XVI. Those that blame me, do more than justify me: They scruple not communicating with those who hear Common-Prayer, and receive the Sacrament in the Parish Churches, in order to be Aldermen, Sheriffs, Common Councilmen, Jurors, &c. nor pass any public Censure on them. Yea, they communicate with such as take the Corporation Declaration, and Oath. And the said Declaration is a Profession, that [I do hold that there lies no Obligation on me, or any other person, from the Oath commonly called the solemn League and Covenant.] Here the Person justifieth all the Persons wh•m he never knew, in three Kingdoms, from being obliged by an Oath and Vow against Popery, Schism and Profaneness, and to repent of Sin, and to defend the King. This which constituteth all our Cities and Corporations in England, is a little more than that which constituteth our authorized Ministry and Vestries, which is but that [there is no Obligation to endeavour any alteration of Government in the Church,] &c. even of Lay-Chancellors governing by the Church Keys.) Therefore they that pretend that they cannot join with the Ministry, because they think they enter by Perjury, confute themselves, while they scruple not Communion with them that do more than the Ministry or the Vestry do. And if any shall pretend, that it is unlawful to join with them, because of the Common-Prayer, and at the same time freely join with them that take the Corporation Declaration; I do not blame them for the latter, but I must say, that they strain so partially at a gnat, as maketh me set a great deal the less by the Objections of such men. If I were never so sure that the Church and Corporations were all thus Perjured, I would greatly lament it; but it being done in ignorance (tho by men that should know) and by men that have not heard what is said against it; I would not separate from such a guilty Kingdom, no more than the faithful did for some great common Jewish corruptions. I will keep my own Soul as clear as I can: And I confess that I was ever of the mind of those Judges in Scotland, that say, that if Oaths may be taken in a Sense of our own, contrary to the usual Sense of the words; unless the Lawmakers give another, the Government will have no security by Oaths. But when I think of several Universals, such as [no Obligation] [not endeavour any Alteration.]
XVI. Those that blame me, do more than justifie me: They scruple not communicating with those who hear Common-Prayer, and receive the Sacrament in the Parish Churches, in order to be Aldermen, Sheriffs, Common Councilmen, Iurors, &c. nor pass any publick Censure on them. Yea, they communicate with such as take the Corporation Declaration, and Oath. And the said Declaration is a Profession, that [I do hold that there lies no Obligation on me, or any other person, from the Oath commonly called the solemn League and Covenant.] Here the Person justifieth all the Persons wh•m he never knew, in three Kingdoms, from being obliged by an Oath and Vow against Popery, Schism and Prophaness, and to repent of Sin, and to defend the King. This which constituteth all our Cities and Corporations in England, is a little more than that which constituteth our authorized Ministry and Vestries, which is but that [there is no Obligation to endeavour any alteration of Government in the Church,] &c. even of Lay-Chancellors governing by the Church Keys.) Therefore they that pretend that they cannot joyn with the Ministry, because they think they enter by Perjury, confute themselves, while they scruple not Communion with them that do more than the Ministry or the Vestry do. And if any shall pretend, that it is unlawful to joyn with them, because of the Common-Prayer, and at the same time freely joyn with them that take the Corporation Declaration; I do not blame them for the latter, but I must say, that they strain so partially at a gnat, as maketh me set a great deal the less by the Objections of such men. If I were never so sure that the Church and Corporations were all thus Perjured, I would greatly lament it; but it being done in ignorance (tho by men that should know) and by men that have not heard what is said against it; I would not separate from such a guilty Kingdom, no more than the faithful did for some great common Jewish corruptions. I will keep my own Soul as clear as I can: And I confess that I was ever of the mind of those Judges in Scotland, that say, that if Oaths may be taken in a Sense of our own, contrary to the usual Sense of the words; unless the Lawmakers give another, the Government will have no security by Oaths. But when I think of several Universals, •such as [no Obligation] [not endeavour any Alteration.]
