Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

3. It must seem to be voluntary or free: I deny not but some force may stand with a valid Profession: but that is only such a force as is supposed to prevail with the Heart it self, and not only with the tongue when the heart is against it. If any should say to a Jew, [If thou wilt not Profess thy self a Christian, I will presently run thee through with my sword, the words that should be forced by this threat are not to be taken for a true Profession, when it is apparent, that they are merely forced by fear. So that which done in a passion of Anger or the like, contrary to the ordinary prevailing bent and resolution of the heart, is not to be taken as a voluntary and valid Profession.

3. It must seem to be voluntary or free: I deny not but some force may stand with a valid Profession: but that is only such a force as is supposed to prevail with the Heart it self, and not only with the tongue when the heart is against it. If any should say to a Jew, [If thou wilt not Profess thy self a Christian, I will presently run thee through with my sword, the words that should be forced by this threat are not to be taken for a true Profession, when it is apparent, that they are meerly forced by fear. So that which done in a passion of Anger or the like, contrary to the ordinary prevailing bent and resolution of the heart, is not to be taken as a voluntary and valid Profession.

4. It must be a Profession not prevalently contradicted by word or deed: Otherwise, still it is an apparent or notorious lie, which no man can be bound to believe. If a man say in one breath, [that he believeth in Christ] and in the next will say [that he doth not believe in him,] he nulleth his own profession by a revocation: and if he revoke it in the direct sense, it is all one as if he did it in the same terms: As if he say that he believeth in Christ, but withal, that he believeth him to be but a man, or a Prophet, or not to have died to ransom us from our sins, &c. so if he should say [I am a Christian [but yet] I love the world and the flesh more then Christ] the same must be said of a Practical contradiction, which is effectual to invalidate a Verbal Profession. If a man should profess to the Prince, that he honoureth him, and when he hath done, should spurn at him, or spit in his face: or if a man should profess that he loveth you, and desireth your safety, and withal shall discharge a Pistol at you, or run at you with his sword; I leave it to your selves whether he be to be believed.