The Fastening of Saint Peters Fetters, Tract · Conclusion
CONCLUSION.
Honoured Sir,
I Will trouble you no further, but leave theſe Poſitions unto your ſerious Conſideration; I have propounded them by way of Antitheſis, deſirous to weigh what could be ſaid againſt them; I am Sir ſo ſenſible of the weight of an Oath, the dread of Perjury, eſpecially on a Kingdom, that I could not ſee this Nations tendency thereunto in ſilence; if Sir, I have any judgment in Chriſtian Rules of ſafety; one of the firſt debates in order to the eſtabliſhment of this Kingdom, and Restoration of this Church, ſhould be how far we are under, and obliged by the Solemn League and Covenant. I would not advance it above, nor ſet it againſt Scripture; but muſt be bold to ſay, our Oaths (being of matter conſonant to Scripture) are ready Dictators (as well as Spurs) unto our Duty; and (in things meerly humane, morally good, though not neceſſary) the compaſs which ſhould ſteer our courſe; I must confeſs I cannot but be grieved to ſee ſome Tranſactions amongst us, unto a contempt, nay, contradiction of the Covenant; might but my poor weak papers provoke more able and ſerious Caſuiſts in good earnest, as before God, and in the dread of an Oath, to ſtate, and (by right Religious Reaſon) to reſolve this caſe of conſcience; though in the Negative I had obtained my deſire, and (if I know my own heart) none ſhall be more ready then my ſelf (when convinced) to fall down and worſhip, and confeſs God is in them of a truth. I muſt Sir, beg your pardon wherein I appear too tedious; the weight of the Argument, the number and worth of the Antagoniſts, ſpeak ſomething in Apology for me. Sir, I commend you to the guidance of Gods Holy Spirit, and pray that you may be kept faithful and blameleſs, unto the coming of our Lord Jeſus, Chriſt.
FINIS.
End of the text · Zachary Crofton, The Fastening of Saint Peters Fetters (1660)