the_o sheriff_n case_n whether_o and_o how_o they_o may_v lawful_o qualify_v themselves_o for_o their_o hold_v the_o office_n according_a to_o the_o act_n for_o corporation_n in_o this_o act_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n impose_v a_o oath_n and_o a_o renunciation_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o we_o must_v lay_v down_o this_o suffer_v this_o to_o this_o rule_n there_o be_v a_o double_a extreme_a the_o one_o be_v of_o those_o who_o think_v a_o man_n must_v take_v every_o imposition_n in_o the_o strict_a literal_a construction_n &_o can_v submit_v to_o it_o no_o otherwise_o the_o other_o be_v of_o such_o who_o suppose_v that_o if_o a_o man_n can_v frame_v any_o interpretation_n of_o his_o own_o that_o be_v but_o reasonable_a he_o may_v take_v the_o word_n in_o that_o sense_n and_o be_v satisfy_v the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v so_o rigid_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v impose_v but_o we_o shall_v strain_v at_o it_o and_o the_o last_o so_o loose_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v impose_v but_o we_o shall_v swallow_v it_o the_o true_a medium_fw-la be_v this_o we_o must_v sit_v down_o and_o consider_v what_o we_o believe_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o if_o we_o can_v submit_v to_o a_o imposition_n in_o that_o sense_n or_o meaning_n which_o we_o believe_v they_o we_o must_v do_v it_o but_o if_o we_o believe_v their_o sense_n to_o be_v such_o as_o we_o can_v take_v it_o in_o that_o sense_n we_o must_v forbear_v it_o and_o suffer_v rule_n at_o first_o that_o all_o imposition_n of_o of_o our_o superior_n must_v be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o those_o that_o impose_v they_o there_o need_v be_v no_o scruple_n else_o in_o submission_n to_o any_o thing_n enjoin_v the_o bottom_n be_v this_o because_o the_o law_n be_v the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o it_o be_v the_o lawgiver_n mean_v which_o be_v his_o will_n howsoever_o the_o word_n of_o a_o law_n be_v express_v the_o parliament_n here_o we_o know_v be_v the_o lawgiver_n and_o this_o oath_n than_o must_v be_v take_v and_o renunciation_n make_v in_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o parliament_n which_o pass_v the_o act_n where_o we_o must_v also_o premise_v thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o any_o sheriff_n alderman_n or_o other_o person_n upon_o who_o this_o oath_n be_v impose_v for_o we_o must_v begin_v with_o that_o to_o put_v a_o meaning_n of_o his_o own_o upon_o it_o which_o be_v to_o be_v take_v only_o in_o they_o that_o pass_v the_o act_n but_o to_o consider_v very_o what_o he_o believe_v to_o that_o mean_v which_o be_v indeed_o the_o lawgiver_n not_o to_o determine_v neither_o and_o say_v this_o be_v the_o meaning_n but_o to_o be_v able_a to_o say_v i_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v their_o mean_v which_o be_v necessary_a to_o every_o one_o that_o take_v it_o to_o determine_v for_o himself_o that_o he_o may_v act_v in_o faith_n in_o what_o he_o do_v we_o must_v add_v that_o when_o we_o say_v the_o parliament_n be_v the_o lawgiver_n we_o understand_v by_o the_o parliament_n the_o king_n lord_n and_o commons_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n and_o so_o of_o this_o oath_n must_v be_v always_o that_o sense_n wherein_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n do_v concur_v with_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o and_o the_o king_n with_o both_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sense_n therefore_o of_o a_o imposition_n which_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o king_n and_o not_o of_o the_o house_n or_o of_o one_o of_o the_o house_n and_o not_o the_o other_o or_o a_o lesser_a part_n of_o either_o house_n and_o not_o the_o majority_n of_o both_o that_o sense_n must_v be_v still_o look_v on_o as_o too_o narrow_a and_o ought_v not_o to_o scruple_n the_o conscience_n the_o true_a sense_n oblige_v the_o subject_a be_v the_o concurrent_a sense_n of_o the_o king_n lord_n and_o commons_o