Reflexions upon the oathes of supremacy and allegiance by a Catholick gentleman, and obedient son of the church, and loyal subject of His Majesty.

REFLEXIONS UPON THE OATHES OF Supremacy and Allegiance. (Book 1)

SECT. I. The Occasion of making these Reflexions: And the summe of that which follows. (Book 1)

THe Divine Providence having been so watchful over His Most Sacred Majesty in his wonderful preservation from dangers, and so miraculous in restoring him to his Throne, just and necessary it is that both Himself and his Counsel should make use of all lawful means to preserve him in safety, and his Subjects in Obedience and Peace. And because a greater obligation cannot be imagined among Christians then a Solemn Oath, it became them to make use of that Obligation indifferently to all,* 1.1 the which in all probability would now at last have a greater effect by vertue of his Ma∣jesties Declaration of a Liberty to tender con∣sciences, and that no Man shall be disquieted,

or call'd in question for differences of Opinion in matter of Religion, which do not disturbe the Peace of the Kingdom: by which is ta∣ken away the chief cause which began and fomented the late Troubles and confusion.

2. Notwithstanding seeing that the man∣ner of the application of that Preservatory and remedy of an Oath, hath lately occa∣sioned great Disputes, and unquietness of minds, in several persons; and seeing the Oath by none more readily taken and ear∣nestly imposed on others, then by those who began the War, and promoted the Covenant, and of whose party not one was ever found that drew a sword for his Ma∣jesty; and on the other side by none more scrupled at or refused, then by those who alwayes assisted the King, and of whose party never any one drew a Sword against him, and withall of whose Loyalty his Majesty hath oft professed that he hath sufficient assurance: The consideration of all this begat in my mind an Opinion, that surely there lay hidden in these Oaths some Mystery fit to be discovered, and which is attempted in the following Reflexions.

3. In which, 1. After a brief Declaration [ 1] of the Nature of a solemn Oath, how high a point of Gods worship it is, and what Reve∣rence and caution is to be used in it. 2. And [ 2] after the setting down the Formes of the two Oaths at this time imposed. 3. There [ 3] follow Reflexions upon the said Oaths in gross, shewing the occasion of the making of them, &c. 4. After which it is demonstra∣ted [ 4] that the Oath of Supremacy as it lyes, and according to the sence of the first Lawgiver, cannot lawfully or sincerely be

taken by any Christian. 5. Then is declared [ 5] in how different a sence the two Oaths are taken by Protestants, 6. And by [ 6] Presbyterians, Independents, &c. 7. And up∣on [ 7] what grounds Roman-Catholicks do ge∣nerally refuse to take the Oath of Suprema∣cy, 8. And some of them make scruple to [ 8] take that of Allegiance. 9. Lastly there are [ 9] short Reflexions on his Majesties Gracious Declaration for tender consciences, shewing who have the justest pretentions to the benefit of it, &c.

4. All this is offered to the considerati∣on of all good Christians among us, to the end Advice may be taken whether it be for Gods honour, or the Kingdoms peace, that such Formes of Oaths so manifest∣ly ambiguous, so inefficacious to the pro∣ducing of Loyalty and Peace in the generality of the Kings Subjects, so piercing and wounding to tender Consciences, &c. should be continued to be imposed, or new Formes more effectuall for his Majesties se∣curity contrived, after the Example of Scotland, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Declara∣tion from Breda, April. 4.14. 1660.