A discourse concerning publick oaths, and the lawfulness of swearing in judicial proceedings written by Dr. Gauden ..., in order to answer the scruples of the Quakers.
         Gauden, John, 1605-1662.
      
       
         
           1662
        
      
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         97044
         
           
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         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 97044)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 739:18)
      
       
         
           
             A discourse concerning publick oaths, and the lawfulness of swearing in judicial proceedings written by Dr. Gauden ..., in order to answer the scruples of the Quakers.
             Gauden, John, 1605-1662.
          
           [18], 47 p.
           
             Printed for R. Royston ...,
             London :
             1662.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Duke University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- Controversial literature.
           Oaths.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           Publick
           Oaths
           ,
           AND
           The
           Lawfulness
           of
           SWEARING
           in
           Judicial
           Proceedings
           .
        
         
           Written
           by
           Dr.
           GAUDEN
           ,
           Bishop
           of
           EXETER
           .
        
         
           In
           order
           to
           answer
           the
           scruples
           of
           the
           QUAKERS
           .
        
         
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             2.
             
          
           Without
           charity
           I
           am
           nothing
           .
        
         
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             25.
             
          
           In
           meekness
           instructing
           those
           that
           oppose
           .
        
         
           Ne
           putemus
           in
           verbis
           Scripturarum
           esse
           Evangelium
           ,
           sed
           in
           sensu
           ;
           non
           in
           superficie
           ,
           sed
           medulla
           ;
           non
           in
           Sermonis
           cortice
           ,
           sed
           in
           rationis
           radice
           .
           
             Hieronym
             .
             in
             Ep.
             ad
             Gal.
             
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             R.
             Royston
          
           ,
           Book-seller
           to
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           Majesty
           ,
           at
           the
           Angel
           in
           Ivy-lane
           ,
           1662.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           truly
           Honourable
           ,
           ROBERT
           BOYLE
           ,
           Esquire
           ,
           Son
           to
           the
           Earl
           of
           Cork
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             SIR
             ;
          
        
         
           SUch
           as
           have
           the
           happiness
           to
           know
           you
           ,
           need
           no
           more
           then
           the
           mention
           of
           your
           Name
           ,
           to
           put
           them
           in
           mind
           of
           your
           merit
           upon
           man-kind
           ;
           whose
           learned
           ,
           industrious
           and
           pious
           accomplishments
           ,
           have
           ,
           as
           with
           the
           greatest
           modesty
           and
           civility
           ,
           so
           with
           the
           least
           austerity
           or
           reproach
           ,
           given
           the
           
             Nobility
             ,
             Gentry
          
           ,
           (
           yea
           and
           Clergy
           too
           )
           of
           these
           three
           Kingdomes
           at
           once
           to
           see
           in
           your
           studious
           and
           
             vertuous
             example
          
           ,
           the
           best
           way
           of
           proportioning
           their
           lives
           and
           manners
           to
           the
           eminency
           of
           their
           Names
           and
           Stations
           ;
           thereby
           to
           preserve
           or
           redeem
           themselves
           from
           that
           
             Civil
             war
          
           and
           
             sad
             captivity
          
           to
           which
           idleness
           ,
           fermented
           by
           
             inordinate
             passions
          
           ,
           or
           vain
           and
           
             vicious
             affections
          
           ,
           is
           prone
           to
           expose
           not
           only
           their
           
             estates
             ,
             healths
          
           and
           honours
           ,
           but
           their
           
             religion
             ,
             consciences
          
           and
           soules
           ,
           while
           men
           of
           
             Noble
             birth
          
           ,
           good
           
             breeding
             ,
             ingenious
             parts
          
           and
           
             generous
             estates
          
           ,
           do
           miserably
           debauch
           their
           Dignity
           ,
           and
           squander
           
           away
           those
           noble
           advantages
           they
           have
           above
           other
           men
           ,
           to
           do
           well
           and
           worthily
           .
           As
           if
           one
           should
           cut
           out
           
             goodly
             Timber-trees
          
           into
           Loggs
           or
           Chips
           ;
           and
           instead
           of
           stately
           Pillars
           or
           Beams
           ,
           make
           only
           Bed-staves
           ,
           or
           Cat-sticks
           ,
           or
           Tooth-picks
           of
           them
           .
           So
           degenerating
           from
           all
           true
           sense
           of
           honour
           becoming
           Gentlemen
           and
           Christians
           ,
           as
           to
           glory
           in
           their
           shame
           (
           I
           mean
           their
           sin
           and
           folly
           ;
           )
           and
           to
           be
           ashamed
           of
           their
           
             true
             glory
          
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           rationall
           and
           religious
           as
           they
           can
           be
           in
           this
           state
           of
           mortality
           .
        
         
           Your
           Nobleness
           will
           excuse
           me
           ,
           if
           I
           venture
           to
           
             offend
             you
          
           ,
           by
           telling
           the
           world
           (
           what
           I
           have
           many
           years
           longed
           to
           do
           )
           how
           high
           a
           value
           I
           have
           for
           you
           ,
           of
           whom
           I
           have
           so
           pleasing
           and
           complete
           a
           prospect
           ;
           not
           more
           for
           your
           rare
           endowments
           of
           Nature
           and
           Art
           ,
           then
           for
           your
           rarer
           Ornaments
           of
           Grace
           and
           Vertue
           ;
           while
           you
           neither
           superciliously
           fancy
           Learning
           to
           be
           any
           diminution
           to
           your
           
             Noble
             Birth
          
           ,
           nor
           yet
           Piety
           to
           be
           any
           disparagement
           to
           your
           great
           Learning
           .
           I
           must
           not
           (
           now
           )
           in
           my
           
             maturer
             years
          
           compare
           you
           to
           our
           so
           famous
           Sir
           
             Philip
             Sidney
          
           (
           whom
           I
           heretofore
           valued
           very
           much
           ,
           nor
           do
           I
           yet
           undervalue
           him
           )
           because
           I
           think
           you
           have
           out-vied
           his
           
             Eloquent
             Valour
          
           and
           
             Heroick
             Romances
          
           ,
           with
           
             greater
             Essayes
          
           and
           more
           
             useful
             Atchievements
          
           both
           in
           Philosophy
           and
           Divinity
           .
        
         
           The
           more
           retired
           and
           
             solid
             grounds
          
           of
           the
           first
           (
           Philosophy
           )
           you
           are
           daily
           searching
           and
           discovering
           ,
           with
           your
           generous
           Associates
           ,
           by
           accurate
           and
           real
           Experiments
           ;
           which
           are
           the
           Anatomies
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Keyes
           to
           her
           Cabinets
           ,
           opening
           a
           Door
           to
           the
           true
           prospect
           as
           of
           the
           causes
           ,
           so
           of
           the
           
             virtues
             ,
             operations
          
           and
           efficacies
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           by
           them
           to
           the
           
             Creators
             glory
          
           ;
           which
           is
           much
           eclipsed
           by
           that
           
             occult
             ,
             conjectural
          
           and
           
           
             sceptical
             Philosophy
          
           ,
           which
           is
           rather
           imaginary
           then
           real
           ,
           a
           parturiency
           without
           birth
           ,
           a
           meet
           abortion
           as
           to
           knowledge
           ;
           indeed
           ,
           a
           kind
           of
           Legerdemaine
           in
           Learning
           ,
           and
           Sophistry
           ,
           rather
           then
           Science
           verified
           by
           Experience
           .
        
         
           The
           fountains
           also
           of
           the
           second
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           Divinity
           )
           your selfe
           have
           lately
           cleared
           ,
           in
           vindicating
           by
           your
           Pen
           the
           Sacred
           ,
           yet
           
             unaffected
             style
             of
             the
             Scriptures
          
           ,
           with
           a
           most
           Eloquent
           and
           Learned
           Zeal
           ,
           against
           some
           mens
           profane
           and
           Atheistical
           cavils
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           
             wittily
             wicked
          
           ,
           as
           to
           disdain
           even
           salvation
           it selfe
           ,
           in
           that
           plain
           ,
           but
           sure
           way
           ,
           which
           the
           wisdom
           of
           God
           sees
           fittest
           for
           
             humane
             capacities
          
           :
           whereas
           few
           (
           I
           believe
           )
           of
           those
           curious
           Gallants
           would
           be
           so
           
             foolishly
             morose
          
           ,
           as
           to
           refuse
           a
           faire
           Estate
           which
           were
           setled
           upon
           them
           in
           the
           ordinary
           legal
           way
           of
           Deeds
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           not
           conveyed
           to
           them
           in
           such
           
             oratorious
             Harangues
          
           and
           flourishes
           of
           speech
           as
           they
           most
           fancy
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           dedicated
           this
           
             little
             Piece
          
           to
           your
           
             great
             Name
          
           ,
           because
           it
           covets
           a
           resemblance
           to
           ,
           yea
           and
           hath
           an
           emulation
           of
           ,
           your
           candor
           and
           humanity
           toward
           all
           persons
           that
           are
           not
           wholly
           profligate
           in
           their
           opinions
           ,
           or
           desperate
           in
           their
           actions
           .
           The
           design
           of
           this
           Tract
           is
           to
           correspond
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           I
           may
           ,
           with
           your
           principles
           and
           genius
           ,
           who
           have
           the
           happiness
           to
           render
           the
           severest
           
             vertues
             amiable
          
           ,
           and
           to
           confute
           the
           
             grossest
             Errors
          
           with
           the
           
             gentlest
             Truths
          
           .
        
         
           I
           confess
           both
           in
           Religion
           or
           Charity
           ,
           and
           in
           reason
           of
           State
           or
           Policy
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           for
           inflicting
           at
           first
           dash
           
             sharp
             Penalties
          
           on
           seduced
           or
           simple
           people
           ,
           meerly
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           their
           Opinions
           ,
           (
           modestly
           dissenting
           in
           some
           lesser
           things
           from
           the
           Religion
           or
           Laws
           established
           ;
           yet
           without
           any
           rude
           blaspheming
           or
           opposing
           
           them
           as
           to
           the
           main
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
             Morality
          
           and
           
             Civil
             subjection
          
           )
           until
           such
           rational
           and
           charitable
           means
           have
           been
           used
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           their
           errors
           ,
           as
           may
           at
           once
           discharge
           those
           duties
           of
           Humanity
           and
           Charity
           which
           we
           owe
           to
           all
           men
           ,
           specially
           to
           our
           Country-men
           and
           fellow-Christians
           .
        
         
           The
           Cudgel
           and
           
             Sword
             ,
             Prisons
          
           and
           
             Banishments
             ,
             Plunderings
          
           and
           Sequestrations
           were
           the
           late
           cruel
           and
           
             flagellant
             Methods
          
           of
           our
           most
           
             tyrannous
             times
          
           ;
           which
           had
           nothing
           of
           
             Reason
             ,
             Law
          
           or
           Religion
           to
           support
           them
           :
           but
           these
           are
           not
           (
           in
           my
           judgment
           )
           either
           the
           first
           or
           the
           
             fittest
             means
          
           to
           confute
           the
           falsities
           of
           mens
           
             private
             opinions
          
           ,
           or
           to
           rectifie
           the
           obliquities
           of
           their
           inconform
           but
           
             innocent
             actions
          
           ,
           flowing
           from
           them
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           Conscience
           and
           plea
           of
           Religion
           .
           (
           Although
           it
           may
           be
           as
           just
           as
           necessary
           to
           repress
           by
           legal
           coercions
           and
           penalties
           those
           
             petulant
             obstinacies
          
           ,
           which
           do
           resist
           all
           softer
           applications
           ,
           and
           endanger
           the
           publick
           tranquillity
           by
           giving
           affronts
           to
           settled
           Religion
           ,
           or
           obstructions
           to
           the
           proceedings
           of
           Justice
           by
           
             established
             Laws
          
           .
           )
           I
           am
           indeed
           for
           (
           
             cuncta
             prius
             tentanda
          
           )
           those
           Divine
           Essayes
           and
           Appeals
           first
           ,
           which
           render
           men
           most
           
             unexcusable
             (
             quid
             amplius
             poteram
             ,
             what
             could
             I
             have
             done
             more
             ,
             &c.
          
           )
           using
           lenitives
           before
           lancings
           ,
           &
           fomentations
           before
           incisions
           or
           amputations
           ,
           until
           there
           be
           no
           other
           remedy
           ;
           then
           rigor
           and
           severity
           to
           some
           parts
           ;
           becomes
           the
           greatest
           Charity
           to
           the
           whole
           ;
           where
           not
           the
           scratch
           of
           a
           petty
           opinion
           ,
           but
           the
           gangrene
           of
           an
           obstinate
           and
           rebellious
           humor
           forceth
           the
           abscission
           of
           one
           part
           ,
           to
           prevent
           a
           deadly
           contagion
           to
           others
           ,
           yea
           to
           the
           whole
           Body
           .
        
         
           Not
           that
           I
           think
           it
           any
           Religion
           to
           have
           an
           indifferency
           to
           that
           true
           Religion
           which
           is
           once
           established
           by
           publick
           
           consent
           and
           Law
           ,
           as
           best
           and
           fittest
           for
           the
           Nation
           ;
           nor
           is
           it
           any
           part
           of
           Mercy
           alwayes
           to
           suffer
           
             publick
             Justice
          
           to
           be
           baffled
           by
           the
           refractoriness
           of
           any
           persons
           or
           parties
           .
           No
           ,
           I
           am
           far
           from
           a
           tame
           permitting
           Tares
           to
           be
           openly
           scattered
           by
           the
           bold
           and
           
             evil
             hands
          
           of
           any
           men
           ,
           who
           seek
           ,
           as
           enemies
           ,
           to
           choak
           that
           
             good
             seed
          
           of
           Religion
           which
           is
           sown
           by
           the
           
             publick
             Ministry
          
           ,
           and
           fenced
           by
           legal
           Authority
           .
        
         
           As
           I
           would
           have
           that
           Religion
           only
           setled
           in
           its
           Doctrinals
           ,
           Devotionals
           ,
           Discipline
           and
           Government
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           
             publick
             consent
          
           (
           according
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God
           and
           Catholick
           prudence
           )
           judged
           to
           be
           the
           best
           for
           
             Truth
             ,
             Sanctity
             ,
             Order
          
           &
           Decency
           (
           which
           ,
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           is
           in
           England
           :
           )
           so
           I
           would
           have
           It
           (
           and
           It
           only
           )
           to
           enjoy
           all
           publick
           countenance
           and
           encouragements
           ,
           by
           the
           injunction
           and
           protection
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           by
           the
           favour
           and
           example
           of
           the
           Prince
           ,
           by
           publick
           maintenance
           and
           honour
           ,
           by
           the
           use
           of
           publick
           Churches
           and
           Oratories
           :
           To
           the
           Preachers
           and
           professors
           of
           this
           ,
           
             publick
             Offices
          
           and
           Employments
           of
           honour
           and
           
             authority
             ,
             foraign
          
           and
           
             domestick
             ,
             ecclesiastical
             ,
             civil
          
           and
           military
           ,
           should
           be
           chiefly
           appropriated
           ;
           of
           these
           
             advantages
             dissenters
          
           should
           be
           generally
           deprived
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           the
           
             proper
             honoraries
          
           of
           those
           who
           most
           serve
           the
           
             publick
             Peace
          
           ,
           by
           their
           due
           observance
           of
           the
           Religion
           and
           
             Laws
             established
          
           ;
           from
           which
           whoso
           openly
           va●ies
           and
           dissents
           ,
           layes
           the
           foundations
           ,
           as
           of
           distraction
           and
           division
           ,
           so
           of
           destruction
           and
           confusion
           .
        
         
           With
           these
           outward
           advantages
           added
           to
           that
           internal
           power
           of
           truth
           &
           holiness
           which
           are
           in
           the
           established
           Religion
           ,
           it
           may
           (
           as
           I
           think
           )
           not
           only
           be
           happily
           suppo●ted
           ,
           but
           easily
           prevaile
           in
           a
           short
           time
           (
           by
           Gods
           blessing
           )
           against
           all
           factious
           and
           
             feeble
             oppositions
          
           ;
           unless
           the
           scandal
           ,
           
           negligence
           ,
           levity
           and
           luxury
           of
           its
           
             Ministers
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
          
           and
           Professors
           overthrow
           it
           ,
           by
           casting
           such
           immoral
           disgraces
           upon
           it
           as
           make
           people
           dissbelieve
           and
           abhorre
           both
           it
           and
           them
           ;
           as
           was
           in
           the
           case
           of
           
           Eli's
           Sons
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           confesse
           I
           would
           not
           have
           this
           legal
           and
           avowed
           Religion
           of
           the
           Nation
           so
           
             rigorous
             ,
             sharp
          
           and
           severe
           (
           as
           Sarah
           to
           Hagar
           )
           by
           the
           suddain
           over-awing
           or
           violent
           overlaying
           of
           all
           other
           
             different
             perswasions
          
           in
           peaceable
           men
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           let
           them
           breath
           in
           the
           same
           
             common
             Air
          
           ,
           or
           not
           to
           enjoy
           their
           
             lives
             ,
             civil
             liberties
          
           and
           estates
           ,
           with
           their
           
             dissenting
             consciences
          
           ,
           in
           all
           modest
           privacy
           and
           safety
           :
           I
           abhorre
           (
           as
           much
           as
           I
           dread
           )
           all
           racks
           and
           tortures
           of
           mens
           souls
           ,
           or
           those
           cruel
           no
           less
           then
           
             curious
             scrutinies
          
           of
           mens
           consciences
           ,
           which
           covet
           ,
           first
           (
           like
           God
           )
           to
           search
           mens
           hearts
           ,
           and
           then
           (
           like
           the
           Devil
           )
           delight
           to
           torment
           them
           in
           their
           Estates
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           only
           because
           they
           are
           not
           so
           wise
           or
           apprehensive
           as
           themselves
           ,
           but
           as
           honest
           (
           perhaps
           )
           and
           sincere
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           True
           ;
           I
           think
           that
           some
           
             little
             pecuniary
             mulct
          
           ,
           as
           one
           or
           two
           Shillings
           to
           the
           poor
           ,
           for
           every
           Lords
           dayes
           absence
           from
           the
           publick
           Church
           or
           Assembly
           ,
           may
           be
           justly
           (
           laid
           as
           a
           mark
           of
           publick
           dislike
           )
           upon
           Dissenters
           and
           Separaters
           from
           the
           established
           Religion
           ;
           not
           for
           their
           
             private
             difference
          
           in
           judgment
           ,
           (
           which
           possibly
           is
           not
           their
           fault
           )
           but
           for
           their
           publick
           deformity
           in
           practise
           ,
           to
           the
           scandal
           of
           the
           established
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           endangering
           of
           the
           
             publick
             welfare
          
           ,
           whose
           strength
           and
           stability
           consist
           in
           unity
           ,
           and
           this
           in
           uniformity
           to
           the
           setled
           rule
           ,
           and
           in
           conformity
           ,
           to
           outward
           practise
           :
           yet
           still
           no
           Inquisition
           to
           be
           made
           into
           free
           mens
           Consciences
           ,
           nor
           any
           
           great
           penalty
           laid
           upon
           them
           for
           their
           perswasions
           ,
           further
           then
           their
           words
           and
           actions
           do
           discover
           their
           
             Principles
             ,
             Opinions
             ,
             Correspondencies
          
           ,
           and
           Adherencies
           to
           be
           contrary
           and
           dangerous
           to
           the
           publick
           Peace
           ,
           Order
           and
           Justice
           ,
           which
           all
           are
           founded
           in
           ,
           and
           flourish
           by
           our
           setled
           Laws
           and
           Religion
           :
           Thus
           permitting
           sober
           men
           not
           a
           
             declared
             toleration
          
           ,
           or
           publick
           profession
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           
             open
             rivalry
          
           to
           the
           established
           Religion
           ,
           but
           only
           such
           an
           arbitrary
           connivence
           and
           conditional
           indulgence
           as
           gives
           them
           no
           trouble
           for
           their
           private
           and
           
             untroublesome
             Opinions
          
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           kept
           in
           their
           breasts
           and
           closets
           ;
           or
           in
           their
           
             private
             houses
          
           and
           families
           :
           to
           which
           all
           dissenters
           ought
           in
           reason
           to
           be
           confined
           on
           the
           
             Lords
             day
          
           ,
           without
           any
           convention
           of
           strangers
           to
           them
           ;
           though
           (
           perhaps
           )
           on
           the
           week-day
           they
           may
           have
           their
           meetings
           allowed
           ,
           yet
           so
           as
           to
           be
           kept
           within
           
             parochial
             bounds
          
           ,
           or
           to
           such
           a
           number
           of
           persons
           and
           families
           as
           shall
           be
           thought
           safe
           .
        
         
           But
           for
           Dissenters
           to
           have
           
             multitudinous
             Conventicles
          
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           musterings
           of
           their
           forces
           ,
           when
           ,
           where
           ,
           and
           as
           many
           as
           they
           please
           ,
           cannot
           be
           safe
           :
           for
           thereby
           they
           not
           onely
           affront
           the
           established
           Religion
           ,
           but
           confirm
           each
           other
           in
           their
           opinions
           ;
           yea
           and
           (
           as
           Charcoals
           in
           heaps
           )
           they
           more
           kindle
           and
           enflame
           each
           ,
           other
           by
           their
           numbers
           ,
           to
           such
           proud
           animosities
           and
           
             rebellious
             confidences
          
           ,
           as
           may
           hope
           to
           set
           up
           their
           
             Faction
             supream
          
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           the
           repute
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           in
           
             civil
             power
          
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           ambitious
           aim
           of
           all
           parties
           ,
           (
           except
           that
           which
           is
           
             purely
             Christian
          
           ,
           &
           wholly
           resolved
           into
           suffering
           principles
           .
           )
           All
           others
           (
           we
           see
           )
           whether
           Papists
           ,
           or
           Presbyterians
           ,
           or
           Anabaptists
           ,
           or
           Independents
           ,
           affect
           (
           
             summam
             Imperii
          
           )
           as
           Diotrephes
           ,
           to
           
           have
           the
           preeminence
           ;
           as
           Lucifer
           and
           Antichrist
           ,
           to
           
             exalt
             themselves
          
           above
           all
           :
           and
           therefore
           they
           must
           by
           wise
           and
           vigilant
           power
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           by
           good
           preaching
           &
           living
           ,
           be
           kept
           ▪
           as
           fire
           ,
           within
           the
           hearth
           of
           their
           private
           opinions
           and
           parties
           ,
           left
           they
           prevaile
           by
           popular
           Arts
           against
           the
           
             publick
             established
             Religion
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Palladium
           or
           Conservator
           of
           civil
           peace
           and
           prosperity
           ,
           and
           never
           to
           be
           rashly
           changed
           ,
           or
           rudely
           contemned
           while
           it
           is
           authorised
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           Charity
           to
           which
           includes
           even
           a
           charity
           to
           all
           those
           which
           differ
           from
           its
           present
           settlement
           ;
           who
           commonly
           are
           more
           miserable
           in
           the
           riotous
           mutations
           which
           their
           folly
           and
           rudeness
           affects
           ,
           then
           in
           those
           sober
           restrictions
           of
           which
           they
           are
           so
           impatient
           ,
           that
           from
           different
           perswasions
           they
           break
           out
           to
           
             petulant
             oppositions
          
           by
           Tongue
           and
           Pen
           ;
           thence
           they
           are
           betrayed
           to
           
             seditious
             projects
          
           ;
           and
           at
           last
           these
           must
           be
           brought
           forth
           in
           tumultuary
           and
           
             violent
             actions
          
           ;
           which
           are
           so
           intolerable
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           first
           sparks
           of
           their
           insolent
           and
           
             seditious
             Expressions
          
           ,
           especially
           in
           Pulpits
           and
           Presses
           ,
           ought
           by
           great
           penalties
           to
           be
           suppressed
           :
           there
           being
           nothing
           more
           unreasonable
           ,
           then
           for
           any
           man
           rudely
           to
           blaspheme
           and
           reproach
           that
           Religion
           which
           his
           Prince
           and
           Countrey
           professe
           ;
           unless
           he
           be
           so
           impudent
           (
           as
           many
           are
           )
           to
           blaspheme
           that
           also
           which
           himselfe
           owneth
           as
           the
           true
           Religion
           with
           them
           .
           This
           
             tenderness
             ,
             moderation
          
           and
           indulgence
           I
           bear
           only
           to
           humble
           ,
           modest
           and
           innocent
           dissenters
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           
             Christian
             Charity
          
           ,
           which
           ought
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           becoming
           humanity
           ,
           to
           exceed
           all
           other
           men
           ,
           as
           Tertullian
           well
           observes
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           
             Christian
             Charity
          
           of
           mine
           towards
           sober
           dissenters
           ,
           (
           besides
           the
           confidence
           I
           have
           of
           Truth
           
           and
           its
           prevalency
           )
           perhaps
           my
           native
           temper
           and
           candor
           may
           contribute
           something
           ,
           which
           abhors
           ,
           after
           the
           genius
           of
           Primitive
           Christians
           ,
           all
           severity
           or
           rigors
           only
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           Religion
           ,
           farther
           then
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           cure
           of
           offenders
           ,
           and
           the
           conservation
           of
           the
           
             publick
             Peace
          
           .
           I
           know
           the
           roughness
           or
           smoothness
           of
           mens
           educations
           and
           complexions
           ,
           like
           Esaus
           and
           ●acob's
           ,
           have
           much
           influence
           upon
           their
           opinions
           and
           conversations
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           upon
           their
           consciences
           too
           .
           If
           this
           may
           seem
           to
           some
           too
           great
           a
           facility
           and
           gentleness
           in
           me
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           an
           error
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           ,
           and
           nearest
           the
           medium
           both
           of
           humanity
           as
           a
           man
           ,
           and
           of
           charity
           as
           a
           Christian
           ,
           measuring
           all
           Policies
           by
           Christs
           
             golden
             Rule
             ,
             To
             do
             as
             I
             would
             be
             done
             unto
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           In
           point
           of
           State-Policy
           also
           ,
           or
           methods
           of
           true
           Government
           ,
           I
           do
           conceive
           that
           
             meer
             plagiary
             counsels
          
           and
           
             punitive
             courses
          
           are
           never
           likely
           to
           obtain
           the
           
             main
             End
          
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           stop
           the
           contagion
           of
           errors
           ,
           and
           to
           extirpate
           those
           
             depraved
             opinions
          
           ,
           which
           are
           justly
           thought
           to
           be
           the
           spawn
           of
           
             dangerous
             actions
          
           :
           For
           ,
           unless
           the
           generality
           of
           
             credulous
             people
          
           ,
           who
           are
           spectators
           of
           those
           that
           differ
           and
           suffer
           for
           their
           opinions
           and
           consciences
           ,
           do
           also
           see
           so
           much
           light
           of
           Reason
           and
           clear
           Religion
           ,
           as
           may
           justifie
           the
           severity
           of
           the
           Laws
           executed
           upon
           those
           offenders
           ,
           who
           profess
           Conscience
           for
           their
           Disobedience
           ,
           and
           Scripture
           for
           their
           Consciences
           ;
           it
           is
           most
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           spectators
           of
           their
           sufferings
           will
           very
           much
           soften
           to
           a
           compassion
           for
           them
           ;
           and
           by
           sympathizing
           with
           their
           persons
           in
           affliction
           ,
           they
           will
           ,
           by
           degrees
           ,
           symbolize
           with
           their
           opinions
           ;
           easily
           running
           ,
           as
           metal
           that
           is
           melted
           ,
           into
           the
           same
           mold
           :
           at
           length
           the
           populacy
           ,
           if
           not
           fortified
           by
           pregnant
           demonstrations
           of
           Truth
           against
           those
           
             spreading
             
             errors
          
           and
           their
           Pseudo-Martyrs
           ,
           will
           mightily
           cry
           up
           their
           Piety
           ,
           admire
           their
           Courage
           ,
           &
           magnifie
           their
           Constancy
           :
           At
           last
           they
           will
           conclude
           those
           sufferers
           to
           have
           some
           
             special
             support
          
           ,
           or
           
             diviner
             Spirit
          
           above
           ordinary
           men
           ,
           because
           they
           seem
           to
           be
           so
           much
           above
           the
           
             ordinary
             passions
          
           of
           fear
           and
           
             hope
             ,
             self-love
          
           and
           preservation
           ;
           which
           prospect
           of
           patience
           
             Justin
             Martyr
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           was
           the
           first
           occasion
           of
           his
           examining
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christians
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           see
           on
           what
           ground
           so
           fixed
           a
           
             constancy
             grew
          
           ,
           which
           shewed
           a
           
             Divine
             security
          
           midst
           
             humane
             infirmity
          
           .
        
