up_o the_o dull_a mind_n of_o man_n to_o remembrance_n of_o his_o duty_n by_o some_o edify_a signification_n but_o the_o cross_n be_v a_o ceremony_n apply_v to_o child_n who_o be_v uncapable_a of_o have_v their_o mind_n stir_v up_o by_o any_o thing_n signify_v thereby_o it_o be_v manifest_o retain_v without_o their_o profit_n we_o will_v enforce_v the_o argument_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o we_o retain_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n the_o other_o ceremony_n in_o popery_n which_o be_v leave_v may_v be_v readmit_v as_o we_o use_v the_o cross_n to_o signify_v that_o the_o child_n must_v fight_v manful_o under_o christ_n banner_n we_o may_v use_v the_o chrism_n wherein_o the_o cross_n be_v use_v to_o be_v make_v to_o signify_v the_o christian_n anoint_v to_o the_o combat_n and_o so_o forward_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v reply_v hereto_o in_o good_a earnest_n but_o that_o it_o be_v true_a if_o the_o church_n please_v to_o enjoin_v it_o so_o we_o may_v we_o urge_v consequent_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o the_o church_n have_v relinquish_v the_o chrism_n in_o baptism_n it_o may_v leave_v the_o cross_n also_o that_o be_v only_o if_o it_o please_v so_o to_o vote_n in_o a_o needful_a convocation_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v do_v so_o there_o be_v cause_n enough_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o be_v say_v but_o this_o only_a that_o as_o for_o all_o other_o ceremony_n enjoin_v the_o conformist_n may_v plead_v that_o they_o be_v but_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n wherein_o the_o church_n have_v proper_a authority_n to_o appoint_v what_o be_v decent_a and_o orderly_a but_o for_o any_o solemn_a entire_a rite_n which_o be_v no_o circumstance_n of_o the_o ordinance_n unto_o which_o it_o be_v append_v or_o any_o way_n in_o genere_fw-la necessary_a thereunto_o if_o this_o also_o be_v enjoin_v we_o shall_v have_v no_o bottom_n or_o bank_n set_v to_o the_o appointment_n of_o ceremony_n how_o far_o this_o sea_n shall_v go_v and_o no_o far_a than_o so_o we_o will_v heap_v no_o more_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n for_o they_o be_v infinite_a and_o it_o be_v some_o relief_n to_o our_o thought_n that_o the_o parliament_n we_o thank_v god_n do_v come_v to_o be_v a_o little_a sensible_a of_o it_o in_o so_o much_o as_o they_o be_v near_o content_v one_o session_n to_o cashier_v this_o declaration_n quite_o there_o do_v remain_v now_o therefore_o the_o subscription_n and_o this_o question_n which_o will_v arise_v upon_o it_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o as_o good_a reason_n in_o regard_n to_o the_o most_o sober_a conscience_n to_o take_v away_o this_o subscripttion_n in_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n and_o the_o oath_n in_o the_o oxford_n ast_n as_o well_o as_o the_o declaration_n of_o assent_n and_o consent_v and_o here_o make_v first_o our_o humble_a protestation_n that_o we_o intend_v nothing_o hereby_o but_o loyal_o to_o the_o government_n we_o must_v present_v the_o sheet_n before_o mention_v to_o their_o renew_a consideration_n the_o 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sphere_n in_o all_o the_o case_n contain_v in_o they_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o oath_n here_o be_v three_o part_n of_o it_o the_o first_o part_n appear_v not_o for_o we_o speak_v it_o humble_o only_a and_o argumentative_o consistent_a with_o judgement_n the_o second_o with_o truth_n nor_o the_o three_o with_o righteousness_n we_o will_v take_v up_o the_o last_o part_n first_o and_o i_o will_v not_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n of_o government_n there_o be_v no_o government_n on_o earth_n so_o perfect_a that_o it_o have_v need_v of_o law_n like_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n government_n may_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o administration_n or_o the_o constitution_n the_o word_n government_n here_o be_v set_v down_o indefinite_o without_o