197) their Courts may be boneft men, and flander, and injure no man againft Law, C. But it is the Offices, as here Rated, that are made thus far unalterable, named in the Canon [ Arch-Bi- fhor s, kihops, Deans, Arch -Deacons, and the refit that bear Office therein. 2. I grant, that the Law is made to bind none but SubjeLts; and that an altering power is referved to King and parliament: But it loth not follow, that all thel,Subje is be not bound by it : Though They may change Laws, yet We may not: And as you fay, They fuppofe that it belongeth not to the People to en- deavour it : Which We grant, as to ang Rebellious, Sediti- ous , or otherwife unlawful Endeavour : But whether God bind not all men in their own Place and Calling, by Prayer, Conference, Electionsof Officers, Petition,.6"c. to endeavour to amend all Crying, Dangerous,.Common ,Sins, is a farther Quef?ion. L. They cannot mean toexclude Petitioning , for that is the Sub- jells Right, and is by them allowed with Reftraints. M. 1. It is meant in oppofitíon to the Scots Covenant, which tyed men to oppofe Popery, Prelacy, and Schifme, only in their feverai Places and Callings, 2. It is expres'd in themolt univerfal terms, without the lealt Exception, by men that knew how to (peak. 3. Reafons were given in Parliament againft any Limitation, . and thofe Reafons carryed,it. q. Theywere Men that were wholly for the Church of Ens gland, whole Canon had before Excommunicated themfelves, and all men, that accufed any Office in the ChurchGovernment as finful. And they knew, that fhould any of them, when the Parliament is rifen ( yea, or there )_ fofay; he is an .Excom- municate Man. 5. It is molt certain that they intended tobind all Subjects one whom thefe Oaths are impofed, even from petitioning, or any other Endeavour of Alteration ; though they allow. petitioning in other Cafes ; for they intended to fix and fecure the Church- Government againft 211Alterations. 6. Therefore (as I faid before) they joined it with, yea, and let it before State- Gosrnment in all their Oaths and Cove= Hants ; And do you think in- Confcience, they left men at liber- ty to petition 2gainft. Monarchy, or againft the Life, or ;.,,Fier, Cc 3 or
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