VEry many of such His MAJESTIES Subjects ( both Priests and Laymen ) are fully perswaded and satisfied in Conscience

That , under God , belongs ( only ) to his Sacred MAJESTIE , the Supreme coactive Jurisdiction , Soveraigntie and Rule over the Persons of all his Subjects within any his Dominions , of what estate or condition soever they be , ( Ecclesiasticks or Laicks ) to take Cognizance in his external Judicatories of Offenders for punishment of them , with Civil and corporal punishments , according to the nature and qualitie of their respective crimes and offences so deserving , whether committed in any Spiritual or Ecclesiastical thing or cause , or temporal and civil . Which said Supreme coactive Jurisdiction is , and was of Ancient right ( in vertue of the Civil Sword ) due to the Imperial Crown of this Realm .

That neither the Pope , nor any other foraign Person , State or Potentate whatsoever , hath , or ought ( of right ) to have , over any His MAJESTIES Subjects within his said Dominions , any Superioritie repugnant to the same , to exercise any external Power of Coercion , by civil and corporal punishments , as aforesaid , for any matter or cause , spiritual or temporal whatsoever , other then by or under His MAJESTIES Permission or Authoritie .

That the Crown of England is immediately subject to God in all things touching the Regality of the same , and to none other , and consequently , that neither directly nor indirectly , the Pope hath power to depose the King , for any matter , or cause whatsoever ; Or to absolve any his Subjects from their natural Allegiance to their Soveraign , though differing in Religion ; Or from the Obligation of an Oath by them taken , or to bee taken , for Recognition and Assurance thereof accordingly , which they will faithfully and constantly maintain , notwithstanding any Excommunication , Bull , or other Ecclesiastical Censure to the contrary .

But , by such His MAJESTIES Soveraigntie and Rule , as above-mentioned , it is not meant , that He hath power to preach the Word of God , minister the Sacraments , Ordain and Consecrate persons to Holy Orders , Excommunicate notorious stubborn Offenders , Absolve Penitents , Or to exercise any power of the Keyes , Or any Act of Jurisdiction purely Spiritual or Internal , over the Soul and Conscience . All which ( being meerly spiritual ) the Exercise and Cognizance thereof , as such , belong properly to those , whom the Holy Ghost hath placed to rule the Church of God , to punish Offenders in the same , with spiritual Censures , and Ecclesiastical Sentences .

Quaere ,

If , upon due Consideration of the Preambles , Grounds , and Intent of several Statutes , Enacted against Popish Recusants , it may not clearly be collected , that persons of the abovesaid persuasion , were not meant to be comprehended under that notion . And consequently , that the severe penalties in the said Acts mentioned , were not intended to be put in execution against them : If the said persons make publick Profession of such their belief , and confirm the same by Oath , which they are ready to do , in full , plain , and express words , without any Equivocation , or mental Reservation whatsoever ; Hoping that for some particular Tenets ( no way derogating from the Reverence due to the Divine Majesty , or sincere faithful dealing with their neighbours ) they shall not be excluded from the general Indulgement to tender Consciences ; since their dissent is not in any the least point that concerns the Civil government .