An Account of the grounds and reasons on which Protestant dissenters desire their liberty

An Account of the Grounds and Reasons on which Pro∣testant Dissenters desire their Liberty.

18 Dec. 1680expand_less

ALthough it be sufficiently known both at home and abroad among all the Reformed Churches, what Religion we profess, by the Confession of our Faith long since made and published in our own and sundry other Languages; Yet on this occasion of our Desire of Deliverance from all Penal Laws in matters of Religion, we esteem our selves obliged to declare, and do declare,

1. That we are Protestants firmly adhering unto the Doctrine of the Protestant Religion, as declared and established by Law in the 39 Articles, excepting only such of them as concern Rites and Ceremonies, &c. and as it is explained in the publickly Au∣thorized Writings of the most Learned Divines of this Nation in the Reigns of Q. Eliz. and K. James.

2. That we are ready to make the Renunciation of Popish Principles established by Law; and not only so, but (as God shall assist us) to give our Testimony with our Lives in Oppo∣sition unto Popery, and in the Defence of the Protestant Reli∣gion against it, with all other good Protestant Subjects of the Kingdom, when we shall be called thereunto.

3. Unto this Resolution of a stedfast Adherence unto the Pro∣testant Religion, in Opposition unto Popery, We have many pe∣culiar Ingagements. For

1. Our Principles concerning Church Order, Rule, and Wor∣ship, wherein we differ from the Church of England, are not ca∣pable of a Compliance with, or Reconciliation unto those of the Papacy, but are contradictory unto them, and utterly inconsistent with them. Where there is an Agreement in general Principles, and men differ only in their Application unto some Particulars, those Differences are capable of a Reconciliation; But where the Prin∣ciples themselves are directly contradictory, as it is betweem us and the Papists in this Matter, they are capable of no Reconci∣liation.

2. We have no Interest that may be practised on by the Arts or Insinuations of the Papists. For we are neither capable of any Advantages by Ecclesiastical Domination, Power, Promotions, with Dignities and Revenues belonging thereunto; which are the principal Allurements of the Papacy; Nor are ingaged in any such Combination Political or Ecclesiastical, as that the Contri∣vance

of a few, should draw on the Compliance of the whole Par∣ty; These things being utterly contrary unto, and inconsistent with our Principles, the Papists have no way of attempting us, but by meer Force and Violence.

3. Our fixed Judgment being the same with that of all the first Reformers, namely, that in the Idolatrous Apostacy of the Papal Church, with bloody Persecutions, the Antichristian State foretold in the Scripture doth consist, We are for ever excluded from all thoughts of Compliance with them or Reconciliation unto them.

4. Whereas our Principles concerning Church Order, Rule and Worship, are directly suited unto the Dissolution and Ruine of the Papal Church State, whence the Papists take their Warranty for all the evil Contrivances, which some of them are Guilty of in this Kingdom, and will so far as they are taken out of the Scripture, at length effect it; We can have no other expectation from the Prevalency of their Interest in this Nation, but utter Extirpation and Destruction. We are therefore fully satisfied, that our Interest and Duty in Self-preservation consists in a firm Ad∣herence unto the Protestant Religion as established in this Nati∣on, and the Defence thereof, against all the Attempts of the Pa∣pacy.

3. We own and acknowledge the Power of the King or Su∣preme Magistrate in this Nation, as it is declared in the 37th. Article of Religion, and are ready to defend and assist in the Ad∣ministration of the Government in all Causes according unto the Law of the Land, with all other Good Protestant Subjects of the Kingdom.

We do therefore humbly desire, (1.) That we may have an Exemption from all Laws and Penalties Civil or Ecclesiastical for our Dissent in some things from the Church of England as at present established in the Rule of it, a Liberty to Worship God peaceably in our own Assemblies, upon our Renunciation of Po∣pery, by Law prescribed, and the Subscription of our Ministers or publick Teachers unto the Articles of Religion, as before expressed.

(2.) That as unto Oaths, Offices, and Payment of Duties, none whereof we do refuse, that we may be left unto the same Laws and Rules with all other Protestant Subjects, that there may be the least of Difference remaining between us and them, and the greatest Evidence of our being united in the Defence of the Pro∣testant Religion and Interest in the Nation.