who_o as_o assemble_v joint_o to_o this_o end_n of_o legislation_n not_o one_o without_o the_o other_o but_o all_o three_o together_o as_o one_o corporation_n and_o otherwise_o be_v the_o lawgiver_n neither_o be_v this_o sense_n to_o be_v collect_v from_o the_o first_o float_v apprehension_n of_o any_o one_o that_o move_v a_o matter_n in_o the_o house_n but_o from_o the_o digest_v thought_n of_o both_o house_n after_o a_o mature_a debate_n and_o the_o thing_n have_v thrice_o pass_v in_o they_o both_o so_o that_o no_o sense_n of_o any_o imposition_n but_o that_o which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o more_o especial_o to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o the_o constitution_n must_v be_v receive_v as_o the_o mean_v of_o a_o parliament_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o constitution_n be_v such_o as_o it_o can_v be_v infringe_v by_o a_o act_n or_o law_n for_o the_o administration_n which_o be_v a_o note_n to_o be_v lay_v in_o here_o that_o by-and-by_a will_v be_v needful_a thus_o much_o therefore_o far_o and_o no_o less_o be_v premise_v we_o proceed_v by_o take_v arm_n let_v we_o suppose_v the_o sheriff_n believe_v the_o parliament_n mean_v the_o raise_n a_o ararmy_a or_o war_n and_o by_o the_o king_n the_o king_n be_v own_o sacred_a person_n as_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o indeed_o can_v be_v mean_v and_o we_o can_v see_v no_o oath_n no_o the_o only_a objection_n here_o which_o be_v of_o weight_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o two_o case_n one_o be_v the_o case_n of_o private_a violence_n as_o suppose_v a_o prince_n shall_v go_v to_o ravish_v a_o virgin_n and_o she_o catch_v up_o the_o next_o weapon_n or_o instrument_n to_o defend_v herself_o in_o this_o case_n or_o the_o like_a we_o answer_v this_o defence_n be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v take_v arm_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o act._n the_o other_o be_v a_o case_n of_o public_a violence_n as_o suppose_v a_o prince_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o alienate_v his_o kingdom_n or_o ruin_v his_o country_n or_o the_o like_a we_o answer_v we_o be_v not_o for_o all_o that_o to_o return_v violence_n upon_o his_o person_n and_o as_o for_o his_o officer_n followers_z or_o army_n the_o solution_n must_v be_v attend_v in_o the_o next_o clause_n of_o the_o oath_n objection_n which_o may_v not_o be_v answer_v from_o this_o little_a in_o the_o first_o clause_n of_o the_o oath_n i_o a._n b._n do_v swear_v that_o i_o hold_v it_o unlawful_a to_o take_v arm_n against_o the_o king_n or_o his_o rightful_a government_n upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o if_o david_n heart_n smite_v he_o for_o cut_v off_o but_o saul_n skirt_n when_o he_o be_v actual_o in_o arm_n to_o defend_v himself_o against_o saul_n force_n only_o because_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n anoint_v it_o be_v not_o in_o this_o first_o clause_n any_o one_o may_v conjecture_v but_o in_o the_o ensue_a where_o the_o chief_a scruple_n against_o the_o oath_n be_v to_o be_v remove_v in_o the_o second_o clause_n by_o those_o commissionated_a by_o he_o let_v we_o suppose_v they_o believe_v the_o parliament_n mean_v and_o can_v mean_v no_o other_o than_o such_o as_o have_v a_o due_a authority_n from_o he_o and_o exercise_v it_o only_o according_a to_o law_n and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o king_n authority_n and_o such_o commission_n be_v one_o or_o the_o same_o we_o can_v see_v no_o more_o difficulty_n remain_v in_o the_o second_o clause_n than_o in_o the_o former_a and_o i_o do_v abhor_v that_o be_v disown_n or_o disclaim_v that_o traitorous_a position_n of_o take_v arm_n by_o his_o authority_n against_o his_o person_n or_o against_o any_o commissionated_a by_o he_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o such_o commission_n that_o be_v legal_o commissionated_a by_o he_o in_o the_o legal_a pursuit_n of_o such_o commission_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o parliament_n when_o they_o pass_v this_o