Truth and innocence vindicated in a survey of a discourse concerning ecclesiastical polity, and…

For if he be obliged to settle and impose such a form on all, it must be because there was a necessity of somewhat antecedent to his imposition, whence his obligation to impose it did arise. And on such a supposition it is in vain to enquire after his Liberty or his power in these things, seeing by his duty he is absolutely determined, and whatever that be which doth so determine him and put an obligation upon him, it doth indispensably do the same on his Subjects also; which as it is known utterly excludes the Authority pleaded for.

For if he be obliged to settle and impose such a form on all, it must be because there was a necessity of somewhat antecedent to his imposition, whence his obligation to impose it did arise. And on such a supposisition it is in vain to enquire after his Liberty or his power in these things, seeing by his duty he is absolutely determined, and whatever that be which doth so determine him and put an obligation upon him, it doth indispensably do the same on his Subjects also; which as it is known utterly excludes the Authority pleaded for.

This Principle therefore indeed asserts his liberty to do what he judgeth meet in these matters, but contains nothing in it to oblige him to judge, that it may not be meet and most conducing unto all the ends of his Government to indulge unto the Consciences of men peaceable, (especially if complying with him in all the ⟨p. 133⟩Fundamentals of the Religion which himself professeth) the liberty of Worshipping God according to what they apprehend of his own mind and Will. And let an application of this Principle be made to the present state of this Nation, wherein there are so great multitudes of persons peaceable and not unuseful unto public good, who dissent from the present establishment of outward Worship, and have it not in their power either to change their judgements or to practise contrary unto them; and as it is in the power of the supreme Magistrate to indulge them in their own way, so it will prove to be his Interest as he is the spring and centre of of public Peace and Prosperity.