either_o say_v he_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o content_n or_o not_o if_o not_o we_o must_v not_o consent_v to_o that_o falsehood_n that_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v o_o far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o that_o believe_v a_o god_n a_o judgement_n a_o life_n to_o come_v and_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n to_o assent_v and_o consent_v to_o that_o act_n with_o all_o its_o penalty_n silence_v and_o ruine_v such_o as_o conform_v not_o answ_n the_o act_n for_o uniformity_n name_v the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n always_o name_v that_o book_n as_o distinct_a from_o itself_o and_o as_o a_o thing_n annex_v to_o it_o and_o if_o the_o parliament_n have_v enjoin_v the_o use_n of_o some_o new_a translation_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o prefix_v their_o act_n to_o that_o translation_n and_o require_v our_o use_n of_o the_o same_o under_o penalty_n our_o assent_n to_o such_o a_o act_n can_v not_o suppose_v the_o act_n itself_o to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n second_o the_o design_n of_o the_o act_n in_o these_o word_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o every_o person_n may_v certain_o know_v the_o rule_n to_o which_o he_o be_v to_o conform_v in_o public_a worship_n and_o administration_n of_o sacrament_n and_o other_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n etc._n etc._n be_v it_o enact_v etc._n etc._n plain_o show_v what_o be_v the_o part_n to_o the_o use_n of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o declare_v our_o assent_n which_o particular_n be_v enumerate_v more_o than_o once_o but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o act_n for_o uniformity_n or_o the_o act_n 1._o eliz._n which_o in_o the_o content_n be_v mention_v with_o it_o whereof_o mr._n baxter_n ought_v to_o be_v mind_v for_o under_o the_o content_n of_o the_o book_n the_o first_o thing_n mention_v be_v the_o act_n in_o the_o plural_a for_o uniformity_n of_o common-prayer_n whence_o i_o argue_v if_o the_o parliament_n intend_v that_o this_o last_o act_n shall_v be_v take_v as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o content_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o may_v be_v think_v they_o intend_v that_o other_o act_n 1_o eliz._n to_o be_v a_o part_n also_o which_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a for_o than_o we_o must_v subscribe_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o use_n of_o two_o common-prayer_n book_n viz_o the_o old_a and_o the_o new_a 3._o that_o act_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n explain_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o open_a or_o common_a prayer_n by_o open_a prayer_n in_o and_o throughout_o this_o act_n be_v mean_v that_o prayer_n which_o be_v for_o other_o to_o come_v unto_o or_o hear_v either_o in_o common_a church_n or_o chapel_n or_o oratory_n common_o call_v the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o intent_n of_o that_o act_n be_v that_o no_o minister_n shall_v refuse_v to_o use_v the_o say_a common-prayer_n and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n in_o such_o order_n and_o form_n as_o they_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o say_a book_n or_o wilful_o or_o obstinate_o stand_v in_o the_o same_o use_v any_o other_o rite_n ceremony_n order_n form_n or_o manner_n of_o celebrate_v the_o lord_n supper_n etc._n etc._n than_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o say_a book_n this_o act_n be_v print_v probable_o to_o give_v light_n to_o the_o other_o and_o to_o show_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v former_o require_v of_o minister_n and_o if_o the_o conformist_n heretofore_o do_v not_o take_v that_o act_n to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n than_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v take_v the_o new_a act_n to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o new_a book_n 