triumph_v over_o fictitious_a absurdity_n i_o shall_v therefore_o pass_v by_o your_o whole_a discourse_n concern_v the_o case_n of_o one_o come_v to_o a_o garrison_n concern_v the_o canan-oath_n to_o confirm_v the_o prelacy_n concern_v the_o second_o article_n of_o the_o national-covenant_n concern_v the_o make_v void_a of_o all_o security_n in_o every_o oath_n which_o the_o state_n may_v prescribe_v concern_v zedekiah_n and_o how_o he_o may_v have_v justify_v his_o perjury_n against_o nebucadnezer_n concern_v the_o elder_n of_o israel_n that_o they_o may_v have_v break_v their_o oath_n to_o the_o gibeonite_n concern_v saul_n that_o he_o may_v have_v justify_v the_o wrong_n he_o do_v unto_o they_o and_o concern_v the_o benefit_n which_o the_o present_a state_n may_v reap_v by_o the_o engagement_n upon_o such_o a_o interpretation_n thereof_o as_o you_o be_v willing_a to_o put_v upon_o it_o in_o my_o name_n against_o my_o sense_n i_o say_v i_o shall_v pass_v by_o all_o these_o 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supreme_a trust_n most_o considerable_a differ_v in_o judgement_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o common_a safety_n from_o other_o who_o be_v in_o the_o same_o trust_n but_o less_o considerable_a what_o can_v we_o who_o be_v stander_n by_o not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o deliberation_n nor_o call_v to_o the_o arbitrement_n of_o difference_n between_o they_o do_v in_o such_o a_o case_n either_o as_o christian_n or_o as_o rational_a man_n but_o pray_v to_o god_n that_o they_o may_v agree_v 〈◊〉_d how_o stander-by_n that_o look_v upon_o public_a debate_n between_o ruler_n in_o chief_a shall_v behave_v the_o 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v peaceable_a in_o our_o own_o thought_n not_o to_o meddle_v beyond_o our_o line_n to_o judge_v either_o way_n or_o to_o foment_n party_n or_o to_o provoke_v and_o harden_v one_o side_n against_o another_o but_o to_o persuade_v all_o indifferent_o unto_o that_o concurrence_n and_o unity_n of_o spirit_n which_o in_o know_a duty_n for_o common_a concernment_n be_v out_o of_o all_o doubt_n most_o edify_a and_o blameless_a if_o you_o will_v join_v with_o i_o to_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o this_o divinity_n rather_o than_o give_v way_n to_o prejudicate_v imagination_n you_o will_v see_v just_a cause_n to_o suspend_v your_o judgement_n concern_v the_o plea_n which_o other_o have_v make_v of_o necessity_n from_o censure_v it_o in_o they_o as_o imaginary_a and_o pretend_a and_o if_o you_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o refute_v the_o error_n of_o any_o point_n of_o as_o you_o call_v it_o state-divinity_n to_o break_v covenant_n you_o will_v certain_o be_v enable_v to_o do_v it_o more_o effectual_o and_o impartial_o then_o hitherto_o you_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v meet_v withal_o in_o these_o paper_n for_o the_o reason_n which_o joshua_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n as_o you_o personate_v they_o may_v have_v allege_v and_o which_o you_o think_v saul_n take_v up_o to_o colour_v his_o breach_n of_o covenant_n with_o the_o gibeonite_n although_o indeed_o as_o you_o say_v such_o reason_v come_v from_o unbelief_n yet_o if_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n with_o those_o which_o have_v move_v the_o present_a power_n to_o alter_v the_o former_a government_n into_o this_o which_o now_o be_v what_o have_v you_o gain_v to_o yourself_o by_o your_o reproof_n but_o the_o guilt_n and_o discredit_n of_o a_o rash_a censurer_n and_o what_o good_a have_v you_o do_v to_o he_o who_o you_o have_v unadvised_o censure_v upon_o a_o wrong_a ground_n but_o to_o make_v he_o averse_a from_o hear_v you_o any_o further_a as_o for_o myself_o i_o shall_v full_o grant_v what_o you_o say_v that_o the_o rule_n whereby_o private_a man_n be_v oblige_v to_o keep_v their_o covenant_n must_v be_v observe_v in_o state_n proportional_o caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la that_o though_o they_o swear_v to_o their_o hurt_n oath_n how_o state_n be_v bind_v to_o their_o