         
           By
           such
           
             popular
             pity
          
           and
           applause
           ,
           not
           only
           sufferers
           will
           be
           confirmed
           in
           their
           pertinacy
           ,
           but
           their
           spectators
           also
           will
           dayly
           encrease
           and
           multiply
           ,
           as
           the
           shootes
           of
           Trees
           do
           by
           the
           
             lopping
             off
          
           their
           branches
           :
           especially
           if
           the
           lives
           and
           actions
           of
           such
           dissenters
           and
           sufferers
           be
           morally
           just
           and
           
             civilly
             innocent
          
           .
           For
           nothing
           sooner
           discovers
           and
           blasts
           such
           cross
           opinions
           ,
           and
           withers
           the
           glory
           of
           their
           
             factious
             spectators
          
           ,
           then
           
             vile
             ,
             injurious
             and
             insolent
             demeanor
          
           either
           in
           words
           or
           deeds
           ;
           such
           as
           all
           men
           confess
           to
           deserve
           the
           Gaole
           and
           Gibbet
           .
           This
           indeed
           (
           as
           in
           the
           mad
           pranks
           of
           John
           of
           Leyden
           and
           his
           Anabaptistick
           crew
           in
           Germany
           ,
           and
           so
           in
           our
           Hacket
           and
           other
           Disciplinarians
           in
           England
           ;
           in
           the
           late
           presumption
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Reformations
          
           ,
           and
           
             Independent
             Confusions
          
           ,
           full
           of
           
             Perjury
             ,
             Sacril●dge
             ,
             Treason
          
           and
           
             innocent
             Blood
          
           )
           This
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           will
           ,
           as
           the
           barking
           of
           
             Trees
             round
          
           ,
           presently
           bring
           any
           Opinionists
           and
           Factionists
           to
           publick
           scorn
           and
           hatred
           ;
           as
           it
           did
           those
           Papists
           who
           heretofore
           in
           the
           
             Marian
             Persecutions
          
           ,
           in
           the
           horrid
           Powder-Plot
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           late
           
             Irish
             Rebellion
          
           ,
           full
           of
           perfidy
           and
           cruelty
           ,
           have
           so
           blemished
           the
           repute
           of
           that
           
             Catholick
             cause
          
           ,
           as
           it
           can
           
           never
           be
           redeemed
           from
           just
           jealousies
           ,
           but
           by
           actions
           of
           
             extraordinary
             Loyalty
             ,
             Meekness
          
           and
           Humanity
           ;
           besides
           the
           renouncing
           of
           some
           opinions
           .
        
         
           But
           where
           harmlesness
           of
           life
           sets
           a
           glosse
           on
           Opiniont
           ,
           and
           Errors
           thereby
           grow
           more
           lusty
           and
           rank
           ,
           (
           as
           
             ill
             weeds
          
           in
           
             good
             ground
          
           :
           )
           there
           meer
           
             robust
             power
          
           or
           
             punitive
             severity
          
           can
           no
           more
           pull
           them
           up
           ,
           then
           a
           
             strong
             arm
          
           doth
           thorns
           and
           bushes
           when
           they
           are
           
             deeply
             rooted
          
           ;
           breaking
           off
           the
           stem
           or
           top
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           leaving
           the
           roots
           still
           in
           the
           ground
           ,
           which
           will
           spring
           again
           ,
           and
           spread
           farther
           .
           Here
           nothing
           is
           so
           effectual
           to
           do
           execution
           upon
           errors
           ,
           as
           
             clear
             demonstrations
          
           of
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           ;
           which
           reaching
           mens
           Consciences
           ,
           by
           the
           proper
           methods
           of
           conviction
           ,
           do
           ,
           like
           a
           
             sharp
             Spade
          
           and
           Mattock
           ,
           fetch
           up
           the
           very
           roots
           and
           fibres
           of
           evil
           opinions
           ,
           to
           the
           utter
           extirpation
           of
           such
           noxious
           plants
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           except
           where
           knavery
           and
           hypocrisie
           do
           husband
           Opinions
           to
           the
           best
           advantage
           of
           secular
           ends
           and
           interests
           of
           
             reputation
             ,
             profit
          
           or
           power
           .
        
         
           After
           this
           charitable
           method
           and
           temper
           were
           those
           many
           
             learned
             Works
          
           and
           
             elaborate
             Tracts
          
           of
           the
           
             Ancient
             Fathers
          
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Irenaeus
             ,
             Tertullian
             ,
             Cyprian
          
           ,
           Saint
           
             Austin
             ,
             Prosper
             ,
             Cyril
             ,
             Hilary
             ,
             Optatus
             ,
          
           Saint
           Jerom
           and
           others
           ,
           written
           ,
           conforme
           to
           the
           Canons
           and
           Decrees
           of
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Councils
          
           ,
           guided
           by
           the
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           seasonably
           applied
           by
           their
           skilful
           and
           charitable
           hands
           ,
           to
           cure
           the
           maladies
           and
           stop
           the
           Gangrenes
           of
           such
           
             pestilent
             opinions
          
           as
           sprang
           up
           in
           their
           dayes
           from
           
             Hereticks
             ,
             Schismaticks
          
           and
           Fanaticks
           .
           Nor
           did
           those
           
             holy
             men
          
           at
           any
           time
           so
           despise
           the
           meannesse
           of
           any
           Christians
           
             outward
             condition
          
           ,
           or
           the
           fatuity
           of
           their
           
           opinions
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           set
           a
           great
           
             value
             on
             their
             souls
          
           ,
           for
           which
           
             Christ
             had
             died
          
           ;
           ever
           applying
           ,
           first
           the
           
             sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           the
           
             Word
             of
             Truth
          
           ,
           in
           meekness
           of
           wisedom
           ,
           before
           they
           craved
           the
           assistance
           ,
           or
           incouraged
           the
           severity
           of
           the
           
             secular
             Sword
          
           ,
           from
           Christian
           Emperours
           and
           Magistrates
           ;
           using
           all
           rational
           and
           religious
           means
           ,
           untill
           they
           found
           ,
           that
           
             depraved
             opinions
          
           put
           men
           upon
           desperate
           actions
           ,
           as
           in
           those
           of
           the
           
             Novatians
             ,
             Donatists
          
           and
           Arrians
           ,
           also
           of
           the
           
             Manichees
             ,
             Euchites
          
           and
           Circumcellians
           ,
           (
           a
           primitive
           kind
           of
           Quakers
           )
           who
           by
           a
           specious
           constancy
           in
           praying
           ,
           and
           affectation
           of
           suffering
           ,
           so
           seduced
           the
           
             vulgar
             people
          
           ,
           that
           the
           numbers
           of
           their
           
             devout
             ,
             idle
          
           and
           
             hungry
             associates
          
           ,
           at
           length
           ,
           gave
           them
           confidence
           to
           make
           a
           prey
           and
           spoile
           of
           other
           mens
           goods
           ,
           estates
           and
           lives
           too
           ;
           till
           by
           armed
           Forces
           they
           were
           repressed
           ,
           and
           by
           just
           Laws
           prohibited
           ,
           in
           Honorius
           and
           other
           Emperors
           times
           .
        
         
           Then
           indeed
           Charity
           to
           the
           publick
           peace
           and
           welfare
           must
           be
           preferred
           before
           any
           
             pity
             ,
             charity
             ,
             forbearance
          
           or
           indulgence
           to
           private
           
             persons
             ,
             parties
          
           and
           opinions
           ,
           which
           growing
           rude
           and
           insolent
           in
           their
           words
           or
           deeds
           ,
           sufficiently
           discover
           they
           are
           not
           upon
           the
           pure
           account
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           principles
           of
           true
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           which
           is
           as
           farre
           as
           Heaven
           from
           Hell
           ,
           or
           Christ
           from
           Belial
           ,
           from
           teaching
           or
           impelling
           men
           to
           any
           actings
           or
           approvings
           of
           
             private
             sinnes
          
           and
           immoralities
           ,
           much
           more
           from
           publick
           conspirings
           and
           practisings
           of
           
             Factions
             ,
             Schisms
             ,
             Sedition
          
           and
           Rebellion
           in
           Churches
           and
           Kingdomes
           :
           for
           which
           Christ
           never
           gave
           any
           Commission
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           nor
           the
           least
           countenance
           ;
           but
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           most
           eminent
           precepts
           and
           examples
           of
           
           
             humility
             ,
             meekness
          
           and
           patience
           under
           any
           sufferings
           for
           
             conscience
             sake
          
           ;
           sufficient
           for
           ever
           to
           confute
           the
           most
           
             specious
             pretensions
          
           of
           any
           ,
           who
           violently
           carry
           on
           their
           
             private
             Opinions
          
           and
           pretended
           Reformations
           ,
           against
           the
           will
           and
           power
           of
           lawful
           Magistrates
           and
           settled
           Churches
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           judge
           it
           both
           
             Piety
             ,
             Charity
          
           and
           Policy
           ,
           to
           establish
           the
           rule
           of
           
             publick
             Religion
          
           by
           L●wes
           for
           uniformity
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           Devotion
           ,
           Discipline
           and
           Decency
           ,
           accompanied
           ,
           as
           with
           Rewards
           and
           Priviledges
           to
           the
           Conformers
           ,
           so
           with
           some
           moderate
           
             pecuniary
             Penalties
          
           on
           Dissenters
           ,
           according
           to
           mens
           estates
           and
           influences
           :
           but
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           for
           heavy
           mulcts
           ,
           and
           rigorous
           exactions
           ,
           which
           shal
           
             imprison
             ,
             banish
             ,
             impoverish
          
           or
           destroy
           modest
           Dissenters
           and
           their
           families
           onely
           for
           the
           variety
           of
           their
           judgment
           ;
           when
           their
           
             civil
             actions
          
           are
           otherwise
           
             moral
             ,
             just
          
           and
           inoffensive
           .
           This
           severity
           would
           in
           some
           Countries
           (
           and
           possibly
           now
           in
           England
           )
           be
           not
           only
           destructive
           to
           many
           thousands
           ,
           but
           very
           disadvantagious
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           to
           the
           Trade
           and
           Commerce
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           by
           opening
           a
           
             little
             Wicket
          
           of
           Royal
           Clemency
           only
           to
           some
           few
           ,
           and
           shutting
           the
           
             great
             Gate
          
           to
           many
           ,
           whose
           tender
           and
           unsatisfied
           ,
           or
           scrupulous
           Consciences
           do
           as
           much
           expect
           ,
           need
           and
           deserve
           it
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           have
           it
           in
           petty
           matters
           ;
           while
           all
           others
           scruples
           are
           driven
           to
           discontent
           and
           despair
           by
           denial
           of
           all
           ▪
           indulgence
           to
           them
           in
           greater
           scruples
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           but
           these
           
             four
             wayes
          
           of
           treating
           any
           party
           that
           dissents
           from
           the
           publick
           establishment
           of
           Religion
           and
           its
           Lawes
           in
           any
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           .
           1.
           
           Either
           to
           
             impoverish
             ,
             imprison
             ,
             banish
          
           and
           
           destroy
           all
           Dissenters
           ,
           as
           the
           King
           of
           Castile
           did
           the
           Moores
           of
           Granada
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           very
           
             rough
             ,
             barbarous
             ,
             unwelcome
          
           and
           unchristian
           way
           ,
           disallowed
           by
           all
           
             wise
             men
          
           of
           all
           perswasions
           :
           Or
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           by
           rational
           convincing
           them
           of
           their
           errors
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           work
           of
           time
           and
           dexterity
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           done
           on
           the
           sudden
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           
             bodily
             cures
          
           ,
           without
           a
           miracle
           ;
           though
           very
           worthy
           to
           bear
           a
           part
           in
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           should
           require
           of
           every
           one
           a
           reason
           why
           they
           differ
           from
           ,
           or
           forsake
           the
           established
           Religion
           ,
           and
           treat
           them
           according
           as
           their
           
             perswasion
             ,
             passion
          
           ,
           or
           pertinacy
           shall
           appeare
           to
           the
           Conservators
           of
           Religion
           :
           Or
           ,
           Thirdly
           ,
           by
           changing
           established
           Laws
           for
           their
           sake
           ;
           which
           is
           not
           for
           the
           
             Piety
             ,
             Prudence
             ,
             Honour
          
           and
           Safety
           of
           a
           Nation
           and
           Church
           ,
           when
           it
           judgeth
           its
           Constitutions
           to
           be
           
             religious
             ,
             righteous
          
           and
           convenient
           :
           Or
           ,
           Fourthly
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           discreet
           connivance
           and
           charitable
           indulgence
           ,
           so
           farre
           as
           the
           
             civil
             peace
          
           of
           the
           Nation
           will
           bear
           ;
           until
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           (
           of
           whose
           prevalency
           wise
           and
           good
           men
           never
           despair
           )
           have
           by
           calme
           and
           charitable
           methods
           recovered
           people
           from
           the
           error
           of
           
             their
             wayes
          
           ,
           by
           the
           sacred
           Doctrine
           and
           good
           examples
           of
           those
           who
           conforme
           to
           the
           
             established
             Lawes
          
           in
           Church
           and
           State.
           This
           being
           first
           done
           ,
           will
           render
           Dissenters
           unexcusable
           ,
           and
           justifie
           any
           severity
           which
           shall
           be
           inflicted
           upon
           the
           extravagancies
           of
           those
           opinions
           and
           actions
           which
           do
           any
           way
           perturb
           the
           
             publick
             peace
          
           ,
           or
           affront
           the
           
             established
             Religion
          
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           this
           particular
           case
           of
           the
           Quakers
           (
           who
           refuse
           all
           
             legal
             Oathes
          
           ,
           upon
           scruples
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           so
           threaten
           either
           to
           subvert
           our
           Laws
           ,
           or
           to
           obstruct
           
           all
           
             judicial
             proceedings
          
           ,
           pleading
           for
           their
           disobedience
           to
           mans
           Laws
           ,
           the
           
             express
             command
             of
             Christ
          
           and
           his
           Apostle
           Saint
           James
           )
           no
           sober
           man
           can
           think
           by
           
             meer
             penalties
          
           to
           reduce
           them
           to
           a
           conformity
           with
           
             our
             Laws
          
           ,
           or
           to
           stop
           the
           spreading
           of
           their
           Opinions
           ,
           untill
           it
           be
           
             plainly
             shewed
          
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           
             true
             Religion
          
           ,
           but
           onely
           Superstition
           in
           them
           ;
           a
           fear
           where
           
             no
             fear
          
           is
           ;
           a
           being
           
             righteous
             over-much
          
           ,
           by
           a
           mistake
           of
           Christs
           meaning
           ;
           a
           wresting
           of
           those
           Scriptures
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           unlearnedness
           and
           unstableness
           ,
           to
           their
           own
           destruction
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           
             publick
             perturbation
          
           .
        
         
           Noble
           Sir
           ,
           this
           
             great
             work
          
           (
           for
           so
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           convince
           weak
           and
           
             wilful
             men
          
           of
           the
           error
           of
           their
           wayes
           )
           I
           have
           undertaken
           in
           this
           
             little
             Treatise
          
           ,
           by
           Gods
           blessing
           ,
           not
           unseasonably
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           as
           to
           our
           times
           ,
           nor
           unsuitably
           ,
           as
           to
           my
           profession
           .
           If
           I
           may
           be
           happy
           to
           do
           any
           of
           them
           good
           (
           who
           possibly
           may
           erre
           in
           this
           with
           
             no
             evil
             mind
          
           )
           by
           redeeming
           them
           from
           their
           mistakes
           ,
           and
           so
           from
           the
           penalties
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           I
           shall
           more
           rejoyce
           in
           that
           success
           ,
           then
           those
           Souldiers
           did
           ,
           who
           among
           the
           Ancients
           were
           rewarded
           with
           
             Civick
             Garlands
          
           for
           preserving
           any
           of
           their
           Countrey-men
           and
           fellow-Citizens
           :
           which
           Honour
           (
           you
           know
           )
           the
           
             Roman
             valour
          
           esteemed
           more
           ,
           then
           any
           
             victorious
             Laurels
          
           for
           destroying
           their
           Enemies
           .
           And
           in
           this
           charitable
           endeavour
           (
           prospered
           by
           Gods
           grace
           )
           I
           shall
           the
           more
           seriously
           triumph
           ,
           because
           I
           believe
           it
           most
           agreable
           as
           to
           my
           Saviours
           preoept
           and
           primitive
           examples
           of
           Christian
           Bishops
           ,
           so
           to
           your
           
             generous
             Soule
          
           ,
           whereby
           this
           piece
           may
           probably
           be
           fortified
           with
           the
           approbation
           of
           so
           pieus
           and
           judicious
           a
           person
           ;
           whose
           single
           suffrage
           
           is
           to
           me
           more
           valuable
           then
           the
           sequacious
           and
           vulgar
           votes
           of
           thousands
           ,
           whose
           empty
           brains
           and
           clamorous
           mouths
           ,
           like
           
             hollow
             places
          
           where
           
             Echo
             hides
          
           her self
           ,
           do
           commonly
           receive
           and
           report
           things
           ,
           not
           as
           the
           Truth
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           noise
           and
           cry
           is
           lowdest
           .
           I
           know
           you
           are
           as
           much
           above
           
             plebeian
             censures
          
           ,
           as
           
             titular
             Honours
             ,
             traditional
             Philosophy
          
           ,
           and
           
             popular
             Religion
          
           ;
           being
           every
           way
           
             judiciously
             devoted
          
           to
           God
           and
           his
           Truth
           ,
           full
           of
           Loyalty
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Laws
           ,
           also
           of
           sober
           Conformity
           to
           the
           established
           Religion
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           whose
           
             royal
             Law
          
           is
           that
           of
           Charity
           ,
           the
           bond
           of
           perfection
           ,
           and
           centre
           of
           Peace
           :
           In
           all
           which
           respects
           you
           deserve
           and
           have
           the
           love
           and
           honour
           of
           all
           worthy
           Persons
           ,
           and
           particularly
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           may
           ,
           without
           vanity
           ,
           own
           this
           as
           an
           instance
           of
           
             some
             worth
          
           in
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             (
             SIR
             )
          
           
             Your
             most
             affectionate
             Friend
             and
             humble
             Servant
             ,
             JOH
             .
             EXON
             .
          
           
             
               March
               20
               ,
               1661.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           DISCOURSE
           ,
           Concerning
           Publick
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           Swearing
           in
           Judicial
           Proceedings
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           FInding
           lately
           in
           the
           most
           
             Honourable
             House
             of
             Peers
          
           ,
           
           that
           a
           Law
           was
           likely
           to
           pass
           in
           order
           to
           punish
           ,
           with
           
             great
             Penalties
          
           ,
           those
           English
           Subjects
           ,
           who
           ,
           under
           the
           name
           of
           Quakers
           ,
           shall
           refuse
           to
           take
           ,
           as
           other
           
             legal
             Oaths
          
           ,
           so
           those
           which
           are
           usually
           required
           in
           
             Judicial
             proceedings
          
           ,
           thereby
           to
           prevent
           ,
           either
           the
           alteration
           of
           the
           good
           Laws
           and
           Customs
           of
           England
           ,
           according
           to
           private
           mens
           fancies
           ,
           or
           the
           obstructions
           and
           violations
           of
           
             publick
             Justice
          
           ;
           (
           the
           free
           course
           of
           which
           (
           as
           that
           of
           the
           Blood
           and
           Spirits
           to
           the
           Natural
           )
           is
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Life
           and
           Health
           ,
           the
           Peace
           and
           Honour
           ,
           the
           Happiness
           and
           very
           Being
           of
           the
           
             Body
             Politick
          
           )
           which
           by
           the
           Laws
           and
           ancient
           Customs
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           of
           England
           cannot
           be
           duly
           administred
           ,
           but
           by
           those
           forms
           of
           solemn
           and
           
             religious
             Oaths
          
           in
           the
           
             Name
             of
             the
             
             true
             God
             ,
          
           which
           are
           the
           
             highest
             Obligations
          
           to
           Truth
           and
           Justice
           upon
           them
           that
           swear
           ;
           also
           the
           greatest
           satisfactions
           or
           assurances
           that
           can
           be
           given
           to
           others
           ,
           for
           the
           belief
           of
           what
           is
           so
           attested
           ,
           and
           for
           acquiescency
           in
           what
           is
           so
           decided
           :
        
         
           I
           was
           hereupon
           bold
           thus
           far
           humbly
           to
           intercede
           with
           that
           
             Honourable
             House
          
           ,
           
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           those
           
             poor
             people
          
           who
           are
           likely
           to
           fall
           under
           the
           Penalties
           of
           that
           Law
           ,
        
         
           
             That
             however
             I
             might
             consent
             to
             the
             passing
             of
             that
             Bill
             ,
             out
             of
             that
             justice
             and
             charity
             which
             I
             owe
             to
             the
             
               publick
               peace
            
             and
             welfare
             (
             to
             which
             all
             private
             Parties
             ,
             Interests
             ,
             and
             Charities
             must
             submit
             ;
             )
             yet
             I
             craved
             so
             far
             a
             respite
             for
             some
             time
             as
             to
             the
             execution
             of
             those
             Penalties
             upon
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             Offenders
             ,
             until
             some
             such
             rational
             and
             religious
             course
             were
             taken
             ,
             as
             might
             best
             inform
             those
             men
             of
             the
             lawfulness
             ,
             by
             God's
             as
             well
             as
             Man's
             Law
             ,
             of
             imposing
             and
             taking
             such
             
               publick
               Oaths
            
             :
             That
             so
             answering
             first
             their
             Scruples
             ,
             and
             fairly
             removing
             their
             difficulties
             ,
             either
             they
             might
             be
             brought
             to
             a
             
               chearful
               Obedience
            
             in
             that
             particular
             ;
             or
             else
             be
             left
             
               without
               excuse
            
             before
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             while
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Law
             was
             justified
             against
             their
             error
             ,
             and
             the
             severity
             of
             it
             only
             imputable
             to
             their
             own
             obstinacy
             .
          
           
             I
             further
             recommended
             this
             previous
             method
             of
             Christian
             Charity
             or
             
               meekness
               of
               Wisdome
            
             ,
             as
             best
             becoming
             the
             
               Piety
               ,
               Humanity
            
             and
             Honour
             of
             that
             House
             ;
             2.
             as
             most
             agreeable
             to
             the
             wonted
             Clemency
             of
             His
             Majesty
             to
             all
             
               His
               good
               Subjects
            
             ;
             3.
             as
             the
             
               aptest
               means
            
             to
             reclaim
             such
             as
             were
             gone
             astray
             from
             their
             duty
             ,
             by
             the
             error
             of
             their
             fancy
             ;
             4.
             and
             to
             stop
             for
             the
             future
             the
             spreading
             of
             this
             and
             other
             dangerous
             Opinions
             ,
             which
             are
             usually
             known
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Quakerisme
             ;
             the
             Cure
             of
             which
             is
             easilier
             done
             by
             
               rational
               applications
            
             ,
             then
             by
             only
             
               rigid
               inflictions
            
             upon
             those
             ,
             who
             pleading
             Conscience
             ,
             will
             by
             the
             Vulgar
             be
             thought
             Martyrs
             for
             their
             Sufferings
             ;
             their
             patience
             spreading
             a
             love
             and
             esteem
             of
             their
             Opinions
             ,
             by
             that
             pity
             and
             sympathy
             which
             people
             will
             be
             prone
             to
             have
             for
             their
             persons
             .
             5.
             
             I
             further
             asserted
             this
             humble
             motion
             as
             very
             sutable
             to
             my
             Profession
             ,
             as
             a
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             the
             special
             care
             of
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             relations
             which
             
             carry
             in
             them
             great
             obligations
             to
             Humanity
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Ministerial
             
               Duty
               ,
               Episcopal
               Vigilancy
            
             ,
             and
             
               Paternal
               Compassion
            
             to
             any
             men
             ,
             specially
             Christians
             who
             are
             weak
             or
             ignorant
             ,
             erroneous
             in
             their
             judgement
             or
             dangerous
             in
             their
             actions
             .
             6.
             
             Lastly
             ,
             I
             urged
             the
             paterne
             of
             
               Divine
               Justice
            
             ,
             whose
             usual
             fore-runner
             is
             
               Mercy
               ;
               Vengeance
            
             rarely
             following
             but
             where
             Patience
             hath
             gone
             before
             ,
             instructing
             men
             of
             their
             
               duty
               ,
               warning
            
             them
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             their
             
               sins
               ,
               bearing
            
             with
             their
             manners
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             
             and
             calling
             them
             to
             repentance
             ,
             before
             the
             Decree
             come
             forth
             to
             execution
             .
          
        
         
           To
           this
           purpose
           I
           am
           sure
           I
           spake
           ;
           how
           I
           worded
           my
           meaning
           I
           cannot
           exactly
           recollect
           ;
           confessing
           ,
           that
           I
           never
           found
           my self
           (
           who
           am
           thought
           neither
           a
           barren
           nor
           a
           diffident
           speaker
           )
           more
           surprised
           with
           an
           
             ingenuous
             horror
          
           in
           any
           Audience
           ,
           then
           when
           I
           adventured
           to
           speak
           in
           that
           most
           august
           and
           
             honourable
             Assembly
          
           of
           the
           Lords
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           so
           many
           
             excellent
             Orators
          
           ,
           and
           
             accurate
             Censors
          
           ;
           among
           whom
           it
           is
           safer
           to
           hear
           then
           to
           speak
           ,
           and
           easier
           to
           admire
           then
           imitate
           their
           
             judicious
             Eloquence
          
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           Motion
           seemed
           to
           have
           some
           favourable
           Acceptance
           in
           that
           
             Honourable
             House
          
           from
           many
           
             Lords
             Temporal
          
           ,
           
           and
           from
           some
           of
           my
           
             Brethren
             the
             Bishops
          
           ;
           so
           I
           presume
           it
           will
           not
           be
           displeasing
           to
           their
           Piety
           and
           Charity
           ,
           if
           I
           do
           that
           by
           a
           private
           and
           
             single
             hand
          
           ,
           which
           I
           perswade
           my self
           all
           of
           them
           would
           readily
           assist
           me
           in
           by
           their
           joint
           suffrages
           and
           consent
           ,
           if
           their
           leisure
           would
           permit
           them
           in
           common
           to
           consult
           and
           determine
           of
           this
           point
           .
           Nor
           can
           I
           but
           believe
           that
           His
           
             Majesties
             Royal
             Clemency
          
           ,
           which
           hath
           sought
           in
           the
           gentlest
           way
           to
           convince
           and
           conquer
           all
           His
           Enemies
           (
           whose
           Pride
           and
           Folly
           hath
           not
           made
           them
           desperate
           ,
           and
           so
           
             the
             severest
             punishers
          
           of
           themselves
           )
           will
           graciously
           approve
           this
           my
           charitable
           endeavour
           ,
           to
           redeem
           many
           of
           his
           
             well-meaning
             Subjects
          
           from
           those
           mistakes
           in
           Opinion
           ,
           and
           mischiefs
           in
           Practise
           ,
           which
           must
           either
           expose
           His
           Majesty
           and
           his
           Kingdomes
           to
           great
           troubles
           and
           dangers
           ,
           if
           unpunished
           and
           permitted
           ;
           or
           else
           compel
           His
           
             Native
             Gentleness
          
           to
           use
           at
           last
           (
           and
           it
           may
           be
           too
           late
           )
           those
           Severities
           ,
           which
           not
           His
           own
           Benignity
           ,
           but
           the
           publick
           Necessity
           ,
           will
           require
           of
           a
           
           Wise
           and
           Just
           King
           ,
           whose
           Lenity
           to
           any
           party
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           contrary
           to
           Law
           ,
           will
           soon
           become
           an
           injury
           to
           the
           Community
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           safe
           or
           happy
           but
           by
           an
           
             uniform
             obedience
          
           to
           the
           same
           Laws
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           the
           rules
           and
           measures
           of
           all
           mens
           publick
           Actions
           ,
           the
           tryers
           of
           their
           failings
           ,
           and
           the
           inflicters
           of
           their
           punishments
           .
        
         
           This
           Office
           of
           
             Christian
             Charity
          
           I
           have
           undertaken
           for
           Christ
           his
           sake
           ,
           
           by
           whom
           I
           have
           received
           
             many
             mercies
          
           ;
           not
           bespoken
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           least
           sort
           obliged
           ,
           by
           any
           of
           that
           Sect
           called
           Quakers
           ,
           with
           whom
           I
           have
           so
           little
           correspondency
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           not
           any
           acquaintance
           ,
           not
           knowing
           any
           of
           
             that
             way
          
           by
           Face
           or
           Name
           ,
           or
           one
           hours
           conversation
           :
           They
           being
           a
           Generation
           of
           people
           so
           supercilious
           ,
           or
           so
           shy
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           scarce
           sociable
           or
           accessible
           ;
           speaking
           much
           in
           their
           Conventicles
           behind
           mens
           backs
           ,
           but
           seldom
           arguing
           any
           thing
           in
           presence
           of
           those
           that
           are
           best
           able
           to
           answer
           or
           satisfie
           them
           ;
           seeming
           wiser
           in
           their
           own
           conceits
           then
           seven
           men
           that
           can
           render
           a
           reason
           .
           I
           have
           seen
           indeed
           some
           of
           their
           Papers
           ,
           and
           received
           some
           of
           their
           Letters
           written
           to
           my self
           ;
           truely
           ,
           not
           very
           rudely
           ,
           nor
           malapertly
           ;
           yet
           with
           so
           abrupt
           and
           obscure
           a
           way
           (
           so
           
             blindly
             censorious
          
           ,
           and
           boldly
           dictating
           ,
           )
           that
           saving
           a
           few
           
             good
             words
          
           and
           
             godly
             phrases
          
           in
           them
           ,
           I
           found
           very
           little
           of
           rational
           or
           
             Scriptural
             demonstration
          
           ,
           many
           passages
           so
           far
           from
           the
           beauty
           and
           strength
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           not
           the
           ordinary
           symmetry
           of
           Reason
           ,
           or
           the
           lineaments
           of
           
             common
             sense
          
           in
           them
           ;
           at
           least
           in
           my
           apprehension
           ,
           who
           am
           wholly
           a
           stranger
           to
           any
           Canting
           or
           
             Chymical
             Divinity
          
           ,
           which
           bubbles
           forth
           many
           specious
           Notions
           ,
           fine
           Fancies
           and
           short-lived
           Conceptions
           ,
           floating
           a
           little
           in
           an
           airy
           and
           empty
           brain
           ,
           but
           not
           induring
           the
           firm
           touch
           or
           breath
           of
           any
           serious
           judgement
           .
        
