was a publick, notorious Fact. That it was just, the whole Defign of my Letter was to (hew. Where now is the Harm of faying that you had given just Offence? Am I at Liberty to refute, and not to charge? Or, is not every Accusation, in the very Nature of it, f revious to the Trial? Perhaps, Sir, it might be observed of your Letter with great Justice, that, whilst you are condemning Arts and Amusements, you are perpetually fleeing to them, as your only Supports. But that I may not give you new Offence, let this appear or not appear upon Examination. The main Question between us is this; Who are Hereticks in fuch-z. Sense, as will jo...