act_n that_o be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o they_o shall_v design_n the_o set_n up_o a_o arbitrary_a government_n in_o the_o nation_n but_o if_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o commissionated_a by_o he_o be_v otherwise_o than_o thus_o they_o must_v design_v it_o a_o arbitrary_a power_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o pass_v this_o clause_n in_o any_o act_n must_v be_v account_v to_o commence_v a_o thing_n most_o absurd_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o in_o the_o contrary_a belief_n whereof_o the_o most_o scrupulous_a man_n we_o thank_v god_n may_v resolve_o take_v this_o oath_n in_o the_o three_o clause_n we_o distinguish_v a_o endeavour_n to_o change_v or_o reform_v any_o thing_n in_o church_n or_o state_n which_o we_o think_v conducive_a to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o nation_n in_o a_o parliamentary_a way_n only_o as_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o fundamental_a law_n and_o course_n of_o the_o realm_n from_o a_o endeavour_n in_o any_o other_o away_o that_o be_v not_o
warrant_v by_o the_o same_o to_o wit_n in_o a_o seditious_a way_n or_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o they_o do_v in_o the_o late_a time_n when_o they_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o prelacy_n by_o force_n against_o and_o without_o the_o king_n consent_n in_o parliament_n which_o may_v be_v believe_v to_o be_v the_o assure_a sense_n of_o the_o majority_n in_o the_o house_n when_o they_o pass_v this_o act_n and_o so_o long_o as_o to_o do_v so_o any_o so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o parliament_n in_o this_o oath_n and_o declaration_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v declare_v it_o to_o be_v unlawful_a for_o we_o to_o do_v that_o now_o which_o they_o do_v then_o or_o as_o of_o late_a have_v be_v practise_v to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o the_o militia_n act_n we_o be_v out_o of_o doubt_n but_o whether_o in_o the_o peculiar_a case_n of_o those_o time_n there_o be_v any_o thing_n may_v be_v lawful_a or_o any_o way_n justifiable_a to_o be_v do_v then_o when_o the_o king_n and_o house_n the_o one_o corporation_n be_v divide_v and_o he_o have_v pass_v a_o act_n not_o to_o dissolve_v they_o without_o their_o consent_n which_o be_v a_o case_n never_o like_a to_o happen_v any_o more_o and_o so_o no_o danger_n to_o put_v it_o which_o now_o be_v certain_o unlawful_a be_v a_o question_n we_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o and_o interpose_v nothing_o to_o offend_v any_o now_o may_v be_v acknowledge_v as_o assure_o to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v disclaim_v the_o offence_n must_v be_v over_o in_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o oath_n also_o and_o that_o i_o will_v not_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n of_o government_n either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n to_o wit_n in_o any_o manner_n not_o warrant_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o land_n or_o any_o otherwise_o than_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n we_o confirm_v this_o exposition_n with_o one_o clear_a reason_n the_o great_a thing_n intend_v by_o this_o oath_n be_v the_o preservation_n of_o the_o government_n in_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n against_o all_o alteration_n but_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o government_n be_v such_o in_o the_o foundation_n that_o whatsoever_o be_v needful_a or_o convenient_a to_o be_v alter_v it_o may_v be_v propose_v to_o that_o end_n in_o parliament_n to_o take_v away_o that_o liberty_n which_o be_v universal_o radicate_v in_o the_o whole_a nation_n in_o order_n thereunto_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o the_o great_a alteration_n that_o can_v be_v and_o consequent_o never_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o intend_v by_o the_o lawgiver_n as_o for_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n the_o renunciation_n