         
           Nor
           do
           I
           expect
           any
           thanks
           for
           my
           pains
           from
           any
           of
           that
           Faction
           ,
           
           while
           they
           continue
           in
           their
           morose
           Opinions
           ,
           in
           their
           
             surly
             ,
             rude
          
           and
           uncourteous
           Manners
           .
           I
           do
           not
           hear
           that
           they
           are
           generally
           a
           people
           of
           so
           soft
           and
           ingenuous
           tempers
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           any
           thing
           kindly
           or
           thankfully
           from
           those
           that
           are
           not
           of
           their
           own
           Perswasion
           :
           many
           of
           them
           seem
           to
           affect
           a
           ruserved
           and
           restical
           way
           of
           clownish
           ,
           yea
           scornful
           ,
           demeanour
           ;
           
           prone
           to
           
             censure
             ,
             despise
          
           and
           reproch
           not
           only
           their
           betters
           ,
           but
           even
           their
           Benefactors
           and
           Instructors
           .
           Their
           rude
           and
           
             levelling
             humour
          
           denies
           to
           shew
           common
           courtesie
           and
           wonted
           tokens
           of
           
             civil
             respect
          
           to
           their
           Superiours
           ;
           contrary
           to
           the
           reverent
           ,
           gentle
           and
           humble
           behaviour
           of
           all
           
           God's
           people
           ,
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           ,
           then
           whom
           none
           were
           more
           full
           of
           inward
           humility
           ,
           or
           of
           outward
           respect
           and
           civility
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           custom
           of
           their
           Countries
           .
           Possibly
           ,
           these
           Quakers
           may
           in
           a
           fit
           fear
           and
           flatter
           some
           men
           in
           power
           ;
           but
           they
           do
           not
           seem
           much
           to
           regard
           any
           man
           with
           any
           true
           love
           or
           honour
           as
           to
           real
           worth
           ,
           unless
           they
           be
           of
           their
           Fraternity
           ;
           who
           pretending
           to
           a
           
             diviner
             spirit
          
           and
           
             higher
             lights
          
           then
           either
           
             Reason
             ,
             Law
          
           or
           Scripture
           afford
           to
           other
           men
           ,
           do
           think
           they
           have
           cause
           to
           glory
           in
           their
           own
           imaginations
           ,
           and
           to
           despise
           all
           those
           who
           are
           not
           yet
           arrived
           to
           the
           pitch
           of
           their
           presumption
           .
        
         
           Some
           men
           I
           find
           look
           upon
           these
           Quakers
           with
           an
           eye
           of
           
             publick
             Fear
          
           and
           Jealousie
           ,
           
           lest
           the
           leaven
           of
           their
           Opinions
           and
           Practises
           ,
           spreading
           far
           among
           the
           meaner
           sort
           of
           people
           (
           to
           whose
           humour
           that
           rude
           and
           confident
           way
           is
           very
           agreeable
           ,
           while
           in
           a
           moment
           all
           their
           defects
           of
           Reason
           ,
           Learning
           ,
           Education
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           Loyalty
           and
           Civility
           are
           made
           up
           by
           a
           
             presumed
             spirit
          
           and
           
             light
             within
             them
          
           )
           lest
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           it
           should
           ,
           after
           the
           pattern
           of
           other
           Sects
           ,
           both
           later
           and
           elder
           (
           such
           as
           were
           the
           
             Montanists
             ,
             Manichees
             ,
             Circumcellians
             ,
             Euchites
             ,
             Samosatenians
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Familists
             ,
             Presbyterians
          
           and
           Independents
           )
           give
           occasion
           and
           confidence
           to
           
             common
             people
          
           to
           run
           to
           Tumults
           and
           Commottons
           under
           pretence
           of
           setting
           up
           God
           ,
           and
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           by
           the
           way
           of
           new
           Powers
           ,
           new
           Lights
           ,
           and
           new
           Models
           in
           Church
           and
           State.
           Of
           which
           rare
           Fancies
           we
           have
           had
           of
           late
           so
           many
           Tragical
           Experiments
           in
           England
           ,
           under
           other
           Names
           ,
           Notions
           ,
           and
           Pretensions
           .
        
         
           Certainly
           ,
           it
           will
           become
           the
           publick
           care
           and
           wisdom
           ,
           
           as
           not
           easily
           to
           permit
           the
           rise
           and
           spreading
           of
           any
           
             novel
             humors
          
           and
           wayes
           contrary
           to
           the
           good
           Constitutions
           and
           well-tried
           Laws
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           :
           so
           never
           to
           trust
           them
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           soft
           and
           seemingly
           innocent
           at
           first
           .
           Hornes
           ,
           
           as
           in
           other
           Creatures
           ,
           grow
           out
           of
           mens
           heads
           and
           hands
           too
           ,
           as
           their
           Bones
           and
           Smews
           grow
           stronger
           ,
           as
           their
           strength
           and
           members
           increase
           .
           Nothing
           but
           truly
           Christian
           and
           
             Evangelical
             Principles
          
           (
           which
           are
           in
           the
           good
           and
           
             old
             way
          
           )
           do
           secure
           Kings
           ,
           or
           sufficiently
           bind
           Subjects
           to
           their
           
             good
             behaviour
          
           .
           Though
           Factions
           at
           first
           may
           seem
           but
           as
           a
           Cloud
           of
           an
           hand-breadth
           ;
           yet
           they
           will
           in
           time
           grow
           big
           and
           black
           ,
           covering
           the
           whole
           
             face
             of
             Heaven
          
           ,
           and
           pouring
           down
           showres
           of
           
             Civil
             troubles
          
           upon
           any
           Church
           and
           Nation
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           not
           dispelled
           by
           Authority
           .
           Let
           them
           go
           never
           so
           soft
           and
           silently
           at
           first
           ,
           as
           Cats
           and
           Lions
           do
           on
           their
           Paws
           ;
           yet
           they
           have
           all
           of
           them
           
             sharp
             Fangs
          
           ,
           hidden
           and
           reserved
           Talons
           ,
           till
           they
           find
           a
           fit
           prey
           and
           opportunity
           for
           their
           designs
           :
           then
           you
           shall
           see
           what
           
             cruel
             Clawes
          
           they
           have
           .
           We
           see
           not
           only
           the
           greater
           Hornets
           of
           
             rigid
             Presbyterians
          
           ,
           but
           the
           lesser
           Wasps
           of
           Independents
           ,
           and
           the
           Gad-flies
           or
           muskeetos
           of
           Anabaptists
           ,
           with
           other
           Insects
           ,
           after
           their
           pious
           buzzing
           at
           first
           ,
           used
           their
           stings
           at
           last
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           season
           ,
           both
           jointly
           and
           severally
           ,
           they
           sought
           to
           sting
           to
           death
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           :
           though
           at
           first
           ,
           like
           Serpents
           in
           Winter
           ,
           they
           seemed
           very
           tame
           and
           meek
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           principles
           and
           practises
           .
           There
           is
           a
           Wolf
           under
           the
           Sheeps
           clothing
           of
           all
           Novelizing
           Humorists
           .
           All
           of
           them
           did
           either
           begin
           ,
           or
           continue
           ,
           or
           increase
           our
           late
           Miseries
           ,
           and
           will
           renew
           them
           by
           their
           emulations
           and
           ambitions
           ,
           from
           which
           the
           
             miraculous
             mercies
          
           of
           God
           have
           delivered
           us
           .
           The
           only
           advantage
           which
           these
           our
           late
           Tragedies
           can
           afford
           us
           ,
           is
           ,
           to
           learn
           wisdom
           by
           them
           ,
           to
           govern
           our
           hearts
           and
           affections
           with
           greater
           evenness
           and
           exactness
           ,
           also
           to
           look
           to
           the
           Peace
           of
           Church
           &
           State
           with
           all
           possible
           circumspection
           and
           vigilancy
           ;
           never
           to
           trust
           the
           most
           innocent
           smiles
           and
           harmless
           simplicities
           of
           any
           Innovators
           ,
           dissenters
           and
           repugners
           against
           well-setled
           Laws
           and
           ancient
           Constitutions
           ,
           no
           way
           contrary
           to
           Reason
           or
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           
           though
           I
           have
           pity
           and
           charity
           for
           these
           silly
           Quakers
           ,
           as
           they
           may
           now
           appear
           wrapped
           up
           in
           a
           kind
           of
           clownish
           garb
           ,
           and
           ignorant
           plainness
           ;
           yet
           I
           should
           forfeit
           my
           prudence
           much
           to
           trust
           their
           Hands
           :
           because
           I
           find
           the
           Tongues
           and
           Pens
           of
           some
           of
           them
           are
           full
           of
           
             bitterness
             ,
             scorn
          
           and
           reproch
           ;
           
           arguing
           much
           pride
           and
           presumption
           in
           their
           spirits
           ,
           not
           beseeming
           truly
           mortified
           Christians
           ,
           and
           least
           of
           all
           such
           as
           are
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           but
           mean
           people
           for
           birth
           or
           breeding
           ,
           for
           reason
           and
           understanding
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           estates
           .
           And
           for
           the
           pretended
           Inspirations
           or
           inward
           Lights
           of
           which
           they
           vapour
           ,
           I
           never
           yet
           saw
           any
           beams
           or
           effects
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           might
           give
           the
           least
           cause
           to
           think
           of
           them
           above
           other
           
             poor
             men
          
           ,
           who
           live
           by
           the
           more
           sure
           and
           
             sufficient
             light
          
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           and
           our
           Laws
           ,
           which
           raise
           them
           to
           much
           a
           higher
           pitch
           of
           knowledge
           and
           
             prudence
             ,
             sanctity
          
           and
           due
           obedience
           ,
           then
           ever
           yet
           I
           observed
           in
           any
           of
           
             this
             way
          
           ,
           who
           seem
           very
           much
           infected
           with
           affectation
           and
           self-conceit
           .
        
         
           I
           never
           conversed
           with
           any
           of
           their
           persons
           ;
           and
           for
           their
           Writings
           ,
           private
           or
           publick
           ,
           
           (
           in
           which
           I
           suppose
           they
           shew
           their
           best
           abilities
           )
           I
           must
           profess
           there
           appears
           to
           me
           so
           nothing
           of
           an
           excellent
           or
           extraordinary
           spirit
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           much
           of
           silliness
           ,
           and
           never
           well-catechised
           ignorance
           ,
           ●et
           off
           with
           great
           confidence
           ;
           an
           odd
           way
           of
           folly
           dressed
           up
           with
           some
           Scripture-phrases
           :
           like
           Sepulchres
           painted
           with
           sweet
           flowers
           and
           fair
           colours
           ,
           but
           void
           of
           any
           true
           life
           and
           beauty
           within
           ;
           either
           as
           convincing
           of
           sin
           and
           error
           ,
           or
           as
           vindicating
           any
           truth
           or
           necessary
           point
           of
           duty
           and
           morality
           .
           They
           generally
           seem
           a
           
             busie
             ,
             petulant
          
           and
           pragmatick
           sort
           of
           people
           ,
           measuring
           themselves
           by
           
             themselves
             ,
             admiring
          
           each
           other
           ,
           even
           in
           their
           most
           
             ridiculous
             affectations
          
           and
           falsities
           :
           a
           kind
           of
           Dreamers
           ,
           at
           once
           deceiving
           and
           being
           
             deceived
             ,
             doting
          
           and
           glorying
           in
           their
           rude
           and
           
             contemptuous
             carriage
          
           toward
           all
           men
           that
           do
           not
           either
           favour
           or
           flatter
           them
           in
           their
           rusticity
           and
           petulancy
           ,
           which
           hath
           in
           it
           a
           great
           seed
           of
           pride
           and
           ambition
           .
        
         
           Nor
           do
           they
           seem
           wholly
           void
           of
           other
           
             evil
             principles
          
           ,
           
           which
           look
           very
           like
           Covetousness
           and
           Injustice
           ,
           while
           they
           deny
           to
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           never
           so
           able
           and
           faithful
           ,
           that
           maintenance
           by
           Tithes
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           are
           as
           much
           due
           to
           them
           as
           any
           mans
           Estate
           ,
           and
           by
           no
           Law
           of
           Christ
           forbidden
           ,
           but
           rather
           
             allowed
             ▪
          
           yea
           ,
           
           ordained
           and
           proportioned
           by
           the
           Lord
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           by
           a
           paritie
           of
           justice
           and
           gratitude
           ,
           in
           way
           of
           homage
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           of
           due
           wages
           and
           hire
           to
           
             Gods
             labourers
          
           ,
           as
           the
           livelihood
           of
           those
           that
           serve
           
           God
           and
           his
           Church
           in
           
             holy
             ministrations
          
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           a
           small
           insolence
           in
           them
           to
           endeavour
           ,
           in
           an
           age
           of
           so
           much
           light
           and
           learning
           ,
           to
           obtrude
           ,
           yea
           oppose
           ,
           the
           rudeness
           and
           silliness
           of
           their
           covetous
           and
           
             crude
             fancies
          
           ,
           against
           the
           Prudence
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Piety
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           But
           my
           design
           in
           this
           place
           is
           not
           to
           ravel
           into
           all
           the
           pettie
           Opinions
           ,
           
           
             Enthusiastick
             Raptures
          
           and
           odd
           practises
           of
           the
           Quakers
           :
           nor
           will
           I
           here
           severely
           perstringe
           them
           ,
           because
           I
           have
           a
           great
           
             pity
             for
             them
          
           upon
           a
           
             threefold
             account
          
           .
           First
           ,
           because
           I
           perceive
           them
           to
           be
           so
           very
           unlearned
           and
           unstable
           people
           ;
           ever
           learning
           ,
           but
           never
           coming
           to
           any
           solid
           knowledge
           of
           Truth
           ,
           or
           any
           great
           improvement
           in
           Christian
           gifts
           ;
           men
           of
           low
           parts
           ,
           and
           small
           capacities
           as
           to
           any
           point
           of
           true
           wisdom
           or
           understanding
           in
           things
           Humane
           or
           Divine
           ;
           
             tossed
             to
             and
             fro
          
           with
           every
           wind
           of
           Doctrine
           ;
           easily
           seduced
           with
           
             specious
             pretensions
          
           and
           
             strange
             notions
          
           ,
           even
           to
           Raptures
           and
           Enthusiasmes
           ,
           which
           are
           presented
           to
           them
           as
           
             rare
             novelties
          
           by
           some
           that
           are
           Masters
           of
           
             that
             Art
          
           ,
           and
           Agitators
           for
           that
           Party
           ;
           for
           what
           design
           ,
           private
           or
           publick
           ,
           forraign
           or
           domestick
           ,
           God
           knows
           .
           Some
           suspect
           Jesuitick
           Arts
           to
           be
           among
           them
           .
           
           Indeed
           they
           seem
           so
           far
           to
           conspire
           with
           the
           
             craftiest
             Lotolists
          
           ,
           as
           they
           bear
           a
           most
           implacable
           hatred
           against
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           :
           and
           under
           
             religious
             pretensions
          
           they
           may
           in
           time
           undermine
           the
           
             civil
             Peace
          
           ,
           as
           other
           
             Factions
             formerly
          
           have
           done
           .
           The
           way
           to
           make
           them
           better
           Subjects
           is
           to
           make
           them
           wiser
           men
           and
           seberer
           Christians
           ,
           by
           some
           publick
           care
           to
           have
           them
           better
           instructed
           as
           well
           as
           justly
           restrained
           .
        
         
           My
           Second
           
             ground
             of
             pity
          
           to
           them
           is
           ,
           
           because
           they
           are
           a
           Sect
           lately
           bred
           by
           a
           kind
           of
           equivocal
           generation
           ,
           as
           Vermine
           out
           of
           the
           
             putid
             matter
          
           and
           corruptions
           of
           former
           times
           ,
           in
           which
           so
           many
           Factions
           cast
           forth
           their
           spawn
           and
           filth
           to
           the
           deformity
           and
           confusion
           of
           all
           things
           Civil
           and
           Sacred
           in
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           .
           They
           had
           their
           beginning
           from
           the
           very
           rabble
           and
           dregs
           of
           people
           ,
           
             uncatechised
             ,
             undisciplined
          
           and
           ungoverned
           in
           England
           .
           No
           wonder
           to
           find
           these
           people
           fly
           to
           inspirations
           and
           
             new
             lights
          
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           hatched
           in
           
             dark
             times
          
           ,
           which
           sought
           to
           put
           out
           all
           the
           
             old
             light
          
           of
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           .
           They
           might
           easily
           run
           to
           Rudeness
           toward
           their
           betters
           ,
           
           and
           Refractoriness
           against
           our
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Obstinacy
           in
           their
           Errors
           ,
           and
           Impatience
           of
           any
           just
           coercions
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           their
           first
           original
           and
           extraction
           out
           of
           that
           
             squalor
             ,
             mud
          
           ,
           and
           fedity
           of
           times
           which
           destroyed
           all
           fear
           of
           God
           and
           reverence
           of
           Man
           ,
           which
           denied
           the
           holy
           institution
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           the
           orderly
           presidency
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           the
           just
           authoritie
           of
           Magistrates
           ,
           the
           freedome
           and
           honour
           of
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           the
           Sacred
           Majesty
           of
           Kings
           .
           All
           these
           being
           troden
           under
           the
           feet
           of
           profane
           Levellers
           and
           cruel
           Vsurpers
           ,
           who
           can
           wonder
           that
           the
           impiety
           and
           scandal
           of
           those
           times
           should
           lead
           such
           silly
           people
           in
           those
           temptations
           ,
           which
           sought
           by
           some
           unwonted
           waies
           to
           make
           even
           their
           
             obscurity
             remarkable
          
           at
           least
           by
           the
           parallel
           boldness
           of
           their
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           the
           rudeness
           of
           their
           Actions
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           I
           pity
           them
           ,
           because
           to
           me
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           ,
           
           if
           people
           of
           so
           
             plain
             breeding
          
           ,
           of
           
             unpolished
             manners
          
           ,
           (
           and
           possibly
           of
           no
           evil
           minds
           ,
           compared
           to
           others
           of
           those
           times
           ;
           though
           easie
           and
           unwary
           ,
           as
           the
           Quakers
           for
           the
           most
           part
           are
           )
           if
           (
           I
           say
           )
           they
           were
           scared
           from
           
             all
             Swearing
          
           by
           the
           frequent
           forfeited
           Oaths
           and
           repeated
           Perjuries
           of
           those
           Times
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           cruel
           Ambitions
           and
           disorderly
           Spirits
           of
           some
           men
           ,
           like
           the
           Demoniack
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           brake
           all
           bonds
           of
           lawful
           Oaths
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           were
           bound
           to
           God
           and
           the
           King
           ;
           daily
           imposing
           ,
           as
           any
           new
           Partie
           or
           Interest
           prevailed
           ,
           the
           Superfoetations
           of
           new
           and
           
             illegal
             Oaths
             ,
             monstrous
             Vows
             ,
             factious
             Covenants
             ,
             desperate
             Engagements
             ,
          
           and
           
             damnable
             Abjurations
          
           .
        
         
           Poor
           men
           ,
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           had
           cause
           to
           fear
           lest
           if
           they
           took
           an
           Oath
           to
           day
           ,
           they
           should
           to
           morrow
           be
           forced
           to
           renounce
           and
           abjure
           it
           ;
           not
           as
           to
           own
           a
           quiet
           submission
           and
           profession
           of
           
             passive
             obedience
          
           to
           Powers
           at
           present
           prevalent
           and
           protecting
           (
           which
           is
           the
           way
           of
           temporary
           and
           
             reciprocal
             Oaths
          
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           among
           those
           Subjects
           whose
           fortunes
           lying
           on
           the
           frontiers
           of
           Dominions
           ,
           expose
           them
           to
           the
           vicissitudes
           of
           Wars
           and
           change
           of
           Governours
           )
           but
           to
           a
           formal
           comprobation
           of
           most
           unjust
           Actions
           ,
           yea
           to
           renounce
           and
           abjure
           the
           
             undoubted
             rights
          
           of
           others
           ,
           to
           attest
           even
           by
           Oath
           the
           Usurpations
           of
           those
           as
           lawful
           ,
           which
           were
           most
           diametrically
           contrary
           to
           the
           
             Laws
             of
             God
          
           and
           Man.
           
        
         
         
           This
           great
           temptation
           under
           which
           these
           Quakers
           then
           lived
           ,
           
           makes
           me
           have
           much
           compassion
           for
           them
           ;
           it
           being
           not
           only
           easie
           and
           obvious
           ,
           but
           venial
           and
           almost
           commendable
           ,
           for
           them
           to
           be
           carried
           to
           an
           utter
           aversation
           from
           all
           Swearing
           whatsoever
           ,
           when
           they
           saw
           such
           
             desperate
             abuse
          
           and
           breaking
           of
           publick
           and
           
             solemn
             Oaths
          
           in
           those
           
             dismal
             days
          
           .
           But
           as
           the
           abuse
           of
           things
           lawful
           and
           good
           must
           not
           take
           away
           the
           lawful
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           some
           mens
           gluttony
           and
           drunkenness
           may
           deprive
           us
           of
           all
           eating
           and
           drinking
           soberly
           :
           so
           neither
           may
           Christians
           therefore
           deny
           all
           Swearing
           ,
           because
           some
           men
           cared
           not
           what
           and
           how
           they
           did
           Swear
           and
           Forswear
           .
           Here
           a
           little
           clearing
           of
           those
           superstitious
           fears
           and
           prejudices
           which
           first
           possessed
           these
           men
           against
           all
           Swearing
           ,
           may
           at
           once
           let
           them
           see
           the
           liberty
           they
           have
           for
           doing
           that
           which
           our
           Laws
           require
           ,
           and
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           Gospel
           no
           where
           absolutely
           forbids
           ,
           but
           onely
           regulates
           and
           restrains
           .
        
         
           Nor
           do
           I
           only
           thus
           pity
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           
           but
           I
           praise
           them
           also
           in
           some
           respects
           ;
           being
           as
           no
           enemie
           to
           their
           persons
           ,
           so
           a
           friend
           to
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           good
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           for
           their
           chusing
           (
           as
           they
           profess
           in
           those
           Papers
           given
           in
           
             that
             day
          
           to
           some
           of
           the
           Lords
           )
           rather
           to
           suffer
           then
           sin
           against
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           so
           against
           God
           ;
           whose
           holy
           will
           shining
           on
           the
           Soul
           in
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           ,
           either
           seeming
           or
           real
           ,
           is
           indeed
           the
           present
           rule
           of
           Conscience
           :
           Nor
           may
           any
           man
           act
           contrary
           to
           these
           dictates
           which
           he
           judgeth
           to
           be
           Gods
           ;
           though
           he
           erre
           as
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Rule
           ,
           yet
           his
           
             judgement
             binds
          
           so
           far
           as
           it
           represents
           ,
           though
           in
           a
           
             false
             Glass
          
           ,
           the
           
             supposed
             light
          
           of
           Gods
           will.
           For
           he
           that
           will
           venture
           to
           act
           against
           Conscience
           ,
           though
           erroneous
           ,
           will
           also
           act
           against
           it
           though
           never
           so
           clear
           and
           perspicuous
           .
        
         
           Here
           the
           first
           care
           must
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           judgement
           be
           according
           to
           Truth
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           act
           accordingly
           :
           Else
           ,
           however
           the
           integrity
           of
           intention
           may
           be
           commendable
           ,
           and
           so
           mitigate
           the
           fault
           ;
           yet
           the
           sin
           of
           the
           action
           may
           be
           great
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           enormity
           or
           aberration
           from
           the
           rule
           of
           
             eternal
             Truth
          
           and
           Justice
           .
           As
           that
           of
           Paul
           was
           when
           he
           persecuted
           and
           blasphemed
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           being
           verily
           perswaded
           that
           he
           
           
             ought
             so
             to
             do
          
           ,
           against
           
             that
             way
          
           .
           
           So
           others
           should
           think
           they
           did
           God
           
             good
             service
          
           ,
           while
           they
           killed
           Christs
           Disciples
           .
           
           A
           Conscience
           thus
           erring
           ,
           falls
           into
           the
           snare
           or
           dilemma
           of
           the
           Devil
           :
           if
           it
           act
           according
           to
           its
           error
           ,
           
           it
           sins
           materially
           against
           the
           intrinsecal
           Justice
           and
           Truth
           of
           God
           and
           his
           holy
           Will
           ,
           (
           the
           conformity
           to
           which
           is
           the
           measure
           of
           moral
           good
           and
           holiness
           :
           )
           if
           it
           act
           contrary
           to
           its
           appearing
           Principles
           ,
           it
           sins
           formally
           and
           maliciously
           ,
           as
           wilfully
           rebelling
           against
           the
           
             supposed
             will
          
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           So
           much
           it
           concerns
           every
           Christian
           to
           be
           fully
           informed
           of
           that
           Divine
           Truth
           and
           Light
           ,
           
           which
           alone
           shews
           the
           right
           and
           good
           way
           :
           Else
           they
           will
           easily
           be
           brought
           to
           call
           
             evil
             good
          
           ,
           and
           
             good
             evil
          
           ,
           to
           call
           
             light
             darkness
          
           ,
           and
           
             darkness
             light
          
           ;
           
           to
           be
           over-righteous
           ,
           by
           adding
           to
           the
           commands
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           over-wicked
           ,
           by
           making
           or
           esteeming
           themselves
           sinners
           ,
           when
           indeed
           they
           are
           not
           so
           :
           either
           
             negatively
             superstitious
          
           ,
           
           in
           abstaining
           from
           that
           as
           sin
           which
           is
           no
           sin
           ;
           or
           
             affirmatively
             superstitious
          
           ,
           in
           counting
           that
           a
           duty
           which
           is
           
             not
             so
          
           .
           Both
           are
           
             injurious
             usurpations
          
           upon
           the
           
             soveraignty
             of
             God
          
           ,
           whose
           Scepter
           is
           
             infallible
             Truth
          
           ,
           as
           his
           Sword
           is
           just
           and
           irresistible
           Power
           .
           So
           dangerous
           are
           
             erroneous
             fears
          
           ,
           where
           
             no
             fear
          
           is
           ;
           
           or
           presumptuous
           confidences
           ,
           where
           is
           no
           
             Divine
             permission
          
           .
           Men
           must
           not
           set
           up
           the
           Idols
           of
           their
           own
           imaginations
           in
           
             Gods
             place
          
           ;
           nor
           may
           they
           be
           falsaries
           ,
           or
           forgers
           of
           that
           Coyne
           ,
           which
           as
           to
           duty
           is
           only
           then
           currant
           when
           it
           hath
           not
           only
           
             good
             metal
          
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           
             clear
             stamp
          
           of
           Gods
           express
           will
           on
           it
           .
           The
           Mint
           of
           
             humane
             fancies
          
           ,
           either
           melancholy
           and
           timorous
           ,
           or
           pragmatick
           and
           adventurous
           ,
           is
           but
           an
           adulteration
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           a
           kind
           of
           stuprating
           of
           Conscience
           .
           The
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           
           which
           is
           clear
           either
           in
           right
           Reason
           or
           true
           Scripture-demonstration
           ,
           is
           sufficient
           to
           make
           
             the
             man
             of
             God
             perfect
             to
             every
             good
             word
             and
             work
             ,
          
           without
           any
           additions
           or
           detractions
           ,
           
           which
           are
           but
           as
           the
           Wens
           or
           witherings
           ,
           the
           excrescencies
           or
           deficiencies
           of
           mens
           extravagant
           minds
           and
           actions
           ;
           so
           far
           from
           advancing
           the
           peace
           of
           Conscience
           or
           the
           honour
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           debase
           and
           deforme
           both
           of
           them
           .
           As
           no
           Laws
           of
           men
           contrary
           to
           
             Gods
             Word
          
           are
           to
           be
           actively
           obeyed
           ;
           so
           Laws
           of
           men
           which
           are
           not
           contrary
           to
           right
           Reason
           and
           Scripture
           
           must
           not
           be
           disobeyed
           ,
           but
           conscientiously
           observed
           for
           the
           Lords
           sake
           ,
           1
           
             Pet.
             2.
             13.
             
             Rom.
          