this_o evasion_n to_o eye_n the_o end_n and_o not_o look_v at_o accidental_a form_n as_o you_o call_v they_o will_v facilitate_v a_o way_n to_o any_o oath_n and_o as_o easy_o disoblige_v render_v the_o oath_n vain_a as_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v enter_v thus_o it_o have_v be_v safe_a to_o have_v enter_v the_o canon_n oath_n prescribe_v by_o the_o convocation_n in_o the_o year_n that_o this_o parliament_n do_v commence_v for_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n in_o archbishop_n bishop_n dean_n dean_n and_o chapter_n chancellor_n etc._n etc._n see_v we_o may_v have_v enter_v into_o it_o how_o opposite_a soever_o our_o judgement_n be_v against_o it_o and_o then_o have_v avoid_v it_o explain_v ourselves_o that_o we_o swear_v to_o the_o end_n namely_o church-government_n &_o order_n for_o public_a edification_n without_o respect_n to_o external_a form_n which_o be_v accidental_a which_o government_n be_v in_o our_o judgement_n best_o settle_v in_o a_o independent_a congregational_a way_n as_o some_o think_v or_o in_o a_o presbyterial_a classical_a way_n as_o other_o this_o oath_n thus_o interpret_v be_v so_o far_o from_o engage_v to_o prelacy_n that_o it_o engage_v against_o it_o so_o far_o from_o bind_v to_o a_o non_fw-fr consent_n of_o the_o change_n and_o alteration_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o oath_n that_o it_o bind_v we_o to_o a_o vigorous_a endeavour_n of_o change_n and_o alteration_n thus_o also_o all_o covenanter_n be_v disoblige_v from_o the_o second_o article_n in_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v to_o the_o extirpation_n of_o prelacy_n as_o there_o explain_v in_o case_n they_o believe_v as_o many_o do_v that_o church-government_n be_v best_a settle_v and_o the_o church_n edification_n best_o provide_v for_o in_o such_o a_o constitution_n and_o so_o covenant_v against_o it_o in_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o covenant_n they_o covenant_n for_o it_o in_o the_o end_n which_o you_o say_v be_v only_o to_o be_v heed_v neither_o can_v any_o state_n this_o way_n find_v any_o security_n in_o any_o oath_n prescribe_v all_o may_v enter_v and_o then_o evade_v with_o this_o shift_n of_o the_o intrinsical_a good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o plead_v that_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o public_a good_a call_v to_o the_o transgression_n and_o contradiction_n of_o it_o thus_o zedekiah_n may_v have_v free_v himself_o from_o his_o oath_n of_o fealty_n to_o nebucadnezar_n it_o be_v as_o he_o may_v have_v plead_v against_o the_o intrinsical_a good_a of_o that_o nation_n that_o stranger_n shall_v rule_v over_o they_o and_o they_o be_v make_v a_o province_n to_o babylon_n his_o oath_n to_o serve_v he_o will_v have_v strong_o engage_v to_o a_o revolt_n from_o he_o and_o the_o oath_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o gibeonite_n thus_o understand_v have_v be_v null_a in_o the_o very_a take_n of_o it_o evident_o tend_v to_o the_o public_a damage_n of_o which_o the_o commons_o of_o israel_n be_v very_o sensible_a as_o appear_v in_o their_o exception_n take_v against_o the_o elder_n for_o enter_v into_o it_o saul_n in_o the_o act_n which_o bring_v a_o three_o year_n famine_n upon_o israel_n if_o this_o divinity_n may_v take_v place_n have_v do_v a_o work_n singular_o commendable_a see_v it_o be_v his_o zeal_n to_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o judah_n which_o alone_o move_v he_o against_o the_o letter_n of_o his_o covenant_n to_o the_o slaughter_n of_o those_o person_n even_o the_o public_a good_a so_o evident_o damnify_v and_o endanger_v by_o their_o abode_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o people_n saul_n slaughter_n of_o these_o gibeonite_n have_v be_v as_o praiseworthy_a as_o david_n his_o successor_n slaughter_n of_o the_o jebusite_n the_o public_a good_a be_v saul_n end_n