4._o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n be_v complete_a before_o the_o act_n be_v make_v it_o be_v first_o present_v to_o the_o king_n who_o approve_v it_o offer_v it_o to_o the_o parliament_n who_o approve_v of_o it_o and_o afterward_o make_v their_o act_n for_o uniformity_n in_o the_o use_v thereof_o and_o whoever_o gather_v the_o content_n of_o the_o book_n do_v no_o more_o intend_v to_o have_v all_o thing_n name_v therein_o to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o book_n than_o they_o that_o set_v forth_o the_o bible_n with_o content_n to_o the_o chapter_n and_o psalm_n intend_v that_o we_o shall_v take_v those_o content_n for_o canonical_a scripture_n the_o content_n of_o ps_n 149._o say_v the_o prophet_n exhort_v to_o praise_n god_n for_o that_o power_n which_o he_o have_v give_v to_o the_o church_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o men._n but_o that_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o text_n neither_o the_o act_n preface_n rubric_n etc._n etc._n which_o come_v not_o into_o use_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o prayer_n sacrament_n etc._n etc._n any_o part_n of_o that_o book_n to_o the_o use_v whereof_o we_o give_v our_o assent_n and_o consent_v this_o act_n do_v exclude_v the_o use_n of_o any_o other_o form_n when_o it_o enjoin_v those_o prescribe_v in_o the_o book_n for_o public_a worship_n but_o it_o do_v not_o include_v those_o previous_a act_n preface_n and_o instruction_n which_o only_o tend_v to_o justify_v and_o enforce_v the_o use_n of_o the_o common-prayer_n but_o mr._n baxters_n dilemma_n may_v be_v answer_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o conformity_n thus_o either_o the_o act_n for_o uniformity_n and_o the_o preface_n be_v part_n of_o the_o book_n to_o which_o our_o assent_n be_v require_v or_o not_o if_o not_o than_o our_o assent_n to_o they_o be_v not_o require_v if_o they_o be_v than_o our_o assent_n will_v be_v more_o facile_a upon_o this_o account_n first_o because_o in_o that_o preface_n concern_v the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v thus_o say_v for_o as_o much_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v so_o plain_o set_v forth_o but_o doubt_n may_v arise_v in_o the_o use_n and_o practise_v of_o the_o same_o to_o appease_v all_o such_o diversity_n if_o any_o arise_v and_o for_o the_o resolution_n of_o all_o doubt_n concern_v the_o manner_n how_o to_o understand_v do_v and_o execute_v the_o thing_n contain_v in_o this_o book_n the_o party_n that_o so_o doubt_v or_o diverse_o take_v any_o thing_n shall_v always_o resort_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n who_o by_o his_o discretion_n shall_v take_v order_n for_o the_o quiet_v and_o appease_v of_o the_o same_o so_o that_o the_o same_o order_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n contain_v in_o this_o book_n and_o if_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n be_v in_o doubt_n than_o he_o may_v send_v for_o resolution_n thereof_o to_o the_o archbishop_n here_o be_v a_o way_n open_v to_o such_o as_o think_v that_o the_o act_n and_o preface_n be_v to_o be_v assent_v to_o to_o clear_v their_o doubt_n to_o their_o satisfaction_n the_o several_a bishop_n within_o their_o diocese_n have_v a_o power_n by_o law_n to_o explain_v any_o doubt_n that_o may_v arise_v concern_v the_o use_n and_o practise_v of_o uniformity_n and_o their_o determination_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v as_o valid_a as_o the_o law_n itself_o now_o doubtless_o if_o sober_a dissenter_n do_v consult_v their_o diocesan_n in_o such_o case_n as_o concern_v their_o practice_n in_o the_o public_a worship_n they_o may_v easy_o obtain_v satisfaction_n again_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o preface_n before_o the_o liturgy_n we_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o our_o judgement_n and_o we_o here_o profess_v it_o to_o the_o world_n that_o the_o book_n as_o it_o stand_v before_o establish_v by_o law_n do_v not_o contain_v in_o it_o