           13.
           5.
           in
           whose
           wisdom
           and
           authority
           such
           Laws
           are
           made
           and
           executed
           .
           The
           contrary
           will
           not
           only
           trouble
           the
           
             publick
             Peace
          
           ,
           but
           that
           also
           of
           a
           mans
           own
           soul
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           when
           after
           the
           vain
           flashes
           of
           light
           kindled
           from
           the
           sparks
           of
           their
           
             private
             fancies
          
           ,
           they
           shall
           
             lie
             down
             in
             darkness
          
           as
           to
           their
           comfort
           and
           reward
           from
           God
           ,
           
           whose
           judgment
           is
           according
           to
           righteousness
           and
           truth
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           I
           cannot
           but
           commend
           the
           Quakers
           for
           their
           declared
           esteem
           in
           this
           of
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           
             holy
             Scripture
          
           ,
           as
           the
           rule
           of
           Faith
           and
           holy
           life
           .
           For
           as
           by
           their
           instances
           alledged
           out
           of
           Scripture
           they
           profess
           a
           
             fear
             to
             sin
          
           against
           the
           commands
           there
           given
           by
           Christ
           against
           Swearing
           :
           so
           I
           may
           charitably
           presume
           ▪
           however
           they
           are
           by
           many
           suspected
           to
           slight
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           fly
           to
           Inspirations
           or
           Lights
           within
           them
           )
           that
           they
           will
           be
           no
           less
           strict
           in
           doing
           what
           therein
           is
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           Truths
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           Mysteries
           to
           be
           celebrated
           ,
           and
           Duties
           to
           be
           done
           to
           God
           and
           Man.
           
        
         
           The
           only
           Caution
           that
           here
           must
           be
           given
           them
           is
           ,
           
           to
           take
           heed
           that
           they
           do
           not
           
             wrest
             the
             Scriptures
          
           (
           2
           Pel.
           3.
           16.
           
           )
           by
           their
           ignorant
           and
           
             unstable
             minds
          
           ;
           that
           they
           believe
           not
           every
           Spirit
           ,
           or
           seeming
           and
           partial
           Allegation
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           since
           the
           Devil
           oft
           feathers
           his
           temptations
           and
           
             fiery
             darts
          
           (
           as
           against
           Christ
           ,
           Mat.
           3.
           )
           with
           
             Scriptural
             Citations
          
           partially
           and
           preposterously
           applied
           .
           Not
           the
           Letter
           in
           its
           abruptness
           or
           nakedness
           of
           sense
           must
           be
           swallowed
           presently
           ,
           but
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           must
           be
           searched
           out
           in
           the
           scope
           and
           end
           also
           ,
           in
           the
           manner
           and
           emphasis
           of
           what
           is
           expressed
           .
           Scripture
           is
           indeed
           sufficient
           for
           the
           substance
           of
           all
           necessary
           Truths
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           and
           Duties
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           or
           left
           undone
           ;
           but
           it
           doth
           not
           stretch
           it selfe
           to
           the
           instances
           of
           every
           particular
           circumstance
           or
           ceremony
           ,
           which
           private
           Prudence
           or
           publick
           Laws
           may
           regulate
           ,
           according
           to
           order
           and
           decency
           ,
           to
           edification
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           Scripture
           to
           be
           well
           understood
           in
           retaile
           (
           that
           is
           )
           by
           
             single
             places
          
           ,
           taken
           apart
           by
           themselves
           ,
           but
           in
           whole-sale
           ,
           by
           the
           proportion
           of
           Faith
           ,
           
           the
           analogous
           or
           concurrent
           sense
           ,
           which
           is
           made
           up
           or
           twisted
           from
           
             many
             places
          
           .
           Many
           things
           
           in
           some
           Scriptures
           are
           expressed
           
             darkly
             ,
             metaphorically
             ,
             figuratively
             ,
             parabolically
             ,
             comparatively
             ,
          
           by
           way
           of
           allusion
           ,
           in
           
             Metonymies
             ,
             Synecdoches
             ,
             Ironies
          
           ,
           and
           Hyperboles
           ,
           in
           Vniversalities
           ,
           which
           are
           limited
           to
           the
           subject
           intended
           .
           Many
           popular
           expressions
           have
           special
           regard
           to
           particular
           
             times
             ,
             places
             ,
             persons
             ,
             customs
          
           and
           usages
           ;
           and
           must
           be
           so
           taken
           ,
           as
           temporary
           and
           occasional
           .
           These
           must
           have
           
             commodious
             interpretations
          
           ,
           consonant
           to
           that
           grand
           tenour
           of
           Gods
           word
           ,
           which
           as
           the
           life
           and
           spirit
           runs
           through
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           resides
           most
           eminently
           in
           some
           places
           ,
           (
           as
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           Brain
           or
           Heart
           )
           which
           are
           as
           the
           
             essential
             ,
             vital
             ,
             integral
          
           and
           principal
           parts
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           the
           main
           standards
           and
           measure
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           Morals
           and
           Evangelicals
           ,
           Mysteries
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           and
           Duties
           to
           be
           performed
           .
        
         
           Unless
           we
           observe
           these
           prudentials
           in
           searching
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           taking
           the
           true
           meaning
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           we
           shall
           (
           as
           Saint
           Austin
           observes
           )
           draw
           poyson
           with
           Spiders
           from
           those
           
             sweet
             flowers
          
           which
           would
           afford
           us
           honey
           .
           
           A
           depraved
           and
           
             private
             interpretation
          
           is
           the
           
             corruption
             ,
             wrack
          
           &
           torture
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           whose
           every
           line
           is
           as
           the
           Sun-beams
           ,
           light
           and
           straight
           of
           it self
           ;
           but
           
             erroneous
             minds
          
           ,
           like
           Glasses
           of
           Refraction
           ,
           or
           false
           Mediums
           ,
           pervert
           them
           from
           their
           simplicity
           to
           their
           own
           destruction
           ,
           as
           
             S.
             Peter
          
           speaks
           .
           
        
         
           It
           were
           endless
           to
           enumerate
           those
           places
           of
           Scripture
           which
           have
           either
           more
           or
           less
           ,
           
           or
           something
           other
           in
           their
           meaning
           and
           design
           ,
           then
           the
           Letter
           seems
           to
           hold
           forth
           in
           the
           
             bare
             words
          
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Extraordinary
           Commands
           ,
           as
           to
           Abraham
           for
           sacrificing
           his
           Son
           Isaac
           ,
           to
           the
           Israelites
           to
           rob
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           borrowing
           ,
           and
           recompense
           the
           Egyptians
           ;
           the
           
             heroick
             impulses
          
           and
           actions
           of
           others
           ,
           as
           
             Moses
             ,
             Phineas
             ,
             Elias
          
           ,
           and
           Sampson
           ;
           Commands
           to
           do
           things
           less
           comely
           and
           honest
           ,
           either
           in
           a
           reality
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           vision
           and
           representation
           ,
           as
           
             Hosea's
             marrying
             an
             Harlot
          
           ;
           
           the
           faults
           or
           failings
           of
           others
           ,
           which
           were
           holy
           men
           as
           to
           their
           integritie
           ,
           barely
           recorded
           ,
           but
           not
           there
           blamed
           ,
           as
           Rebecca's
           and
           
             Jacob's
             supplanting
          
           by
           a
           lye
           and
           fraud
           ;
           the
           officious
           lyes
           of
           the
           
             Midwives
             ,
             Rahab
          
           and
           others
           ,
           David's
           feigning
           himselfe
           mad
           ;
           the
           equivocations
           and
           dissimulations
           of
           others
           ;
           These
           
           and
           such
           like
           ,
           that
           have
           any
           thing
           in
           them
           which
           seems
           or
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           constant
           rule
           of
           
             Morality
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Sanctity
             ,
             Honesty
          
           and
           Veracity
           ,
           must
           be
           salved
           by
           such
           an
           interpretation
           ,
           and
           taken
           in
           such
           a
           sense
           ,
           as
           may
           no
           way
           bring
           them
           into
           an
           ordinary
           rule
           or
           
             imitable
             example
          
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           express
           and
           constant
           command
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           which
           is
           never
           to
           be
           allayed
           by
           the
           mixtures
           of
           humane
           
             Passions
             ,
             Frailties
          
           and
           Infirmities
           .
        
         
           So
           in
           things
           that
           are
           preceptive
           ,
           
           either
           enjoyning
           or
           forbidding
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           proverbial
           speaking
           ,
           the
           meaning
           must
           not
           be
           stretched
           on
           the
           tenter
           or
           rack
           of
           the
           Letter
           ;
           but
           as
           we
           gather
           some
           fruit
           that
           grow
           with
           thick
           shells
           ,
           only
           to
           gaine
           the
           small
           kernels
           in
           them
           ,
           so
           in
           these
           ,
           no
           more
           is
           to
           be
           collected
           from
           the
           Letter
           then
           what
           may
           have
           due
           regard
           to
           the
           design
           and
           scope
           of
           the
           speaker
           .
           So
           in
           the
           fifth
           ,
           sixth
           ,
           and
           seventh
           Chapters
           of
           Saint
           Matthew
           ,
           Christs
           Sermon
           in
           the
           mount
           hath
           many
           such
           expressions
           :
           
           as
           of
           anointing
           the
           Head
           &
           Face
           in
           
             fasting
             ;
             pulling
             out
          
           the
           right
           Eye
           ,
           and
           
             cutting
             off
          
           the
           right
           Hand
           ;
           giving
           to
           them
           that
           ask
           ;
           to
           
             sell
             all
             and
             give
             to
             the
             poor
          
           ;
           to
           turn
           the
           other
           Cheek
           to
           the
           smiters
           .
           These
           do
           not
           run
           Christians
           upon
           maiming
           and
           deforming
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           or
           expose
           them
           to
           poverty
           and
           stupidity
           ;
           but
           only
           they
           teach
           them
           to
           bear
           with
           
             patience
             repeated
             injuries
          
           ,
           rather
           then
           be
           put
           beyond
           the
           bounds
           of
           Christian
           patience
           and
           charity
           ;
           and
           to
           sustain
           any
           outward
           difficulties
           ,
           rather
           then
           inward
           enormities
           of
           lust
           or
           covetousness
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           .
        
         
           So
           not
           to
           
             lay
             up
             treasure
             on
             earth
          
           ;
           
           to
           take
           
             no
             thought
          
           for
           their
           life
           ,
           or
           care
           for
           to
           
             morrow
             ;
             Labour
             not
             for
             the
             meat
             that
             perisheth
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Joh.
           6.
           27.
           to
           
             call
             no
             man
             Father
          
           or
           
             Master
             on
             Earth
          
           Mat.
           23.9
           .
           not
           to
           
             salute
             any
             man
             by
             the
             way
             ,
          
           Luk.
           10.
           4.
           not
           to
           
             put
             on
             costly
             Rayment
          
           or
           
             Jewels
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           1
           Pet.
           3.
           3.
           
           So
           Hosea
           6.
           6.
           
           
             I
             will
             have
             mercy
             ,
             and
             not
             sacrifice
             :
          
           So
           ,
           
             Rent
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             not
             your
             Garments
             ,
          
           Joel
           2.
           13.
           
           
             Who
             hath
             required
             these
             things
             at
             your
             hands
             ?
          
           Isa
           .
           1.
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           viz.
           in
           this
           hypocritical
           fashion
           .
           
           These
           seeming
           Negatives
           ,
           are
           not
           absolutely
           but
           comparatively
           spoken
           ,
           to
           such
           a
           degree
           of
           love
           or
           care
           ,
           or
           
             fear
             ,
             reverence
          
           and
           duty
           ,
           as
           are
           due
           to
           Gods
           great
           Commands
           and
           chief
           Designs
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           the
           main
           biass
           of
           
           mens
           affections
           and
           obediential
           actions
           ,
           as
           most
           intent
           to
           moralitie
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           content
           themselves
           with
           emptie
           formalities
           .
        
         
           So
           in
           
             Ironical
             assentings
          
           ,
           or
           seeming
           concessions
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           sharpest
           prohibitions
           and
           reproches
           :
           as
           ,
           
           
             Fill
             ye
             up
             then
             the
             measure
             of
             your
             Fathers
             ;
             He
             that
             is
             filthy
             let
             him
             be
             filthy
             still
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             he
             that
             is
             unjust
             be
             unjust
             still
             .
          
           These
           are
           not
           spoken
           in
           a
           flat
           and
           
             plain
             way
          
           ,
           but
           in
           such
           a
           dialect
           and
           emphasis
           of
           familiar
           Oratory
           as
           the
           times
           and
           country
           did
           
             well
             understand
          
           ,
           to
           signifie
           other
           then
           the
           words
           sounded
           ,
           either
           more
           or
           less
           .
           And
           it
           had
           been
           a
           very
           ridiculous
           childishness
           to
           have
           urged
           the
           Letter
           in
           its
           syllabical
           appearance
           ,
           and
           against
           its
           rational
           meaning
           ;
           which
           (
           as
           S.
           Austin
           long
           ago
           observed
           )
           must
           never
           be
           so
           put
           upon
           the
           biass
           of
           the
           bare
           words
           ,
           as
           to
           sway
           or
           swerve
           them
           contrary
           to
           that
           Divine
           
             Verity
             ,
             Morality
          
           and
           Sanctity
           which
           shines
           most
           clearly
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           and
           whose
           light
           must
           be
           brought
           to
           enlighten
           those
           that
           are
           more
           involved
           and
           obscured
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           some
           proper
           phrase
           or
           idiotisme
           of
           expressing
           things
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           men
           in
           those
           times
           :
           Else
           many
           things
           spoken
           even
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           God
           himself
           ,
           and
           holy
           men
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           
             seeing
             ,
             hearing
             ,
             smelling
             ,
             being
             injured
             ,
             angry
             ,
          
           and
           
             repenting
             ,
             &c.
          
           will
           be
           as
           blasphemies
           and
           irreconcilable
           (
           as
           both
           Jewish
           Rabbins
           and
           Christian
           Doctors
           observe
           )
           to
           his
           essential
           Attributes
           and
           immutable
           Perfections
           .
           
           Here
           the
           words
           look
           to
           the
           appearance
           (
           as
           when
           Angels
           are
           called
           
             young
             men
          
           ,
           Mark
           16.
           5.
           
           Joh.
           20.
           12.
           
           Luk.
           24.
           4.
           
           )
           but
           the
           sense
           must
           look
           to
           the
           essence
           and
           reality
           .
        
         
           Men
           will
           make
           as
           mad
           work
           of
           Scripture
           as
           Hogs
           will
           do
           with
           Gardens
           and
           Fields
           ,
           when
           in
           stead
           of
           orderly
           plowing
           and
           sowing
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           reap
           a
           fair
           and
           fruitful
           Harvest
           ,
           we
           inordinately
           and
           rashly
           root
           up
           all
           things
           by
           a
           confused
           rudeness
           ,
           which
           ends
           either
           in
           barrenness
           ,
           or
           in
           briars
           and
           thorns
           ,
           endless
           janglings
           and
           perplexities
           .
        
         
           What
           long
           and
           sad
           contentions
           have
           the
           Papists
           made
           in
           the
           Western
           Churches
           the
           last
           300.
           years
           ,
           
           by
           rigidly
           urging
           those
           words
           of
           Consecration
           in
           the
           
             Lords
             Supper
          
           to
           a
           literal
           severity
           ,
           making
           the
           Bread
           after
           Consecration
           so
           much
           Christs
           
             Body
             
             substantially
          
           and
           not
           sacramentally
           ,
           which
           all
           good
           Christians
           believe
           )
           that
           there
           remains
           no
           more
           natural
           substance
           of
           the
           Bread
           ,
           but
           only
           under
           the
           accidents
           of
           Bread
           ,
           the
           sole
           and
           entire
           substance
           of
           Christs
           Body
           ;
           the
           same
           which
           is
           at
           once
           in
           Heaven
           and
           in
           every
           place
           where
           this
           Sacrament
           is
           celebrated
           ,
           yea
           in
           every
           crum
           of
           it
           ?
           By
           which
           Superseraphick
           opinion
           ,
           Faith
           must
           not
           only
           forsake
           the
           senses
           and
           look
           
             above
             them
          
           ,
           but
           flatly
           deny
           and
           contradict
           them
           ,
           in
           every
           verdict
           which
           they
           give
           of
           their
           proper
           objects
           ,
           according
           to
           experience
           and
           right
           Reason
           ,
           which
           are
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Creators
           light
           to
           mankind
           .
           And
           all
           this
           by
           a
           
             magisterial
             ,
             novel
          
           and
           seraphick
           severity
           ,
           beyond
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           ancient
           Churches
           ,
           is
           imposed
           by
           pressing
           the
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           
             rigid
             Letter
          
           of
           the
           words
           in
           that
           part
           of
           the
           
             blessed
             Sacrament
          
           ,
           and
           allowing
           no
           Metonymy
           or
           Symbolical
           speaking
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           frequent
           in
           Scripture-Mysteries
           ,
           and
           sacred
           correspondencies
           between
           the
           signs
           and
           things
           signified
           (
           as
           the
           Lamb
           is
           called
           the
           Passeover
           ,
           and
           Christ
           our
           Passeover
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Rock
             ,
             Vine
             ,
             Dove
             ,
             &c.
          
           )
           While
           yet
           in
           the
           other
           part
           of
           the
           same
           Sacrament
           they
           are
           forced
           to
           subdue
           and
           soften
           the
           words
           to
           their
           due
           sense
           by
           such
           Metonymues
           and
           Tropes
           as
           must
           make
           the
           Cup
           to
           signifie
           or
           mean
           the
           Wine
           ,
           and
           the
           Cup
           or
           Wine
           to
           signifie
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           in
           Christs
           Blood.
           
        
         
           Certainly
           ,
           as
           in
           such
           expressions
           which
           Christ
           there
           useth
           ,
           and
           which
           we
           read
           in
           other
           Scriptures
           of
           parallel
           sense
           ,
           to
           set
           forth
           
             Divine
             Mysteries
          
           (
           by
           their
           adapted
           Signs
           and
           Symbols
           ,
           or
           Emblems
           and
           Seals
           )
           there
           must
           be
           believed
           something
           more
           sublime
           in
           them
           then
           the
           narrowness
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           in
           this
           world
           can
           fully
           comprehend
           ;
           so
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           nothing
           is
           by
           Scripture
           imposed
           upon
           us
           to
           be
           believed
           which
           is
           flatly
           contradictive
           to
           
             right
             Reason
          
           ,
           and
           the
           suffrages
           of
           all
           our
           senses
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Analogy
           of
           Faith
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           .
           But
           here
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           words
           must
           be
           measured
           by
           
             semblable
             places
          
           and
           like
           expressions
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           wanting
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           and
           yet
           are
           not
           so
           wrested
           by
           any
           Christians
           that
           are
           Masters
           of
           
             Sense
             ,
             Reason
          
           ,
           and
           true
           Religion
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           cease
           by
           believing
           to
           be
           rational
           Creatures
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           men
           by
           being
           Christians
           .
        
         
         
           If
           the
           Quakers
           will
           fairly
           admit
           such
           Cautions
           and
           limitations
           as
           they
           do
           to
           other
           places
           ,
           in
           the
           interpreting
           these
           Scriptures
           which
           they
           chiefly
           alledge
           to
           justifie
           their
           denial
           of
           all
           Swearing
           whatever
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           doubt
           to
           reconcile
           them
           to
           my
           sense
           of
           them
           ,
           nor
           shall
           I
           grudge
           to
           give
           them
           this
           
             second
             commendation
          
           ,
           for
           their
           due
           regard
           to
           Scripture
           as
           the
           sure
           and
           sufficient
           rule
           of
           a
           Christians
           actions
           for
           the
           main
           and
           substance
           of
           them
           .
           But
           these
           Scriptures
           must
           be
           duly
           examined
           ,
           exactly
           weighed
           ,
           and
           aptly
           reduced
           to
           that
           standard
           of
           Truth
           which
           is
           most
           constant
           and
           clear
           in
           both
           Morals
           &
           Fiducials
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
           Yea
           ,
           I
           shall
           adde
           a
           
             third
             (
             Commendation
          
           of
           these
           Quakers
           (
           who
           shall
           rise
           in
           judgement
           at
           the
           last
           day
           against
           many
           of
           those
           that
           speak
           much
           against
           them
           )
           for
           this
           ,
           That
           they
           seem
           to
           have
           so
           
             great
             a
             fear
          
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           that
           out
           of
           a
           jealousie
           of
           
             Swearing
             amiss
          
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           
             swear
             at
             all
          
           .
           
           Although
           they
           are
           superstitious
           in
           the
           degree
           of
           their
           fear
           (
           which
           I
           shall
           prove
           to
           be
           not
           justly
           grounded
           on
           the
           words
           they
           alledge
           ,
           )
           yet
           no
           good
           man
           can
           blame
           them
           to
           have
           ,
           as
           God
           commands
           ,
           
           a
           just
           abhorrence
           of
           the
           sin
           of
           profane
           ,
           easie
           ,
           trivial
           ,
           familiar
           ,
           false
           and
           inconsiderate
           Swearing
           ,
           for
           which
           the
           
             Land
             mourneth
          
           ,
           Jer.
           23.
           10.
           which
           so
           disposeth
           men
           (
           as
           Saint
           Austin
           sayes
           )
           to
           
             false
             Swearing
          
           and
           
             gross
             Perjury
          
           ;
           
           which
           are
           sins
           of
           the
           first
           magnitude
           .
           Nor
           can
           indeed
           much
           credit
           be
           given
           (
           any
           more
           then
           to
           a
           Lyar
           )
           to
           any
           man
           that
           swears
           never
           so
           solemnly
           and
           in
           Judicature
           ,
           who
           is
           a
           
             common
             Swearer
          
           ,
           
           and
           hath
           no
           reverence
           either
           of
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           or
           the
           sacredness
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
        
         
           I
           formerly
           observed
           the
           great
           dread
           and
           just
           horror
           of
           all
           Swearing
           ,
           
           (
           even
           that
           which
           the
           
             Laws
             required
          
           )
           wherewith
           the
           poor
           .
           Quakers
           might
           easily
           be
           scared
           and
           possessed
           in
           those
           
             barbarous
             times
          
           of
           their
           first
           breeding
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           lawful
           *
           Oaths
           were
           despised
           and
           impudently
           violated
           ;
           nay
           when
           Perjury
           and
           Rebellion
           were
           adopted
           to
           the
           Family
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           voted
           for
           Reformation
           ;
           when
           men
           were
           grown
           so
           preposterously
           
             zealous
             for
             God
          
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           both
           lye
           and
           forswear
           to
           advance
           his
           Interest
           and
           Kingdom
           (
           as
           they
           pretended
           )
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           till
           themselve●
           beca●e
           as
           Sodom
           and
           Gomorrah
           ,
           the
           abhorrence
           and
           abomination
           of
           all
           people
           of
           common
           honesty
           ,
           who
           saw
           the
           
           Land
           not
           only
           defiled
           with
           
             innocent
             blood
          
           ,
           but
           most
           sadly
           mourning
           under
           the
           burden
           of
           such
           prodigious
           Swearings
           and
           hypocritical
           forswearings
           ,
           as
           were
           not
           only
           vulgar
           and
           trivial
           ,
           but
           solemn
           and
           authoritative
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           and
           is
           well
           done
           of
           the
           Quakers
           to
           be
           wary
           of
           such
           Swearing
           ,
           because
           the
           brands
           of
           Perjury
           (
           as
           the
           Devils
           stigmatizings
           )
           are
           among
           the
           marks
           of
           fin
           hardliest
           to
           be
           
             wiped
             off
          
           or
           
             worne
             out
          
           ,
           without
           a
           wound
           and
           scar
           on
           the
           conscience
           ,
           no
           less
           then
           the
           credit
           and
           reputation
           of
           a
           Christian
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           I
           cannot
           consent
           to
           them
           ,
           
           nor
           commend
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           being
           
             righteous
             over-much
          
           ,
           by
           their
           absolutely
           denying
           and
           condemning
           ,
           as
           sinful
           ,
           the
           
             solemn
             ,
             sacred
          
           and
           judicial
           manner
           of
           Swearing
           required
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           allowed
           by
           this
           and
           all
           other
           Christian
           and
           Reformed
           Churches
           :
           In
           which
           Oaths
           either
           the
           recognition
           of
           a
           
             known
             Truth
          
           ,
           or
           the
           agnition
           of
           a
           Right
           ,
           or
           the
           profession
           of
           a
           
             loyal
             Duty
          
           ,
           or
           a
           sure
           Testimony
           in
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ,
           are
           required
           both
           in
           allegiance
           to
           the
           Prince
           ,
           and
           in
           justice
           and
           charity
           to
           our
           neighbours
           ,
           for
           the
           trial
           of
           doubtful
           Cases
           ,
           and
           determining
           of
           them
           in
           judgement
           ,
           
           righteousness
           and
           truth
           ,
           as
           with
           least
           error
           in
           themselves
           ,
           so
           with
           most
           reverence
           and
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           fountain
           of
           
             Justice
             ,
             Truth
             ,
             Order
          
           and
           Peace
           (
           whose
           the
           
             judgment
             ,
             power
          
           ,
           
           and
           authority
           is
           ;
           )
           also
           with
           most
           security
           to
           the
           publick
           peace
           and
           welfare
           ,
           which
           are
           bound
           up
           in
           the
           due
           execution
           of
           Justice
           and
           lastly
           ,
           to
           the
           most
           satisfaction
           of
           all
           men
           ,
           who
           can
           desire
           or
           expect
           no
           higher
           appeal
           or
           attestation
           ,
           then
           the
           Omniscience
           and
           Omnipotence
           of
           the
           Judge
           of
           all
           the
           earth
           ,
           called
           as
           a
           witness
           upon
           their
           souls
           .
        
         
           These
           grand
           and
           publick
           concerns
           ,
           in
           which
           
             Gods
             glory
          
           and
           the
           good
           of
           man-kind
           are
           involved
           and
           carried
           on
           by
           the
           
             sacred
             solemnity
          
           of
           publick
           and
           legal
           Oaths
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           command
           a
           great
           strictness
           and
           conscientious
           cautiousness
           in
           all
           such
           Swearing
           ,
           so
           they
           do
           ,
           upon
           
             Scriptural
             ,
             moral
          
           ,
           and
           political
           grounds
           ,
           sufficiently
           justifie
           the
           use
           of
           that
           Swearing
           which
           they
           thus
           require
           ,
           and
           which
           without
           this
           method
           of
           
             religio●s
             justice
          
           cannot
           be
           obtained
           in
           the
           now
           inveterate
           wickedness
           and
           degeneracy
           of
           humane
           Nature
           :
           For
           a
           〈◊〉
           and
           remedy
           to
           which
           good
           Laws
           are
           appointed
           ,
           and
           these
           executed
           with
           that
           
           equity
           ,
           sanctity
           and
           solemnity
           ,
           which
           at
           once
           befits
           both
           men
           and
           Christians
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           persons
           related
           and
           responsible
           not
           only
           to
           humane
           society
           and
           authority
           ,
           but
           owners
           of
           ,
           and
           appealers
           to
           ,
           
             divine
             Justice
          
           and
           Vengeance
           :
           of
           whose
           last
           great
           and
           dreadful
           Tribunal
           our
           little
           
             Courts
             of
             Justice
          
           and
           
             judicial
             proceedings
          
           on
           Earth
           are
           previous
           Emblems
           and
           Forerunners
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           preserving
           and
           asserting
           these
           great
           and
           
             good
             Ends
          
           is
           that
           Law
           now
           enacted
           against
           the
           Errors
           and
           Obstinacies
           of
           the
           Quakers
           ;
           
           seeking
           by
           just
           penalties
           to
           remove
           those
           Obstructions
           which
           their
           contrary
           declared
           principles
           and
           avowed
           practises
           endeavour
           to
           put
           upon
           all
           
             judicial
             proceedings
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           to
           shake
           that
           
             mutual
             security
          
           which
           both
           King
           and
           Subjects
           have
           by
           the
           enterchange
           of
           their
           respective
           Oaths
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           blessed
           God.
           These
           good
           &
           necessary
           Ends
           do
           justifie
           the
           severity
           of
           those
           means
           which
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Parliament
           applies
           ,
           consonant
           to
           Gods
           word
           :
           nor
           may
           any
           Subjects
           complain
           ,
           since
           ,
           as
           the
           Law
           is
           imposed
           by
           all
           Estates
           ,
           so
           upon
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           without
           respect
           of
           persons
           :
           nor
           can
           any
           Nation
           be
           thought
           cruel
           to
           it
           selfe
           ,
           or
           to
           inflict
           too
           severe
           punishments
           on
           it self
           ,
           when
           not
           only
           the
           regard
           to
           the
           
             personal
             offence
          
           ,
           but
           the
           care
           and
           caution
           for
           the
           
             publick
             welfare
          
           and
           indemnity
           is
           the
           measure
           of
           such
           Penalties
           inflicted
           .
        
         
           Against
           all
           this
           the
           Quakers
           plead
           their
           consciences
           ,
           
           which
           they
           say
           will
           not
           permit
           them
           in
           any
           case
           to
           Swear
           .
           The
           ground
           of
           this
           their
           
             consciencious
             Resolution
          
           of
           not
           Swearing
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           sin
           ,
           is
           produced
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           their
           Papers
           ,
           from
           those
           too
           
             pregnant
             places
          
           ,
           Mat.
           5.
           34.
           where
           our
           Saviour
           citing
           the
           old
           Law
           from
           
             Exod.
             20.
             7.
             
             Lev.
          
           19.
           12.
           
           &
           Deu.
           5.
           11.
           as
           allowed
           by
           the
           Jews
           ,
           commanding
           them
           to
           swear
           only
           by
           the
           
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           and
           in
           those
           cases
           not
           to
           forswear
           themselves
           ,
           but
           to
           
             perform
             their
             Oaths
             to
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           adds
           by
           way
           of
           reformation
           ,
           
             But
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
             :
          
           and
           Saint
           James
           5.
           12.
           where
           the
           Apostle
           to
           the
           same
           sense
           and
           words
           repeats
           the
           command
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Above
             all
             things
             ,
             my
             Brethren
             ,
             swear
             not
             at
             all
             .
          