the_o holy-ghost_n bear_v witness_n as_o well_o as_o david_n and_o what_o good_a the_o present_a state_n can_v reap_v by_o this_o engagement_n your_o interpretation_n be_v once_o admit_v i_o believe_v you_o know_v not_o which_o way_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o engager_n may_v say_v they_o will_v be_v true_a and_o faithful_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n as_o now_o establish_v without_o king_n or_o house_n of_o lord_n in_o their_o endeavour_n to_o re-establish_a a_o king_n and_o house_n of_o lord_n which_o they_o may_v think_v most_o tend_v to_o the_o honour_n and_o peace_n of_o it_o you_o go_v on_o to_o answer_v a_o further_a objection_n of_o your_o friend_n that_o in_o the_o three_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n he_o be_v swear_v to_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n among_o which_o this_o be_v one_o that_o therein_o shall_v be_v a_o house_n of_o lord_n distinct_a from_o the_o commons_o and_o this_o another_o that_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o commons_o shall_v sit_v and_o vote_n free_o for_o when_o he_o swear_v he_o mean_v a_o parliament_n so_o constitute_v and_o no_o other_o in_o answer_n of_o which_o you_o first_o confess_v and_o then_o endeavour_v to_o avoid_v and_o if_o you_o do_v avoid_v as_o clear_o as_o you_o do_v confess_v ingenuous_o you_o will_v give_v more_o satisfaction_n you_o confess_v that_o these_o be_v privilege_n that_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v to_o preserve_v these_o and_o that_o now_o such_o intention_n can_v be_v prosecute_v which_o confession_n alone_o be_v enough_o to_o create_v a_o big_a scruple_n in_o your_o friend_n than_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o all_o which_o yet_o have_v appear_v in_o your_o answer_n can_v wipe_v off_o your_o way_n to_o avoid_v be_v that_o your_o friend_n do_v what_o in_o he_o lay_v when_o time_n and_o place_n be_v according_a to_o his_o call_v to_o prevent_v these_o breach_n and_o so_o can_v be_v accuse_v of_o the_o infringement_n thereof_o for_o when_o a_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o state_n as_o you_o say_v in_o the_o course_n of_o divine_a justice_n with_o a_o power_n irresistible_a not_o only_o to_o man_n of_o private_a but_o to_o all_o that_o be_v in_o public_a vocation_n do_v bring_v about_o that_o change_n upon_o the_o parliament_n no_o particular_a man_n engagement_n be_v considerable_a this_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o clear_a justification_n of_o your_o friend_n one_o man_n sin_n pollute_v not_o another_o when_o by_o oppose_v and_o in_o his_o place_n withstand_v he_o keep_v himself_o from_o guilty_a participation_n but_o in_o this_o excuse_n of_o he_o from_o breach_n of_o covenant_n in_o the_o infringement_n of_o parliament_n privilege_n you_o do_v plain_o charge_v that_o irresistible_a power_n which_o you_o speak_v of_o with_o it_o he_o be_v therefore_o innocent_a because_o he_o do_v what_o in_o he_o lay_v in_o his_o place_n to_o prevent_v this_o change_n those_o than_o can_v be_v innocent_a that_o be_v interest_v and_o oblige_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n do_v yet_o with_o such_o a_o power_n as_o you_o mention_v work_v it_o neither_o can_v that_o suppose_a fatal_a necessity_n of_o state_n which_o your_o answer_n speak_v of_o acquit_v that_o power_n from_o breach_n of_o their_o covenant_n in_o such_o confess_a infringement_n of_o parliament-priviledge_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o kingdom_n as_o elsewhere_o you_o call_v it_o see_v no_o such_o necessity_n as_o your_o paper_n take_v for_o grant_v but_o with_o high_a resolution_n oppose_v when_o the_o power_n be_v at_o their_o door_n and_o themselves_o in_o imminent_a danger_n both_o house_n judge_v the_o way_n that_o they_o be_v upon_o to_o be_v the_o way_n most_o conduce_v to_o the_o state_n safety_n and_o it_o be_v their_o business_n and_o no_o other_o power_n in_o such_o case_n to_o give_v judgement_n