Defensive doubts, hopes, and reasons, for refusall of the oath, imposed by the sixth canon of the late synod with important considerations, both for the penning and publishing of them at this time / by John Ley ... ; hereunto is added by the same author, a letter against the erection of an altar, written above five yeares agoe, and a case of conscience, touching the receiving of the sacrament, resolved.

Concerning the Oath, and Penalty thereof, imposed by the sixth Canon of the late Synod.

DOubts, and Hopes, with the Reasons of them both, for the most part delivered into the hands, and in∣tended wholy to be presented to the prudent and religious consideration of the reverend Father, John L. Bishop of Chester, in the names of the Divines, Physicians, and Schoole-masters of his Diocesse. pag. 1.

1. Generall DOUBT.

• 1.* 1.1 Whether this Oath (if it be tendred and taken) be not a taking of the Name of God in vaine, against the third Commandement. pag. 3.
• 2. Whether this Oath may be taken in faith, without which, the taking is sinne, Rom. 14.23. pag. 11.
• 3. Whether the sixth Canon, as it is charged with this Oath, and Penalty, be not like to crosse the chiefe end, whereat his Majesty aimed, in granting his Commission for a Convocation or Synod. pag. 11.

1. Particular DOUBT.

• 1.* 1.2 What is meant by Discipline and Government, whether the same things, or no; and, if the same, what they be. pag. 14.
• 2. What is meant by the Church of England. pag. 16.

• 3. Why the Discipline is linked with the Doctrine of the Church of England, for necessity of salvation. pag. 18.
• 4. What is meant by Popish Doctrine. pag. 32.
• 5. What establishment of Doctrine is here meant; and how farre it may be said to be established. pag. 39.
• 6. whether the degrees here specified, be propounded to be allowed in the same, or in a different degree of as∣sent and approbation. pag. 43.
• 7. What Deanes are here meant. pag. 44.
• 8. What is the Authority or Government of a Cathe∣drall Deane. pag. 45.
• 9. What is the Authority or Government of a Deane Rurall. pag. 48.
• 10. What is the Authority or Government of Arch∣deacons. pag. 51.
• 11. Whether we may safely take a new Oath, with an &c. pag. 55.
• 12. How farre the &c. is to be extended, when it is expresly declared. pag. 56.
• 13. What Governours are included in the &c. whe∣ther the King, as Supreme, be altogether omitted, or im∣plicitely contained in it. pag. 56.
• 14. Who, and what Governours they be. pag. 59.
• 15. Whether the establishment of the Adjuncts, or the not necessary appendences of Bishops be to be sworne unto in this Oath. pag. 62.
• 16. What the Right is, by which the Government is meant to stand. pag. 65.
• Of Archbishops and Patriarchs. pag. 71.
• 17. How farre this perpetuity propounded is to be ap∣plyed

• to the Discipline or Government of the Church. pag. 79.
• 18. Why we should sweare against consent, to alter the Government of the Church. pag. 84.
• 19. Whether, if we should thus sweare, wee should not be entangled with contradiction to our Governours, and to our selves. pag. 85.
• 20. Why in this part of the Oath mention is made ra∣ther of the See of Rome, then of the Church of Rome. pag. 92.
• 21. How we can sweare to a plaine and common sense and understanding of the Oath. pag. 94.
• 22. What willingnesse is required in the taking of this Oath. pag 95.
• 23. How the Doubts of the Oath may bee resolved and cleared. pag. 96.
• 24. Why the sons of Noblemen are excepted and pri∣viledged from taking this Oath, when they take the de∣grees of Masters of Arts. pag. 103.
• 25. Concerning the difference, betwixt the command and commination of the Canon. pag. 106.

Our HOPES.

Our Reasons, and Grounds of them are foure:

• 1. Reason grounded on Piety. pag. 112.
• 2. The second on Charity. pag. 116.
• 3. On Equitie. pag. 120.
• 4. On Policie. pag. 122.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doubts in Generall.
• * 1.2

  Doubts in Particular.