        
         
           Both
           places
           indeed
           seem
           at
           first
           sight
           point-blanck
           (
           as
           
           some
           Commentators
           observe
           )
           to
           forbid
           all
           
             manner
             of
             swearing
          
           among
           Christians
           ,
           
           both
           have
           emphaticall
           or
           vehement
           words
           .
           The
           first
           ,
           Christs
           Authority
           ,
           reforming
           not
           only
           the
           
             Pharisaick
             corruptions
          
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           but
           even
           the
           
             Mosaick
             indulgences
          
           in
           some
           things
           ,
           which
           were
           rather
           
             not
             de●●ed
          
           for
           the
           hardness
           of
           the
           
             Jews
             Hearts
          
           ,
           then
           positively
           granted
           :
           
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
          
           ;
           
           that
           is
           ,
           not
           by
           those
           Oaths
           in
           which
           you
           make
           now
           no
           scruple
           to
           swear
           and
           forswear
           .
        
         
           So
           the
           Apostle
           Saint
           James
           ,
           writing
           to
           the
           
             dispersed
             Jewes
             ;
             Above
             all
             things
             ,
             my
             Brethren
             ,
             swear
             not
             :
          
           evidently
           referring
           to
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           ends
           .
        
         
           Nor
           are
           the
           fears
           and
           scruples
           of
           the
           Quakers
           in
           point
           of
           swearing
           to
           be
           wholly
           despised
           ;
           when
           they
           have
           two
           such
           notable
           Texts
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           which
           seem
           to
           stand
           ,
           as
           the
           Angel
           of
           the
           Lord
           against
           Balaam
           ,
           with
           a
           
             Sword
             in
             their
             hand
          
           to
           stop
           the
           way
           of
           any
           
             Swearing
             whatsoever
          
           .
           Both
           Texts
           are
           allowed
           on
           all
           hands
           ,
           as
           the
           
             word
             of
             God
          
           ;
           All
           are
           agreed
           that
           the
           words
           are
           a
           divine
           and
           
             strict
             prohibition
          
           against
           the
           
             sin
             of
             Swearing
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           all
           charity
           the
           words
           ought
           to
           be
           cleared
           ,
           and
           their
           scruples
           removed
           .
        
         
           The
           Questions
           about
           the
           interpretation
           ,
           
           scope
           ,
           and
           meaning
           of
           the
           words
           are
           :
           1.
           
           Whether
           all
           Swearing
           be
           utterly
           forbidden
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           and
           ever
           was
           in
           its
           nature
           a
           sin
           against
           morality
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Or
           whether
           all
           Swearing
           is
           therefore
           now
           a
           sin
           ,
           because
           thus
           forbidden
           by
           a
           positive
           Law
           of
           Christ
           under
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Or
           whether
           only
           some
           sort
           of
           Swearing
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           sin
           ,
           is
           forbidden
           ,
           but
           not
           such
           Swearing
           as
           is
           no
           sin
           ,
           but
           rather
           an
           act
           of
           special
           veneration
           ,
           or
           sanctifying
           Gods
           name
           ,
           also
           an
           act
           of
           justice
           and
           charity
           to
           our
           neighbours
           or
           our
           selves
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           Question
           ,
           
           whether
           all
           Swearing
           be
           now
           by
           Christ
           forbidden
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           and
           ever
           was
           in
           its
           
             Nature
             a
             sin
          
           against
           Morality
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           against
           the
           
             eternal
             rectitude
          
           and
           goodness
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             Nature
          
           and
           Will
           :
        
         
           I
           suppose
           the
           Quakers
           are
           not
           herein
           positive
           ;
           nor
           dare
           they
           condemn
           as
           morally
           and
           alwayes
           evil
           ,
           all
           swearing
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           
             most
             high
             God.
          
           For
           which
           practise
           of
           old
           among
           the
           
           Jews
           we
           have
           not
           only
           so
           many
           precedents
           or
           examples
           of
           holy
           men
           ,
           approved
           by
           God
           ,
           as
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Jacob
             ,
             David
          
           ,
           and
           others
           ,
           (
           yea
           and
           the
           example
           of
           
             God
             himself
          
           (
           as
           I
           shall
           after
           instance
           in
           )
           swearing
           by
           himself
           ,
           as
           the
           high
           and
           
             holy
             one
          
           ,
           whose
           supream
           power
           and
           inimitable
           excellency
           is
           the
           highest
           asseveration
           or
           ascertaining
           of
           what
           is
           so
           spoken
           ,
           either
           to
           win
           us
           to
           belief
           ,
           or
           to
           strike
           us
           with
           terror
           ,
           leaving
           men
           without
           excuse
           ,
           if
           being
           so
           happy
           as
           to
           have
           the
           Oath
           of
           God
           to
           assure
           them
           of
           a
           truth
           ,
           yet
           they
           will
           not
           
             believe
             God
          
           ,
           no
           not
           swearing
           for
           their
           sake
           ,
           as
           Tertullian
           speaks
           )
           But
           also
           we
           have
           express
           commands
           of
           God
           :
           First
           ,
           that
           
             great
             one
          
           in
           the
           Decalogue
           ,
           where
           the
           Negative
           ,
           of
           not
           
             taking
             Gods
             name
             in
             vain
          
           ,
           or
           falsly
           ,
           doth
           include
           the
           Assirmative
           ,
           of
           using
           the
           
             name
             of
             God
          
           in
           thinking
           or
           meditating
           ,
           in
           reading
           and
           writing
           ,
           in
           speaking
           ,
           praying
           ,
           blessing
           ,
           praising
           ,
           promising
           or
           attesting
           ,
           vowing
           or
           swearing
           ,
           with
           due
           reverence
           and
           adoration
           to
           his
           Divine
           Majesty
           ,
           which
           is
           intimated
           by
           his
           
             holy
             name
          
           ,
           as
           the
           summary
           of
           all
           his
           Attributes
           .
           And
           agreeable
           to
           this
           
             great
             Command
          
           are
           those
           many
           other
           places
           so
           frequent
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           ,
           which
           command
           the
           people
           of
           God
           to
           swear
           
             only
             by
             his
             Name
             ,
             Deut.
          
           6.
           13.
           and
           this
           in
           
             righteousness
             ,
             judgement
          
           ,
           and
           truth
           ,
           Jer.
           4.
           2.
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           after
           give
           more
           particular
           account
           ,
           when
           I
           prove
           that
           
             moral
             ,
             divine
          
           and
           
             eternal
             good
          
           which
           is
           in
           
             lawful
             swearing
          
           .
        
         
           Hence
           Gods
           frequent
           reproof
           ,
           
           threatning
           and
           punishing
           with
           a
           curse
           ,
           not
           all
           men
           that
           did
           swear
           ,
           but
           only
           such
           as
           sware
           falsly
           ,
           either
           as
           to
           their
           present
           judgements
           and
           intentions
           ,
           or
           as
           to
           their
           after
           violating
           of
           their
           Oaths
           ,
           to
           the
           
             pro●aning
             of
             the
             name
          
           of
           God
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           by
           
             trivial
             ,
             light
          
           ,
           and
           
             inconsiderate
             swearing
          
           ,
           took
           the
           name
           of
           God
           in
           vain
           ,
           having
           no
           reverence
           to
           his
           Majesty
           when
           they
           made
           mention
           of
           his
           name
           with
           their
           lips
           :
           lastly
           ,
           those
           that
           sware
           ,
           though
           truly
           ,
           
           by
           
             false
             Gods
          
           ,
           as
           Baal
           ,
           or
           by
           any
           Creature
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           to
           them
           
             in
             stead
             of
             God.
          
           
        
         
           This
           then
           I
           suppose
           is
           so
           clear
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           sillicst
           and
           
             most
             scrupulous
             Quakers
          
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           doubt
           of
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           swearing
           lawfully
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           permitted
           ,
           but
           commanded
           .
        
         
         
           Nay
           (
           perhaps
           )
           they
           will
           grant
           that
           a
           Christian
           in
           
             some
             cases
          
           may
           give
           his
           Oath
           to
           an
           Heathen
           Prince
           ,
           or
           others
           of
           
             different
             Religion
          
           from
           Christianity
           ,
           when
           in
           cases
           of
           safety
           ,
           or
           ransome
           ,
           or
           life
           ,
           or
           other
           great
           concerns
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           thereto
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           will
           by
           no
           other
           way
           be
           satisfied
           :
           It
           being
           a
           Principle
           of
           
             natural
             Divinity
          
           bred
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           all
           mankind
           ,
           that
           the
           
             invocation
             ,
             attestation
          
           and
           adjuration
           in
           the
           
             name
             of
             the
             God
          
           which
           they
           respectively
           own
           ,
           is
           the
           greatest
           assurance
           which
           can
           be
           given
           or
           desired
           ;
           as
           I
           shall
           make
           to
           appear
           afterward
           ,
           when
           I
           come
           to
           shew
           the
           consent
           and
           practise
           of
           Nations
           as
           to
           deciding
           of
           Controversies
           by
           swearing
           .
        
         
           The
           scruple
           then
           lies
           only
           upon
           these
           prohibitions
           in
           the
           Gospel
           given
           by
           Christ
           and
           the
           Apostle
           Saint
           Iames
           ;
           
           forbidding
           absolutely
           (
           as
           they
           suppose
           )
           
             all
             swearing
          
           ,
           at
           least
           among
           Christians
           ,
           whatever
           was
           used
           or
           indulged
           among
           the
           Iewes
           (
           as
           were
           
             Revenge
             ,
             Polygamy
          
           and
           Divorces
           ,
           and
           other
           political
           dispensations
           ,
           for
           the
           uncharitableness
           ,
           wantonness
           and
           hardness
           of
           their
           hearts
           )
           Christ
           ,
           as
           they
           presume
           ,
           restoring
           the
           communication
           of
           Christians
           both
           publick
           and
           private
           to
           that
           integrity
           of
           
             mind
             ,
             simplicity
          
           of
           speech
           and
           sanctity
           of
           manners
           ,
           which
           may
           deserve
           of
           one
           another
           as
           much
           credit
           as
           if
           they
           sware
           ;
           
           according
           to
           that
           strictness
           which
           the
           Esseni
           among
           the
           Iewes
           used
           ,
           whose
           word
           was
           ,
           
             As
             sure
             as
             an
             Oath
          
           .
           So
           that
           they
           say
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           in
           charity
           either
           exact
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           or
           give
           to
           them
           any
           Oath
           ;
           since
           they
           deserve
           to
           be
           believed
           upon
           the
           same
           terms
           which
           they
           believe
           others
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           their
           bare
           Yea
           or
           Nay
           ,
           simple
           affirmings
           or
           denyings
           ,
           without
           any
           swearing
           ;
           which
           they
           think
           an
           old
           
             Iudaick
             superfluity
          
           of
           speech
           now
           circumcised
           ,
           and
           precisely
           cut
           off
           from
           the
           lips
           of
           Christians
           :
           No
           man
           deserving
           to
           be
           believed
           on
           his
           Oath
           ,
           
           who
           hath
           lost
           by
           lying
           the
           credit
           of
           his
           
             bare
             word
          
           ;
           nor
           any
           man
           deserving
           to
           be
           confirmed
           by
           any
           honest
           mans
           Oath
           ,
           who
           hath
           not
           the
           charity
           and
           humanity
           to
           believe
           him
           without
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           certainly
           the
           affairs
           of
           Christians
           ,
           both
           publick
           and
           private
           ,
           would
           be
           no
           less
           to
           their
           honour
           and
           ease
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           in
           no
           case
           any
           need
           or
           use
           of
           any
           Oaths
           or
           Swearing
           ;
           but
           such
           an
           
             authentick
             veracity
          
           and
           
             just
             credulity
          
           on
           all
           sides
           ,
           as
           might
           well
           spare
           even
           the
           most
           
             true
             ,
             sincere
          
           and
           lawful
           Oaths
           ,
           
           keeping
           on
           all
           sides
           as
           great
           a
           distance
           from
           lying
           as
           from
           
             false
             swearing
          
           .
           And
           certainly
           as
           
             these
             two
             ,
             true
             speaking
          
           and
           
             true
             swearing
          
           ,
           are
           near
           of
           kind
           ,
           of
           the
           same
           Father
           ,
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Mother
           ,
           an
           honest
           and
           
             veracious
             heart
          
           ;
           so
           the
           
             other
             two
             ,
             lying
          
           and
           false-swearing
           ,
           are
           progenies
           of
           the
           same
           parentage
           ,
           of
           their
           Father
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           from
           a
           
             persidious
             heart
             .
             Perjury
          
           and
           Lying
           are
           of
           the
           same
           Web
           or
           Spinning
           ;
           only
           the
           first
           hath
           the
           
             stronger
             twist
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             deeper
             dye
          
           or
           
             tincture
             of
             Hell
          
           ,
           being
           more
           the
           
             Devils
             colour
          
           and
           
             in
             gram
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Eutopian
           desire
           and
           aim
           of
           these
           Quakers
           is
           not
           to
           be
           
             found
             fault
             with
          
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           feisable
           .
           Yea
           ,
           
           it
           were
           to
           be
           wished
           that
           the
           evils
           of
           mens
           hearts
           and
           manners
           ,
           the
           jealousies
           and
           distrusts
           ,
           the
           dissimulations
           and
           frauds
           of
           many
           Christians
           ,
           
           their
           
             uncharitableness
             ,
             unsatisfactions
          
           and
           insecurities
           ,
           were
           not
           such
           ,
           as
           by
           their
           diseases
           do
           make
           these
           applications
           of
           
             solemn
             Oaths
          
           and
           
             judicial
             swearings
          
           necessary
           ;
           not
           absolutely
           ,
           
           and
           morally
           ,
           or
           preceptively
           (
           as
           the
           Schoole-men
           note
           well
           )
           but
           by
           way
           of
           consequence
           and
           remedy
           ;
           as
           good
           
             new
             Laws
          
           are
           necessary
           for
           the
           curb
           or
           cure
           of
           
             new
             evils
          
           in
           Polities
           and
           Kingdoms
           .
           Possibly
           as
           Christians
           (
           truly
           such
           )
           we
           should
           need
           no
           swearings
           in
           publick
           or
           private
           :
           but
           as
           
             men
             ,
             weak
          
           and
           unworthy
           ,
           
           we
           cannot
           well
           be
           without
           such
           Oaths
           to
           end
           Controversies
           ,
           and
           to
           secure
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           man
           can
           do
           ,
           the
           exact
           proceedings
           of
           Justice
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           do
           appear
           that
           
             all
             swearing
          
           is
           absolutely
           by
           our
           
             Lord
             Christ
          
           forbidden
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
           God
           forbid
           we
           should
           not
           obey
           his
           word
           ,
           and
           rather
           change
           the
           Laws
           of
           man
           ,
           then
           violate
           
             his
             commands
          
           ,
           to
           whom
           we
           Christians
           owe
           the
           highest
           
             love
             ,
             loyalty
          
           and
           obedience
           .
           But
           if
           it
           shall
           appear
           to
           
             religious
             Reason
          
           ,
           that
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           do
           not
           import
           any
           such
           
             absolute
             forbidding
          
           of
           all
           use
           of
           swearing
           ,
           
           but
           by
           the
           scope
           of
           them
           and
           the
           analogy
           of
           Scripture
           they
           have
           another
           true
           interpretation
           and
           limited
           meaning
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           be
           so
           much
           slaves
           to
           the
           Letter
           ,
           as
           to
           lead
           Truth
           and
           
             Reason
             captive
          
           ,
           or
           to
           deprive
           our selves
           of
           that
           
             religious
             liberty
          
           which
           is
           left
           us
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           not
           only
           lawful
           for
           Christians
           to
           use
           ,
           but
           in
           some
           cases
           it
           may
           be
           prudentially
           necessary
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           expediences
           of
           mens
           
             jealousies
             ,
             lives
             ,
             liberties
             ,
             estates
             ,
          
           and
           
             good
             names
          
           ,
           even
           in
           private
           ;
           much
           
           more
           in
           the
           
             dispensations
             of
             justice
          
           to
           the
           
             publick
             peace
          
           ,
           and
           general
           satisfaction
           of
           whole
           Polities
           and
           Communities
           ,
           wherein
           men
           live
           socially
           ,
           under
           law
           and
           government
           .
        
         
           The
           Controversie
           therefore
           which
           is
           risen
           between
           the
           Quakers
           and
           almost
           all
           other
           Christians
           will
           come
           into
           this
           narrow
           room
           .
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Not
           whether
           a
           Christian
           may
           
             swear
             vainly
          
           and
           rashly
           ,
           
           by
           a
           spontaneous
           and
           occasional
           easiness
           ,
           either
           promising
           or
           asserting
           ,
           although
           it
           be
           a
           truth
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           
             true
             God
          
           ,
           but
           without
           reverence
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           matters
           of
           so
           little
           ,
           yea
           no
           importance
           or
           difficulty
           ,
           as
           neither
           deserve
           ,
           nor
           need
           ,
           nor
           require
           an
           Oath
           .
           To
           this
           we
           all
           agree
           with
           the
           
             Quakers
             ,
             Christs
          
           words
           condemning
           all
           such
           profane
           and
           
             trivial
             swearing
          
           ;
           much
           more
           if
           it
           be
           in
           fraud
           and
           falsitie
           ,
           which
           makes
           such
           Oaths
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Coyn
             of
             an
             Usurper
          
           ,
           which
           is
           false
           metal
           and
           stamp
           too
           ,
           a
           
             complicated
             sin
          
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           the
           strongest
           chains
           of
           darkness
           which
           the
           Devil
           and
           a
           mans
           own
           lusts
           hamper
           the
           Soule
           withal
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Not
           is
           it
           any
           question
           whether
           Christians
           may
           swear
           in
           any
           case
           by
           any
           Creature
           as
           such
           ,
           
           not
           relating
           by
           it
           and
           through
           it
           to
           God
           above
           all
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Alpha
           and
           Omega
           ,
           the
           center
           and
           circumference
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           from
           whom
           they
           have
           their
           being
           ,
           and
           in
           whom
           is
           the
           Idea
           or
           Prototype
           of
           all
           their
           perfections
           .
           To
           terminate
           an
           Oath
           in
           a
           Creature
           ,
           is
           to
           put
           the
           stamp
           of
           Divinity
           on
           it
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           an
           Idol
           in
           Gods
           stead
           ,
           and
           to
           profane
           
             his
             holy
             name
          
           ,
           by
           swearing
           by
           it
           as
           by
           a
           
             false
             God.
          
           The
           swearing
           by
           any
           Creature
           as
           such
           ,
           we
           all
           own
           to
           be
           a
           
             great
             sin
          
           ,
           according
           to
           those
           instances
           which
           our
           
             Lord
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           Saint
           Iames
           from
           his
           mouth
           ,
           give
           us
           ,
           when
           they
           explain
           their
           meaning
           of
           
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Nor
           is
           it
           a
           question
           whether
           an
           Oath
           made
           by
           the
           name
           of
           any
           Creature
           ,
           
           and
           in
           a
           thing
           lawful
           ,
           may
           yet
           be
           broken
           ;
           or
           whether
           it
           be
           a
           sin
           to
           
             swear
             falsly
          
           by
           them
           .
           All
           agree
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           Oath
           be
           rash
           ,
           as
           by
           a
           Creature
           ,
           yet
           it
           binds
           in
           things
           lawful
           no
           less
           at
           least
           to
           truth
           and
           justice
           then
           any
           
             simple
             promise
          
           ;
           and
           it
           may
           be
           something
           more
           .
           Here
           that
           is
           true
           ,
           
             Fieri
             non
             debuit
             ,
             factum
             valet
             :
          
           Like
           Bastards
           ,
           they
           should
           not
           have
           been
           begot
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           be
           kept
           ;
           unless
           the
           matter
           
           be
           sinful
           ,
           as
           Herod's
           Oath
           was
           which
           
             beheaded
             Iohn
             Baptist
          
           ,
           Mat.
           14.
           9.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           But
           the
           question
           is
           ,
           
           Whether
           
             those
             words
          
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Apostle
           do
           utterly
           forbid
           all
           Swearing
           in
           any
           case
           whatsoever
           to
           all
           Christians
           ;
           so
           that
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ
           it
           is
           a
           sin
           to
           swear
           ,
           as
           in
           private
           ,
           so
           in
           
             publick
             transactions
          
           ,
           or
           any
           Courts
           of
           Judicature
           ,
           be
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           Oath
           never
           so
           just
           and
           true
           ,
           and
           the
           manner
           of
           it
           never
           so
           solemn
           and
           sacred
           ,
           and
           the
           Authority
           requiring
           them
           never
           so
           lawful
           in
           civil
           respects
           .
        
         
           This
           the
           Quakers
           affirm
           ,
           led
           thereto
           ,
           as
           they
           profess
           ,
           meerly
           by
           the
           Conscience
           of
           that
           obedience
           they
           oweto
           Christ
           ,
           whose
           will
           they
           say
           is
           expresly
           declared
           in
           
             those
             words
          
           to
           all
           his
           
             Disciples
             ,
             Not
             to
             swear
             at
             all
             ,
          
           in
           
             no
             case
          
           ,
           at
           
             no
             time
          
           ,
           upon
           
             no
             mans
             command
          
           .
           Nor
           do
           they
           argue
           any
           thing
           further
           by
           way
           of
           
             rational
             deduction
             ,
             moral
             grounds
          
           ,
           or
           
             religious
             principles
          
           ,
           either
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           
             consent
             of
             other
             Scriptures
          
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           
             Divine
             Attributes
          
           and
           glory
           ;
           but
           barely
           insist
           upon
           the
           words
           ,
           and
           urge
           the
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           Letter
           ,
           as
           an
           absolute
           or
           universal
           Negative
           ,
           without
           any
           limitation
           or
           dispensation
           :
           So
           feeding
           on
           the
           rinde
           or
           shell
           of
           the
           Letter
           ,
           and
           gnawing
           the
           bone
           of
           the
           
             bare
             words
          
           ,
           that
           they
           never
           come
           at
           the
           kernel
           and
           marrow
           ,
           or
           true
           meaning
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           I
           do
           deny
           ,
           
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           my
           own
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           the
           
             consentient
             sense
          
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           yea
           ,
           of
           all
           Christian
           and
           
             Reformed
             Churches
          
           of
           any
           renown
           ,
           
             That
             all
             swearing
             is
             forbidden
             by
             those
             words
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostle
             :
          
           But
           that
           our
           Saviours
           words
           are
           to
           be
           understood
           with
           such
           a
           
             limited
             sense
          
           and
           
             strict
             interpretation
          
           as
           suited
           to
           his
           scope
           and
           design
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           rectifie
           popular
           errors
           ,
           and
           remove
           common
           abuses
           in
           Swearing
           ,
           but
           not
           wholly
           to
           forbid
           the
           use
           of
           it
           in
           a
           religious
           and
           lawful
           way
           .
        
         
           And
           because
           it
           is
           not
           sufficient
           in
           order
           to
           my
           design
           (
           which
           is
           to
           justifie
           the
           
             legal
             proceedings
             of
             this
             Kingdoms
             Iustice
          
           by
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           to
           satisfie
           the
           scruples
           of
           the
           Quakers
           )
           to
           oppose
           my
           Nay
           to
           their
           Yea
           ,
           or
           to
           offer
           the
           husk
           and
           chaff
           of
           words
           void
           of
           such
           Reasons
           as
           either
           slow
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           all
           things
           and
           all
           actions
           as
           good
           or
           evil
           morally
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           
           will
           of
           God
           revealed
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           Treasury
           of
           
             right
             Reason
          
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Rule
           of
           
             true
             Religion
          
           ;
           I
           will
           endeavour
           to
           give
           those
           Reasons
           which
           induce
           me
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           the
           Quakers
           (
           as
           Christ
           said
           to
           the
           Saducees
           )
           do
           erre
           
             not
             knowing
          
           ,
           or
           not
           
             right
             understanding
          
           ,
           
           the
           
             mind
             of
             Christ
          
           in
           those
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           to
           forbid
           
             all
             Swearing
          
           ,
           nor
           such
           as
           the
           just
           and
           religious
           Laws
           of
           England
           do
           require
           of
           all
           under
           its
           subjection
           in
           some
           cases
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           not
           seek
           to
           oppress
           or
           confound
           the
           Quakers
           with
           the
           shew
           of
           
             many
             Reasons
          
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           would
           carry
           the
           cause
           by
           number
           and
           not
           by
           weight
           ;
           but
           content
           my self
           with
           those
           few
           which
           are
           most
           
             pregnant
             ,
             plaine
          
           ,
           and
           
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
          
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Reason
           ;
           
           From
           the
           occasion
           of
           Christs
           and
           the
           Apostles
           words
           ,
           and
           the
           scope
           or
           end
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           which
           his
           own
           instances
           by
           way
           of
           explication
           of
           his
           meaning
           do
           best
           direct
           us
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           what
           he
           forbids
           and
           enjoynes
           :
           to
           some
           of
           which
           the
           Quakers
           themselves
           do
           consent
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Reason
           ;
           From
           the
           moral
           and
           
             religious
             nature
             ,
             end
          
           and
           use
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           which
           God
           had
           instituted
           and
           approved
           ,
           without
           any
           repeal
           by
           Christ
           or
           his
           Apostles
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Reason
           ;
           From
           other
           places
           of
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           which
           give
           light
           to
           these
           ,
           both
           by
           principles
           granted
           and
           suitable
           examples
           expressed
           .
        
         
           To
           these
           Reasons
           I
           will
           add
           (
           by
           way
           of
           
             full
             measure
             heaped
             up
             and
             running
             over
          
           the
           
             concurrent
             judgement
          
           of
           other
           Christians
           and
           Churches
           ,
           ancient
           and
           modern
           ,
           in
           their
           interpretation
           of
           these
           words
           ;
           with
           answer
           to
           the
           Allegations
           made
           from
           the
           sayings
           and
           manners
           of
           some
           Primitive
           Christians
           .
        
         
           This
           done
           ,
           the
           conclusion
           will
           easily
           follow
           with
           great
           clearness
           and
           good
           authority
           to
           all
           that
           are
           truely
           wise
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           
             eyes
             opened
          
           and
           
             senses
             exercised
          
           to
           discerne
           good
           and
           evil
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Reason
           is
           from
           the
           occasion
           ,
           
           scope
           and
           end
           of
           our
           Saviours
           words
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           the
           Apostles
           .
           For
           these
           ,
           as
           the
           biass
           of
           
             all
             speech
          
           ,
           do
           best
           discover
           the
           
             speakers
             mind
          
           ;
           there
           being
           no
           surer
           way
           to
           wrest
           and
           
             pervert
             Scriptures
          
           ,
           then
           to
           take
           them
           
           abruptly
           and
           absolutely
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           a
           
             relative
             ,
             comparative
          
           ,
           or
           
             limited
             sense
          
           in
           the
           aim
           and
           purpose
           of
           the
           speaker
           .
        
         
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           in
           this
           
             Divine
             Sermon
          
           on
           the
           Mount
           (
           of
           which
           Saint
           Matthew
           gives
           us
           so
           large
           an
           account
           )
           makes
           it
           his
           main
           aim
           and
           scope
           ,
           
           first
           ,
           to
           set
           forth
           those
           
             spiritual
             ,
             heavenly
          
           and
           
             eternal
             blessings
          
           ,
           which
           beyond
           those
           
             sensible
             ,
             earthly
          
           and
           temporary
           ones
           (
           which
           were
           so
           much
           of
           old
           set
           before
           the
           Jews
           to
           invite
           them
           to
           obedience
           of
           Gods
           Laws
           )
           were
           now
           to
           be
           
             chiefly
             regarded
          
           by
           Christians
           ,
           as
           their
           peculiar
           comforts
           ,
           hopes
           and
           rewards
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           which
           though
           attended
           with
           many
           persecutions
           ,
           yet
           was
           not
           without
           many
           blessings
           peculiar
           to
           true
           believers
           :
           from
           
             vers
             .
             3.
             to
             vers
          
           .
           12.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           gives
           many
           singular
           lessons
           or
           precepts
           of
           more
           eminent
           
             deligence
             ,
             patience
             ,
             charity
             ,
             mortification
             ,
             self-denial
             ,
             sincerity
             ,
             conspicuity
             ,
             perseverance
          
           and
           perfection
           of
           obedience
           required
           now
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           above
           what
           either
           the
           Letter
           of
           the
           
             Mosaick
             Law
          
           seemed
           to
           exact
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           Pharisaical
           Interpretations
           were
           taught
           to
           the
           Iewes
           .
           So
           that
           unless
           their
           righteousness
           did
           exceed
           that
           so
           
             popularly
             admired
          
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           enter
           into
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
          
           ,
           vers
           .
           20.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           with
           much
           earnestness
           and
           exactness
           applyes
           in
           this
           Sermon
           to
           reform
           those
           abuses
           ,
           which
           either
           by
           the
           Pharisaical
           glosses
           (
           either
           too
           much
           loosning
           or
           restraining
           the
           meaning
           of
           Gods
           Law
           )
           or
           by
           their
           depraved
           examples
           ,
           or
           by
           popular
           custom
           had
           prevailed
           among
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           true
           meaning
           of
           the
           moral
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           primitive
           Institution
           ,
           which
           gives
           us
           the
           clearest
           view
           of
           the
           
             Law-givers
             intention
          
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           exact
           observation
           of
           which
           ,
           however
           by
           Divine
           indulgence
           and
           connivence
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           hardness
           and
           uncharitableness
           of
           their
           own
           hearts
           ,
           and
           the
           customary
           depravedness
           of
           times
           and
           manners
           ,
           they
           might
           seem
           to
           have
           had
           some
           temporary
           dispensation
           heretofore
           granted
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           had
           presumed
           to
           take
           it
           to
           themselves
           ;
           yet
           now
           under
           the
           
             Evangelical
             strictness
          
           to
           which
           Christ
           came
           to
           restore
           or
           raise
           the
           Church
           ,
           they
           might
           not
           fancy
           to
           themselves
           any
           such
           liberty
           ,
           but
           were
           to
           keep
           themselves
           in
           thought
           ,
           look
           ,
           desire
           ,
           word
           
           and
           deed
           ,
           to
           that
           sanctity
           and
           severity
           which
           was
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           most
           conform
           to
           the
           holy
           
             Will
             ,
             Attributes
          
           and
           Nature
           of
           that
           God
           whom
           they
           ought
           to
           imitate
           as
           their
           heavenly
           Father
           in
           all
           sacred
           perfections
           ,
           which
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           assisted
           by
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
           the
           grace
           of
           
             Gods
             Spirit
          
           ,
           and
           the
           visible
           example
           of
           Christ
           ,
           was
           capable
           to
           attain
           ,
           at
           least
           sincerely
           to
           aim
           at
           and
           endeavour
           .
        