and_o in_o case_n this_o necessity_n have_v be_v real_a and_o not_o imaginary_a or_o pretend_a yet_o it_o be_v no_o sufficient_a plea_n for_o such_o a_o transgression_n joshua_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n understand_v no_o such_o state-divinity_n to_o break_v covenant_n on_o such_o ground_n much_o less_o on_o such_o pretence_n much_o may_v have_v be_v say_v by_o they_o to_o have_v necessitate_v a_o breach_n with_o those_o gibeonite_n with_o who_o they_o have_v enter_v covenant_n gibeon_n be_v one_o of_o their_o royal_a city_n and_o of_o danger_n to_o be_v possess_v by_o such_o a_o enemy_n or_o to_o have_v he_o still_o in_o their_o howel_n to_o lay_v claim_n to_o it_o the_o land_n be_v israel_n by_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n and_o too_o narrow_a for_o themselves_o in_o such_o multitude_n to_o inhabit_v there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o the_o fat_a and_o the_o sweet_a shall_v be_v devour_v and_o eat_v up_o by_o stranger_n the_o argument_n of_o egypt_n against_o israel_n may_v well_o here_o have_v be_v take_v up_o by_o israel_n when_o there_o fall_v out_o any_o war_n they_o will_v join_v unto_o the_o enemy_n these_o reason_n or_o the_o like_a of_o equal_a or_o great_a strength_n saul_n doubtless_o see_v when_o he_o seek_v to_o slay_v they_o not_o out_o of_o
punishable_a when_o the_o law_n be_v transgress_v i_o know_v that_o this_o be_v the_o law_n in_o case_n of_o particular_a concernment_n wherein_o some_o special_a positive_a law_n be_v transgress_v but_o of_o the_o general_a concernment_n whereby_o the_o whole_a ground_n of_o all_o legal_a government_n be_v take_v away_o that_o law_n can_v be_v understand_v beside_o i_o conceive_v that_o the_o positive_a law_n which_o you_o mention_v do_v suppose_v that_o the_o king_n be_v olige_v to_o give_v up_o his_o subordinate_a agent_n the_o transgessor_n of_o the_o law_n unto_o the_o course_n of_o justice_n and_o not_o to_o take_v all_o their_o fault_n upon_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o protect_v they_o with_o the_o shield_n of_o his_o indemnity_n or_o with_o the_o force_n of_o his_o word_n against_o the_o execution_n of_o vindicative_a justice_n for_o if_o he_o do_v this_o then_o he_o put_v himself_o as_o to_o his_o own_o person_n out_o of_o the_o case_n of_o indemnity_n wherein_o the_o law_n put_v it_o nor_o can_v that_o law_n be_v count_v valid_a for_o he_o against_o his_o own_o will_n and_o against_o the_o equity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o in_o this_o ease_n do_v make_v he_o guilty_a for_o if_o a_o king_n as_o a_o king_n by_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n do_v act_v nothing_o in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o by_o his_o agent_n and_o yet_o he_o will_v not_o be_v count_v to_o have_v act_v by_o his_o agent_n but_o to_o have_v do_v all_o their_o fault_n in_o his_o own_o person_n than_o he_o declare_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n valid_a as_o to_o himself_o but_o that_o he_o will_v stand_v in_o his_o agent_n room_n and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o in_o their_o person_n and_o under_o their_o guilt_n and_o consequent_o not_o as_o a_o king_n but_o as_o a_o transgressor_n non_fw-la quod_fw-la volenti_fw-la non_fw-la fit_a injuria_fw-la est_fw-la regula_fw-la juris_fw-la therefore_o i_o conceive_v thus_o king_n by_o 3._o way_n the_o prerogative_n of_o exemption_n from_o be_v a_o transgressor_n may_v be_v lose_v by_o king_n that_o a_o king_n may_v make_v void_a as_o to_o himself_o and_o loose_v the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o law_n make_v in_o favour_n to_o his_o person_n three_o way_n 1._o if_o he_o set_v himself_o direct_o to_o disannul_v the_o general_a ground_n of_o all_o law_n for_o this_o can_v be_v impute_v to_o any_o subordinat_a agent_n as_o their_o guilt_n for_o they_o be_v look_v upon_o and_o make_v punishable_a only_o as_o transgressor_n in_o particular_a matter_n 2._o if_o he_o