Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…

Object. But though at the first admitting of a foreigner into a Common-wealth, you require an Oath of fidelity, or Profession of ⟨image 179⟩subjection, yet when we are borne Subjects, we must be supposed to continue such, till we Rebel, and so declare the contrary; and our fidelity is not to be questioned.

Object. But though at the first admitting of a forraIner into a Common-wealth, you require an Oath of fidelity, or Profession of ⟨image 179⟩subj•ction, yet when we are borne Subjects, we must be supposed to continue such, till we Rebel, and so declare the contrary; and our fidelity is not to be qu•stioned.

Answ. 1. The case doth exceedingly differ from ours in hand. Princes vary their Commands as their affairs require. If you are borne in the midst of a peaceable Republic, you may perhaps have no Oath of fidelity imposed, because the Peace of the Common-wealth requireth it not: For while there is no enemy near you, to solicit you to rebellion or treason, or with whom you may conjoin, it is supposed, that you have either no mind, or no power to it. And it is only the common peace that is concerned in the cause. But our case is otherwise: For we live among Devils and wicked men, and are known to have hearts our selves, that are naturally treacherous, and at enmity to God. So that we are still among enemies, that would seduce us, and with whom we are inclined to take part. And besides that, our Profession is not only necessary to the common safety, but to our personal performances, and daily Communion with the Saints, and worship of God. 2. If it be in a Garrison that's near the enemy, or in a Country that is inclined to Rebellion, or where Rebellion ⟨image 179⟩is on foot, and the enemy hat a party, there Princes use to cause all their Subjects to take an Oath of fidelity; and ordinarily also in peaceable Kingdoms this is practised: At such an age all persons are to take an Oath of Allegiance, or fidelity, or to make Profession of their subjection, in many places: and in other places they do it, before they enter upon any Office. And if you will come nearer the case, and suppose that men were borne in a School, or an Army, as well as a Republic, I think you would yield, that when they come to age, it is necessary that they have more then their Birth-Privilege to show, to prove them Scholars, or Soldiers. We are Christs Disciples and Soldiers, as well as his Subjects; and one is as essential to our Christianity as the other. We may be initiated into his School and Army in our Infancy, and so stand Related to him: But sure we are Apostates, if when we come to age, we have nothing to show but our mere Infant-Condition; and to more we must be called. 3. The case also differeth in this: Princes do make known to all in their Laws, that no man that is an enemy, yea or that is not (pro tempore) a Subject, shall dwell on their Soil, among their Subjects: They suffer not Subjects and Enemies to live promiscuously