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

M. That's only the Doctrine of Perjury, contrary to all sober Christian Casuists. An unlawful imposition that is made by an Usurper without true power, binds no man to take the Oath imposed; but if he take it without being bound to take it, the Oath binds him to the lawful part of the matter. 1. If a High-way Robber make me swear to be true to the King, that Oath binds, though he had no Authority to impose it on me. 2. If an Usurping Minister Baptize a man, and make him Vow himself to Christ, his Vow binds him, though the Usurper had no authority. 3. If a man make many voluntary Vows, which no man bound him to make, he is bound to keep them if the matter be lawful. And the want of authority in the imposer doth but leave you as a volunteer, unobliged to take it. 4. And I would not have a Popish Clergy tempted to say, The King and Parliament had no authority to impose the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy on us without the Pope; therefore we be not bound to keep them.

L. But the Covenant was forced, and no man is bound by a Promise or Oath which he was forced to make.

M. That's a Doctrine of gross Perjury: It's true, that no man that without authority forceth another to promise any thing to him, can lay any just claim to that which he forced a man to promise: For no mans own Crime can give him right to a Commodity; Nemini debetur Commodum ex propria culpâ, and the promiser is not bound to give it him, because he hath no right to receive it; but if you be injuriously forced to promise or vow your Duty to GOD, or the King, or your Neighbour, that vow and promise doth bind you to perform it. 1. If it be done without right by Prince or Prelates that force men to be Baptized, yet that forced Vow doth bind them. 2. If Bishops unjustly force unfit men to the LORD's Supper, their Vow there made obligeth them. ⟨p. 203⟩