do_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n make_v for_o punish_v transgressor_n and_o for_o exempt_n his_o own_o person_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o particular_a transgression_n take_v up_o on_o himself_o all_o the_o guilt_n of_o particular_a fault_n to_o protect_v iniquity_n and_o illegality_n then_o he_o do_v effectual_o make_v void_a the_o prerogative_n which_o the_o law_n do_v give_v he_o 3._o if_o he_o do_v by_o force_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o hinder_v the_o execution_n of_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o supreme_a judicature_n for_o the_o protect_a of_o transgressor_n against_o the_o law_n for_o to_o do_v this_o be_v the_o high_a act_n of_o illegal_a government_n and_o in_o effect_n the_o put_v down_o of_o all_o law_n in_o all_o which_o case_n if_o you_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v to_o i_o rational_o that_o by_o your_o positive_a law_n the_o king_n be_v to_o be_v mean_v no_o transgressor_n i_o shall_v confess_v a_o mistake_n but_o till_o then_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o think_v that_o i_o be_o no_o stranger_n to_o reason_n when_o i_o be_o bold_a to_o say_v that_o no_o positive_a law_n of_o any_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n can_v disannul_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o in_o suchlike_a case_n do_v present_v a_o king_n even_o as_o a_o king_n to_o be_v in_o his_o own_o person_n a_o transgressor_n to_o the_o law-making_a power_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v legal_o and_o not_o arbitrary_o the_o second_o thing_n which_o you_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v a_o seem_a inconsistency_n between_o two_o passage_n of_o my_o discourse_n in_o the_o one_o you_o think_v i_o judge_v definit_o in_o the_o high_a way_n of_o the_o right_n which_o supreme_a power_n have_v over_o we_o and_o in_o the_o other_o which_o be_v pag._n 10._o i_o declare_v that_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o i_o or_o to_o any_o private_a man_n to_o judge_n definitive_o of_o the_o right_n which_o the_o supreme_a power_n in_o this_o world_n pretend_v to_o have_v to_o their_o place_n to_o reconcile_v this_o seem_a inconsistency_n i_o shall_v desire_v you_o to_o reflect_v upon_o two_o thing_n it_o the_o answer_n do_v show_v the_o ground_n of_o reconcil_a it_o viz._n the_o direct_a intent_n and_o proper_a subject_n of_o each_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n whereunto_o the_o thing_n seem_o inconsistent_a do_o relate_v which_o thing_n in_o both_o place_n be_v very_o much_o different_a and_o bring_v a_o different_a respect_n upon_o the_o passage_n suppose_v to_o be_v opposite_a when_o you_o shall_v perceive_v the_o same_o i_o hope_v your_o mistake_n will_v be_v rectify_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n my_o purpose_n be_v to_o declare_v what_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o the_o government_n of_o this_o state_n be_v as_o i_o conceive_v it_o agreeable_a to_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n by_o which_o all_o free_a commonwealth_n be_v settle_v within_o themselves_o but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n viz._n pag._n 10._o my_o purpose_n be_v to_o declare_v how_o my_o friend_n ought_v to_o behave_v himself_o for_o the_o quiet_v of_o his_o scrupulous_a conscience_n in_o the_o doubt_n which_o he_o have_v concern_v the_o particular_a present_a power_n and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o their_o come_n to_o their_o place_n the_o proper_a subject_n of_o my_o discourse_n in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v concern_v the_o legislative_a power_n of_o all_o nation_n as_o they_o be_v commonwealth_n and_o how_o in_o this_o nation_n that_o power_n have_v be_v settle_v of_o old_a and_o the_o proper_a subject_n whereof_o i_o speak_v in_o the_o second_o place_n be_v concern_v the_o particular_a way_n by_o which_o the_o present_a power_n