Now, though I think it no hard matter to make it appear, that these Declarations, Subscriptions, and Oaths, contain nothing in them but what is absolutely necessary to the Safety of the Church and State; and that those men who refuse to make such Acknowledgements and Engagements, are utterly unfit to be entrusted with the Cure of Souls, and the office of Preaching to the People; which, like other good things, as it is excellent in the Use, so is it no less dangerous in the Abuse: Yet supposing, for once, that these Oaths and Subscriptions were as unlawful, as they would have the World believe; What is this to ⟨p. 5⟩those that are not required to Subscribe or Swear? Is not this a plain Acknowledgement, that notwithstanding all these Clamours against the Governors, and the Ceremonies of the Church, yet there is indeed no just ground of separating from either, since no Swearing or Subscription is required of the Multitude, of which they so much boast, and whose Cause they pretend to plead? Of these, by their own Confession, as many as are Judicious and Sober, may come over and Conform: So that we have only a few Factious Men (that call themselves Ministers) that make all this Noise; as if for their sakes, the KING and PARLIAMENT must undo all that they have done, for the Restoring of Religion and good Order in the Church, and preserving Peace in the State: and because the City and the Ships have been lately burnt, these Men that are well ⟨p. 6⟩1skilled in blowing Coals, must have leave to set the whole Kingdom in a Flame.
Now, though I think it no hard matter to make it appear, that these Declarations, Subscriptions, and Oaths, contain nothing in them but what is absolutely necessary to the Safety of the Church and State; and that those men who refuse to make such Acknowledgments and Engagements, are utterly unfit to be intrusted with the Cure of Souls, and the office of Preaching to the People; which, like other good things, as it is excellent in the Use, so is it no less dangerous in the Abuse: Yet supposing, for once, that these Oaths and Subscriptions were as unlawful, as they would have the World believe; What is this to ⟨p. 5⟩those that are not required to Subscribe or Swear? Is not this a plain Acknowledgement, that notwithstanding all these Clamors against the Governours, and the Ceremonies of the Church, yet there is indeed no just ground of separating from either, since no Swearing or Subscription is required of the Multitude, of which they so much boast, and whose Cause they pretend to plead? Of these, by their own Confession, as many as are Judicious and Sober, may come over and Conform: So that we have only a few Factious Men (that call themselves Ministers) that make all this Noise; as if for their sakes, the KING and PARLIAMENT must undoe all that they have done, for the Restoring of Religion and good Order in the Church, and preserving Peace in the State: and because the City and the Ships have been lately burnt, these Men that are well ⟨p. 6⟩1skilled in blowing Coals, must have leave to set the whole Kingdome in a Flame.
- 1P. 6.
