THE HARMONY OF our oaths. showing, An agreement betwixt the oaths of supremacy, allegiance, the Freemans Oath, Protestation and Covenant.  
All published at large for the satisfaction of those, who having not seen, or not remembering the particulars therein contained, believe and entertain needless Scruples concerning the same.  

Imprimatur.  
John White. This is licenced and entred according to order.   
LONDON, Printed by T. Pain, and M. Simonds for Thomas Underhill. 1643.   

The oaths of supremacy, allegiance, and of every Free-man of the city of London, together with the Protestation and Covenant; Published all together for their satisfaction who for want of the knowledge of them, and yet believing false reports of them, do raise and entertain needless Scruples about the Covenant.  
THE language of the Almighty speaketh things, not empty sounds: the whole creation were six mighty words, in the derivation of which Dialect, the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work, one day speaketh to another, and one night instructeth another: There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard, their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world. Not he therfore that thinks to be heard through much babbling, nor he that saith, Lord, Lord, speaks the language of Heaven; but he that doth the will of the Father which is in heaven. Though all our words were oaths, we cannot swear ourselves to heaven, nor blaspheme out selves into the true Religion, no not into common mot all honesty: oaths may distinguish honest men from knaves, they cannot make them so. An honest man swears a just oath, because without an oath he means to do the thing he swears. A knave is bound with nothing but impossibilities. oaths that are just engage no more then duty, and such as are not so, he sinneth twice that keeps them; who swears a rebellion against God, hath sinned aloud, but he that keeps that oath, persists in sin. I swore,( as others did) allegiance to my sovereign, which( if it be a lawful oath) it neither mean, unlawful allegiance, nor unlawful sovereignty: I am sure, I meant it not, that took the oath, nor was it my part to suspect that royal oath, that fastened at once three Crowns upon his Temples, to which my oath related, nor for to rival the most high in judging of his thoughts, till outward words reveal them. And howsoever, let every man stand or fall to his own Master. I will not question the abuse of sovereignty, but if the King wanton with his vicarage, and usurps a power over me, to enlarge a rebellion against God, I am forbid to fear the power that onely kills the body. He is my King and not my God; I am his subject, not hi● creature. I am bound to the King by oath; to God I am bound by Oath, by Sacraments, by all my being and well being: we must obey God before man. He that obeys an inferior Magistrate who dictates the commands of heaven, before the powerful Edicts of Kings who speak the contrary, obeys the higher power. It is a grief of heart to see the madness of some people, and some supposed religious Divines, that take the report of the oaths( which they are sworn to) from the mouths of others, without examining the oaths themselves, or the grounds published whereupon those oaths were made, whereby, whilst they endeavour to avoid perjury, they have made hast to be forsworn, and bring upon themselves and others swift damnation. And had the oaths of allegiance and supremacy obliged us to the personal commands and actions of the Prince( which none in reason can affirm) yet ought the sense and resolution be reflected on as well as words. He that in confidence of none but Popish impositions, and he that in like confidence of none but Protestant precepts, takes such oath, were each forsworn if they proved contrary to their resolutions; only the Atheist here escapeth perjury, that whether they held to th'one or th'other, is resolved to obey both or neither: yet that the grammar of the oath relates not to the unconstant will and pleasure of the Prince, and that the scope of our Protestation and Covenant, thwart not the oaths of allegiance and Supremacy, but concur with them, we have in Christian compassion of each mans soul and conscience, caused all four to be printed together, that each man may be judge of his own conscience, and not engage himself through ignorance into the perjuries of many, who unawares through mistaken tenderness of the Kings safety, are involved with Papists against their oaths, and against that safety of their Prince which they are sworn to.  
red and believe.  

