A44973:278
An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…
An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate and the continuation thereof / by a lover of truth and peace.
S.l. : s.n., 1669
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. Were not the Old Puritans, as they used to call the Nonconformists, Enemies to the Kings Supremacy?
Answ. In a Treatise of Learned Mr. Bradshaw, ⟨p. 118⟩who wrote of Justification, there is a Protestation by them made of the Kings Supremacy, in these words: We hold and maintain the same Authority and Supremacy in all Causes, and over all Persons, Civil and Ecclesiastical, granted to Queen Elizabeth, to be due in full and ample manner, (without any limitation or qualification) to the King, and his Heirs and Successors for ever. Neither is there, to our knowledge, any one of us but hath been most willing to subscribe and swear unto the same, according to form of Statute. And we desire that those that shall refuse the same, may bear their own Iniquity.
Quest. Were not the Nonconformists in former times disobedient to the Laws? And did they not refuse to conform out of humour and stubbornness, and not our of Conscience?
Answ. The same Mr. Bradshaw in the same Treatise, protests in their Name, as followeth: We never refused Obedience to any haves or Commandments of the King or State whatsoever, but only to such as we have proved, or are ready to prove, if we might be heard, to be contrary to the Word of God. And we are ready to take our solemn Oaths before the Throne of Justice, That the only Cause of our refusal of Obedience to those Canons of the Prelates, for which roe are at present so extremely afflicted, is mere Conscience, and a fear to sin against God. And if by due form of Reasoning, we may be convinced in our Consciences of the cannery, we