whereof_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n here_o impose_v it_o be_v a_o oath_n so_o long_o since_o in_o be_v that_o it_o be_v two_o to_o one_o but_o both_o these_o sheriff_n as_o well_o as_o the_o last_o never_o take_v so_o that_o they_o may_v safe_o say_v there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n upon_o they_o at_o all_o from_o it_o and_o as_o for_o other_o that_o do_v we_o humble_o conceive_v that_o be_v take_v in_o its_o complex_fw-la consideration_n as_o it_o be_v press_v and_o use_v at_o that_o time_n for_o the_o engagement_n of_o people_n to_o the_o extirpation_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o change_v of_o church-government_n without_o the_o king_n against_o his_o consent_n and_o public_a declaration_n and_o by_o force_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v unlawful_a and_o can_v not_o bind_v any_o body_n to_o do_v so_o and_o consequent_o we_o trust_v that_o such_o gentleman_n shall_v not_o offend_v god_n or_o any_o good_a man_n if_o they_o far_o subscribe_v this_o declaration_n which_o be_v also_o require_v ay_o a._n b._n do_v declare_v that_o i_o hold_v there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n on_o i_o or_o on_o any_o other_o person_n from_o the_o oath_n common_o call_v the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n to_o endeavour_v any_o change_n or_o alteration_n of_o government_n either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v in_o itself_o a_o unlawful_a oath_n and_o impose_v on_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o realm_n against_o the_o know_a law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n by_o some_o of_o which_o last_o word_n it_o appear_v that_o this_o oath_n be_v frame_v for_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o realm_n we_o say_v that_o this_o oath_n be_v in_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o imposer_n of_o this_o declaration_n the_o subject_n oath_n and_o consequent_o by_o the_o word_n or_o any_o other_o person_n they_o must_v mean_v or_o any_o other_o subject_a which_o appear_v also_o manifest_o in_o the_o preamble_n of_o that_o league_n we_o such_o and_o such_o under_o the_o king_n there_o be_v one_o part_n of_o it_o moreover_o express_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o king_n we_o do_v suppose_v therefore_o that_o though_o a_o oath_n to_o the_o same_o main_a effect_n or_o one_o like_o it_o be_v impose_v on_o this_o king_n by_o the_o scot_n that_o oath_n must_v be_v conceive_v another_o than_o this_o and_o not_o the_o very_a same_o be_v not_o so_o in_o every_o point_n but_o a_o oath_n indeed_o as_o they_o call_v it_o to_o confirm_v the_o covenant_n when_o he_o offer_v this_o very_a exception_n against_o take_v the_o covenant_n itself_o because_o it_o be_v a_o oath_n for_o the_o subject_n only_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o save_v the_o conscience_n in_o one_o chief_a scruple_n and_o chief_a one_o we_o will_v gather_v up_o again_o what_o be_v say_v before_o into_o one_o argument_n which_o we_o fix_v upon_o for_o a_o full_a satisfaction_n in_o regard_n to_o all_o other_o to_o own_o the_o king_n and_o his_o authority_n in_o the_o same_o oath_n and_o yet_o to_o swear_v to_o change_v the_o government_n without_o his_o will_n and_o against_o it_o be_v we_o think_v in_o itself_o unlawful_a such_o a_o oath_n be_v the_o covenant_n and_o quà _fw-la unlawful_a it_o must_v be_v unobligatory_a and_o what_o indeed_o shall_v now_o hinder_v these_o sheriff_n to_o subscribe_v that_o there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n upon_o they_o or_o other_o from_o the_o covenant_n to_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n of_o government_n in_o that_o sense_n as_o they_o swear_v before_o that_o they_o will_v not_o endeavour_v any_o in_o the_o three_o clause_n of_o the_o oath_n precede_v for_o so_o long_o as_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o be_v make_v to_o appear_v there_o upon_o the_o account_n give_v and_o the_o endeavour_n which_o be_v here_o and_o which_o be_v there_o be_v the_o same_o out_o