The Oath of supremacy.  
I A. B. do utterly testify and declare in my conscience, That the Kings Highnesse is the onely supreme governor of this realm, and of all other his Highnes Dominions & Countries, as well in all spiritual & Ecclesiastical things( or causes) as temporal: And that no foreign Prince, Person, State, Prelate, Potentate, hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence or authority ecclesiastical or spiritual within this realm. And therfore I do utterly renounce and forsake all foreign jurisdictions, powers, superiorities, and authorities, and do promise that from henceforth I shall bear faith and true allegiance to the Kings highnesse, his heirs, and lawful successors, and( to my power) shall assist and defend all jurisdiction, privilege, pre-eminence & authority granted or belonging to the Kings Highnesse his heires and successors, and united and annexed to the imperial Crown of this realm. So help me God, &c.  
Observe 1. That the reason of framing this oath was, as appears by the words of the Oath itself, & of the precedent words of the Statute, To the intent all usurped and foreign power and authority, spiritual and temporal may for ever be extinguished, and never to be used or obeied within this realm, or any other her Majesties Dominions or Countries: And that no foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State, or Potentate. spiritual or temporal, shall at any time after the last day of this Session of Parliament, use, enjoy, or exercise any manner of power, jurisdiction, superiority, authority, pre-eminence, or privilege spiritual or temporal, within this realm, or within any other her Majesties Dominions and Countries, that now be, or hereafter shall be; but from henceforth the same shall be clearly abolished out of this realm, and other her Highnesse Dominions for ever.  
By which it appears, that those are in danger of perjury, who have taken this Oath, and yet side with that party which apparently labour to bring in foreign power in causes ecclesiastical, and not those who use all means to suppress it and all things else not really tending to the establishing of the Kings person and government, in honour, peace and safety.  
The King is acknowledged supreme governor, and no doubt but he is so, so long as that government contradicts not the supreme Law, which is the safety of the kingdom; And so long as a King and his definition, which is his essence are terms convertible. But if either the makers or takers of this oath, had been asked when they made or took it, whether they meant the King was so supreme governor. that his will as well as his office should be in all things hereafter obeied, though tending to the subversion of his Parliament or Kingdom. & contrary to the mind of both: doubtless their answer would have been; Such a thing is not to be conceived ever to happen: but if it should, wee intend no such thing by it, since ad eaquae frequentius a cidunt jura adaptantur: For the King in Curia is to be governor of his people, and not in Camera, much less in Campo.   

The Oath of allegiance.  
I A. B. do truly and sincerely aclowledge, profess, testify and declare in my conscience before God and the world that our sovereign Lord, K g Charles is lawful and rightful King of this Realm, and of all other his majesties Dominions and Countries: And that the Pope neither of himself, nor by any authority of the Church or See of Rome, or by any other means( with any other) hath any power or authority to depose the King, or to dispose any of his majesties kingdoms or Dominions, or to authorize any foreign Prince to invade or annoy him, or his Countries, or to discharge any of his Subiects of their allegiance and obedience to his majesty, or to give licence or leave to any of them to bear Arms, raise tumult, or to offer any violence or hurt to his majesties royal person, State, Government, or to any of his majesties subiects within his majesties Dominions. Also I do swear from my heart, that notwithstanding any Declaration of Sentence of excommunication, or Deprivation, made or granted, or to be made or granted by the Pope or his successors, or by any authority derived or pretended to be derived from him, or his See, against the said King, his Heirs or Successors, or any absolution of the said subiects from their obedience: I will beat faith and time allegiance to his majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power, against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever, which shall be made against his or thier persons, their crown or Dignity, by reason or colour of any such Sentence or Declaration, or otherwise and will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto his majesty, his Heirs and Successors, all treasons and traitorous conspiracies, which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them. And I do further swear. That I do from my heart abhor, detest and abjure, as unpions and heretical, this damnable doctrine and position, That Princes which be excommunicated, or deprived by the Pope, may be deposed, or murdered of their subiects, or any other whatsoever. And I do believe, and in conscience am resolved, That neither the Pope, nor any other person whatsoever, hath power, to absolve me of this oath, or any part thereof, which I aclowledge by good and full authority to be lawfully ministered unto me, and do renounce all pardons and dispensations to the contrary. And these things I do plainly and sincerely aclowledge and swear according to these express words, by me spoken, and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words, without any equivocation or mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever. And I do make this recognition and acknowledgement, hearty willingly and truly, upon the true faith of a Christian. So help me God.   

The Protestation. Die Mercurii, 5 Maii 1641.  
I A. B. do in the presence of Almighty God, promise, vow, and protest, to maintain and defend, as far as lawfully I may, with my life, power and estate, the true reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations within this realm, contrary to the same Doctrine, and according to the duty of my allegiance, his Majesties royal Person, Honour and Estate; As also the Power and privileges of Parliament; The lawful Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and every person that maketh this Protestation, in whatsoever he shall do in the lawful pursuance of the same. And to my power, and as far as lawfully I may, I will oppose, and by all good ways and means endeavour to bring to condign punishment, all such as shall either by force, practise, counsels, plots, conspiracies, or otherwise, do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained. And further, that I shall in all just and honourable ways endeavour to preserve the union and peace between the three Kindomes of England, Scotland and Ireland; And neither for hope, fear, or other respect, shall relinquish this Promise, Vow and Protestation.  
WHereas some doubts have been raised by several persons out of this House, concerning the meaning of these words contained in the Protestation lately made by the members of this House, ( viz.) The true Reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations within this realm, contrary to the same Doctrine, This House doth declare, That by those words, was and is meant, onely the public Doctrine professed in the said Church, so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations; And that the said words are not to be extended to the maintaining of any form of Worship Discipline or Government, nor of any Rites or Ceremonies of the said Church of England.   

