LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE ought to be allowed in the dayes of the Gospel in the free Exer­cise of it to God-ward (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 to 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, nor 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, bur 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 hearts against the things imposed; when as otherwise, through Love and gentle Instructions their hearts might be perswaded to willing Obedience.

[Page 4] 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 inconsistent 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 Apostles denyed, saying, they had not Dominion over any mens 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 VVeapons are not Carnal, but Spiri­tual, and mighty through God: and we wrestle not with flesh and bloud.

13. Because, there is but one Judge, 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. James 4. 12.

14. Because, it is prophesied in Isa. 11. The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid, and there shall be no Destroyer in all he 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 or Others, to be forced; who saith, VVhereunto we have at­tained, let us walk; and wherein any man is otherwise-minded, God shall reveal, even that unto him.

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

17. Because in all Nations the different Professions and Per­swasions of Religion, are either Friends or Enemies to the Gover­nours: 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, Pharisees, Essaeans, Herodians with Others.

19. Because, the True Religion cannot be Preached up by force of Armes, 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 over 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, 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 [Page 6] Liberty, from out [...] and [...]sion; For [...] ou [...]ard Force been less used, the prevalency of Truth had been more ma­nifest, and that wife saying, truly experienced in the World, Viz. That which i [...] 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 Christ's 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, than to reject their Faith, and so rather Multiplies, than lessens, the number of its Professors. If Banish'd, this ren­ders the Banished as so many Enemies abroad, ready upon all occa­sions to disturbe the Peace and Tranquillity of their own native Countrey. 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 onely for wrath, but for Conscience sake.

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

[Page 7] 30. And we find the samething in substance asserted again, by his) Son Charles the first, in his Book known by the Name of [...], Printed for R. Royston, as followeth.

Page 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 me Crucifie one another.

Pag. [...]8. Make them at length seriously to consider, that no­thing Uiolent and Injurious, can be Religious.

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

Sure in matters of Religion, those Truths gain most upon mens Judgements and Consciences, which are least urged with Se­gular Ui [...]lence, which weakens Truth with Prejudices.

Pag. 115. It being an Office not onely 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 onely King of mens Consciences.

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