any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o to_o sound_a doctrine_n or_o which_o a_o godly_a man_n may_v not_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n use_v and_o submit_v unto_o or_o which_o be_v not_o fair_o defensible_a against_o any_o that_o shall_v oppose_v the_o same_o if_o it_o be_v allow_v such_o just_a and_o favourable_a construction_n as_o in_o common_a equity_n ought_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o all_o humane_a write_n especial_o such_o as_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o authority_n and_o even_o to_o the_o best_a translation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n itself_o if_o these_o mitigation_n be_v admit_v a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o objection_n make_v by_o mr._n baxter_n and_o other_o will_v vanish_v and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o admit_v mr._n baxter_n himself_o will_v grant_v that_o they_o can_v safe_o subscribe_v this_o assent_n and_o consent_v to_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n according_a to_o any_o translation_n but_o say_v he_o if_o they_o may_v but_o say_v we_o assent_n to_o all_o thing_n contain_v that_o be_v not_o by_o humane_a frailty_n mistake_v they_o will_v soon_o conform_v herein_o see_v the_o plea_n p._n 166._o now_o the_o church_n of_o england_n declare_v here_o and_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o article_n 1564._o that_o they_o prescribe_v not_o these_o rule_n as_o law_n equivalent_a with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o as_o of_o
necessity_n to_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o the_o subject_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o consider_v in_o themselves_o but_o as_o temporal_a order_n mere_o ecclesiastical_a without_o any_o vain_a superstition_n and_o as_o rule_n in_o some_o part_n of_o discipline_n concern_v decency_n distinction_n and_o order_n for_o the_o time_n so_o that_o the_o law_n leave_v it_o to_o the_o bishop_n to_o remove_v doubt_n and_o explain_v difficulty_n and_o the_o preface_n desire_v that_o thing_n may_v be_v candid_o and_o favourable_o interpret_v they_o be_v great_o to_o be_v blame_v who_o will_v take_v that_o with_o the_o leave_v which_o their_o superior_n offer_v with_o the_o right-hand_a and_o seek_v how_o to_o make_v that_o a_o snare_n and_o a_o net_n to_o entangle_v and_o ruin_v themselves_o which_o be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o mean_n to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n second_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o nonconformist_n that_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n as_o it_o be_v now_o amend_v and_o abstract_v from_o the_o declaration_n and_o subscription_n require_v by_o the_o act_n for_o uniformity_n be_v better_a to_o be_v assent_v to_o than_o as_o it_o stand_v former_o yet_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o edward_n the_o 6._o when_o it_o be_v much_o more_o liable_a to_o exception_n there_o be_v in_o it_o prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a chrism_n in_o baptism_n extreme_a unction_n &c._n &c._n which_o it_o be_v suppose_v mr._n calvin_n call_v tolerabiles_fw-la ineptias_fw-la many_o learned_a man_n and_o godly_a martyr_n do_v ready_o conform_v to_o it_o and_o in_o the_o day_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n king_n james_z and_o king_n charles_n the_o body_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o learned_a and_o pious_a as_o any_o in_o the_o world_n to_o which_o the_o few_o nonconformist_n in_o each_o age_n be_v no_o way_n comparable_a for_o part_n piety_n or_o number_n and_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o war_n there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o assembly_n as_o mr._n baxter_n observe_v above_o five_o or_o six_o nonconformist_n now_o ever_o since_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o canon_n by_o king_n james_n the_o 36_o canon_n enjoin_v subscription_n to_o the_o 39_o article_n