distinction_n alteration_n of_o law_n and_o so_o government_n in_o the_o administration_n be_v as_o necessary_a many_o time_n upon_o emergent_a occasion_n to_o the_o body_n politic_a as_o the_o fresh_a air_n be_v to_o the_o natural_a this_o oath_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o house_n to_o have_v be_v make_v common_a it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n righteous_a to_o have_v have_v that_o engagement_n lay_v on_o person_n in_o such_o a_o capacity_n it_o be_v not_o righteous_a to_o have_v it_o lay_v on_o any_o that_o be_v freeholders_n and_o free_a subject_n as_o we_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o our_o nation_n as_o parliamentary_a be_v such_o that_o no_o law_n can_v be_v establish_v or_o repeal_v but_o it_o must_v pass_v the_o house_n of_o commons_o and_o so_o the_o whole_a body_n do_v concur_v in_o their_o representative_n to_o every_o alteration_n of_o government_n or_o in_o the_o government_n that_o be_v make_v if_o it_o be_v legal_a and_o no_o house_n of_o commons_o be_v choose_v but_o by_o the_o people_n every_o englishman_n be_v inteâ—â—â—â—d_v to_o be_v there_o present_a either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o procuration_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n be_v take_v to_o be_v every_o man_n consent_n say_v sir_n thomas_n smith_n de_fw-fr rep._n angl._n l._n 2._o c._n 2._o nay_o while_o the_o king_n consilio_fw-la &_o assensu_fw-la baronum_fw-la leges_fw-la olim_fw-la imposuit_fw-la universo_fw-it regno_fw-la by_o the_o counsel_n and_o assent_v of_o his_o baron_n do_v give_v law_n to_o his_o whole_a realm_n consentire_fw-la inferior_a cuique_fw-la visus_fw-la est_fw-la in_o persona_fw-la domini_fw-la svi_fw-la capitalis_fw-la prout_fw-la hodie_fw-la per_fw-la procuratores_fw-la comitatus_fw-la every_o inferior_a seem_v to_o consent_v in_o the_o person_n of_o his_o chief_a lord_n as_o now_o they_o do_v by_o their_o burgess_n and_o knight_n of_o the_o shire_n say_v sir_n henry_n spelman_n this_o be_v so_o true_a that_o in_o this_o sensâ—â—â—â—_n be_v that_o the_o law_n that_o pass_v be_v say_v to_o 〈◊〉_d quas_fw-la vulgus_fw-la elegerit_fw-la which_o the_o people_n sâ—â—ll_v choose_v now_o than_o if_o every_o free_a subject_n have_v a_o fundamental_a liberty_n to_o choose_v knight_n and_o burgess_n and_o according_o to_o inform_v they_o of_o their_o grievance_n and_o petition_v they_o for_o redress_v and_o in_o they_o as_o their_o representative_n do_v consent_n to_o the_o alteration_n of_o government_n and_o law_n if_o there_o be_v any_o as_o profitable_a to_o the_o nation_n how_o can_v such_o a_o oath_n be_v impose_v on_o he_o that_o he_o will_v not_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n as_o this_o be_v be_v not_o choose_v burgess_n inform_v they_o petition_v they_o act_v and_o legal_o consent_v in_o they_o to_o that_o end_n a_o endeavour_n and_o that_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v in_o their_o place_n and_o call_v and_o no_o more_o than_o a_o endeavour_n in_o their_o place_n and_o call_v be_v challenge_v by_o any_o it_o be_v true_a the_o new_a law_n may_v be_v make_v and_o old_a repeal_v without_o alteration_n of_o the_o constitution_n but_o not_o without_o alteration_n of_o government_n because_o government_n take_v in_o both_o the_o administration_n and_o
the_o constitution_n let_v we_o suppose_v therefore_o the_o word_n government_n confine_v only_o to_o the_o constitution_n there_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o government_n in_o the_o state_n which_o be_v a_o legal_a monarchy_n and_o this_o indeed_o we_o be_v so_o far_o bind_v from_o endeavour_v to_o alter_v as_o that_o we_o think_v it_o be_v not_o alterable_a by_o the_o king_n himself_o and_o parliament_n because_o that_o supreme_a power_n for_o the_o administration_n must_v be_v suppose_v in_o all_o community_n to_o be_v derive_v from_o and_o hold_v by_o the_o constitution_n but_o as_o for_o government_n in_o the_o church_n we_o be_v to_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o constitution_n hereof_o