The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

P. 74, 75. A thing lawful in it self may be unlawful by accident;—as by the error of the swearer, or the ill effect of the thing sworn. The third Case is, When one promiseth by an Oath to do somewhat perhaps lawful in it self, which yet he thinketh unlawful, or at least seareth lest it be not lawful: As if any one before these times, admitted to an Ecclesiastical Benefice, had promised to observe in Public Worship all the Rites commanded by the Ecclesiastical Laws, as the Surplice, the sign of the Cross at the sacred Font, kneeling in receiving the Sacrament, and such like, which yet by some light prejudice he thought were superstitious and Popish. The question is, What obligation there is in this case? I say, 1. Such an Oath cannot be taken during such error, without grievous sin. For he sinneth grievously that sinneth against his conscience, though erroneous. For when the Judgment of the Intellect is every ones nearest ⟨p. 332⟩Rule of action, the will, if it follow not, that judgment failing from its Rule, must needs be carried into sin. It's a common saying, [He that doth against his conscience, buildeth to Hell.] Verily he that sweareth what he thinketh unlawful, would swear if it were indeed unlawful; & that becometh unlawful to him that is lawful to another; as the Apostle judgeth, Rom. 14. 14—2. I say, such an Oath doth not bind—Because an Oath cannot take away a former obligation, nor induce another obligation contrary to it. But that Oath which is taken against the dictate of conscience, had a former obligation arising from that dictate. For the dictate of conscience, whether right or erroneous, always obligeth, at least not to act against it. But a following Oath cannot remove that obligation, but is it self invalid, and loseth its obliging force. 3. But if the swearer after better taught, do see and correct his error, the Oath which bound him not before, beginneth then to bind him:

P. 74, 75. A thing lawful in it self may be unlawful by accident;—as by the errour of the swearer, or the ill effect of the thing sworn. The third Case is, When one promiseth by an Oath to do somewhat perhaps lawful in it self, which yet he thinketh unlawful, or at least seareth lest it be not lawful: As if any one before these times, admitted to an Ecclesiastical Benefice, had promised to observe in Publick Worship all the Rites commanded by the Ecclesiastical Laws, as the Surplice, the sign of the Cross at the sacred Font, kneeling in receiving the Sacrament, and such like, which yet by some light prejudice he thought were superstitious and Popish. The question is, What obligation there is in this case? I say, 1. Such an Oath cannot be taken during such errour, without grievous sin. For he sinneth grievously that sinneth against his conscience, though erroneous. For when the Judgment of the Intellect is every ones nearest