and_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n as_o contain_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a objection_n now_o and_o this_o the_o subscriber_n be_v to_o do_v lubens_fw-la &_o ex_fw-la animo_fw-la which_o in_o english_a may_v be_v render_v with_o unfeigned_a assent_n and_o consent_n and_o that_o he_o will_v use_v the_o same_o and_o no_o other_o who_o can_v think_v but_o that_o cranmer_n ridley_n latimer_n davenant_n jewel_n whitgift_n the_o two_o abbot_n usher_n hall_n prideaux_n brownrigg_n doctor_n jo._n reynolds_n preston_n moreton_n sib_n fenner_n whately_n and_o many_o more_o name_v by_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o be_v both_o pious_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o subscribe_v according_a to_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n and_o if_o the_o liturgy_n have_v not_o be_v accompany_v by_o the_o act_n for_o subscription_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v mr._n baxters_n opinion_n that_o multitude_n will_v have_v conform_v to_o it_o though_o it_o be_v a_o ill_a sign_n of_o the_o readiness_n of_o those_o man_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o whole_a who_o when_o they_o be_v as_o probationer_n on_o their_o good_a behaviour_n do_v not_o at_o his_o majesty_n desire_n in_o his_o declaration_n yield_v to_o the_o use_n of_o any_o part_n of_o it_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v no_o such_o sinfulness_n in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o form_n etc._n etc._n prescribe_v the_o great_a quarrel_n be_v against_o the_o parliament_n for_o require_v such_o subscription_n as_o they_o can_v consent_v to_o because_o they_o fear_v god_n p._n 191._o of_o the_o plea_n it_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o liturgy_n but_o of_o a_o statute_n of_o parliament_n which_o we_o doubt_v of_o say_v mr._n baxter_n 3._o nonconformist_n grant_n that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o doubtful_a small_a evil_n than_o to_o forbear_v a_o necessary_a and_o great_a duty_n especial_o when_o great_a good_a than_o evil_n may_v be_v procure_v to_o ourselves_o and_o other_o by_o such_o submission_n there_o be_v no_o command_n against_o the_o cross_n kneel_v surplice_n etc._n etc._n nor_o be_v there_o any_o intrinsical_a turpitude_n in_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o may_v be_v submit_v to_o rather_o than_o to_o break_v the_o know_a commandment_n of_o god_n for_o obedience_n peace_n and_o charity_n and_o to_o suffer_v deprivation_n when_o they_o conceive_v there_o be_v so_o great_a necessity_n and_o there_o may_v be_v so_o much_o benefit_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o people_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o nation_n by_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o ministry_n three_o let_v that_o rule_n be_v observe_v which_o mr._n baxter_n quote_v from_o bishop_n sanderson_n p._n 329._o of_o the_o plea_n we_o must_v take_v heed_n that_o the_o strict_a interpretation_n of_o word_n or_o thing_n turn_v not_o into_o a_o rigid_a one_o many_o man_n by_o mistake_n and_o wrest_v of_o other_o man_n word_n do_v draw_v blood_n from_o that_o which_o will_v have_v natural_o yield_v milk_n or_o food_n we_o owe_v candour_n to_o all_o man_n write_n especial_o to_o those_o which_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o authority_n and_o most_o of_o all_o to_o public_a law_n in_o that_o particular_a of_o promissory_a oath_n these_o exception_n and_o condition_n be_v ever_o of_o common_a right_n to_o be_v understand_v 1._o if_o god_n permit_v 2._o save_v the_o right_a of_o other_o and_o as_o far_o as_o be_v lawful_a 3._o thing_n stand_v as_o they_o do_v or_o in_o the_o same_o state_n 4._o as_o far_o as_o i_o be_o able_a etc._n etc._n see_v the_o plea_n p._n 329._o it_o be_v excellent_o say_v by_o bishop_n sanderson_n that_o if_o our_o lawful_a superior_n command_v we_o any_o thing_n whereof_o we_o have_v just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o lawfulness_n