Baxter - BX5202 B29 1689

C h; 9. As I faid, ifaHigh -way Robber force you to fwear to be true to the King, or to'reftore ill gotten goods, or to recant a Bander, that Oathdoth bind you. 4. If the King fhould unjuftly force you to Marrya Woman, the Covenant binds you. The Reafon is, becaufe man bath free will, and doth all that he doth by that choice, which is true freedom. It's nopro- per force ofhis will that moveth him, though we call it force from anothers aft, whodothhis belt to force him ; a man may refufe though he die for it. He that cafteth his goods into the Sea to fave the Ship, is urged to it, but may choofe. He that giveth a Thief his purfe to fave his life, might have cho- fen. Do not the Martyrs freely lay down their lives ? and if any deny Chrift or his Caufe to fave his life, and fay I was for ced, that will not fave his Soul. 5. And your Doctrine will fet up all unfaithfulneís and re- bellion. An men that under_Penalties are commanded to fwear Allegiance, or to take this Corporation-Oath, or the Militia- Oath,or theOath to theBithops,are hereby taught to fay,Wewere forced toit by the King and Prelates, and did it all againjt our wills, and therefore are not boundby it. Such principles lode the bonds of all Societies, Loyalty and humane Converfe ; and married men will put away their Wives when they are weary of them, and fay, I was forced againft my will by my Parents, or by Poverty, &c. L. But this Covenant was unlawfully taken, as well as unlawful- ly impofed, and therefore bindethnot. M. This alfo is Pernicious Do trine againft all fober.Ca- fuifts. if the matter be good, the caufelefs and unlawful aft of taking it, doth not nullifie the obligation to perform it. He that voweth an indifferent aCt, Mould not have done it; for a vowmutt not be caufelefs; but he mutt keep it when it is made. He that finned in marriage when he ought not, yet muff per- form his marriage Covenant. He that in meet hypocrilie maketh the Baptifinal vow, did in and yet is bound to keep it. The truth is, wicked men have fo much of ill principles, and ill ends, that they do all finfully that they do oft as to the fab- ftance, and ever as to the manner : But they are not difobliged D d 2 froa

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