be_v come_v and_o have_v a_o right_n to_o their_o place_n which_o be_v thing_n of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n concern_v the_o first_o if_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n i_o suppose_v you_o will_v grant_v that_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o passage_n the_o application_n of_o the_o ground_n to_o show_v the_o reconcilement_n of_o the_o passage_n &_o if_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o state_n as_o that_o law_n be_v observe_v therein_o i_o hope_v you_o will_v allow_v i_o as_o one_o in_o matriculat_v into_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o concern_v as_o well_o as_o other_o in_o the_o common_a welfare_n thereof_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n to_o consider_v and_o declare_v what_o i_o observe_v therein_o which_o at_o this_o time_n i_o think_v be_v my_o duty_n to_o mention_v but_o concerne_a the_o second_o i_o give_v advice_n to_o my_o friend_n how_o he_o may_v quiet_v his_o spirit_n about_o the_o matter_n which_o concern_v he_o not_o and_o whereat_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v trouble_v and_o decline_v to_o make_v myself_o a_o definitive_a judge_n of_o the_o particular_a right_n and_o proceed_n of_o those_o that_o god_n have_v set_v over_o we_o to_o rule_v the_o commonwealth_n so_o then_o in_o the_o formeâ—_n i_o observe_v what_o the_o law_n be_v under_o which_o we_o live_v and_o in_o the_o latter_a i_o refrain_v from_o the_o judicature_n of_o particular_a matter_n whereunto_o i_o have_v no_o calling_n to_o be_v a_o judge_n object_v a_o mistake_n concern_v the_o commons_o right_a to_o make_v law_n object_v and_o what_o inconsistency_n be_v between_o these_o purpose_n and_o between_o the_o discourse_n which_o to_o this_o effect_n i_o make_v upon_o these_o subject_n i_o shall_v refer_v now_o to_o your_o second_o thought_n to_o collect_v wherein_o i_o hope_v your_o imaginary_a difficulty_n to_o reconcile_v these_o passage_n will_v easy_o vanish_v concern_v that_o which_o i_o say_v of_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o nation_n that_o the_o commons_o at_o all_o time_n have_v use_v to_o ask_v and_o propose_v the_o make_n of_o law_n &_o that_o the_o lord_n &_o king_n be_v wont_a to_o give_v their_o consent_n thereunto_o you_o say_v i_o do_v as_o far_o in_o this_o mistake_n as_o i_o do_v forget_v myself_o in_o the_o other_o to_o this_o i_o say_v it_o be_v well_o if_o i_o be_o not_o further_o mistake_v for_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o declare_v ingenious_o the_o truth_n of_o my_o present_a thought_n that_o when_o i_o now_o reflect_v upon_o the_o expression_n which_o
oath_n of_o allegiance_n i_o say_v it_o be_v true_a the_o vote_n be_v recall_v but_o yet_o the_o repeal_n be_v only_o in_o order_n to_o a_o treaty_n therefore_o after_o the_o treaty_n recall_v in_o what_o sense_n the_o vote_n of_o non-address_n be_v recall_v if_o no_o full_a conclusion_n do_v ensue_v he_o be_v to_o be_v in_o statu_fw-la que_fw-la prius_fw-la the_o repeal_n than_o be_v not_o absolute_a as_o the_o prohibition_n of_o address_n be_v if_o therefore_o the_o vote_n of_o absolute_a non-address_n do_v dissolve_v the_o obligation_n as_o to_o private_a person_n and_o the_o vote_n of_o conditional_a address_n for_o a_o public_a treaty_n do_v not_o restore_v it_o in_o the_o event_n i_o see_v not_o how_o he_o can_v become_v a_o object_n of_o our_o allegiance_n by_o repeal_n of_o those_o vote_n that_o which_o you_o say_v against_o the_o reason_n which_o i_o allege_v to_o show_v that_o the_o engagement_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o the_o national_a covenant_n that_o it_o may_v rather_o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o ground_n for_o which_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v bind_v run_v out_o upon_o a_o great_a misconstruction_n of_o my_o sense_n which_o easy_o may_v have_v be_v otherwise_o understand_v for_o it_o be_v very_o obvious_a for_o any_o body_n to_o