thereof_o yet_o not_o with_o such_o anxious_a curiosity_n as_o if_o we_o desire_v a_o loophole_n whereby_o to_o evade_v but_o with_o such_o modest_a ingenuity_n as_o may_v witness_v to_o god_n and_o the_o world_n the_o unfeigned_a sincerity_n of_o our_o desire_n both_o to_o fear_n god_n and_o to_o honour_v they_o that_o be_v set_v over_o we_o and_o if_o have_v use_v ordinary_a moral_a diligence_n bonâ_fw-la fide_fw-la to_o inform_v ourselves_o there_o appear_v nothing_o unlawful_a in_o it_o we_o be_v then_o to_o submit_v and_o obey_v without_o more_o ado_n bishop_n sanderson_n judgement_n in_o one_o view_n p._n 145._o but_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o nonconformist_n who_o strain_n at_o every_o gnat_n which_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v in_o the_o command_n of_o their_o lawful_a superior_n do_v glib_o swallow_v down_o camel_n in_o the_o imposition_n of_o usurper_n the_o covenant_n the_o negative_a oath_n the_o engagement_n and_o many_o other_o unlawful_a imposition_n be_v general_o take_v without_o any_o scruple_n a_o four_o thing_n to_o be_v premise_v be_v that_o practice_n be_v the_o best_a expositour_n of_o the_o law_n many_o law_n be_v word_v so_o strict_o and_o enjoin_v under_o such_o rigorous_a penalty_n as_o may_v serve_v for_o great_a terror_n to_o evil_a mind_a man_n they_o do_v iniquum_fw-la petere_fw-la ut_fw-la quod_fw-la aequum_fw-la est_fw-la ferant_fw-la command_n and_o threaten_v what_o be_v very_o severe_a that_o they_o may_v obtain_v what_o be_v just_a and_o equal_a and_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o superior_n in_o the_o case_n of_o conformity_n show_v that_o they_o intend_v the_o weighty_a matter_n of_o the_o law_n obedience_n uniformity_n and_o decency_n in_o the_o public_a worship_n if_o there_o be_v no_o contempt_n of_o authority_n no_o neglect_n of_o the_o establish_a liturgy_n by_o bring_v in_o other_o prayer_n in_o the_o room_n of_o those_o that_o be_v prescribe_v lex_fw-la non_fw-la curate_n minima_fw-la neither_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o man_n be_v solicitous_a about_o circumstance_n and_o the_o lesser_a punctilio_n there_o be_v in_o most_o law_n some_o doubtful_a word_n and_o expression_n which_o the_o practice_n of_o law_n and_o the_o judge_n do_v interpret_v some_o casus_fw-la omissi_fw-la which_o the_o practice_n do_v admit_v as_o in_o the_o present_a law_n it_o admit_v the_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o praise_n on_o extraordinary_a occasion_n for_o fast_v and_o thanksgiving_n it_o admit_v of_o sing_v the_o psalm_n as_o translate_v in_o metre_n and_o of_o other_o form_n of_o prayer_n before_o and_o after_o sermon_n if_o the_o law_n shall_v be_v strict_o execute_v according_a to_o the_o rigour_n of_o it_o there_o be_v but_o few_o man_n will_v go_v unpunished_a god_n himself_o do_v dispense_v with_o many_o thing_n express_o enjoin_v for_o
solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n be_v read_v the_o king_n swear_v that_o for_o himself_o and_o successor_n he_o shall_v consent_v and_o agree_v to_o all_o act_n of_o parliament_n enjoin_v the_o national_a covenant_n and_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n as_o they_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o general_a assembly_n of_o that_o kirk_n and_o parliament_n of_o that_o kingdom_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v give_v his_o royal_a assent_n to_o act_n and_o ordinance_n of_o parliament_n pass_v or_o to_o be_v pass_v enjoin_v the_o same_o in_o his_o other_o dominion_n and_o in_o the_o declaration_n set_v forth_o at_o edinborough_n in_o his_o majesty_n name_n 1650._o but_o pen_v as_o it_o seem_v by_o the_o covenanter_n he_o declare_v that_o if_o the_o house_n of_o parliament_n of_o england_n sit_v in_o freedom_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o present_v unto_o he_o the_o proposition_n of_o peace_n agree_v upon_o by_o both_o kingdom_n he_o will_v not_o only_o accord_v to_o they_o and_o such_o alteration_n there_o anent_o