16 July 1811 17 V. ad Juperbriam

Fallacies Ch. 2. Jepthah's Vow

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2. Coronation Oath

Ante Outter[?] so far[?][ are [...?] in the name of restriction[?]

If such were the construction put upon this third clause, that by force and virtue of it, in his endeavours "to maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the Gospel and the Protestant reformed religion established by law" the King were /ought/ to hold himself not only at liberty, but bound to pursue his own judgment howsoever contrary to the judgment of those his legitimate advisers, nothing /no construction/ could be more adverse to the most especial and annoxious wish oath[?] which in the hearts if the majority of both Houses, as well as that of the King himself are so well known to have been Pealding[?] /occupying/ the highest place on that very occasion, and place at that very time and this was the maintaining the Protestant reformed religion against all such dangers as that from which it had so narrow an escape.

Suppose a James the 2\T dT\ or 3\T dT\, or any other King with a Catholic heart mounting at any time the throne. What form of words more favourable to his purpose need he require? Here (says he) and without aid of a Jesuit Privy Counsellor at his elbow) here (says he) are three things all which as far as they can be maintained together, I am sworn to maintain, viz.[?] the laws of God, the true profession of the Gospel, and the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Unfortunately to maintain them all together is impossible. The laws of God, yes: and so accordingly I will: the true profession of the Gospel, yes again: but the Protestant religion reformed as they call it; and which is so unhappily established by law, it is in a state of perpetual repugnancy to them both. Of the Oath then to keep inviolate all three parts is impossible: what then remains possible and at the same time proper and advisable? - to maintain those two parts which together are not only are together double in number, but superior, each, of them in dignity.

The

The laws of God! the profession of the Gospel! where is their equal? what shall in competition with them?