Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

and sha• that be allowed in matters wherein the honour of God is so much, and so nearly concerned, which is so abominable in the concerns of Men, all which comparatively are but trifles▪ Might not all Christian Martyrs of old, and Protestant ones of late, by such obedience to their respective lawful Sovereigns, in the several parts of the Christian World, have escaped & delivered themselves from being burnt alive▪ & from other bloody, violent and cruel deaths, and exquisite torments▪ and shall they not according to this detestable Doctrine be looked at, as a company of silly fools who needlessly threw away their lives, which they might thus have very easily ⟨image 10⟩preserved? •or none of them, we know of, were ever by their Popish lawful Sovereigns enjoined, to say with their tongue, that they believed not in Christ, which yet, sayeth he, they might and should, have done, (keeping their mind to themselves, and to God) and much more those things which they were commanded: Further, page 239, 240, 241. He refers to the decision of the Sovereign, all sorts of Doctrine in effect, and more particularly and expressly, whether the Subjects shall profess, That life eternal and happiness shall be on the earth only? Whether the Soul of man is a living Creature independent on the Body, or doth subsist separately from the Body? Whether any mere man is Immortal, otherwayes then by the Resurrection of the last day? whether wicked men shall be tormented eternally, so as not to be destroyed, to die and be annihilated▪ at length? (to all which himself seemeth to be […] as his own opinions▪ O! wicked and wretched▪ O! atheistical, detestable and damnable opinions!) whether I say the Subject shall profess these things or not, he refers to the decision of the Sovereign▪ by which we may very easily judge in how many, and in how very momentuous things in Christian Religion, he […] subjects, as to their outward profession and carriage▪ to stand to and acquiesce in the decision and determination of the lawful Sovereign, in a Kingdom, or Common-wealth, or of the public Conscience, or Law of […] […], which whether it be not to deny all Conscience […] Subjects and private persons, in such matters as so nearly concern the eternal Salvation of their Immortal Souls, is obvious at first […].