as_o the_o house_n of_o parliament_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o affair_n and_o the_o good_a of_o his_o majesty_n and_o his_o kingdom_n shall_v judge_v necessary_a but_o do_v what_o be_v further_a necessary_a for_o the_o prosecute_a the_o end_n of_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n especial_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n and_o p._n 107._o he_o do_v also_o declare_v his_o firm_a resolution_n to_o manage_v the_o government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o parliament_n consist_v of_o a_o house_n of_o lord_n and_o a_o house_n of_o commons_o there_o all_o which_o his_o majesty_n have_v punctual_o perform_v and_o the_o parliament_n of_o both_o kingdom_n have_v rescind_v the_o covenant_n and_o condemn_v it_o as_o a_o unlawful_a oath_n and_o settle_v the_o ancient_a government_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n i_o speak_v with_o all_o humble_a submission_n his_o majesty_n be_v not_o at_o all_o oblige_v by_o that_o covenant_n thus_o take_v much_o less_o to_o make_v any_o alteration_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n unless_o he_o will_v act_v not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o establish_a law_n but_o contrary_a to_o that_o very_a oath_n and_o declaration_n by_o which_o the_o nonconformist_n suppose_v he_o to_o be_v oblige_v which_o oblige_v he_o to_o agree_v to_o such_o alteration_n as_o the_o house_n of_o parliament_n in_o regard_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o affair_n and_o the_o good_a of_o his_o majesty_n and_o his_o kingdom_n shall_v judge_v necessary_a and_o to_o manage_v the_o government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n by_o advice_n of_o his_o two_o house_n of_o parliament_n and_o this_o will_v answer_v the_o first_o question_n in_o the_o negative_a that_o neither_o the_o king_n who_o be_v injurious_o and_o unlawful_o as_o be_v acknowledge_v draw_v to_o declare_v for_o it_o and_o consequent_o no_v other_o person_n that_o take_v it_o afterward_o be_v bind_v by_o it_o to_o make_v any_o alteration_n etc._n etc._n if_o any_o alteration_n be_v find_v necessary_a there_o be_v lawful_a mean_n to_o be_v use_v for_o that_o end_n but_o there_o be_v no_o obligation_n from_o this_o covenant_n be_v so_o repeal_v to_o use_v even_o lawful_a mean_n much_o less_o such_o unlawful_a one_o as_o the_o covenant_n imply_v i._n e._n for_o subject_n to_o reform_v without_o and_o against_o the_o magistrate_n and_o his_o law_n by_o this_o also_o a_o second_o question_n be_v resolve_v p._n 215._o which_o mr._n baxter_n call_v the_o main_a question_n whether_o every_o minister_n must_v or_o may_v become_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o other_o man_n conscience_n and_o oligation_n in_o three_o kingdom_n for_o let_v it_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o case_n be_v only_o whether_o they_o be_v oblige_v by_o the_o covenant_n to_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n etc._n etc._n any_o lawful_a endeavour_n be_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o covenant_n be_v condemn_v as_o a_o unlawful_a thing_n can_v lay_v a_o obligation_n on_o any_o to_o act_v against_o the_o law_n whereby_o the_o church_n government_n be_v establish_v against_o this_o a_o three_o question_n be_v urge_v whether_o this_o league_n and_o covenant_n be_v a_o vow_n to_o god_n and_o not_o only_o a_o league_n and_o covenant_n with_o man_n which_z cessante_fw-la occasione_n and_o by_o consent_n of_o parliament_n do_v cease_v mr._n baxter_n affirm_v that_o it_o be_v a_o vow_n to_o god_n and_o a_o league_n and_o covenant_n of_o man_n with_o one_o another_o that_o they_o will_v perform_v it_o and_o instead_o of_o proof_n he_o say_v it_o be_v notorious_a to_o any_o man_n that_o read_v it_o with_o common_a understanding_n answ_n 1._o the_o title_n of_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o vow_n to_o god_n and_o in_o the_o preface_n a_o mutual_a league_n and_o covenant_n 2._o and_o in_o the_o renunciation_n