[1291 miftaken, what a guilt fhould I incur ? And lothNature orScrip- ture bindme to run fo great a hazard for fo many thoufand o- thers. Betides, he that .will be a Cafuift muff know all the cafe: there are hundreds and thoufands put upon thefe decifions, that being then Children, knew not who made the Covenant ; nor how it was impofed or taken, and many that know not what it is; and never faw it. And there are thoufands, if not millions, that took it, whole Fa;es I never faw, and know not what moved them, nor in what fence they took it; and Cafuifts fay, that if.a man miftake the Impofers fence, he is bound to keep it in the fence that he underffood it when he took it, ifa lawful one ; efpecially if the Impofers had no Authority, or their fence was doubtful. And it is not uncharitable for me to think that none of the Kings compounding Lords or Clergy that after took it, did take it in a fence which they thought found ? And mutt I tell them all that none of them is bound to keep-it in that found fence? I will not run the danger ofhaving thoufands in judgment to fuffer for Perjury, and laying, This man declared that it was no fin. If they are all Innocent, what need they my juftification, when they ftandor fall by the judgment ofGod. If they prove guilty, mydeclaring it no fin, will not acquit them, but condemn myownSoul by tempting them to impenitence. I donot fay that they are obliged by this Vow herein, nor I will not fay they are not. There are many matters firft to be known, ifwe agree in point ofDottrine ; and I know that it's an eafie thing for confi- dent men to multiply words to prove all lawful in this Oath, and to Swear that it is rebellious Hearts that caufe our doubtings : (and fo fay the Papifts of the Proteftants ) But whatever they fay or threat, I will not by their confidence and talk be drawn, to call my Soul into fo great a hazard. All men are not fo bold in fuch things as force. Chap.
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