The Oath of every Free-man of the City of London.  
YE shall swear that ye shall be 
* Who a better & truer Subject, then he that would unite King and Parliament, have judgement executed upon Delinquents, and righteousness about his Throne.  good and true to our sovereign Lord K g Charles, and to the Heirs of our said sovereign Lord the King. Obeysant and obedient ye shall be to the Maior and Ministers of this City. The Franchises and customs thereof ye shall maintain, and this city keep harmless in that that in you is. Ye shall be contributory to all manner of charges within this city, as Summons, Watches, Contributions, Taxes, Tallages, Lot and Scot, and to all other charges bearing your part as a Free man ought to do. Ye shall colour no foreign goods, under or in your name, whereby the King or this city might or may lose their customs or advantages. Ye shall know no foreigner to buy or sell any merchandise with any other foreigner within this city or Franchise thereof, but ye shall warn the Chamberlain thereof, or some Minister of the Chamber. Ye shall implead or sue no Free-man our of this city, whiles ye may have right and law within the same city. Ye shall take none Apprentice, but if he be free-born that is to say) no bondmans son, nor the child of any Alien, and for no less term then for 7 years, without fraud or decen: and within the first year ye shall cause him to be enrolled, or else pay such fine as shall be reasonably imposed upon you for omitting the same. And after his terms end, within convenient time( being required) ye shall make him free of this Cine, if he have well and truly served you. Ye shall also keep the Kings 
* 1. The kings peace is the Kingdoms peace, & if this bee broken, that is not kept. 
2. That is not the Kings peace which procures the kingdoms desolation.   peace in your own person. Ye shall know no Gatherings, Convenventicles, nor Conspiracies made against the Kings Peace, but ye shall warn the Maior thereof, or let it to your power.  
All these Points and Articles ye shall well and truly keep according to the laws and customs of this city, to your power. So help you God.   

The Vow & Covenant appointed by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliame●… to be taken by every man in the City of London, Westminster, the Suburbs and Liberties thereof; and throughout the whole Kingdom. June 1643.  
I A. B. in humility and reverence of the Divine Majesty, declare my hearty sorrow for my own sins, and the sins of this nation, which have deserved the calamities and judgements that now lie upon it. And my true intention is, by Gods grace, to endeavour the amendment of my own ways. And that I do abhor and detest the said wicked and treacherous design lately discovered; and that I never gave, not will give my assent to the execution thereof; but will, according to my power and vocation, oppose and resist the same, and all other of the like nature. And in case any other like design shall hereafter come to my knowledge, I will make such timely discovery, as I shall conceive may best conduce to the preventing thereof. And whereas I do in my conscience believe, that the Forces raised by the two Houses of Parliament, are raised & continued for their just defence, and for the defence of the true Protestant Religion, and liberties of the subject, against the forces raised by the King; I do here in the presence of Almighty God, declare, vow and covenant, that I will, according to my power & vocation, assist the forces raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament against the forces raised by the King without their consent. And will likewise assist all other persons that shall take this oath, in what they shall do in pursuance thereof: and will not directly or indirectly adhere unto, nor shall willingly assist the forces raised by the King, without the consent of both House● of Parliament. And this vow and covenannt I make in the presence of Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform th● same, as I shall answer at the great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed.  
Object. The Kings person is not name in this Covenant to be defended by us.  
Ans. 1. He was name in the Protestation, and therefore not here again to be name. 2. The scop● of this Covenant would not fit such an expression; though his person be by no means here excluded, but rather included by these words, Against the forces raised by the King, not against the King himself. And however in the judgement of charity, silence doth give consent where nothing 〈◇〉 expressed against his person. 3. Nothing at all is here directly covenanted, which is directly and expressly in the Protestation. 4. Who is greatest enemy to the Kings person? He that would onely lay hands upon him, as the angel upon Lot, to invite him from Sodom, or he that voluntarily brings him into certain danger, and might prevent it?  
Ob. He that opposeth the forces raised by the King, doth not be oppose the King himself?  
Ans. If the good of the King, the Office of a King, and the will of a King be all p●… iscuously taken, then the consequence will hold; but yet it only follows by a fallacy of the accident, or by plating subjectum quod, for subjectum quo. The Royalist will say, it is easy to imagine a man fighting fo● a Papist, and entertaing an army of Papists, and yet not any of this in defence of Popery( which in dead is more easy t● conceive, then that Papists should not fight for absolute Popery, or an unlimited toleration: And yet he will not understand how a man may fight for the King, and against the forces raised by the King. The Pope was once called honest, and julian in the mean time styled without con●… diction, by a courser name. Ephestion that loved the King, was a better friend them Crateron that loved but Alexander, and yet all made but two men, Pope julian and K. Alexander.  
FINIS.