of_o doubt_n we_o do_v not_o see_v but_o the_o reason_n which_o do_v satisfy_v any_o man_n upon_o the_o point_n about_o take_v the_o oath_n must_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o declaration_n also_o in_o short_a there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n upon_o any_o from_o this_o oath_n to_o do_v as_o they_o swear_v it_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o unlawful_a to_o do_v so_o &_o the_o imposition_n of_o it_o be_v illegal_a in_o the_o sacred_a story_n concern_v rahab_n and_o the_o spy_n it_o appear_v that_o no_o body_n can_v be_v engage_v any_o far_a by_o a_o oath_n than_o what_o he_o agree_v or_o consent_v to_o in_o the_o take_n it_o where_o he_o declare_v beforehand_o he_o will_v not_o be_v bind_v he_o be_v free_a we_o can_v tell_v how_o much_o large_a or_o how_o much_o narrow_a a_o compass_n other_o may_v draw_v to_o themselves_o from_o that_o instance_n than_o we_o but_o this_o we_o will_v say_v that_o upon_o the_o supposal_n of_o either_o of_o these_o sheriff_n make_v a_o declaration_n for_o himself_o if_o this_o paper_n will_v not_o serve_v when_o he_o take_v the_o oath_n and_o subscribe_v the_o declaration_n enjoin_v that_o he_o do_v it_o in_o this_o mean_v which_o we_o have_v all_o along_o express_v suppose_v it_o true_a and_o with_o these_o explanatory_a limitation_n to_o the_o mean_v if_o indeed_o in_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v otherwise_o we_o do_v apprehend_v that_o his_o conscience_n may_v receive_v satisfaction_n thereby_o in_o its_o compliance_n with_o the_o law_n in_o these_o imposition_n which_o he_o can_v refuse_v without_o the_o refusal_n also_o of_o his_o duty_n after_o this_o there_o be_v a_o act_n of_o parliament_n entitle_v a_o act_n for_o preserve_v his_o majesty_n an._n 13._o car._n 2._o regis_fw-la c._n 1._o wherein_o this_o covenant_n be_v declare_v peremptory_o to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o null_a that_o give_v one_o of_o the_o sheriff_n last_o year_n a_o peculiar_a satisfaction_n we_o argue_v from_o thence_o thus_o as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n when_o a_o wife_n or_o a_o daughter_n make_v a_o vow_n if_o the_o husband_n or_o the_o father_n disallow_v it_o that_o vow_n be_v only_o be_v we_o lie_v down_o this_o rule_n here_o that_o if_o any_o man_n make_v a_o vow_n to_o god_n which_o he_o can_v perform_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o
another_o who_o be_v his_o superior_a and_o much_o more_o if_o through_o he_o it_o must_v be_v do_v if_o that_o other_o reclaim_v the_o thing_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o hear_v of_o it_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n by_o the_o equity_n of_o this_o law_n give_v by_o moses_n do_v as_o we_o suppose_v dissolve_v the_o obligation_n though_o else_o it_o can_v not_o be_v dissolve_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o superior_a only_o rescind_v so_o may_v we_o apprehend_v the_o very_a same_o reason_n to_o be_v here_o in_o regard_n to_o this_o league_n or_o covenant_n for_o the_o subject_a be_v quo_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la not_o svi_fw-la juris_fw-la but_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o much_o more_o under_o the_o most_o supreme_a and_o absolute_a authority_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o late_a king_n declare_v still_o against_o this_o oath_n at_o the_o very_a time_n and_o a_o parliament_n since_o the_o return_n of_o this_o king_n as_o soon_o as_o it_o can_v be_v do_v have_v pass_v a_o act_n on_o purpose_n for_o disannul_v the_o same_o there_o appear_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o case_n but_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o this_o league_n as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o vow_n must_v give_v place_n to_o such_o a_o authority_n overrule_a it_o and_o more_o especial_o we_o must_v add_v because_o the_o alteration_n of_o government_n the_o sole_a matter_n in_o concern_v do_v belong_v to_o the_o cognizance_n of_o the_o high_a power_n we_o