itself_o be_v but_o a_o law_n of_o the_o administration_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o state_n and_o consequent_o when_o all_o law_n for_o the_o administration_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o regulation_n of_o parliament_n the_o great_a question_n will_v remain_v how_o those_o man_n who_o be_v presbyterian_a or_o independent_a in_o their_o judgement_n and_o think_v episcopacy_n against_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v abridge_v the_o endeavour_n only_o aforementioned_a which_o consist_v but_o in_o choose_v representative_n and_o do_v no_o more_o than_o the_o consitution_n allow_v in_o order_n to_o the_o prosecution_n of_o what_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o in_o conscience_n both_o by_o oath_n and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v not_o the_o foundation_n liberty_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n and_o ourselves_o with_o they_o here_o in_o danger_n judge_v you_o that_o be_v wise_a and_o what_o a_o anoint_a plot_n have_v we_o have_v here_o on_o the_o nation_n that_o allegiance_n in_o effect_n shall_v be_v swear_v to_o the_o bishop_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o king_n for_o the_o word_n then_o or_o form_n we_o wonder_v at_o this_o rigour_n in_o the_o compiler_n that_o a_o man_n must_v swear_v not_o to_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n have_v it_o not_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v engage_v not_o to_o endeavour_v the_o alteration_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o our_o government_n episcopacy_n in_o the_o church_n and_o monarchy_n in_o the_o state_n but_o must_v it_o be_v not_o any_o alteration_n it_o be_v well_o we_o be_v so_o absolute_o perfect_a and_o again_o must_v they_o not_o at_o any_o time_n endeavour_v any_o alteration_n what_o if_o time_n shall_v turn_v and_o we_o be_v in_o as_o great_a a_o confusion_n as_o we_o be_v or_o any_o the_o like_a chance_n or_o change_v come_v must_v these_o man_n be_v bind_v up_o that_o they_o can_v endeavour_v to_o reduce_v back_o this_o government_n that_o we_o have_v no_o not_o the_o king_n and_o bishop_n if_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n shall_v put_v they_o out_o for_o they_o have_v swear_v they_o will_v not_o at_o any_o time_n endeavour_v any_o alteration_n in_o church_n or_o state_n sir_n the_o matter_n of_o this_o obligation_n be_v against_o the_o fundamental_a freedom_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o parliament_n and_o the_o word_n you_o see_v so_o ensnare_a and_o that_o against_o the_o duty_n all_o owe_v to_o the_o public_a good_a we_o offer_v it_o you_o to_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n whether_o this_o last_o part_n be_v according_a to_o righteousness_n for_o the_o middle_a part_n of_o the_o oath_n here_o be_v a_o position_n of_o take_v arm_n by_o the_o king_n authority_n against_o any_o commissionated_a by_o he_o which_o must_v be_v swear_v to_o as_o abhor_v and_o traitorous_a there_o be_v now_o a_o case_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o understand_a refuser_n of_o the_o oath_n and_o subscription_n suppose_v some_o writ_n sue_v out_o and_o come_v to_o the_o sheriff_n hand_n and_o suppose_v some_o to_o oppose_v the_o execution_n by_o the_o king_n personal_a command_n or_o commission_n and_o he_o thereupon_o raise_v the_o posse_fw-la comitatus_fw-la upon_o they_o we_o will_v ask_v here_o whether_o the_o sheriff_n act_v not_o herein_o by_o the_o king_n authority_n we_o think_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o the_o king_n authority_n be_v all_o one_o as_o by_o the_o law_n or_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o king_n according_a to_o law_n and_o when_o he_o can_v act_v so_o against_o any_o for_o all_o their_o commission_n and_o the_o law_n will_v bear_v he_o out_o how_o be_v this_o position_n in_o this_o case_n traiterus_a and_o to_o be_v abhor_v for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v resolute_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o