imagine_v that_o in_o this_o case_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o a_o common_a wealth_n a_o christian_a commonwealth_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o upon_o this_o presupposal_n commonwealth_n what_o be_v the_o essential_o of_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n which_o i_o think_v no_o way_n obscure_v i_o say_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o law_n to_o have_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o national_a freedom_n be_v thing_n absolute_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o commonwealth_n mean_v a_o christian_a commonwealth_n and_o although_o actual_o there_o be_v few_o or_o have_v be_v few_o such_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o that_o do_v not_o refute_v my_o assertion_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o that_o which_o you_o add_v concern_v our_o oath_n that_o they_o have_v a_o respect_n not_o only_o to_o the_o esse_fw-la but_o also_o to_o the_o bene_fw-la esse_fw-la of_o the_o nation_n do_v seem_v some_o what_o more_o material_a yet_o you_o mistake_v i_o whole_o bind_v how_o oath_n concern_v mean_n to_o a_o end_n be_v bind_v when_o you_o say_v that_o i_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o all_o our_o oath_n do_v bare_o respect_v the_o esse_fw-la not_o the_o bene_fw-la esse_fw-la or_o external_a administration_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o i_o grant_v that_o we_o swear_v not_o only_o to_o the_o remote_a end_n but_o also_o to_o the_o mean_n which_o have_v a_o direct_a tendency_n thereunto_o which_o then_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o nation_n to_o be_v the_o form_n of_o government_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v establish_v this_o i_o free_o grant_v but_o withal_o i_o conceive_v that_o the_o intent_n of_o all_o such_o oath_n be_v only_o to_o oblige_v unto_o the_o mean_n so_o long_o so_o far_o and_o in_o quantum_fw-la as_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o direct_a tendency_n to_o the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v take_v and_o not_o absolute_o whether_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o tendency_n to_o the_o main_a end_n or_o no_o whence_o this_o consequence_n will_v follow_v that_o if_o the_o mean_n cease_v to_o have_v such_o a_o tendency_n which_o upon_o emergency_n may_v fall_v out_o or_o become_v destructive_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v choose_v than_o the_o obligation_n to_o use_v they_o for_o such_o a_o end_n though_o settle_v by_o a_o oath_n be_v no_o more_o bind_v for_o if_o the_o oath_n do_v bind_v only_o as_o to_o mean_n for_o a_o end_n and_o the_o thing_n swear_v to_o do_v cease_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v viz._n mean_n to_o that_o end_n then_o to_o my_o understanding_n there_o be_v no_o further_a obligation_n in_o that_o oath_n towards_o the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o i_o pray_v consult_v your_o casuist_n upon_o this_o matter_n whether_o they_o can_v show_v any_o reason_n to_o contradict_v this_o assertion_n now_o this_o be_v to_o i_o a_o clear_a truth_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o obligation_n in_o general_n of_o a_o oath_n to_o the_o use_n of_o any_o mean_n whatsoever_o i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o state_n the_o case_n somewhat_o near_o to_o our_o present_a condition_n as_o i_o understand_v it_o and_o make_v it_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o discourse_n i_o conceive_v then_o state_v the_o case_n of_o take_v the_o national_a oath_n and_o the_o engagement_n state_v that_o private_a man_n in_o public_a concernment_n touch_v the_o government_n of_o the_o state_n when_o there_o be_v a_o necessary_a change_n in_o it_o and_o a_o question_n whether_o this_o or_o that_o form_n be_v most_o conducible_a to_o the_o main_a end_n of_o common_a safety_n and_o whether_o the_o mean_n former_o settle_v towards_o that_o end_n