t, and do sensibly tend to the
re-establishing of the Popish religion and tyranny, and to the
subversion and ruin of the true reformed religion, and of our liberties,
laws and estates. We also declare, that the foresaid confessions are to
be interpreted, and ought to be understood of the foresaid novations and
evils, no less than if every one of them had been expressed in the
foresaid Confessions, and that we are obliged to detest and abhor them,
amongst other particular heads of Papistry abjured therein; and,
therefore, from the knowledge and conscience of our duty to God, [to our
King and country,[11]] without any worldly respect or inducement, so far
as human infirmity will suffer, wishing a further measure of the grace
of God for this effect, we promise and swear by the _great name of the
Lord our God_, to continue in the profession and obedience of the
foresaid religion; that we shall defend the same, and resist all these
contrary errors and corruptions, according to our vocation, and to the
uttermost of that power that God hath put in our hands, all the days of
our life; and, in like manner, with the same heart, we declare before
God and men, that we have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing
that may turn to the dishonour of God, or to the diminution of [the
King's[12]] greatness and authority; but on the contrary, we promise and
swear, that we shall, to the uttermost of our power, with our means and
lives, and to the defence of [our dread sovereign, the King's Majesty,
his person and authority[13]] in the defence and preservation of the
foresaid true religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom; as also, to
the mutual defence and assistance every one of us of another, in the
same cause of maintaining the true religion [his Majesty's[14]]
authority, with our best counsel, our bodies, means, and whole power,
against all sorts of persons whatsoever. So that whatsoever shall be
done to the least of us for that cause, shall be taken as done to us all
in general, and to every one of us in particular; that we shall, neither
directly nor indirectly, suffer ourselves to be divided or withdrawn, by
whatsoever suggestion, allurement, or terror, from this blessed and
loyal conjunction; nor shall cast in any let or impediment that may stay
or hinder any such resolution, as by common consent shall be found to
conduce for so good ends;--but, on the contrary, shall, by all lawful
means labour to further and promote the sam