LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE ought to be allowed in the dayes of the Gospel in the free Exercise of it to God­ward (without Compulsion) in all things relating to his Wor­ship for these Reasons following.

1. BEcause the General and Universal Royal Law of Christ Commands it, ‘Matth. 7. 12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so unto them: for this is the Law and Prophets.’ That which every man would have and receive from another, he ought by Christ's Rule to give and allow it to another. But every man is willing to have the Liberty of his own Conscience, therefore ought to allow it to another.

2. Because, No man can perswade the Conscience of another, either what God is, or how he should be worshipped, but by the Spirit, which God hath given to instruct man in the Wayes of Truth.

3. Because, all Obedience or Service that is obtained by Force, is for fear of Wrath, and not from Love, not for Con­science sake; and therefore will but continue so long as that fear or force abides upon them.

4. Because, That by forcing, no man can make a Hypocrite to be a True Believer; but on the contrary, many may be made Hypocrites.

5. Because, that in all forced Impositions upon mens Consci­ences there is something of the Wrath of man exercised, which works not the Righteousness of God, but rather begets Enmity in the heart one towards another.

6. Because, that by forcing any thing upon mens Consciences, as to matters of Faith and Worship, many are hardened in their [Page 4] hearts against the things imposed; when as otherwise, th [...]ough Love and gentle Instructions the [...]r hearts might be perswaded to willing Obedience.

7. Because, that Persecution for Conscience contradicteth Christ's Charge, Matth. 13. who bids, that the Tares (or false Worshippers) be suffered to grow together in the Field (or World) till the Harvest (or End of the World.)

8. Because Force is contrary to the End for which it is pre­tended to be used (viz.) the preservation and safety of the Wheat, which End is not answered by Persecution, because the Wheat is in danger to be plucked up thereby, as Christ saith.

9. Because, to Force, is inconsistant with the Belief of the Jews Conversion (and other false Worshippers) which is prayed for by the Publick Teachers, and cannot be attained, if Persecu­tion for Conscience be prosecuted

10. Because, they that impose upon mens Consciences, exer­cise Dominion over mens Faith, which the Apostle [...]enied, say­ing, They had not Dominion over any mans Faith.

11. Because, Imposition upon mens Consciences necessitates them to sin, in yeelding a Conformity contrary to their own faith: For whatsoever is not of a mans own faith, is sin.

12. Because, that Imposition and Force wrestles with Flesh and Blood, and Carnal weapons, which is contrary to the Apo­stles Doctrine, who said, Our Weapons are not Carnal, but [...]pi­ritual, and mighty through God: and we wrestle not with Flesh and Blood.

13. Because, there is but one Judg, Law-giver and King in and over the Conscience, as the Saints have testified in the Scrip­tures of Truth: and whosoever would intrude, so as to be Judge and Law-giver over the Conscience, intrencheth upon the Pre­rogative of Christ Isa. 33. 22. Jam. 4. 12.

14. Because, it is prophesied in Isa. 11: The W [...]lf shall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid, and there shall be no Destroyer in all the Holy Mountain; and therefore no Imposition upon mens Consciences.

15. Because to Impose upon mens Consciences for Differences in Faith, is contrary to the Advice of the Apostle, who directs People to wait upon God to be satisfied, and not to the Ma­gistrate [Page 5] or o [...]hers, to be forced; who saith, Whereunto we have attained, let us walk; and wherein any man is otherwise-minded, God shall reveal, even that unto him.

16. Because, to Force mens Consciences, and to lay Yokes up­on them, is to make void the Blood-shed and Sufferings of Christ, who sits upon the Throne of the Conscience, and gives Liber­ty there; and commands us to stand fast in that Liberty, and not to be entangled through the Impositions of men, or Y [...]ke of Bondage, Gal. 5. 6.

17. Because, in all Nations the different Professions and Per­swasions of Religion, are either Friends or Enemies to the Gover­nors: If Friends, then obliged by that Bond: If Enemies, then Christ's Command is to take place, who saith, Love your Ene­mies; which, if observed, Persecution for Conscience will be avoided.

18. Because, Toleration of different Perswasions in Religion was allowed in the Jewish State, as not Inconsistent with their Safety, and that in things contrary each to other, as the Sadduces, Pharisces, Essaeans, Herodians, with others.

19. Because, the True Religion cannot be Preached up by Force of Arms, and the Primitive Christians detested that Form of Proceedings.

20. Because, no man hath such Power over the Souls and Consciences of other men, as to lay a Necessity on them to Be­lieve that which they do not Believe, or not to Believe what they do Believe; True Faith being the Gift of God.