have_v any_o further_a fitness_n and_o tendency_n thereunto_o yea_o or_o no_o i_o say_v in_o this_o matter_n of_o deliberation_n and_o in_o all_o concernment_n of_o such_o a_o public_a nature_n private_a man_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n which_o be_v over_o they_o for_o the_o time_n if_o then_o i_o be_v a_o private_a man_n be_v at_o one_o time_n call_v upon_o to_o declare_v my_o faithfulness_n to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n which_o my_o superior_n judge_v fit_a for_o public_a safety_n do_v oblige_v myself_o under_o they_o to_o be_v faithful_a thereunto_o and_o at_o another_o time_n be_v call_v upon_o again_o to_o declare_v my_o faithfulness_n to_o the_o use_n of_o other_o mean_n emergency_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n have_v change_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o former_a or_o to_o declare_v my_o constant_a resolution_n to_o be_v faithful_a to_o the_o main_a end_n of_o common_a peace_n and_o safety_n notwithstanding_o the_o change_n which_o they_o think_v necessary_a to_o make_v in_o the_o mean_n if_o i_o say_v i_o be_v thus_o call_v upon_o as_o one_o to_o be_v determine_v in_o such_o matter_n by_o the_o supreme_a power_n that_o be_v over_o i_o do_v act_n without_o scruple_v that_o which_o in_o itself_o i_o think_v just_a and_o lawful_a in_o my_o place_n to_o do_v what_o blame_n can_v i_o bear_v for_o yield_v to_o different_a declaration_n at_o several_a time_n and_o upon_o different_a and_o necessary_a emergency_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n whereof_o i_o speak_v and_o whereinto_o we_o be_v cast_v as_o clear_o it_o be_v than_o your_o whole_a discourse_n concern_v the_o intention_n of_o a_o swearer_n towards_o the_o end_n in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o mean_v express_v in_o his_o oath_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o i_o have_v cause_n to_o wonder_v that_o you_o exspaciat_fw-la so_o large_o upon_o a_o subject_n whereof_o there_o be_v so_o little_a occasion_n and_o appearance_n of_o ground_n give_v from_o that_o which_o i_o say_v for_o i_o say_v nothing_o but_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o engagement_n to_o my_o understanding_n do_v confirm_v the_o ground_n and_o main_a end_n for_o which_o the_o former_a oath_n be_v take_v i_o speak_v nothing_o of_o any_o man_n private_a intention_n or_o of_o the_o interpretation_n which_o he_o may_v make_v mental_o of_o the_o oath_n which_o be_v put_v to_o he_o though_o different_a from_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o that_o offer_v they_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o allow_v of_o this_o in_o any_o body_n that_o i_o conceive_v all_o such_o practice_n to_o be_v a_o mock_n of_o god_n and_o man_n but_o i_o speak_v clear_o of_o the_o proper_a intent_n of_o the_o engagement_n and_o how_o consistent_a the_o sense_n thereof_o be_v with_o the_o main_a end_n of_o the_o former_a oath_n and_o as_o for_o that_o which_o the_o former_a oath_n do_v mention_v touch_v the_o form_n of_o government_n then_o in_o be_v i_o say_v that_o i_o conceive_v none_o of_o they_o so_o essential_a to_o any_o nation_n as_o that_o upon_o exigent_n necessity_n they_o may_v not_o be_v alter_v by_o the_o supreme_a power_n of_o that_o nation_n and_o how_o you_o come_v to_o conceive_v that_o i_o think_v it_o not_o unreasonable_a for_o a_o people_n to_o cast_v off_o their_o king_n or_o change_v the_o form_n of_o their_o government_n mere_o add_v placitum_fw-la when_o as_o i_o so_o express_o limit_v those_o alteration_n to_o a_o necessary_a exigency_n i_o will_v have_v some_o cause_n to_o wonder_n if_o i_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v very_o incident_a to_o man_n forestall_v in_o judgement_n or_o affection_n against_o other_o to_o be_v incline_v to_o miss_v understand_v their_o word_n and_o upon_o imaginary_a advantage_n against_o the_o opinion_n father_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v willing_a to_o