ever_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o parliament_n in_o this_o oath_n or_o the_o subscription_n as_o to_o the_o major_a part_n we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o advance_v the_o personal_a will_n or_o commission_n of_o the_o king_n above_o law_n which_o be_v to_o make_v his_o power_n despotical_a and_o not_o royal._n non_fw-fr est_fw-la rex_fw-la say_v bracton_n ubi_fw-la dominatur_fw-la voluntas_fw-la non_fw-la lex_fw-la he_o be_v no_o king_n that_o govern_v by_o his_o will_n and_o not_o by_o the_o law_n and_o how_o this_o position_n indefinite_o without_o exception_n of_o this_o case_n at_o least_o must_v be_v swear_v to_o as_o altogether_o traitorous_a we_o be_v to_o learn_v what_o if_o any_o shall_v come_v with_o a_o commission_n under_o the_o seal_n to_o raise_v money_n without_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o such_o commission_n shall_v seize_v our_o good_n rifle_v our_o house_n and_o ravish_v our_o wife_n may_v not_o the_o people_n or_o our_o inferior_a magistrate_n or_o the_o sheriff_n for_o the_o county_n withstand_v such_o violence_n may_v not_o the_o constable_n alone_o by_o a_o warrant_n from_o the_o justice_n to_o keep_v the_o peace_n raise_v the_o neighbourhood_n and_o do_v it_o if_o he_o may_v or_o the_o sheriff_n may_v it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o king_n or_o by_o authority_n of_o the_o law_n and_o then_o be_v there_o some_o case_n or_o case_n where_o arm_n or_o force_n may_v be_v raise_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n against_o such_o as_o be_v commissionated_a by_o he_o though_o never_o against_o his_o own_o sacred_a person_n suppose_v again_o that_o papist_n or_o fanatic_n shall_v either_o by_o power_n or_o surprise_n at_o any_o time_n get_v the_o king_n into_o their_o hand_n as_o the_o duke_n of_o guise_n once_o deal_v with_o the_o french_a king_n and_o prevail_v with_o he_o for_o fear_n of_o his_o life_n to_o grant_v commission_n under_o his_o hand_n and_o seal_v destructive_a to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n must_v the_o nation_n be_v remediless_a in_o this_o case_n and_o so_o the_o king_n and_o kingdom_n ruin_v by_o these_o commission_n nay_o what_o security_n have_v the_o nation_n that_o a_o lord_n keeper_n may_v not_o prove_v traitor_n to_o his_o king_n and_o country_n if_o we_o may_v suppose_v such_o a_o thing_n possible_a what_o if_o such_o a_o lord_n keeper_n shall_v under_o the_o broad_a seal_n grant_v commission_n to_o disband_v his_o majesty_n life_n guard_n deliver_v up_o the_o navy_n or_o seaport_n town_n seize_v the_o tower_n or_o place_n of_o strength_n in_o what_o a_o condition_n be_v the_o king_n and_o kingdom_n bring_v if_o the_o subject_n hand_n be_v bind_v up_o by_o a_o oath_n not_o to_o resist_v or_o take_v arm_n against_o the_o execution_n of_o such_o commission_n suppose_v but_o so_o long_o as_o till_o they_o understand_v his_o design_n for_o by_o that_o time_n the_o whole_a nation_n may_v be_v past_a recovery_n we_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o sense_n and_o stand_v amaze_v at_o the_o horror_n of_o those_o sad_a consequence_n into_o which_o the_o imposition_n of_o such_o like_a test_n or_o injunction_n as_o these_o if_o not_o timely_o retrench_v may_v lead_v our_o posterity_n the_o court_n of_o law_n can_v avoid_v the_o king_n charter_n or_o commission_n which_o be_v pass_v against_o law_n for_o the_o king_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o law_n and_o swear_v to_o maintain_v it_o say_v judge_n jenkins_n in_o his_o work_n p._n 48._o as_o for_o the_o form_n then_o of_o the_o word_n i_o abhor_v this_o traitorous_a position_n they_o be_v harsh_a the_o word_n abhor_v especial_o be_v a_o word_n of_o interest_n and_o passion_n a_o cool_a word_n as_o i_o disow_v or_o disallow_v may_v have_v serve_v some_o of_o the_o more_o grave_a as_o calamy_n particular_o be_v much_o offend_v at_o that_o word_n a_o man_n may_v say_v a_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a in_o his_o conscience_n when_o he_o can_v say_v according_a to_o truth_n i_o abhor_v it_o there_o be_v never_o a_o gentleman_n in_o the_o land_n but_o may_v swear_v true_o that_o he_o believe_v it_o unlawful_a to_o company_n with_o any_o other_o woman_n as_o his_o own_o wife_n but_o if_o each_o one_o be_v put_v to_o swear_v he_o abhor_v it_o we_o suppose_v some_o very_a good_a son_n of_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o our_o brethren_n will_v be_v find_v willing_a to_o be_v nonconformist_n to_o such_o a_o oath_n well_o