21. Because, if the Magistrate Imposeth upon the Conscience, he must either do it as a Magistrate, or as a Christian: Not as a Magistrate, for then Heathens (being Magistrates) have the same Power to Impose; and so by Revolutions and Conquests, may come to give Laws to Christians, and Compel them to Idolatry. 2. Not as Christians, for that Contradicts Christ's saying, The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship [...]ver them; but it shall not be so among you, for all ye are Brethren.

22. Because, by the same Rule and Reason that the Magistrate of one Nation ought to Impose upon, and Persecute for Consci­ence, the Magistrates in all other Nations ought to do the same, and so the greatest part of Mankind may come to be destroyed, [Page 6] there being more that Dissent, than are at Unity in Matters of Faith and Religion.

23. Because the Strength of Truth, and its Conquest over Falsity and Deceit, is best Discovered by letting both have their Liberty, from outward Compulsion; for no doubt had out­ward Force been less used, the prevalency of Truth had been more manifest, and that wise saying truly experienced in the World, Viz. That which is of God will stand, and that which is not will come to nothing.

24. Because, the Disciples of Christ are rebuked by him for desiring the Destruction of those that were contrary to him, and would not receive him: which Zeal is sharply reproved in his saying, They knew not what Spirit they were of.

25. Because, to Impose upon mens Consciences, and to De­stroy their Persons for Difference in Religion, is contrary to the End of Christs Coming, who saith, He came not to Destroy mens Lives, but to Save them.

26. Because, People of divers Religions in one Nation, if not Tolerated, must some of them be Destroyed, or removed by Banishment. If Destroyed, the Constancy and Patience of the Sufferers for their Faith, moving Pitty and Commiseration, makes men more ready to own, then to reject their Faith, and so ra­ther Multiplies, then lessens, the Number of its Professors. If Banish'd, this renders the Banished as so many Enemies abroad, ready upon all Occasions to Disturb the Peace and Tranquility of their own Native Country. There is therefore, in order to the outward Welfare of all Nations, a kind of Necessity for a Tole­ration in them of all Religions.

27. Because, to Impose upon mens Consciences begets a Ha­tred against the Imposers in those who are Imposed upon, and Forc'd thereby to Violate their Consciences towards God in matters of Worship.

28. Because, men are Commanded to be Subject to the Powers that are, for Conscience sake, and therefore such Powers ought not to persecute men for Conscience sake, being that is prescribed for the Rule of Obedience; the Scripture saying, Be ye subject not only for Wrath, but for Conscience sake.

29. We find it Asserted by King James in his Speech to the [Page 7] Parliament in the Year 1609. who said, That it is a pure rule in Divinity, That God never loves to Plant his Church with Violence and Blood; and furthermore said, It was usually the condition of Christians to be Persecuted, but not to Persecute.

30. And we find the same things, in substance, asserted again by his Son Charles the first, in his Book known by the Name of [...], Printed for R. Royston, as followeth.

• Pag. 67. In his Prayer to God, he said, Thou seest how much Cruelty amongst Christians is acted under the colour of Religion; as if we could not be Christians, unless we Crucifie one another.

• Pag. 28. Make them at length seriously to consider, that nothing Violent and Injurious can be Religious.

• Pag. 70. Nor is it so proper to hew out Religious Reformations by the Sword, as to pollish them by fair and equal Disputations, among those that are most concerned in the Differences, whom, not Force, but Reason ought to convince.

• Sure in matters of Religion, those Truth gain most upon mens Judgments and Consciences, which are least urged with Secular Violence, which weakens Truth with Prejudices.

• Pag. 115. It being an Office not only of Humanity, rather to use Reason than Force, but also of Christianity to seek Peace and ensue it.

• Pag. 91, 92. In point of true Conscientious Tenderness, I have often Declared, how little I desire my Laws and Scepter, should in­trench on God's Soveraignty, which is the only King of mens Consciences.

• Pag. 123. Nor do I desire that any man should be farther subject un­to me, then all of us may be subject unto God.

• Pag. 76. The Injoyning of Oathes, upon People, must needs in things doubtfull be Dangerous, as in things unlawfull Damnable.

• Pag. 165. My Counsel and Charge to you is, That you seriously [Page 8] consider the former Real or Objected Miscariages, which might oc­casion my Troubles, that you may avoid them, &c.

  Beware of Exasperating any Factions, by the Crosness and Aspe­rity of some mens Passions, Humors, and private Opinions, Im­ployed by you, grounded only upon difference, in lesser matters, which are but the Skirts and Suburbs of Religion, wherein a Charitable Connivance, and Christian Toleration, often Dissipates their strength, when rougher Opposition Fortifies, and puts the despised and oppressed party into such Combinations, as may most enable them to get a full Revenge on those they count their Persecutors.

• Pag. 166. Take heed that outward Circumstances and Formalities of Religion Devour not all.

• Pag. 164. Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in Re­mitting, rather than Exacting the Rigor of the Laws, there being nothing worse than Legal Tyranny.