         
           So
           vers
           .
           22.
           
           He
           tells
           them
           that
           not
           only
           
             wilful
             murder
          
           ,
           or
           malicious
           killing
           ,
           was
           forbidden
           ,
           but
           
             rash
             ,
             unreasonable
          
           and
           
             irreconcilable
             anger
          
           .
        
         
           Vers
           .
           28.
           
           That
           not
           only
           Adultery
           ,
           but
           all
           
             lust
             inordinate
          
           after
           a
           Woman
           (
           that
           is
           not
           in
           order
           to
           marriage
           ,
           and
           the
           honest
           ends
           of
           it
           )
           were
           so
           severely
           forbidden
           ,
           under
           pain
           of
           
             Hell
             fire
          
           ,
           that
           it
           were
           better
           to
           deny
           those
           
             sensual
             pleasures
          
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           which
           seem
           as
           dear
           to
           men
           as
           the
           delight
           of
           their
           eyes
           ,
           or
           the
           strength
           of
           their
           hands
           ,
           then
           to
           indulge
           them
           with
           the
           danger
           of
           their
           souls
           .
        
         
           Vers
           .
           32.
           
           So
           in
           the
           case
           of
           humorous
           and
           lascivious
           Divorces
           usually
           given
           to
           Wives
           upon
           no
           
             just
             cause
          
           ,
           Christ
           restrains
           that
           indulgence
           only
           to
           the
           case
           of
           a
           
             Wives
             deserving
          
           to
           be
           
             put
             away
          
           ,
           for
           having
           broke
           her
           
             conjugal
             vow
          
           and
           band
           of
           Matrimony
           by
           her
           Adultery
           .
        
         
           Not
           to
           instance
           in
           many
           other
           particulars
           of
           abuses
           which
           Christ
           reckons
           up
           and
           reforms
           in
           that
           Sermon
           ;
           (
           as
           touching
           
             private
             Revenge
          
           ,
           vers
           .
           39.
           not
           publick
           and
           vindicative
           Iustice
           ;
           so
           of
           loving
           our
           enemies
           ,
           vers
           .
           44
           .
           of
           
             almes
             ,
             prayer
          
           and
           fasting
           ,
           without
           
             ostentation
             ,
             pride
          
           or
           hypocrisie
           ,
           against
           immoderate
           love
           and
           care
           for
           
             things
             of
             this
             world
          
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           )
           the
           immediately
           next
           is
           this
           of
           Swearing
           ,
           vers
           .
           33
           ,
           34.
           
           In
           which
           ,
           as
           in
           many
           other
           things
           ,
           the
           Iews
           had
           much
           depraved
           both
           the
           true
           nature
           and
           use
           of
           Oaths
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           pretended
           indeed
           (
           as
           Philo
           and
           Iosephus
           tell
           us
           )
           a
           great
           reverence
           of
           the
           
             Name
             of
             God
          
           ,
           
           and
           seemed
           to
           make
           great
           conscience
           of
           swearing
           in
           small
           matters
           by
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Letter
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ;
           yea
           ,
           they
           made
           scruple
           to
           
             swear
             at
             all
          
           in
           any
           case
           by
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           
             the
             Lord
             liveth
          
           .
           
           For
           which
           the
           
             Heathens
             mocked
          
           the
           Iewes
           ;
           
           as
           in
           that
           of
           
             Martial
             ,
             Jura
             ,
             verpe
             ,
             per
             Anchialum
             .
          
           These
           Oaths
           they
           thought
           binding
           ;
           nor
           would
           they
           in
           these
           easily
           swear
           or
           forswear
           themselves
           .
           Which
           regard
           to
           their
           Gods
           was
           in
           use
           among
           the
           gravest
           Heathens
           ;
           as
           is
           observed
           out
           of
           Homer
           :
           therefore
           they
           took
           any
           obvious
           thing
           to
           swear
           by
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           they
           indulged
           themselves
           in
           other
           
             familiar
             Oaths
          
           ,
           
           or
           
             forms
             of
             common
             Swearing
          
           (
           as
           many
           Christians
           now
           do
           )
           by
           whatever
           came
           next
           to
           their
           minds
           or
           tongues
           :
           as
           by
           the
           Temple
           and
           
             holy
             City
          
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           or
           others
           
             Heads
             ,
             Hands
             ,
             Lives
          
           and
           Souls
           ;
           so
           by
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           Earth
           ,
           and
           the
           Light.
           Thus
           waving
           the
           attestation
           of
           Gods
           
             omniscient
             Justice
          
           ,
           and
           the
           swearing
           by
           his
           name
           (
           as
           was
           commanded
           )
           in
           
             righteousness
             ,
             judgement
          
           and
           truth
           ,
           they
           put
           this
           Character
           of
           Divinity
           on
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           no
           way
           competent
           for
           them
           ,
           unless
           as
           they
           are
           in
           relation
           to
           ,
           depending
           on
           ,
           and
           derived
           from
           the
           
             blessed
             God.
          
           
        
         
           3.
           
           These
           
             vulgar
             Oaths
          
           they
           used
           not
           only
           in
           a
           familiarity
           and
           facility
           of
           
             inconsiderate
             swearing
          
           ,
           upon
           small
           and
           light
           occasions
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           in
           asserting
           of
           things
           
             not
             true
          
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           knowledge
           and
           intention
           ,
           which
           was
           doubly
           a
           
             false
             swearing
          
           ;
           but
           in
           things
           of
           weight
           and
           concerne
           ,
           as
           to
           that
           
             charity
             ,
             justice
          
           ,
           and
           equity
           which
           they
           owed
           to
           others
           ,
           they
           chose
           this
           way
           of
           Creature-Swearing
           ,
           both
           promissory
           and
           assertory
           ,
           
           because
           they
           fancied
           such
           Oaths
           ,
           being
           not
           with
           the
           solemnity
           of
           invocating
           
             Gods
             name
          
           ,
           were
           not
           binding
           upon
           their
           Souls
           either
           as
           to
           truth
           or
           right
           ;
           but
           they
           might
           play
           with
           them
           at
           fast
           and
           loose
           ,
           according
           as
           their
           own
           interest
           or
           pleasure
           did
           sway
           them
           .
           Hence
           as
           they
           
             sware
             amiss
          
           in
           point
           of
           form
           ,
           so
           also
           as
           to
           the
           matter
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           in
           these
           cases
           to
           that
           Command
           of
           God
           against
           forswearing
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           
             Oaths
             to
             the
             Lord
          
           (
           which
           places
           Christ
           cites
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           Law
           they
           professed
           to
           adhere
           ,
           so
           far
           only
           as
           they
           used
           the
           
             name
             of
             God
          
           ;
           else
           they
           dispensed
           with
           their
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           easily
           digested
           even
           perjury
           it self
           .
           )
        
         
           Upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           and
           to
           reform
           these
           
             gross
             abuses
          
           ,
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           gives
           this
           
             Command
             ,
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
           (
           as
           Erasmus
           paraphraseth
           )
           not
           after
           those
           usual
           ,
           
           presumptuous
           and
           
             unlawful
             forms
          
           ,
           by
           the
           names
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           of
           which
           he
           gives
           so
           many
           following
           instances
           to
           express
           his
           meaning
           .
           For
           he
           doth
           not
           instance
           in
           the
           lawful
           use
           of
           
             religious
             Oaths
          
           ,
           by
           the
           
             name
             of
             the
             true
             God
          
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           only
           allowed
           ,
           but
           ,
           in
           such
           cases
           as
           did
           require
           an
           Oath
           ,
           with
           its
           due
           circumstances
           of
           
             Judgement
             ,
             Justice
          
           and
           
             Truth
             ,
             commanded
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           He
           tells
           them
           ,
           that
           even
           in
           
             those
             Oaths
          
           which
           were
           attested
           only
           by
           the
           naming
           of
           any
           Creature
           ,
           as
           by
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           Earth
           ,
           or
           Jerusalem
           ,
           or
           their
           
             Head
             ,
             &c.
          
           there
           was
           a
           
             tacit
             calling
          
           of
           God
           to
           witness
           ,
           
           since
           every
           Creature
           depends
           on
           God
           ,
           and
           relates
           to
           him
           as
           the
           Center
           and
           Circumference
           ,
           the
           Source
           and
           Sea
           of
           
             all
             things
             .
             Heaven
          
           is
           Gods
           
             Throne
             ,
             Earth
          
           Gods
           Foot-stoole
           ,
           the
           Temple
           Gods
           
             Sanctuary
             ,
             Jerusalem
          
           the
           
             City
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           most
           eminent
           place
           of
           the
           great
           King
           of
           Heavens
           residency
           on
           Earth
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           He
           implyes
           ,
           
           that
           however
           such
           various
           and
           irregular
           forms
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           by
           the
           name
           of
           any
           Creature
           ,
           were
           as
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           them
           unlawful
           ,
           yet
           they
           obliged
           men
           to
           perform
           them
           ,
           if
           the
           matter
           of
           them
           were
           lawful
           ;
           nor
           were
           they
           excused
           from
           perjury
           or
           false-swearing
           in
           those
           cases
           ,
           if
           in
           assertory
           Oaths
           they
           
             sware
             falsly
          
           ,
           
           or
           in
           promissory
           ,
           either
           not
           intending
           to
           perform
           what
           they
           so
           sware
           ,
           or
           not
           after
           performing
           them
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           was
           
             in
             their
             power
          
           .
           But
           the
           Yea
           and
           Nay
           ,
           the
           Affirmative
           or
           Negative
           of
           such
           swearing
           in
           word
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           also
           Yea
           and
           Nay
           in
           the
           purpose
           and
           performance
           .
           And
           although
           they
           ought
           not
           
             so
             to
             swear
          
           ,
           yet
           having
           so
           sworn
           they
           were
           obliged
           to
           the
           
             moral
             ends
          
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           
           which
           is
           to
           
             make
             it
             good
          
           in
           Truth
           and
           Faith.
           
        
         
           Agreeable
           to
           the
           same
           end
           and
           scope
           ,
           and
           almost
           in
           the
           
             same
             words
          
           ,
           Saint
           Iames
           writes
           to
           the
           dispersed
           
             Christian
             Iewes
          
           ,
           who
           still
           retained
           that
           
             evil
             Custome
          
           of
           ordinary
           Swearing
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           as
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           and
           other
           such
           like
           Oathes
           ,
           without
           any
           conscience
           of
           the
           manner
           or
           matter
           ,
           or
           making
           good
           in
           effect
           such
           Oaths
           .
        
         
         
           The
           meaning
           therefore
           of
           
             both
             places
          
           (
           as
           the
           learned
           Grotius
           and
           others
           observe
           )
           is
           no
           more
           then
           to
           take
           away
           the
           
             ordinary
             abuse
          
           of
           such
           swearing
           ,
           
           but
           not
           that
           
             right
             use
          
           which
           God
           had
           allowed
           and
           commanded
           in
           his
           word
           :
           
           Nor
           is
           there
           more
           implied
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           subject
           matter
           ,
           then
           in
           those
           ,
           where
           God
           complains
           ,
           that
           
             because
             of
             Swearing
             the
             land
             mourns
             ,
          
           Hos
           .
           4.2
           ,
           3.
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           unlawful
           Oaths
           ;
           and
           
             the
             curse
             shall
             come
             into
             the
             house
             of
             the
             Swearer
             ,
          
           Zach.
           5.4
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           such
           as
           use
           
             idle
             ,
             false
          
           ,
           and
           
             forbidden
             Swearing
          
           ,
           Zach.
           8.17
           .
           Not
           those
           who
           swear
           as
           they
           might
           do
           
             by
             the
             name
          
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           
             righteousness
             ,
             judgement
          
           and
           truth
           ,
           which
           God
           no
           where
           reproves
           .
        
         
           As
           if
           one
           should
           inveigh
           against
           drinking
           and
           feasting
           ,
           and
           singing
           ,
           and
           danoing
           and
           dalliance
           ,
           there
           where
           the
           
             usual
             viot
             ,
             excess
          
           and
           wantonness
           of
           any
           people
           had
           generally
           run
           these
           things
           to
           an
           inordinacy
           ;
           which
           doth
           no
           way
           condemn
           the
           
             sober
             ,
             modest
          
           and
           
             seasonable
             use
          
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           
             thus
             limited
             sense
          
           of
           Christs
           words
           against
           the
           
             abuse
             of
             Swearing
          
           ,
           
           so
           familiar
           among
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           was
           Christs
           meaning
           in
           the
           negative
           part
           of
           his
           words
           ,
           appears
           by
           the
           affirmative
           part
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           the
           
             Quakers
             themselves
          
           will
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           confess
           must
           not
           be
           taken
           in
           an
           exclusive
           latitude
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           broad
           universality
           of
           command
           ,
           as
           enjoynes
           us
           to
           use
           no
           
             other
             words
          
           in
           any
           communication
           by
           way
           of
           affirming
           or
           denying
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           only
           
             Yea
             ,
             Yea
          
           ,
           and
           
             Nay
             ,
             Nay
          
           .
           Which
           words
           the
           Quakers
           so
           much
           affect
           to
           use
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           would
           fancy
           themselves
           literally
           or
           verbally
           tied
           to
           those
           Monosyllables
           ,
           and
           those
           to
           be
           repeated
           in
           all
           their
           assertions
           or
           promises
           :
           yet
           none
           of
           them
           in
           case
           of
           more
           
             full
             declaring
          
           their
           assent
           or
           dissent
           upon
           any
           matter
           ,
           do
           seruple
           to
           use
           such
           paraphrases
           or
           enlargements
           of
           speech
           as
           the
           matter
           or
           the
           parties
           understanding
           or
           diffidence
           may
           require
           .
           For
           if
           they
           would
           keep
           all
           their
           communication
           to
           those
           precise
           words
           ,
           
             Yea
             ,
             Yea
             ,
             Nay
             ,
             Nay
             ,
          
           they
           would
           be
           no
           less
           obstructive
           to
           civil
           and
           
             private
             conversation
          
           ,
           then
           they
           seek
           to
           be
           to
           
             judicial
             proceedings
          
           by
           their
           refusing
           
             at
             all
          
           to
           swear
           .
        
         
         
           Doubtless
           our
           Saviours
           own
           larger
           expressing
           of
           himselfe
           in
           many
           cases
           ,
           
           by
           such
           periphrases
           or
           commentaries
           of
           words
           as
           amount
           to
           affirmations
           or
           negations
           (
           besides
           and
           beyond
           the
           bare
           terms
           of
           
             Yea
             ,
             Yea
          
           ,
           and
           
             Nay
             ,
             Nay
          
           )
           do
           abundantly
           justifie
           (
           together
           with
           the
           practise
           of
           all
           the
           Apostles
           )
           that
           these
           
             proverbial
             Phrases
          
           or
           Epitomes
           of
           speech
           here
           commanded
           under
           the
           words
           of
           Yea
           and
           Nay
           ,
           do
           only
           import
           that
           plainness
           or
           simplicity
           of
           Christians
           meaning
           and
           doing
           as
           may
           be
           consonant
           to
           their
           words
           ,
           in
           truth
           and
           honesty
           ,
           without
           fraud
           or
           falsity
           in
           common
           speech
           :
           not
           at
           all
           forbidding
           either
           more
           
             ample
             expressions
          
           of
           their
           sense
           in
           private
           converses
           ,
           nor
           yet
           forbidding
           such
           religious
           and
           judicious
           use
           of
           Swearing
           in
           great
           and
           publick
           matters
           ,
           
           as
           are
           necessary
           to
           carry
           on
           humane
           affairs
           with
           iustice
           and
           Peace
           ;
           but
           only
           such
           
             false
             ,
             frivolous
          
           and
           fraudulent
           Oaths
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           
             matter
             ,
             manner
          
           and
           meaning
           are
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           all
           right
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           prohibited
           ;
           and
           which
           then
           were
           so
           familiarly
           used
           and
           abused
           by
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           
           upon
           those
           presumptions
           and
           dispensations
           which
           they
           had
           taken
           up
           .
           As
           then
           the
           affirmative
           part
           of
           Christs
           words
           are
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           literally
           ,
           as
           a
           confining
           of
           all
           Christians
           communication
           to
           Yea
           and
           Nay
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           that
           truth
           and
           honesty
           of
           
             mind
             ,
             intent
          
           and
           action
           which
           Christ
           aimes
           at
           ,
           and
           beyond
           which
           whatever
           is
           of
           fraud
           and
           falsity
           is
           from
           evil
           in
           mens
           hearts
           :
           so
           as
           to
           the
           negation
           of
           swearing
           
             not
             at
             all
          
           ,
           it
           cannot
           in
           Reason
           or
           Religion
           be
           extended
           further
           then
           that
           swearing
           which
           is
           from
           evil
           ,
           and
           tends
           to
           evil
           ;
           not
           that
           which
           is
           from
           good
           ,
           
           and
           tends
           to
           good
           ;
           namely
           ,
           the
           veneration
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           love
           of
           Truth
           and
           Iustice
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           from
           the
           
             evil
             one
          
           ,
           the
           Devil
           ,
           nor
           from
           
             evil
             principles
          
           in
           men
           ,
           nor
           for
           
             evil
             designs
          
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           that
           absolute
           and
           
             universal
             Negative
          
           which
           they
           urge
           from
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
           of
           not
           
             swearing
             at
             all
          
           ,
           nothing
           is
           more
           clear
           and
           usual
           in
           Scripture
           then
           to
           confine
           the
           meaning
           
           of
           such
           Generals
           to
           the
           
             particular
             subject
          
           and
           scope
           intended
           ,
           as
           I
           formerly
           shewed
           in
           many
           instances
           out
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           :
           but
           yet
           further
           to
           clear
           this
           truth
           from
           the
           most
           short
           and
           exact
           way
           of
           the
           Scripture-style
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           the
           commands
           of
           the
           Decalogue
           ,
        
         
           In
           the
           
             second
             Command
          
           we
           are
           forbidden
           to
           
             make
             to
             our selves
             any
             graven
             Image
          
           or
           similitude
           of
           Creatures
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Worship
           or
           Religion
           :
           yet
           we
           read
           ,
           that
           Moses
           in
           the
           Tabernacle
           made
           the
           Cherubins
           ;
           so
           did
           Solomon
           several
           Images
           of
           Flowers
           and
           Beasts
           in
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           Throne
           ,
           and
           without
           sinne
           .
        
         
           So
           in
           the
           
             fourth
             Command
             ,
             All
             manner
             of
             work
          
           is
           forbidden
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           :
           yet
           the
           intent
           is
           only
           against
           
             ordinary
             works
          
           of
           our
           
             civil
             callings
          
           ,
           not
           against
           works
           of
           Religion
           ,
           or
           decency
           ,
           or
           charity
           ,
           or
           necessity
           ;
           against
           which
           the
           Pharisaical
           rigor
           and
           severity
           had
           stretched
           the
           Letter
           of
           the
           Law
           beyond
           the
           meaning
           :
           as
           our
           
             Saviour
             convinceth
          
           them
           ,
           Mat.
           12.
           
           
             Mark
             2.
             27.
             
             Luk.
          
           14.
           3.
           
        
         
           In
           the
           
             sixth
             Command
             ,
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             kill
             ,
          
           
           the
           putting
           men
           to
           death
           in
           just
           and
           legal
           wayes
           ,
           or
           in
           self-defense
           ,
           is
           not
           forbidden
           ,
           but
           only
           as
           to
           
             private
             revenge
          
           and
           malice
           .
        
         
           So
           the
           
             tenth
             Command
             ,
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             covet
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             thy
             Neighbours
             ,
          
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           only
           of
           an
           *
           evil
           and
           
             injurious
             coveting
          
           of
           what
           is
           our
           Neighbours
           ;
           but
           not
           of
           
             such
             a
             desire
          
           as
           is
           commensurate
           to
           Justice
           and
           Charity
           ,
           which
           desires
           ,
           in
           honest
           wayes
           of
           buying
           or
           exchanging
           ,
           to
           get
           those
           things
           which
           our
           want
           requires
           ,
           and
           our
           Neighbours
           sufficiency
           willingly
           affords
           us
           :
           Else
           we
           must
           always
           want
           ,
           but
           never
           wish
           ,
           or
           fairly
           endeavour
           for
           supply
           ,
           by
           those
           wayes
           of
           commutative
           justice
           ,
           
           which
           by
           mutual
           necessities
           invite
           men
           to
           society
           .
        
         
           Such
           commodious
           Interpretations
           of
           Scriptures
           are
           as
           necessary
           to
           attain
           their
           
             true
             meaning
          
           ,
           
           as
           the
           contrary
           wrestings
           of
           them
           upon
           a
           
             bare
             Letter
          
           are
           pernicious
           to
           all
           Reason
           ,
           Justice
           and
           true
           Religion
           ;
           
           and
           indeed
           contrary
           to
           the
           very
           word
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           intent
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           :
           Else
           what
           shall
           we
           make
           of
           that
           
             seeming
             contradiction
          
           ,
           Jer.
           7.
           22.
           
           
             I
             spake
             not
             to
             your
             Fathers
             ,
             nor
             commanded
             them
             in
             the
             day
             I
             brought
             them
             out
             
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             concerning
             burnt-offerings
             ,
             &c.
             
             But
             this
             thing
             I
             I
             commanded
             them
             ,
             Obey
             my
             voice
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Here
           the
           principal
           intention
           of
           God
           must
           give
           the
           Interpretation
           ,
           and
           take
           away
           the
           Contradiction
           .
        
         
           Nor
           are
           affirmative
           places
           of
           Scripture
           to
           be
           many
           times
           less
           limited
           from
           their
           
             seeming
             Latitude
          
           ,
           
           Indefiniteness
           and
           Universality
           .
           As
           ,
           
             All
             things
             are
             yours
          
           ,
           takes
           not
           away
           meum
           and
           tuum
           ,
           
           the
           
             properties
             of
             Christians
          
           ,
           as
           to
           what
           they
           have
           by
           private
           right
           and
           possession
           .
           
           So
           ,
           
             All
             things
             are
             lawful
          
           ,
           must
           not
           be
           stretched
           to
           any
           
             immoral
             licentiousness
          
           ;
           but
           confined
           to
           such
           things
           as
           are
           by
           no
           
             word
             of
             God
             forbidden
          
           ,
           but
           left
           in
           an
           indifferency
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           used
           as
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           requires
           ,
           or
           the
           moral
           end
           of
           all
           things
           doth
           permit
           .
           
           So
           ,
           
             I
             please
             all
             men
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
           
           So
           ,
           
             To
             the
             pure
             all
             things
             are
             pure
          
           ;
           the
           meaning
           must
           not
           be
           ,
           after
           the
           Manichean
           and
           
             Familistical
             imagination
          
           ,
           as
           if
           such
           as
           are
           pure
           might
           do
           or
           use
           
             any
             thing
          
           ,
           even
           to
           those
           mixtures
           which
           are
           
             morally
             impure
          
           or
           sinful
           ;
           for
           these
           are
           alwayes
           and
           at
           
             all
             times
             forbidden
             to
             all
             men
             ,
          
           who
           may
           not
           fancy
           that
           pure
           which
           God
           hath
           marked
           with
           the
           brand
           of
           
             sinful
             impurity
          
           ;
           nor
           may
           they
           count
           that
           
             sinfully
             impure
          
           on
           which
           God
           hath
           set
           no
           such
           stamp
           ,
           ●y
           any
           
             Law
             forbidding
          
           it
           .
        
         
           If
           Scriptures
           (
           as
           I
           have
           largely
           shewed
           )
           must
           be
           understood
           only
           by
           the
           bark
           or
           shell
           of
           words
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           the
           kernel
           and
           intent
           ,
           we
           shall
           make
           those
           expressions
           to
           be
           approbations
           which
           are
           the
           sharpest
           reproofes
           and
           prohibitions
           ,
           yet
           by
           way
           of
           Irony
           and
           
             seeming
             concession
          
           .
           As
           Eccl.
           11.
           9.
           
           Rejoyce
           ,
           O
           young
           man
           ,
           in
           thy
           youth
           ;
           walk
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           thine
           heart
           and
           the
           light
           of
           thine
           eyes
           .
        
         
           So
           Christs
           commending
           the
           
             unjust
             Steward
          
           doth
           not
           import
           his
           justifying
           of
           his
           〈◊〉
           ,
           
           but
           of
           that
           prudence
           (
           though
           sinister
           )
           which
           he
           shewed
           to
           preserve
           himself
           from
           
             temporal
             extremities
          
           :
           the
           more
           to
           reproach
           the
           
             improvidence
             ,
             negligence
          
           and
           supineness
           of
           those
           who
           will
           not
           use
           honest
           means
           for
           their
           
             eternal
             preservation
          
           .
        
         
           It
           were
           easie
           by
           many
           more
           parallel
           instances
           (
           besides
           those
           I
           for
           merly
           gave
           )
           to
           ▪
           manifest
           to
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           or
           any
           men
           (
           not
           wilfully
           shutting
           their
           eyes
           against
           that
           light
           of
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           which
           shines
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           )
           That
           since
           the
           
           
             Holy
             Oracles
          
           of
           God
           are
           spoken
           or
           written
           for
           the
           instruction
           of
           men
           ,
           
           and
           in
           such
           a
           familiar
           style
           or
           mode
           of
           speech
           as
           was
           used
           among
           men
           in
           the
           several
           
             times
             ,
             languages
          
           and
           occasions
           of
           writing
           them
           ,
           which
           the
           Hearers
           or
           Readers
           then
           easily
           understood
           ;
           it
           cannot
           be
           any
           part
           of
           Religion
           so
           to
           urge
           any
           
             Letter
             ,
             Phrase
          
           or
           Form
           of
           speech
           ,
           as
           to
           swerve
           the
           sense
           of
           words
           from
           the
           evident
           
             scope
             ,
             intent
          
           or
           end
           of
           the
           speaker
           ,
           which
           is
           gathered
           both
           from
           the
           rise
           or
           occasion
           and
           
             end
             why
          
           he
           spake
           ,
           and
           any
           additional
           instances
           which
           are
           oft
           given
           as
           explications
           and
           special
           marks
           or
           boundaries
           of
           the
           speakers
           meaning
           ;
           which
           are
           here
           evident
           .
           For
           the
           Jewes
           were
           not
           blamable
           for
           swearing
           by
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             true
             God
          
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           Law
           and
           Prophets
           they
           were
           commanded
           ,
           in
           
             righteousness
             ,
             judgement
          
           and
           truth
           ,
           (
           nay
           they
           even
           
             superstitiously
             waved
          
           this
           kind
           of
           swearing
           )
           but
           for
           their
           new
           and
           
             customary
             forms
          
           of
           swearing
           by
           the
           Creature
           ,
           and
           fancying
           it
           no
           forswearing
           themselves
           in
           case
           they
           were
           false
           ,
           either
           in
           intention
           or
           execution
           .
           This
           being
           the
           usual
           and
           almost
           
             only
             swearing
          
           in
           fashion
           among
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           our
           Saviour
           aiming
           only
           at
           this
           ,
           gives
           such
           a
           prohibition
           of
           
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
             not
             at
             all
          
           for
           matter
           or
           manner
           as
           you
           have
           accustomed
           your selves
           to
           swear
           ,
           
             contrary
             to
          
           ,
           or
           beyond
           what
           God
           allowes
           in
           his
           Law
           :
           which
           was
           the
           thing
           I
           was
           to
           prove
           .
           
        
         
           2.
           
