i, [1321 4. Íf the King and Parliament Mould command Men to en- deavour an Alteration, e: g. of Lay-Mens Power óf theKeys, or the greatnefs of Diocefes, I am afraid of being fworn beforehand to difobey them. L. But the Parliament meant not to bind themfelves-herein. M. I grant it. (Tho' being Church of England men , the 7th Canon aforefaid maketh it doubtful.) But when they havebound all the Subjeóts in the Land , and themfelves among others, when out of Parliament, andwhen it's Excommunication to charge any of the Church-Offices withSin ; I think the Church-Govern. ment is fixed as unalterable. I ask you, Did the Parliament bind themfelves againft altering Monarchy, or the Succeífion ? If they did, then it feems they did fo by Church-Government, when they put it in many Oaths before that of the State. If they did not , then they have 'faxed Monarchy no more than Church-Government by this Oath. Therefore when they bind all in the fame Oath from endeavouring any Alteration of Church - Government, they fhew that they intend the fixing, of it. And tho' force think it leaveth room for Petitioning , I do not believe that the Law or Oath leave any Men at Liberty to Petition againft Monarchy ; which is here con- joyned. But my great reafon of Non-Conformity herein yet re- maineth. If the faults of Church- Government fhould prove but the tenth part as great as is feared by many, and laid by thofe that write about it, what a tremendous thing is it to make a deliberate Solemn Covenant and Oath, never to endeavour any amendment of it, nor to perfwade any roan to repent or amend. If the Germans, who are reported to be addicted to Drunken- nefs, or other Nations to Whoredomor Thievery, fhould take an Oath that they will never repent or amend, nor perfwadeany other to it, what a cafe were this ? L. I confefs if the Corruptions of Church-Government fhouldprove as great Evils, asfomé conceive , it would be a heinous Sin indeed to Swear never to repent, or to endeavour to amend it. The
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