The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. And must we Ignorant Men swear that all these aforesaid were deceived, and knew less than we? Verily Sir, It seems a bold Oath for so great a Number of unlearned Men as are put upon it, and for us that are unlearned in the English Laws.

L. But I doubt all these hard Questions are but raised as dust to hide some Principles of Rebellion? What is your own judgment, and how will you give Security for your Loyalty?

M. They that think my Oath Security, take me for so honest, as that I will not be Perjured. And if so, I have already taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and an Oath of Fidelity as the King's Chaplain in Ordinary (tho' never called to exercise it.) And I have fully in a large Volume, called, A second Plea for Peace, declared my Political Principles, which after all thoughts I stand to; And no one hath given me a word of Exceptions against them to this day, after so many years, but some in mere Malice tell me of my Aphorisms revoked, without taking notice of this. I here repeat that I am ready to engage to the utmost, that I renounce all Rebellion, Treason and Sedition, and all Principles tending thereto; that I am for as much Power of Princes and Obedience of Subjects, as any Text of Scripture speaks for, or as is given or asserted by any General Council, or the Confession of any Christian Church that I have seen, except what is ascribed to the Pope and his Substitutes; And I hold it unlawful to take Arms at all against the King; that is, against either his Authority, Person, Rights or Prerogative; or against any lawfully Commissioned by him, yea, or unlawfully, except in such Cases as God's Law of Nature, or the King himself by Law or contrary Command shall bind Men to resist.

M. They that think my Oath Security, take me for so honest, as that I will not be Perjured. And if so, I have already taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and an Oath of Fidelity as the King's Chaplain in Ordinary (tho' never called to exercise it.) And I have fully in a large Volume, called, A second Plea for Peace, declared my Political Principles, which after all thoughts I stand to; And no one hath given me a word of Exceptions against them to this day, after so many years, but some in meer Malice tell me of my Aphorisms revok't, without taking notice of this. I here repeat that I am ready to engage to the utmost, that I renounce all Rebellion, Treason and Sedition, and all Principles tending thereto; that I am for as much Power of Princes and Obedience of Subjects, as any Text of Scripture speaks for, or as is given or asserted by any General Council, or the Confession of any Christian Church that I have seen, except what is ascribed to the Pope and his Substitutes; And I hold it unlawful to take Arms at all against the King; that is, against either his Authority, Person, Rights or Prerogative; or against any lawfully Commissioned by him, yea, or unlawfully, except in such Cases as God's Law of Nature, or the King himself by Law or contrary Command shall bind Men to resist.