A discourse of conscience wherein is set down the nature, properties, and differences thereofA discourse of conscience wherein is set downe the nature, properties, and differences thereof

Again, if a lawful oath by virtue of Gods commandments bind conscience, then it must need• be that the Roman Church hath long erred, in that •ee •th and maintaineth that governors, as namely the Pope and other inferior ¹Bishops, have power to give relaxations and dispensations, not only for oaths unlawful (from which the word of God doth sufficiently free us, though they should never give absolution) but from a true & lawful oath made wittingly & willingly without error or deceit of a thing, honest and possible: as when the Pope frees the ⟨p. 72⟩subjects of this land, as occasion is offered, from their sworn allegiance and loyalty to which they are bound, not only by the law of nature, but also by a solemn and particular oath to the Supremacy, which none ever deemed v• full but such as carry traitors hearts. Now this erroneous divinity would easily be revoked, if men did b•• consider the nature of an oath, one part whereof is Invocation; in which we pr•• unto God, first that he would become a witness unto us that we speak the truth and purpose not to deceive: secondly if we fail & break our promise, that he would take •ge upon us: and in both these petitions we bind our selves immediately to God himself, and God again who is the ordainer of the oath, accepts this bond and […] it by his commandment, till it be accomplished. Hence it follows, that no creature can have power to v••ie the bond of an ••th that is truly and lawfully an ••th, unless we will […] the creatures above God himself. And our Saviour Christ gave better •ell when he commanded us to perform our […] to the Lord for the p• ting of perjury, Matth. 5. 33