the_o peaceable_a design_n be_v a_o modest_a account_n of_o the_o nonconformist's_a meeting_n with_o some_o of_o their_o reason_n for_o nonconformity_n and_o the_o way_n of_o accommodation_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n humble_o propose_v to_o public_a consideration_n by_o some_o minister_n of_o london_n against_o the_o sit_v of_o parliament_n in_o the_o year_n 1675._o print_a in_o the_o year_n mdclxxv_o to_o the_o reader_n we_o humble_o judge_v our_o circumstance_n have_v make_v it_o something_o necessary_a to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o taste_n of_o some_o of_o those_o many_o reason_n which_o have_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o be_v averse_a to_o that_o conformity_n which_o we_o be_v call_v to_o by_o law_n which_o have_v it_o spring_v from_o any_o disloyal_a or_o rebellious_a principle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v consistent_a with_o that_o inward_a peace_n which_o we_o must_v judge_v our_o great_a concernment_n to_o be_v solicitous_a to_o maintain_v we_o hope_v save_v in_o the_o 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advancement_n and_o have_v not_o rather_o convert_v one_o soul_n than_o get_v two_o live_n and_o have_v a_o prebend_n to_o spare_v according_a to_o what_o every_o man_n mind_n be_v most_o upon_o in_o his_o sphere_n the_o public_a interest_n or_o his_o own_o such_o be_v his_o value_n more_o or_o less_o however_o this_o be_v whether_o they_o be_v willing_a or_o not_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a eminens_fw-la dominium_fw-la in_o the_o supreme_a legislative_a authority_n that_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o cavil_v if_o there_o arise_v any_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la privatorum_fw-la and_o we_o will_v conclude_v with_o this_o that_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v therefore_o substantial_o profitable_a for_o the_o community_n and_o be_v retard_v only_o by_o the_o interest_n of_o private_a person_n these_o be_v thing_n most_o true_o worthy_a the_o consultation_n of_o parliament_n god_n almighty_n keep_v alive_a the_o true_a english_a public_a spirit_n god_n preserve_v the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o the_o person_n of_o the_o king_n god_n prosper_v a_o accommodation_n we_o of_o the_o king_n party_n say_v judge_n jenkins_n do_v and_o do_v detest_v all_o grievance_n of_o the_o people_n as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n live_v in_o his_o lex_fw-la terrae_fw-la it_o be_v a_o certain_a truth_n this_o kingdom_n without_o a_o act_n of_o oblivion_n and_o a_o meet_a regard_n have_v to_o tender_a conscience_n will_v unavoidable_o be_v ruin_v in_o the_o army_n indemnity_n i_o say_v again_o that_o without_o a_o gracious_a general_a pardon_n from_o his_o majesty_n and_o a_o favourable_a regard_n have_v to_o tender_a conscience_n there_o will_v be_v neither_o truth_n nor_o peace_n in_o the_o land_n nor_o any_o man_n secure_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v in_o his_o cordial_n for_o the_o good_a people_n of_o london_n and_o again_o in_o his_o declaration_n for_o trial_n of_o treason_n and_o all_o capital_a crime_n to_o be_v by_o a_o jury_n they_o that_o love_v this_o commonwealth_n will_v use_v all_o mean_n to_o procure_v a_o act_n of_o oblivion_n and_o tender_a conscience_n a_o just_a and_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n else_o we_o must_v all_o perish_v first_o or_o last_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d finis_fw-la