it_o be_v to_o be_v declare_v that_o there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n from_o the_o oath_n common_o call_v the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n if_o any_o part_n of_o it_o be_v a_o vow_n to_o god_n that_o be_v not_o mention_v to_o be_v disclaim_v for_o 3._o the_o particular_a case_n wherein_o its_o obligation_n be_v to_o be_v disclaim_v be_v to_o endeavour_v any_o alteration_n etc._n etc._n now_o how_o can_v it_o consist_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o vow_n to_o god_n to_o make_v unnecessary_a alteration_n against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n will_v not_o this_o cause_n the_o christian_a religion_n in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o be_v explode_v out_o of_o all_o kingdom_n 4._o it_o be_v notorious_o know_v that_o the_o few_o thing_n that_o make_v the_o contract_n as_o mr._n douglas_n call_v it_o or_o covenant_n between_o the_o rebel_n scot_n and_o english_a to_o seem_v as_o a_o vow_n to_o god_n be_v use_v only_o as_o a_o pretence_n to_o draw_v on_o that_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o which_o be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o intent_n whereof_o be_v to_o strengthen_v the_o rebellion_n against_o the_o king_n as_o by_o the_o negative_a oath_n and_o the_o general_a act_n of_o both_o nation_n which_o follow_v do_v evident_o appear_v and_o what_o rebellion_n or_o heresy_n may_v not_o be_v covenant_v for_o under_o pretence_n of_o such_o vow_n if_o therefore_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o vow_n to_o god_n in_o the_o covenant_n it_o be_v a_o horrid_a profanation_n of_o god_n name_n to_o make_v it_o subservient_fw-fr to_o such_o unlawful_a end_n and_o it_o be_v right_o observe_v that_o it_o bind_v to_o the_o extirpation_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o other_o church_n as_o well_o as_o out_o of_o we_o alone_o 5._o the_o most_o part_n of_o those_o who_o take_v the_o covenant_n when_o it_o be_v first_o impose_v have_v declare_v their_o approbation_n of_o the_o establish_a government_n and_o swear_v obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n so_o have_v general_o all_o the_o assembly_n and_o fix_v minister_n and_o as_o i_o presume_v mr._n baxter_n himself_o and_o whatever_o contrary_a oath_n they_o take_v afterward_o be_v right_o esteem_v to_o be_v as_o null_a the_o pretence_n of_o a_o vow_n notwithstanding_o 6._o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o vow_n to_o be_v force_v as_o the_o covenant_n general_o be_v as_o have_v be_v observe_v from_o mr._n baxter_n that_o the_o scot_n take_v advantage_n of_o the_o strait_n to_o which_o the_o king_n have_v reduce_v the_o english_a parliament_n bring_v in_o the_o covenant_n as_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o help_n and_o that_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n complain_v of_o the_o parliament_n as_o mr._n baxter_n call_v the_o house_n of_o commons_o which_o tie_v they_o to_o meddle_v with_o nothing_o but_o what_o they_o offer_v to_o they_o and_o though_o the_o covenanter_n pretend_v for_o this_o vow_n the_o example_n of_o god_n people_n in_o other_o nation_n and_o the_o commendable_a practice_n of_o these_o kingdom_n in_o former_a time_n yet_o there_o never_o be_v the_o like_a oath_n for_o matter_n and_o manner_n take_v by_o any_o people_n fear_v god_n in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o conclude_v with_o a_o concession_n of_o mr._n baxter_n p._n 213._o of_o the_o plea_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o subject_n power_n by_o vow_n to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o obedience_n to_o authority_n which_o be_v prove_v from_o numb_a 30._o and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v because_o obligatio_fw-la prio_fw-la praejudicat_fw-la posteriori_fw-la god_n have_v first_o enjoin_v obedience_n to_o our_o superior_n they_o therefore_o lawful_o require_v our_o submission_n to_o the_o establish_a government_n there_o can_v lie_v