           My
           
             second
             Reason
          
           to
           prove
           that
           our
           Saviour
           and
           the
           Apostle
           do
           not
           forbid
           
             all
             swearing
          
           ,
           with
           its
           due
           reverence
           and
           integrity
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           
             moral
             nature
             ,
             end
          
           and
           use
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           by
           the
           
             light
             of
             Reason
          
           ,
           and
           principles
           of
           innate
           Divinity
           (
           yet
           unextinguished
           in
           the
           heart
           of
           man-kind
           )
           it
           hath
           ever
           been
           and
           still
           is
           owned
           and
           used
           as
           a
           special
           part
           of
           Religion
           ,
           
           a
           solemn
           agnition
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             Being
          
           and
           Attributes
           ,
           in
           
             Omniscience
             ,
             Justice
          
           and
           Power
           ;
           which
           all
           men
           attest
           ,
           as
           believing
           that
           none
           can
           escape
           that
           Witness
           and
           Judge
           of
           all
           things
           .
           Thus
           
             Egyptians
             ,
             Scythians
             ,
             Persians
             ,
             Greeks
             ,
             Romans
             ,
          
           
           and
           all
           Nations
           that
           had
           any
           thing
           Civil
           and
           Religious
           among
           
           them
           ,
           have
           used
           some
           form
           of
           Swearing
           by
           their
           respective
           Deities
           ,
           as
           a
           special
           honour
           and
           appeal
           to
           their
           Soveraignty
           ;
           as
           the
           only
           means
           in
           cases
           dubious
           to
           give
           satisfaction
           ,
           gain
           credit
           ,
           and
           make
           men
           assured
           of
           the
           veracity
           and
           honesty
           of
           the
           speaker
           ,
           in
           their
           promises
           and
           testimonies
           ,
           in
           their
           leagues
           and
           contracts
           .
        
         
           And
           however
           the
           noblest
           and
           wisest
           of
           the
           Heathens
           required
           no
           less
           veracity
           and
           certainty
           in
           the
           
             bare
             words
          
           then
           Oathes
           of
           men
           ;
           
           yet
           they
           highly
           distinguished
           between
           swearing
           and
           forswearing
           ,
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           and
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           )
           This
           last
           they
           thought
           a
           great
           sin
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           punished
           by
           the
           Gods
           ;
           if
           either
           they
           
             meant
             not
          
           as
           they
           sware
           ,
           or
           
             performed
             not
          
           what
           they
           had
           
             justly
             sworn
          
           :
           yea
           ,
           and
           they
           oft
           brought
           in
           their
           Gods
           ,
           and
           Jupiter
           himselfe
           as
           chief
           ,
           swearing
           .
        
         
           Polybius
           observes
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           better
           and
           simpler
           ages
           of
           the
           world
           Oathes
           were
           seldom
           used
           in
           Judicatures
           :
           
           but
           after
           that
           perfidy
           and
           lying
           encreased
           ,
           the
           use
           of
           Oathes
           encreased
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           remedy
           meet
           to
           restrain
           those
           mischiefs
           ;
           that
           where
           men
           could
           not
           see
           or
           be
           sure
           ,
           the
           omniscience
           and
           vengeance
           of
           God
           should
           be
           invocated
           on
           mens
           consciences
           ,
           
           which
           none
           could
           elude
           or
           escape
           .
        
         
           Hierocles
           also
           tells
           us
           ,
           
           That
           men
           ought
           not
           to
           swear
           but
           for
           great
           and
           
             necessary
             ends
          
           ,
           which
           cannot
           otherwaies
           be
           obtained
           .
           But
           where
           the
           end
           was
           good
           ,
           and
           this
           a
           
             necessary
             means
          
           ,
           there
           they
           thought
           agreeable
           to
           true
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           ,
           that
           swearing
           was
           a
           
             lawful
             means
          
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             God
             himself
          
           ,
           
           the
           great
           patern
           of
           all
           holiness
           and
           perfection
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           given
           so
           many
           express
           commands
           and
           regulations
           concerning
           Swearing
           ,
           if
           
             all
             swearing
          
           had
           in
           its
           nature
           been
           morally
           and
           so
           eternally
           evil
           .
        
         
           The
           moral
           precept
           is
           
             Exod.
             20.
             7.
             
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             take
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             in
             vain
             ,
          
           or
           
             upon
             falsity
          
           :
           which
           imports
           a
           
             lawful
             use
          
           of
           Gods
           name
           ;
           as
           is
           explained
           L●●
           .
           19.
           12.
           
           
             Ye
             shall
             not
             Swear
             by
             my
             name
             falsly
             ,
             nor
             shalt
             thou
             profane
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God.
          
           Which
           sense
           is
           further
           cleared
           ,
           
           
             Deut.
             6.
             13.
             
             Thou
             shalt
             fear
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             and
             serve
             him
             ,
             and
             shalt
             swear
             by
             his
             name
             :
          
           which
           is
           repeated
           Deut.
           10.
           20.
           
           So
           of
           vowing
           by
           an
           Oath
           to
           God
           
             Num.
             30.
             2.
             
             Deu
          
           23.
           21.
           
           So
           Is
           .
           45.
           23.
           
           
             To
             me
             every
             tongu●
             shall
             swear
             .
          
           So
           again
           ,
           Isa
           .
           65.
           16.
           
           
             He
             that
             sweareth
             in
             the
             Earth
             shall
             swear
             by
             the
             God
             of
             Truth
             .
          
           Jer.
           4.
           2.
           
           
             And
             thou
             shalt
             swear
             ,
             The
             Lord
             liveth
             ,
             in
             truth
             ,
             in
             judgement
             and
             in
             righteousness
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           To
           what
           we
           know
           to
           be
           and
           just
           .
        
         
           Nor
           doth
           the
           Lord
           ever
           by
           the
           Prophets
           condemn
           the
           Jewes
           for
           swearing
           simply
           and
           sincerely
           ,
           but
           only
           for
           
             vain
             ,
             false
          
           ,
           
           perfidious
           ,
           and
           
             perjurious
             swearing
          
           ;
           as
           he
           doth
           Zedekiah
           ,
           
           for
           
             despising
             the
             Oath
          
           he
           had
           given
           to
           King
           Nebuchadnezzar
           .
        
         
           Answerably
           we
           read
           the
           unblamed
           practise
           of
           many
           
             holy
             men
             ,
             Abraham
             ,
             Jacob
             ,
             Joshua
             ,
             David
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           who
           themselves
           sware
           ,
           and
           exacted
           Oathes
           and
           adjured
           others
           ,
           without
           any
           sin
           or
           offence
           ,
           in
           such
           serious
           and
           weighty
           cases
           which
           the
           Law
           of
           
             God
             ,
             right
             Reason
             ,
             Iustice
          
           and
           Charity
           did
           permit
           or
           require
           .
           Among
           the
           Iewes
           all
           
             publick
             testimonies
          
           were
           ratified
           by
           an
           Oath
           ,
           as
           
             Buxtorse
             ,
             Drusius
          
           ,
           and
           others
           observe
           ,
           
           who
           write
           of
           the
           civil
           administrations
           of
           Iustice
           among
           them
           .
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           we
           find
           (
           as
           I
           formerly
           touched
           )
           the
           
             Lord
             himself
          
           confirming
           this
           by
           his
           own
           great
           and
           
             most
             holy
             example
          
           ,
           *
           swearing
           more
           then
           once
           by
           himselfe
           ,
           by
           his
           
             own
             life
          
           and
           
             great
             name
          
           ,
           to
           create
           credit
           ,
           and
           give
           confirmation
           to
           what
           he
           saith
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           ,
           from
           all
           these
           premisses
           it
           be
           clear
           ,
           
           that
           some
           swearing
           is
           morally
           lawful
           ,
           as
           an
           act
           extraordinary
           of
           Religion
           ,
           
           a
           high
           glorifying
           of
           God
           by
           appeal
           to
           him
           ,
           
           agreeable
           to
           the
           express
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           third
           Commandment
           ,
           in
           which
           we
           are
           not
           only
           forbidden
           to
           
             profane
             the
             name
             of
             God
          
           ,
           but
           the
           affirmative
           is
           also
           included
           ,
           of
           sanctifying
           his
           name
           by
           all
           ways
           of
           
             praying
             ,
             praising
             ,
             vowing
          
           and
           swearing
           ,
           as
           he
           allowes
           us
           ;
           if
           in
           doing
           thus
           upon
           just
           occasion
           ,
           private
           or
           publick
           (
           in
           a
           lawful
           manner
           )
           we
           
             sin
             not
          
           against
           any
           
             moral
             Law
          
           of
           
             Prety
             ,
             Iustice
          
           or
           Charity
           ;
           it
           must
           undeniably
           follow
           ,
           that
           Christ
           did
           not
           by
           this
           
             procept
             Evangelical
             forbid
          
           or
           annul
           the
           old
           Law
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           sanctity
           and
           morality
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           but
           only
           take
           away
           the
           corruption
           and
           abuse
           :
           It
           being
           no
           design
           of
           our
           Lord
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           as
           he
           expresly
           assures
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           to
           take
           off
           their
           jealousies
           
           and
           prejudices
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           
             That
             he
             came
             not
             to
             destroy
          
           or
           diminish
           ,
           but
           
             fulfill
             the
             Law
             (
             moral
             .
             )
          
           However
           he
           came
           in
           the
           way
           of
           fulfilling
           to
           abrogate
           the
           Ceremonial
           ,
           yea
           and
           the
           
             politick
             Laws
          
           too
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           they
           were
           peculiar
           to
           the
           
             Jewish
             polity
          
           in
           Church
           and
           State.
           This
           speech
           of
           Christ
           being
           the
           Key
           which
           opens
           his
           meaning
           in
           all
           his
           following
           emendations
           of
           
             Iudaick
             pravities
          
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           the
           constitutions
           of
           
             Evangelical
             rectitudes
          
           ;
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           preposterous
           to
           contradict
           so
           clear
           and
           emphatick
           ,
           a
           Scripture
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           fix
           such
           an
           interpretation
           on
           these
           places
           (
           at
           which
           the
           Quakers
           now
           stumble
           )
           as
           is
           only
           conform
           to
           their
           own
           fancy
           ,
           but
           contrary
           to
           the
           
             evident
             tenour
          
           of
           both
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           ,
           
           in
           this
           particular
           of
           
             lawful
             swearing
          
           ,
           in
           
             lawful
             cases
          
           and
           manner
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           part
           of
           that
           
             moral
             Law
          
           which
           Christ
           signally
           tells
           them
           he
           did
           not
           come
           ,
           or
           ever
           intended
           ,
           to
           abolish
           ,
           but
           to
           maintain
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           the
           love
           of
           God
           and
           our
           Neighbour
           are
           great
           accomplishments
           of
           all
           Laws
           ;
           to
           both
           which
           
             religious
             swearing
          
           is
           most
           conform
           ,
           it
           being
           to
           
             Gods
             glory
          
           and
           our
           
             Neighbours
             good
          
           .
           
           There
           is
           no
           danger
           then
           of
           doing
           hurt
           to
           our
           own
           consciences
           ,
           any
           more
           then
           in
           serious
           affirmations
           or
           negations
           ;
           an
           Oath
           having
           onely
           the
           attestation
           of
           God
           to
           it
           ,
           who
           is
           witness
           of
           all
           we
           say
           and
           doe
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           
             third
             Reason
          
           for
           the
           limiting
           these
           words
           of
           Christ
           against
           some
           ,
           
           but
           not
           all
           kind
           of
           swearing
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           from
           those
           after-evidences
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           sufficiently
           clear
           the
           meaning
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           his
           own
           
             frequent
             asseverations
             ,
             Amen
             ,
             Amen
             ,
          
           are
           by
           many
           esteemed
           as
           a
           solemn
           form
           of
           assertion
           ,
           
           next
           degree
           to
           swearing
           ,
           by
           attestation
           of
           the
           
             truth
             of
             God
          
           upon
           the
           
             certainty
             of
             his
             words
          
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           this
           amount
           not
           to
           so
           much
           in
           our
           Saviours
           form
           of
           averring
           what
           he
           uttered
           ;
           yet
           we
           read
           in
           the
           Apostle
           Saint
           
           Paul's
           writings
           more
           then
           once
           ,
           not
           only
           attestations
           ,
           but
           obtestations
           and
           adjurations
           of
           others
           ,
           as
           Saint
           Austin
           observes
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           very
           form
           of
           Swearing
           .
           Rom.
           1.
           9.
           
           
             God
             is
             my
             witness
             ,
             &c.
          
           Gal.
           1.
           20.
           
           
             Behold
             ,
             before
             God
             I
             lye
             not
             .
          
           1
           Cor.
           15.
           31.
           
           
             I
             protest
             by
             your
             Rejoycing
          
           ;
           which
           hath
           the
           very
           form
           of
           common
           Oathes
           among
           the
           Greeks
           :
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
           as
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             per
             Iovem
          
           .
           2
           Cor.
           11.
           31.
           
           
             The
             God
             and
             Father
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             blessed
             for
             evermore
             ,
             knoweth
             that
             I
             lye
             not
             .
          
           2
           Tim.
           4.
           1.
           
           
             I
             charge
             thee
             before
             God
             and
             the
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
        
         
           As
           a
           ground
           to
           justifie
           his
           
             own
             practise
          
           in
           things
           weighty
           and
           of
           great
           concern
           to
           
             Gods
             glory
          
           ,
           
           the
           vindicating
           of
           his
           own
           fidelity
           ,
           and
           the
           inducing
           others
           to
           beliefe
           ,
           in
           cases
           that
           cannot
           otherwise
           be
           so
           fully
           
             cleared
             ,
             decided
          
           and
           confirmed
           to
           them
           ;
           this
           great
           Apostle
           ,
           who
           well
           knew
           his
           Masters
           meaning
           ,
           tells
           us
           ,
           That
           ,
           *
           
             an
             Oath
          
           (
           not
           was
           ,
           but
           )
           is
           among
           men
           for
           an
           
             end
             of
             all
             controversie
          
           or
           strife
           :
           and
           therefore
           men
           swear
           by
           God
           ,
           as
           greater
           then
           themselves
           ,
           and
           all
           Creatures
           whatsoever
           :
           intimating
           ,
           that
           the
           sanctity
           and
           validity
           of
           an
           Oath
           still
           remains
           in
           use
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           among
           all
           men
           ,
           where
           the
           
             matter
             ,
             form
          
           and
           ends
           required
           by
           the
           moral
           Law
           ,
           and
           immutable
           principles
           of
           
             Piety
             ,
             Iustice
          
           and
           Charity
           ,
           are
           duly
           observed
           .
        
         
           Nor
           doth
           the
           Apostle
           there
           or
           any
           where
           intimate
           that
           this
           former
           liberty
           of
           Swearing
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           among
           the
           Iewes
           was
           abrogated
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           if
           Christians
           might
           not
           Swear
           in
           any
           case
           :
           which
           had
           been
           so
           necessary
           a
           lesson
           ,
           as
           none
           more
           in
           practicks
           ;
           considering
           that
           all
           those
           
             civilized
             Nations
          
           where
           he
           most
           preached
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           he
           wrote
           so
           many
           Epistles
           ,
           would
           never
           have
           believed
           
             all
             swearing
             unlawful
          
           ;
           which
           the
           light
           of
           nature
           dictated
           ,
           and
           the
           law
           of
           God
           allowed
           ,
           with
           due
           regulation
           ,
           unless
           they
           had
           some
           
             special
             precept
          
           from
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           so
           
             received
             it
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           :
           which
           had
           he
           written
           ,
           he
           had
           contradicted
           himself
           as
           to
           his
           practise
           ,
           and
           made
           himself
           an
           offender
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           reproof
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           the
           Apostle
           Saint
           James
           ,
           was
           peculiar
           to
           the
           corrupt
           custome
           among
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           to
           whom
           Christ
           spake
           ,
           and
           the
           Apostle
           Saint
           James
           wrote
           that
           Epistle
           :
           especially
           in
           
             promissory
             Oaths
          
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           learned
           Gro●ius
           thinks
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           wholly
           and
           only
           relate
           .
           
        
         
           To
           conclude
           this
           Reason
           ;
           we
           read
           the
           Angel
           in
           the
           Revelation
           by
           his
           example
           justifying
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           some
           swearing
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           brought
           in
           thus
           ,
           
             lifting
             up
             his
             hand
             to
             heaven
             ,
          
           and
           
             swearing
             by
             him
             that
             liveth
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             ,
             &c.
          
           after
           the
           
           same
           manner
           as
           the
           Angel
           in
           Daniel
           did
           
             swear
             lifting
             up
             both
             his
             hands
             to
             Heaven
             .
          
           
        
         
           In
           which
           forms
           we
           cannot
           think
           the
           holy
           and
           good
           Angels
           would
           have
           so
           
             solemnly
             appeared
          
           on
           record
           in
           Old
           &
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           as
           exemplary
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           if
           the
           great
           
             Angel
             of
             the
             Covenant
          
           ,
           our
           Lord
           
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           had
           precisely
           forbidden
           
             all
             Swearing
          
           ;
           either
           because
           in
           its
           nature
           morally
           and
           utterly
           unlawful
           (
           which
           cannot
           be
           said
           without
           blasphemy
           ,
           and
           contradiction
           to
           the
           
             Law
             of
             God
          
           of
           old
           )
           or
           as
           now
           become
           evil
           and
           unlawful
           ,
           because
           absolutely
           forbidden
           by
           a
           positive
           Evangelical
           command
           ,
           without
           any
           moral
           reason
           either
           alledged
           or
           imaginable
           from
           any
           nature
           of
           sin
           .
           Which
           false
           gloss
           of
           Christs
           words
           cannot
           be
           reconciled
           with
           the
           other
           
             principles
             ,
             places
          
           and
           examples
           ,
           evident
           and
           authoritative
           ,
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           or
           with
           that
           express
           and
           signal
           Oracle
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           salvo
           for
           all
           that
           is
           morally
           good
           ,
           that
           he
           
             came
             not
             to
             destroy
          
           any
           part
           or
           tittle
           of
           
             the
             Law
          
           ,
           which
           had
           any
           
             moral
             ,
             internal
          
           and
           
             eternal
             holiness
          
           in
           it
           ;
           as
           being
           therefore
           expressed
           in
           his
           
             revealed
             will
          
           or
           word
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           conform
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           Gods
           nature
           and
           essence
           ,
           which
           all
           
             reasonable
             Creatures
          
           ought
           ever
           to
           fear
           ,
           reverence
           ,
           adore
           and
           admire
           above
           all
           things
           .
           As
           those
           do
           ,
           who
           by
           
             religious
             swearing
          
           give
           glory
           to
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           
             supream
             Iudge
          
           of
           all
           men
           and
           things
           ,
           as
           the
           searcher
           of
           all
           hearts
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           infallible
           dispenser
           of
           Iustice
           .
           Which
           sacred
           celebrations
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             Glory
          
           and
           Majesty
           in
           
             solemne
             Swearing
          
           being
           no
           way
           derogating
           from
           Gods
           honour
           ,
           but
           highly
           advancing
           it
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           no
           way
           injurious
           to
           our
           selves
           or
           others
           ,
           but
           advantageous
           to
           Justice
           ,
           Truth
           ,
           Charity
           and
           Peace
           ,
           cannot
           be
           looked
           upon
           as
           abolished
           or
           forbidden
           by
           Christ
           to
           us
           Christians
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
           having
           thus
           examined
           First
           the
           occasion
           and
           intention
           of
           our
           Saviours
           words
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           
             moral
             nature
          
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           
             Evangelical
             practise
          
           ;
           my
           Fourth
           and
           last
           work
           is
           to
           justifie
           this
           
             limited
             sense
          
           and
           Interpretation
           of
           our
           Saviours
           and
           the
           Apostles
           words
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           given
           consonant
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           by
           the
           concurrent
           judgement
           of
           other
           Churches
           ,
           and
           learned
           Interpreters
           ,
           both
           ancient
           and
           modern
           .
        
         
         
           Nor
           that
           I
           think
           any
           humane
           or
           
             Ecclesiastical
             authority
          
           swayes
           much
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           ,
           with
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           who
           are
           most-what
           strangers
           to
           all
           Learning
           ,
           and
           not
           much
           to
           be
           moved
           by
           any
           such
           Engine
           :
           but
           only
           to
           confute
           the
           more
           evidently
           their
           singularity
           and
           pertinacy
           ;
           also
           to
           satisfie
           others
           of
           my
           Countrey-men
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           no
           
             novel
             Interpretation
          
           put
           upon
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostle
           ,
           whose
           true
           meaning
           the
           ancient
           and
           
             later
             Churches
          
           might
           without
           any
           vanity
           be
           thought
           to
           understand
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           any
           of
           this
           
             new
             Generation
          
           .
           And
           certainly
           we
           may
           with
           more
           
             modesty
             appeal
             to
          
           ,
           and
           acquiesce
           with
           conscience
           in
           their
           judgement
           of
           places
           dark
           and
           dubious
           ,
           then
           listen
           to
           any
           men
           in
           
             later
             times
          
           ,
           who
           superciliously
           dissent
           from
           them
           all
           .
           Doubtless
           if
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           hath
           been
           a
           
             faithful
             preserver
          
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           it
           may
           not
           be
           suspected
           to
           have
           been
           an
           
             unfaithful
             Interpreter
          
           of
           them
           in
           any
           main
           points
           of
           Faith
           or
           of
           Morality
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           this
           of
           
             sober
             ,
             serious
             ,
             reverent
          
           and
           
             judicial
             Swearing
          
           .
        
         
           The
           
             primitive
             Christians
          
           were
           not
           only
           very
           cautious
           of
           
             Swearing
             rashly
             ,
             vainly
             ,
             falsly
          
           ;
           
           but
           if
           they
           took
           
             any
             Oath
          
           ,
           they
           made
           such
           conscience
           of
           keeping
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           sooner
           dye
           ,
           then
           
             break
             it
             wilfully
          
           or
           basely
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           ,
           in
           
             private
             conversation
          
           Christians
           were
           then
           esteemed
           so
           
             strict
             ,
             exact
          
           and
           cautious
           of
           their
           words
           in
           asserting
           or
           promising
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           no
           need
           of
           an
           Oath
           among
           them
           :
           yea
           ,
           they
           so
           kept
           up
           the
           sanctity
           and
           credit
           of
           their
           profession
           among
           unbelievers
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           security
           enough
           in
           all
           cases
           to
           say
           ,
           
             Christians
             sum
          
           ,
           I
           am
           a
           Christian
           .
           If
           any
           urged
           them
           further
           to
           any
           Oath
           ,
           for
           matter
           ,
           or
           manner
           ,
           or
           authority
           unlawful
           ,
           they
           repeated
           this
           ,
           as
           the
           
             only
             satisfaction
          
           they
           could
           give
           .
           There
           needed
           no
           more
           then
           the
           veracity
           of
           their
           
             bare
             word
          
           .
           They
           thought
           it
           not
           lawful
           for
           them
           in
           
             such
             cases
          
           to
           Swear
           ;
           being
           in
           this
           emulators
           of
           the
           *
           Esseni
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           of
           whom
           Iosephus
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           their
           word
           was
           
             as
             sure
             as
             an
             Oath
          
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           avoided
           not
           only
           all
           forswearing
           ,
           but
           all
           swearing
           ,
           or
           that
           which
           brought
           their
           fidelity
           in
           question
           ,
           and
           lessened
           the
           reputation
           of
           their
           Sect.
           
           
        
         
         
           Thus
           Christians
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           not
           come
           short
           of
           the
           Esseni
           among
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           
           who
           would
           not
           swear
           but
           in
           Judicature
           ,
           or
           of
           any
           men
           in
           this
           
             pious
             severity
          
           ,
           especially
           in
           abstaining
           from
           all
           
             unlawful
             swearing
          
           ,
           did
           keep
           themselves
           from
           
             all
             kind
          
           of
           swearing
           ,
           especially
           Heathenish
           and
           Idolatrous
           ;
           their
           profession
           and
           reputation
           being
           test
           enough
           to
           their
           words
           :
           Nor
           did
           they
           think
           any
           men
           under
           Heaven
           were
           so
           worthy
           as
           Christians
           to
           make
           good
           some
           of
           the
           ancient
           and
           soberest
           Heathens
           dictates
           in
           this
           kind
           .
           Such
           as
           were
           that
           of
           
             Menander
             ,
             so
             to
             avoid
             evil
             Swearing
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             swear
             ,
             though
             in
             things
             just
             and
             true
             .
          
           And
           that
           of
           Solon
           ,
           A
           good
           man
           should
           have
           
             that
             credit
          
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           should
           believe
           him
           the
           more
           
             for
             his
             swearing
          
           ;
           it
           being
           some
           diminution
           to
           his
           reputation
           ,
           to
           be
           
             put
             to
             swear
          
           ,
           or
           to
           need
           an
           Oath
           to
           gain
           credit
           .
           
             Diogenes
             Laert.
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Athenians
           would
           not
           suffer
           Xenocrates
           ,
           a
           man
           of
           great
           integrity
           and
           honour
           ,
           to
           take
           his
           Oath
           at
           the
           Altar
           ,
           as
           a
           thing
           unworthy
           of
           his
           reputation
           .
           Nor
           did
           the
           Romans
           exact
           Oaths
           of
           their
           chief
           
             Priests
             ;
             Indignum
             credentes
             ,
             viro
             tanta
             sanctimoniae
             sine
             juramento
             non
             credere
             .
          
        
         
           Hence
           we
           find
           some
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Fathers
           ,
           
           as
           
             Origen
             ,
             Chrysostome
             ,
             Theophylact
             ,
             Oecumenius
             ,
             Hilarie
             ,
             Athanasius
             ,
          
           S.
           
             Jerom
             ,
             Theodoret
             ,
             Lactantius
          
           and
           others
           ,
           frequently
           inveighing
           without
           any
           limitation
           or
           reserve
           against
           Christians
           swearing
           ,
           as
           to
           private
           conversation
           :
           yea
           and
           Saint
           Austin
           himself
           ,
           in
           his
           Sermon
           on
           these
           words
           of
           Christ
           ,
           adviseth
           to
           abstain
           from
           cesie
           and
           
             ordinary
             swearing
          
           in
           cases
           never
           so
           true
           and
           honest
           ;
           lest
           by
           wontedness
           of
           swearing
           we
           get
           a
           
             proneness
             to
             swear
             ,
             even
             falsly
             .
          
           S.
           Basil
           commends
           Clinias
           a
           famous
           Greek
           ,
           that
           he
           rather
           suffered
           a
           mulct
           of
           
             three
             Talents
          
           ,
           then
           he
           would
           save
           it
           by
           swearing
           ,
           to
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           honour
           ;
           which
           he
           thought
           caution
           sufficient
           for
           his
           honesty
           .
        
         
         
           Not
           that
           Saint
           Austin
           held
           it
           unlawful
           for
           a
           Christian
           in
           any
           case
           of
           great
           and
           weighty
           concern
           solemnly
           to
           give
           Oath
           ,
           
           as
           a
           further
           ratification
           of
           Truth
           and
           Iustice
           ;
           yea
           he
           asserts
           it
           as
           lawful
           ,
           and
           proves
           it
           by
           those
           instances
           of
           the
           Apostle
           Pauls
           swearing
           or
           obtestation
           in
           his
           Epistles
           which
           I
           formerly
           produced
           .
           Not
           as
           if
           (
           faith
           he
           )
           Saint
           
             Paul
             had
             forgot
          
           ,
           or
           were
           ignorant
           of
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           ;
           but
           by
           his
           practise
           he
           shews
           us
           the
           meaning
           of
           them
           is
           ,
           only
           to
           forbid
           false
           and
           frivolous
           swearing
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           graver
           and
           eminentest
           of
           the
           Iewes
           did
           not
           deny
           Oaths
           of
           Allegiance
           to
           Herod
           and
           their
           Governours
           (
           as
           Iosephus
           tells
           us
           )
           so
           neither
           
             did
             the
             Christians
          
           ,
           
           however
           the
           zeal
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Ancients
           in
           their
           Sermons
           or
           Homilies
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           wholly
           cry
           down
           all
           customary
           and
           
             vain
             swearing
          
           ,
           especially
           according
           to
           the
           wonted
           forms
           of
           Heathenish
           swearing
           :
           as
           by
           
             their
             Gods
          
           ,
           or
           Emperors
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           .
        
         
           So
           Polycarpus
           (
           in
           the
           
             first
             Century
          
           )
           answered
           the
           Prefect
           ,
           
           who
           promised
           to
           dismiss
           him
           if
           he
           would
           
             swear
             by
             the
             Fortune
             of
             Cesar
          
           ;
           but
           he
           refused
           ,
           affirming
           ,
           
             I
             am
             a
             Christian
          
           .
        
         
           In
           like
           manner
           Basilides
           the
           Martyr
           ,
           when
           the
           Officers
           exacted
           an
           Oath
           of
           him
           ,
           replied
           ▪
           It
           is
           
             not
             lawful
          
           for
           me
           being
           a
           a
           Christian
           to
           swear
           .
           So
           Speratus
           the
           Martyr
           about
           the
           same
           time
           denied
           to
           swear
           so
           ,
           because
           
             he
             knew
             not
             what
             the
             Genius
             of
             the
             Emperor
             meant
             .
          