mean_v a_o parliament_n and_o be_v not_o the_o business_n of_o any_o private_a person_n unless_o in_o order_n to_o procure_v their_o consent_n and_o establishment_n if_o this_o reason_n now_o shall_v satisfy_v these_o sheriff_n and_o yet_o be_v unsatisfactory_a to_o another_o person_n let_v we_o but_o warn_v such_o a_o man_n that_o he_o do_v nothing_o after_o their_o example_n unless_o he_o be_v satisfy_v with_o our_o reason_n and_o we_o care_v not_o if_o our_o argument_n satisfy_v any_o man_n and_o he_o follow_v their_o pattern_n we_o edify_v he_o if_o they_o do_v not_o and_o he_o follow_v his_o own_o judgement_n we_o do_v he_o no_o hurt_n it_o be_v a_o man_n be_v own_o conscience_n be_v the_o discerner_n to_o he_o of_o his_o duty_n and_o he_o be_v not_o to_o regard_v another_o man_n any_o far_a than_o to_o avoid_v active_a scandal_n we_o do_v not_o mean_v it_o as_o if_o every_o man_n therefore_o shall_v lean_v only_o to_o his_o own_o understanding_n but_o rather_o take_v advice_n and_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o serious_a and_o proper_a he_o can_v get_v for_o our_o part_n we_o have_v no_o more_o to_o offer_v or_o say_v but_o that_o we_o be_v particular_o behold_v for_o this_o which_o be_v say_v to_o a_o book_n entitle_v ludgate-street_n entitle_v this_o book_n here_o cite_v be_v print_v 1680._o and_o be_v sell_v by_o tho._n symmond_n at_o the_o prince_n arm_n in_o ludgate-street_n a_o peaceable_a resolution_n of_o conscience_n touch_v our_o present_a imposition_n in_o which_o book_n the_o reader_n that_o please_v will_v find_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o walk_v under_o such_o injunction_n of_o our_o superior_n as_o these_o to_o be_v such_o or_o so_o set_v out_o as_o that_o according_a to_o the_o persuasion_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n about_o the_o same_o both_o he_o that_o conform_v to_o they_o and_o he_o that_o can_v may_v see_v reason_n to_o retain_v a_o fair_a opinion_n of_o one_o another_o and_o to_o hope_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o depart_v from_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o what_o they_o do_v this_o be_v the_o moderation_n we_o desire_v ourselves_o and_o these_o sheriff_n to_o follow_v in_o our_o loyalty_n to_o our_o sovereign_n in_o our_o love_n to_o our_o country_n and_o in_o our_o religion_n to_o god_n the_o reason_n for_o print_v this_o paper_n be_v these_o 1._o to_o take_v the_o oath_n and_o subscribe_v the_o declaration_n in_o the_o literal_a strict_a construction_n appear_v in_o our_o judgement_n unlawful_a and_o consequent_o unless_o by_o some_o mean_n or_o other_o the_o sense_n be_v make_v public_a in_o which_o a_o man_n do_v take_v they_o and_o that_o sense_n also_o be_v justify_v or_o at_o least_o be_v justifiable_a he_o must_v forbear_v 2._o the_o declaration_n be_v against_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n in_o general_a insomuch_o as_o some_o man_n who_o take_v the_o oath_n can_v subscribe_v the_o declaration_n and_o for_o any_o conscientious_a man_n therefore_o to_o do_v it_o now_o and_o not_o declare_v their_o reason_n of_o satisfaction_n be_v to_o sin_n against_o the_o brethren_n if_o they_o own_v they_o or_o to_o disclaim_v they_o 3._o by_o do_v this_o a_o man_n shall_v give_v occasion_n to_o other_o to_o follow_v his_o example_n and_o if_o he_o present_v they_o not_o his_o ground_n or_o reason_n those_o that_o follow_v shall_v do_v it_o without_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o through_o his_o knowledge_n shall_v such_o perish_v but_o when_o you_o sin_v so_o against_o the_o brethren_n and_o wound_v their_o weak_a conscience_n you_o sin_n against_o christ_n 4._o the_o episcopal_a party_n be_v general_o apt_a to_o think_v the_o nonconformist_n to_o be_v hypocrite_n and_o knave_n and_o say_v these_o man_n refuse_v these_o injunction_n out_o of_o humour_n or_o for_o their_o profit_n but_o they_o will_v swallow_v they_o as_o well_o as_o we_o for_o honour_n or_o for_o advantage_n if_o any_o considerate_a man_n therefore_o shall_v swear_v and_o declare_v and_o not_o give_v we_o some_o rational_a account_n of_o what_o they_o do_v or_o some_o other_o for_o they_o they_o must_v not_o only_o wrong_v themselves_o but_o the_o whole_a generation_n of_o such_o man_n and_o cause_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o regard_n to_o they_o to_o be_v blaspheme_v 5._o it_o please_v providence_n to_o call_v two_o person_n to_o the_o office_n the_o last_o year_n whereof_o one_o of_o they_o at_o least_o if_o not_o both_o be_v the_o better_o enable_v to_o speak_v modest_o if_o not_o quite_o to_o hold_v the_o same_o upon_o the_o satisfaction_n which_o be_v couch_v in_o this_o paper_n and_o if_o it_o be_v of_o great_a concern_v at_o this_o time_n that_o such_o man_n do_v hold_v sheriff_n who_o be_v willing_a to_o deny_v their_o own_o advantage_n not_o seek_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o public_a it_o be_v yet_o of_o great_a concern_n that_o by_o the_o publish_n our_o ground_n for_o their_o satisfaction_n many_o in_o distress_n about_o the_o oxford_n act_n may_v be_v relieve_v and_o a_o way_n open_v for_o many_o of_o the_o like_a substantial_a citizen_n of_o know_a piety_n loyalty_n and_o ability_n to_o be_v bring_v into_o corporation_n throughout_o the_o nation_n to_o the_o great_a service_n of_o the_o king_n and_o kingdom_n to_o conclude_v we_o have_v here_o lay_v down_o the_o rule_n concern_v humane_a imposition_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o this_o oath_n and_o subscription_n if_o any_o man_n be_v persuade_v in_o his_o conscience_n that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v no_o more_o than_o thus_o he_o may_v submit_v to_o they_o both_o and_o make_v no_o stand_n but_o if_o he_o believe_v their_o meaning_n be_v otherwise_o or_o doubt_n that_o it_o be_v more_o than_o thus_o he_o can_v swear_v or_o subscribe_v but_o with_o limitation_n and_o he_o must_v declare_v those_o limitation_n or_o forbear_v but_o if_o he_o shall_v swear_v or_o subscribe_v suppose_v he_o one_o that_o doubt_v with_o a_o declaration_n in_o the_o word_n before_o write_v that_o he_o do_v it_o in_o the_o meaning_n which_o be_v here_o express_v suppose_v it_o true_a and_o with_o these_o explanatory_a limitation_n to_o the_o meaning_n if_o in_o any_o thing_n indeed_o it_o be_v otherwise_o and_o so_o give_v or_o throw_v in_o this_o paper_n to_o the_o person_n before_o who_o he_o be_v to_o do_v it_o we_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o himself_o the_o in_o mr._n baxter_n funeral_n sermon_n upon_o that_o late_a holy_a citizen_n mr._n ashhurst_n we_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o passage_n some_o may_v think_v that_o he_o want_v a_o public_a spirit_n because_o he_o avoid_v be_v a_o magistrate_n and_o pay_v his_o fine_n rather_o than_o take_v a_o alderman_n place_n but_o it_o be_v only_o to_o keep_v the_o peace_n of_o his_o conscience_n yet_o i_o never_o hear_v he_o speak_v uncharitable_o of_o those_o worthy_a man_n who_o do_v what_o he_o refuse_v suppose_v that_o they_o in_o word_n or_o writing_n declare_v as_o open_o as_o they_o swear_v and_o take_v the_o declaration_n that_o they_o take_v it_o but_o in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o lawful_a sense_n though_o he_o can_v not_o do_v so_o himself_o lawfulness_n in_o point_n of_o conscience_n whether_o they_o receive_v the_o paper_n and_o admit_v of_o your_o sense_n or_o not_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n for_o they_o have_v no_o power_n in_o it_o and_o the_o thing_n will_v be_v alike_o know_v and_o thus_o have_v we_o lend_v our_o hand_n to_o get_v the_o concern_v over_o these_o block_n and_o yet_o so_o as_o to_o deliver_v also_o our_o soul_n for_o as_o this_o sheet_n be_v print_v the_o last_o year_n there_o be_v one_o of_o we_o have_v be_v since_o something_o dissatisfy_v do_v hereby_o recall_v it_o but_o as_o it_o come_v out_o now_o with_o this_o last_o paragraph_n add_v to_o it_o which_o then_o be_v want_v we_o do_v nemine_fw-la contradicente_fw-la he_o and_o all_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o london_n print_v by_o thomas_n snowden_n 1681_o