        
         
           Tertullian
           tells
           us
           in
           the
           
             second
             Century
          
           ,
           That
           Christians
           would
           not
           swear
           by
           the
           Genius
           ,
           or
           Daemon
           ,
           or
           Fortune
           of
           Cesar
           :
           but
           by
           the
           health
           or
           safety
           of
           the
           Emperor
           they
           did
           ;
           because
           they
           understood
           by
           that
           ,
           
             God
             and
             the
             Lord
             Christ
          
           .
        
         
           And
           when
           
             other
             Christians
          
           did
           in
           publick
           cases
           swear
           ,
           being
           required
           by
           Authority
           :
           yet
           the
           Bishops
           of
           the
           Church
           were
           not
           put
           to
           swear
           :
           as
           Basilius
           a
           Bishop
           pleaded
           for
           his
           priviledge
           ,
           when
           in
           the
           Council
           of
           Chalcedon
           he
           was
           required
           to
           give
           Oath
           ;
           the
           sanctity
           of
           his
           Life
           and
           honour
           of
           his
           Order
           being
           assurance
           sufficient
           for
           his
           truth
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Christian
             Souldiers
          
           ,
           as
           Vegetius
           tells
           us
           ,
           took
           Oath
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             Father
             ,
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           ,
           to
           obey
           their
           Commanders
           ,
           
           not
           to
           desert
           their
           Colours
           ,
           and
           to
           dye
           for
           the
           
             common
             welfare
          
           :
           which
           was
           called
           
             Sacramentum
             militare
          
           ,
           both
           before
           and
           after
           Christianity
           had
           prevailed
           in
           the
           Empire
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           name
           Sacrament
           came
           to
           be
           applied
           to
           Christian
           Mysteries
           ,
           which
           are
           special
           and
           solemn
           dedications
           of
           them
           to
           the
           true
           God
           and
           Saviour
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           
             Nicene
             Council
             Arrius
          
           with
           an
           Oath
           renounced
           his
           
             heretical
             Opinion
          
           .
           
           So
           in
           the
           
             Ephesine
             Council
          
           it
           was
           ordered
           that
           Nestorius
           should
           abjure
           all
           heterodox
           and
           profane
           Doctrines
           .
           
        
         
           In
           the
           Sixth
           Synod
           of
           Constantinople
           ,
           
           Gregorius
           the
           Librarian
           made
           
             Oath
             (
             tactis
             Evangeliis
          
           )
           upon
           the
           Bible
           ,
           that
           he
           left
           
             the
             Books
          
           in
           the
           Library
           such
           as
           he
           
             found
             them
          
           ,
           without
           any
           
             blotting
             out
          
           ,
           or
           inserting
           ;
           which
           Oath
           I
           wish
           the
           Romish
           Expurgators
           had
           taken
           and
           kept
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           Edition
           of
           ancient
           Church-Authors
           ,
           Fathers
           and
           others
           .
        
         
           Athanasius
           ,
           
           who
           seems
           and
           is
           very
           zealous
           against
           profane
           and
           
             popular
             swearing
          
           ,
           yet
           in
           his
           Apology
           to
           Constantius
           purges
           himself
           by
           Oath
           from
           the
           calumnies
           cast
           upon
           him
           by
           
             impudent
             persons
          
           ,
           citing
           for
           his
           defence
           the
           example
           of
           S.
           Paul.
           
        
         
           Nor
           is
           it
           any
           news
           to
           read
           of
           Christian
           Kings
           and
           
             Magistrates
             requiring
          
           ,
           and
           
             Subjects
             giving
          
           their
           Faith
           by
           Oath
           ,
           in
           matters
           
             civil
             ,
             sacred
          
           and
           solemn
           ,
           when
           the
           form
           of
           Oathes
           were
           such
           as
           consisted
           with
           the
           
             truth
             of
             Christian
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           
             true
             God
          
           :
           Nor
           did
           any
           Canons
           of
           the
           Church
           ever
           forbid
           such
           Swearing
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           while
           Christians
           lived
           in
           persecution
           ,
           without
           any
           protection
           from
           the
           
             civil
             Indicatories
          
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           examples
           of
           their
           Swearing
           after
           the
           
             heathenish
             manner
          
           .
           But
           when
           Christianity
           and
           Christians
           came
           to
           be
           wrapped
           up
           in
           the
           
             Imperial
             Laws
          
           ,
           and
           defended
           by
           the
           
             Supream
             powers
          
           ,
           and
           were
           enabled
           to
           vindicate
           their
           
             civil
             rights
          
           in
           judicial
           proceeding
           ,
           they
           did
           not
           think
           that
           unlawful
           which
           God
           had
           of
           old
           commanded
           ;
           
           which
           hath
           a
           moral
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           an
           
             eternal
             ,
             good
             end
          
           in
           it
           ;
           as
           an
           act
           of
           trust
           and
           appeal
           ,
           of
           agnition
           and
           veneration
           toward
           God
           ,
           of
           justice
           and
           satisfaction
           to
           man
           ,
           also
           of
           private
           and
           publick
           charity
           ,
           
           as
           the
           School-men
           truly
           observe
           ,
           for
           the
           ending
           of
           controversies
           and
           taking
           away
           of
           jealousies
           .
           Only
           due
           circumstances
           were
           strictly
           required
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           
             judgment
             ,
             righteousness
          
           and
           truth
           .
        
         
         
           Yea
           we
           read
           ,
           of
           old
           ,
           some
           condemned
           by
           the
           orthodox
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           (
           as
           S.
           Austin
           and
           others
           tell
           us
           )
           for
           
             this
             error
          
           among
           others
           ,
           
           that
           they
           
             denied
             all
             swearing
          
           to
           be
           lawful
           .
           So
           did
           the
           Samosat●nians
           ,
           and
           some
           Pelagians
           in
           Syracuse
           ;
           so
           the
           Massilians
           and
           Euchites
           ;
           
           so
           in
           S.
           Bernard's
           days
           some
           of
           the
           Albigenses
           :
           and
           of
           
             later
             dayes
          
           some
           Anabaptists
           ,
           and
           now
           the
           Quakers
           :
           whether
           out
           of
           policy
           and
           art
           ,
           or
           simplicity
           and
           ignorance
           ,
           God
           knows
           .
        
         
           It
           were
           as
           needless
           as
           endless
           (
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Quakers
           satisfaction
           ,
           
           who
           do
           not
           value
           them
           )
           to
           produce
           the
           consonant
           judgements
           of
           Modern
           Writers
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Churches
          
           or
           the
           Romanists
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           
             eminent
             Divines
          
           among
           them
           ;
           which
           may
           easily
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           Harmony
           of
           their
           Confessions
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           particular
           Tracts
           in
           this
           
             Subject
             (
             Swearing
             .
          
           )
           All
           agreeing
           ,
           as
           in
           
             just
             severity
          
           against
           
             false
             ,
             idle
          
           and
           
             profane
             Oathes
          
           ;
           against
           
             all
             perjury
             ,
             intentional
          
           and
           eventual
           :
        
         
           So
           they
           do
           all
           assent
           to
           the
           
             moral
             good
          
           in
           a
           judicious
           and
           
             solemn
             swearing
          
           ,
           with
           due
           circumstances
           ,
           upon
           just
           occasions
           ,
           by
           
             lawful
             Call
          
           of
           Authority
           ,
           in
           cases
           honest
           and
           true
           ;
           especially
           
             to
             end
             controversies
          
           ,
           to
           
             secure
             Princes
          
           ,
           and
           preserve
           the
           
             common
             wellfare
          
           in
           Iustice
           and
           Peace
           .
           Nor
           do
           they
           think
           that
           by
           any
           positive
           Law
           of
           Christ
           
             all
             swearing
          
           is
           become
           now
           unlawful
           to
           Christians
           (
           among
           whom
           the
           same
           
             end
             ,
             use
             ,
             necessity
          
           and
           sanctity
           of
           Oaths
           may
           be
           and
           still
           are
           to
           be
           had
           ,
           which
           was
           once
           lawful
           to
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           and
           used
           in
           all
           Nations
           )
           but
           only
           that
           kind
           of
           
             evil
             swearing
          
           which
           then
           was
           become
           customary
           ,
           and
           thought
           either
           
             not
             sinful
          
           ,
           or
           venial
           .
           This
           is
           ,
           and
           ever
           was
           forbidden
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           
             Law
             of
             God
          
           of
           old
           ,
           so
           by
           the
           
             renewed
             vigor
          
           and
           force
           of
           it
           which
           Christ
           restored
           ,
           after
           it
           had
           been
           so
           much
           depraved
           by
           the
           
             Pharisaical
             presumption
          
           and
           
             popular
             profaneness
          
           ;
           which
           imposed
           rigors
           where
           God
           had
           laid
           none
           ,
           and
           affected
           liberties
           where
           God
           had
           given
           none
           .
        
         
           Agreeably
           ,
           all
           
             eminent
             Writers
          
           of
           the
           Greek
           and
           
             Roman
             Church
          
           ,
           among
           the
           
             learnedest
             Papists
             ,
             Lutherans
          
           and
           
             Calvinists
             ,
             Canonists
          
           and
           Cas●ists
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           those
           in
           these
           
             British
             Churches
          
           ,
           do
           assert
           the
           Authority
           of
           
             lawful
             Magistrates
          
           to
           require
           and
           impose
           
             religious
             Oathes
          
           ;
           and
           the
           duty
           of
           Subjects
           to
           obey
           both
           God
           and
           them
           in
           taking
           them
           as
           becomes
           Christians
           
           with
           due
           reverence
           to
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           fitting
           obedience
           to
           these
           commands
           of
           Superiours
           ,
           who
           have
           their
           power
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           use
           it
           to
           his
           Glory
           .
           Nor
           do
           they
           disallow
           even
           private
           and
           
             spontaneous
             attestations
          
           of
           God
           in
           weighty
           matters
           ;
           as
           to
           quench
           the
           fire
           of
           jealousie
           ,
           
           or
           to
           purge
           away
           an
           unjust
           infamy
           ,
           or
           to
           give
           some
           such
           security
           as
           justice
           and
           charity
           may
           require
           for
           our
           own
           and
           others
           goods
           :
           as
           a
           sober
           Heathen
           tells
           us
           ,
           
           to
           the
           just
           condemnation
           of
           Christians
           ,
           who
           in
           trivial
           affairs
           venture
           to
           prostitute
           the
           sacredness
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           with
           greater
           prolixity
           then
           I
           intended
           (
           my
           
             wonted
             fault
          
           and
           Apology
           )
           endeavoured
           to
           vindicate
           the
           Divine
           and
           
             true
             sense
          
           of
           our
           Saviours
           words
           :
           First
           ,
           to
           remove
           the
           crying
           sin
           of
           
             Swearing
             vainly
             ,
             rashly
             ,
             irreverently
             ,
             profanely
             ,
             falsly
             ,
          
           in
           small
           or
           great
           matters
           :
           Next
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           
             moral
             end
          
           and
           
             religious
             use
          
           of
           
             Oathes
             lawful
          
           for
           matter
           and
           form
           ;
           and
           particularly
           those
           required
           in
           
             Judicial
             proceedings
          
           according
           to
           the
           Laws
           and
           Customes
           of
           England
           ,
           both
           Ecclesiastical
           and
           Civil
           ,
           or
           common
           ,
           agreeable
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           best
           Christians
           in
           all
           Ages
           .
        
         
           Having
           herein
           no
           design
           ,
           but
           to
           give
           Testimony
           to
           that
           Truth
           which
           I
           believe
           ,
           to
           justifie
           the
           sanctity
           of
           our
           Lawes
           ,
           to
           serve
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           the
           duty
           of
           a
           
             good
             Subject
          
           ,
           a
           
             good
             Christian
          
           ,
           a
           
             good
             Minister
          
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           a
           
             good
             Bishop
          
           of
           this
           Church
           ;
           dispelling
           the
           needless
           scruples
           and
           superstitious
           fears
           of
           these
           poor
           people
           called
           Quakers
           ,
           shewing
           them
           their
           safe
           liberty
           to
           obey
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           escape
           the
           Penalties
           for
           disobeying
           the
           Laws
           and
           obstructing
           Justice
           by
           refusing
           
             lawful
             Oathes
          
           .
        
         
           If
           my
           paines
           and
           charity
           may
           be
           acceptable
           to
           those
           who
           are
           now
           distinguished
           by
           the
           name
           of
           Quakers
           or
           Antijurists
           ,
           or
           to
           any
           of
           my
           Country-men
           ,
           to
           clear
           their
           understandings
           ,
           to
           remove
           their
           scruples
           ,
           and
           reduce
           them
           to
           due
           
             obedience
             ,
             safety
          
           and
           peace
           ,
           I
           shall
           obtain
           my
           end
           ;
           either
           by
           redeeming
           them
           from
           the
           Penalties
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           by
           rectifying
           their
           judgements
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           by
           stopping
           the
           contagion
           of
           their
           error
           and
           superstition
           to
           others
           in
           this
           point
           ;
           which
           will
           not
           
           only
           conduce
           to
           mens
           private
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           
             publick
             Peace
          
           ,
           in
           the
           due
           
             administration
             of
             Justice
          
           ,
           by
           the
           right
           use
           of
           
             religious
             Oathes
          
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           
             true
             God
          
           ,
           by
           whose
           name
           only
           men
           do
           Swear
           in
           judicial
           proceedings
           .
        
         
           I
           pray
           God
           
             give
             〈◊〉
             blessing
          
           to
           my
           endeavours
           ;
           that
           true
           
             Religion
             ,
             Justice
          
           and
           Peace
           may
           again
           flourish
           in
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           :
           to
           which
           ends
           I
           wholly
           devote
           this
           and
           all
           my
           endeavours
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A42479-e8740
           
             The
             Occasion
             of
             writing
             this
             piece
             .
          
           
             My
             interceding
             for
             some
             respit
             of
             Penalty
             ,
             till
             better
             information
             is
             offered
             to
             the
             Quakers
             .
          
           
             Zeph.
             2.
             2.
             
          
           
             The
             Acceptance
             of
             the
             Motion
             .
          
           
             Charity
             the
             only
             motive
             to
             this
             Intercession
             .
          
           
             The
             general
             m●roseness
             of
             the
             Quakers
             .
          
           
             The
             fears
             and
             jealousies
             had
             of
             the
             Quakers
             .
          
           
             A
             just
             cause
             to
             be
             had
             of
             any
             new
             Sect
             or
             Faction
             .
          
           
             Quakers
             may
             be
             pitied
             ,
             but
             not
             trusted
             .
          
           
             The
             usual
             manner
             of
             their
             writing
             and
             discourse
             .
          
           
             Their
             Covetousness
             and
             Injustice
             in
             refusing
             to
             pay
             Tithes
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9.
             13.
             
          
           
             My
             pity
             for
             them
             on
             a
             treple
             account
             .
          
           
             Quakers
             suspected
             of
             Jesuitick
             Arts
             and
             designs
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             life
             or
             breeding
             of
             Quakers
             .
          
           
             How
             they
             were
             first
             scared
             from
             all
             publick
             Oaths
             .
          
           
             The
             great
             temptation
             of
             those
             Times
             upon
             the
             Quakers
             .
          
           
             The
             Quakers
             in
             some
             respects
             commendable
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             For
             chusing
             to
             suffer
             rather
             then
             sin
             against
             their
             Consciences
             .
          
           
             Acts
             16
             9.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             16.
             2.
             
          
           
             The
             Dilemma
             or
             Snare
             of
             an
             erring
             conscience
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             5.
             20.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             7.
             16.
             
          
           
             Of
             supersticious
             fears
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             53.
             5.
             
          
           
             The
             perfect
             and
             sure
             Rule
             of
             conscience
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             50.
             11.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Quakers
             commendable
             for
             their
             regard
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             Caution
             against
             misunderstanding
             and
             wresting
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             12.
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             The
             true
             sense
             of
             Scriptures
             ,
             how
             to
             be
             found
             out
             .
          
           
             Hosea
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             Of
             commands
             affi●mative
             &
             negative
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             29
             ,
             30.
             6.
             16.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             6.
             19.
             25
             ,
             31
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             Of
             Scripture
             general
             negatives
             limited
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             23.
             31.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             22.
             11.
             
          
           
             R●b
             .
             Maimon
             .
             in
             Morch
             Nabucihn
             .
          
           
             The
             Papists
             rigid
             urging
             the
             Letter
             .
          
           
             A
             third
             commendation
             of
             the
             Quakers
             ,
             for
             their
             fearing
             an
             Oath
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.
             2.
             
          
           
             Zach.
             8.
             17.
             
          
           
             Jurandi
             facilitate
             in
             perjurium
             labimur
             .
          
           
             August
             .
             
               Contemptor
               religionis
               ad
               jurandum
               facilis
            
             .
          
           
             Ulpian
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Eccles
             23.
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Ezek.
             17.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             But
             not
             for
             their
             Superstitious
             fear
             ,
             against
             the
             good
             ends
             of
             Oaths
             in
             judicature
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             4.
             2.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             1.
             17.
             
          
           
             The
             end
             of
             the
             Law
             against
             the
             Quakers
             .
          
           
             The
             ground
             of
             the
             Quakers
             plea
             for
             their
             not
             Swearing
             .
          
           
             P●●má
             facie
             ille
             videtur
             seas●s
             Ev●ng●licus
             ,
             〈…〉
             Christianos
             〈…〉
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             19.
             8.
             
          
           
             Three
             Questions
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Question
             answered
             :
             Swearing
             was
             lawful
             among
             the
             Jews
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             5.
             4.
             
             Mal.
             3.
             5.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             12.
             16.
             
             Zeph.
             1.
             5.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             ,
             whether
             among
             Christians
             all
             Swearing
             be
             so
             bidden
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Ioseph
             .
             de
             Essenis
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Cl.
             Alex.
             
          
           
             The
             specious
             design
             o●
             the
             Quakers
             not
             practicable
             .
          
           
             Quamvis
             jurato
             nollem
             tibi
             credere
             .
          
           
             Juram●ntum
             non
             aliter
             qàam
             medicamentum
             urgente
             necessitate
             usurpandum
             .
          
           
             Non
             adhib●tur
             ju●jurandum
             nisi
             ad
             subveniendum
             desect●i
             .
          
           
             
               Levitas
               hominum
               &
               inconstantia
               diffidentiam
               geauit
               ,
               cui
               remedium
               quaesitum
               est
               ju●ejucando
               .
            
             Grotius
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Cle.
             
          
           
             The
             true
             state
             of
             the
             Controversie
             .
          
           
             Not
             whether
             vain
             swearing
             be
             forbidden
             .
          
           
             No●
             whether
             one
             may
             swear
             by
             any
             Creature
             .
          
           
             Nor
             whether
             an
             Oath
             by
             any
             Creatures
             name
             may
             be
             broken
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             only
             question
             is
             ,
             whether
             all
             Swearing
             is
             forbidden
             to
             Christians
             .
          
           
             All
             Swearing
             is
             not
             by
             Christ
             or
             the
             Apostle
             Saint
             James
             forbidden
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             22.
             29.
             
          
           
             Reasons
             to
             prove
             all
             swearing
             is
             not
             forbidden
             by
             Christ
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             First
             Reason
             from
             the
             occasion
             ,
             scope
             and
             end
             of
             Christ●
             words
             .
          
           
             The
             end
             or
             design
             of
             our
             Saviours
             Sermon
             in
             the
             Mount
             to
             reform
             abuses
             ;
             not
             to
             take
             away
             the
             right
             use
             of
             things
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             45
             ,
             48.
             
          
           
             The
             depravedness
             of
             the
             Jews
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Swearing
             .
             
               Indicorum
               est
               in
               levicu●is
               ad
               Deum
               trans●urrere
               ;
               sufficit
               per
               creaturas
               jurare
               .
               Ex
            
             Philon.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Probatieres
             Ju●ae●um
             magistri
             absterreb
             〈◊〉
             bemines
             a
             fa●ilitante
             jurandi
             in
             qua
             D●us
             nominaretur
             ;
             at
             quo
             minus
             in
             quotidiano
             usu
             purres
             minores
             jurarent
             ,
             non
             interdicebant
             .
             Grotius
             .
          
           
             Jurabant
             Judaei
             per
             creaturas
             obvias
             ;
             n●c
             se
             istis
             teneri
             cred●bant
             ,
             quum
             tamen
             omne
             jusjurandum
             in
             Deo
             terminatur
             ,
             in
             quo
             &
             agnoscunt
             omnia
             .
             
               B.
               August
            
             .
          
           
             Christus
             non
             simpliciter
             jurare
             ve●uit
             ,
             sed
             ●o
             m●re
             qu●
             vulgato
             si●bat
             .
             E●asm
             .
          
           
             In
             omnibus
             jurande
             modis
             taci●●
             D●us
             continetur
             .
          
           
             Unlawfull
             Oaths
             as
             to
             form
             do
             bind
             in
             things
             lawful
             .
          
           
             Non
             putabant
             Judaei
             se
             teneri
             jurejurando
             si
             per
             ista
             jurassent
             ;
             nic
             reddendum
             Domino
             tale
             juramenum
             :
             Quum
             tamen
             n●hil
             tam
             vile
             in
             creaturis
             Dei
             ut
             per
             hoc
             quisquam
             pejera●dum
             arbitretur
             ;
             quum
             á
             summis
             ad
             insima
             .
             Dei
             providentiâ
             reguntur
             creata
             .
             
               Aust
               .
               Ser.
               18.
               de
               Verbis
               Apost
               .
            
          
           
             Qui
             per
             salutem
             suam
             jurat
             Deum
             jurare
             videtur
             ;
             resp
             .
             〈◊〉
             en●
             m
             Divini
             numinis
             jurat
             .
             Ulpian
             .
          
           
             The
             meaning
             o●
             Christs
             words
             against
             Swearing
             .
          
           
             
               Non
               vetat
               Christus
               ju●jurandum
               ut
               rem
               in
               se
               〈◊〉
               ;
               sed
               ut
               rem
               quà
               nisi
               in
               negotiis
               maximi
               momenti
               usu
               pare
               non
               liceat
               ;
               &
               in
               illis
               quam
               potest
               religi●sissime
               .
               Grotius
               .
            
             Erasm
             ,
             in
             loc
             .
             
               Multos
               uno
               ictu
               solvit
               nodos
               ;
               non
               simpl●citer
               vetando
               juromentum
               ,
               sed
               eo
               modo
               qualiter
               vulgo
               fi●bat
               :
               quemadmodum
               vetuit
               iram
               ,
               laborem
               ,
               ●●ram
               de
               terrenis
               ,
               vindictam
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             This
             limited
             sense
             of
             Christ
             against
             some
             ,
             not
             all
             Swearing
             ,
             proved
             by
             his
             affirmative
             command
             of
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             .
          
           
             R.
             Maimonidis
             dictum
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             S●picus
             ubi
             negat
             ,
             dicit
             Non
             ;
             ubi
             affirmat
             ,
             Etiam
             .
             D●cterium
             erat
             illo●um
             temporum
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Hinc
             naucus
             dicitur
             homo
             levis
             &
             inconstans
             ,
             cujus
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             erata
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Festus
             .
          
           
             Justorum
             Etiame
             st
             etiam
             ,
             &
             Non
             est
             non
             .
             
               Dius
               .
               in
               t
               .
               Proverb
               .
               Hebr.
            
             —
             Contra
             omnia
             solum
             Et
             respond
             bat
             ,
             vel
             Non
             —
             
               Ausonius
               ad
               Paulinum
            
             .
          
           
             Concordent
             dictis
             sacta
             ;
             pactis
             promissisque
             v●stris
             idem
             robur
             &
             veritas
             esto
             ,
             as
             si
             sirmata
             essent
             juramentis
             .
             Coram
             Deo
             negatio
             vel
             affirmatio
             simplex
             loto
             juramenti
             habetur
             .
             V●tatur
             om●is
             disconvenientia
             aut
             animi
             aut
             facti
             cum
             juramento
             .
             
               Grot.
               in
               loc
               ▪
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             non
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             nec
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Philo.
             
          
           
             Negatives
             &
             Affirmatives
             in
             Sc●●pture
             li●ited
             in
             the
             sense
             ,
             though
             seeming
             universal
             in
             the
             Letter
             or
             words
             .
          
           
             Sicut
             Non
             occides
             est
             generale
             praeceptum
             ,
             cum
             debitis
             tamen
             circumstantiis
             occisio
             potest
             &
             licita
             esse
             &
             necessaria
             .
             Caje●
             .
          
           
             *
             Isa
             .
             57.
             17.
             
             Haba●
             .
             2.
             9.
             
          
           
             Societatis
             commune
             vinculum
             mutua
             indi
             gentia
             .
          
           
             Talibus
             benigna
             interpritatio
             adhibenda
             .
          
           
             Decalogus
             summa
             peccata
             nominat
             ;
             catera
             ex
             mente
             auth●ris
             vult
             colligi
             .
          
           
             Limitations
             of
             general
             affirmatives
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             21.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             12.
             10.
             23.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             33.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             1.
             15.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             16.
             8.
             
          
           
             Non
             tam
             ex
             verborum
             apicibus
             ,
             quam
             ex
             rei
             ipsius
             natura
             m●tienda
             sunt
             multa
             Scripturae
             loca
             .
             Grotius
             .
          
           
             Second
             Reason
             for
             the
             lawfulness
             of
             some
             Swearing
             from
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             .
          
           
             Inter
             Aegyptios
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Diod.
             Sicul.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Nullum
             vinculum
             ad
             astringendam
             fidem
             jurejurando
             majores
             sanctius
             esse
             voluere
             .
             
               Tullius
               .
               Offic.
               l.
            
             3.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Hierocles
             .
          
           
             Phala
             .
             Ep.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Perjurus
             est
             ,
             1.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             2.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             R●rus
             apud
             veteres
             jurandi
             ususin
             judiciis
             ,
             sed
             crescente
             perfidia
             crevit
             jurispurandi
             usus
             .
             Polyb.
             
          
           
             In
             totum
             jurare
             nisi
             ●bi
             necesse
             est
             ,
             gravi
             viro
             parum
             convenit
             .
             Quintil.
             
          
           
             Obres
             egregies
             &
             necessarias
             ,
             quae
             citra
             j●sjarandum
             obtineri
             nequeant
             .
             Hierocles
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             God
             commanding
             Swearing
             in
             Scripture
             among
             Jews
             .
          
           
             Mal.
             3.
             5.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             17.
             16.
             
          
           
             Apud
             Judaeos
             in
             judiciis
             omnia
             jurisjurandi
             religione
             firmata
             ,
             Dei
             n●●mine
             interposito
             .
             Drusius
             .
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             22.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             1
             8.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             22.
             5.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             11.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Clem.
             Alex.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Phil.
             Jud.
             
          
           
             Third
             Reason
             to
             prove
             some
             Swearing
             lawful
             under
             the
             Gospel
             among
             Christians
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             In
             veritate
             ,
             forma
             juram●nti
             apud
             Judaeos
             .
             
               Capellus
               è
               R.
               Jonah
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             13.
             
          
           
             Quis
             credet
             Paulum
             praec●p●i
             D●minici
             suisse
             ●mm●m●rem
             ?
             Grotius
             .
             Juravit
             Paulus
             ,
             at
             non
             in
             resu●
             ,
             non
             in
             re
             modica
             alterius
             ;
             sed
             in
             r●bus
             maximi
             m●m●nti
             ,
             ad
             D●um
             &
             aliorum
             salutim
             pertinentibus
             .
          
           
             *
             Heb.
             6.
             16.
             
          
           
             Apparet
             Christum
             hoc
             l●co
             agere
             de
             juramento
             promissorio
             
               H.
               Grotius
               .
               Rev.
            
             10.
             56.
             
          
           
             Dan
             ,
             1●
             .
             7.
             
          
           
             The
             judgment
             of
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             and
             eminent
             Divines
             .
          
           
             Primitive
             Christians
             &
             Fathers
             judgment
             .
          
           
             *
             
               Esseni
               ad
               observationem
               religionis
               jurejurando
               adacti
               .
            
             Joseph
             .
          
           
             
               Ios
               .
               bel
               .
               lud
               .
               l.
               2.
               c.
            
             7.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Just
             .
             Mart.
             asserit
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Plat.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Ep●●●et
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Menan
             .
             Jurisjurandi
             fidem
             nec
             promittes
             nec
             exigas
             .
             
               Fi
               micus
               ad
               Lollianum
            
             .
             Flamini
             diuli
             jurare
             nefas
             .
             Plut.
             Eâ
             esto
             probitate
             ut
             nec
             Iurato
             tibi
             credant
             .
          
           
             Origen
             .
             Tract
             .
             5.
             in
             Matth.
             Non
             oportet
             ut
             vir
             qui
             Evangelicè
             vivit
             juret
             omnino
             .
             Chrysost
             .
             Hom.
             5.
             
             Gen.
             Hom.
             19
             ad
             pop
             .
             Ant
             Mat.
             5.
             ad
             Rom.
             7.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Vir
             bonus
             non
             pejerabit
             ,
             ne
             Deum
             Iudib●io
             habeat
             ;
             sed
             ne
             jurabit
             quidem
             ,
             ne
             quando
             vel
             consuetudine
             in
             perjurium
             cadat
             .
             Lactantius
             .
             Evangelica
             veritas
             non
             recipit
             juramentum
             .
             Hieron
             .
             Ne
             facilitate
             jurandi
             in
             perjurium
             prolabamur
             .
             Aust
             .
             Ser.
             In
             Verba
             D●mini
             .
          
           
             Tu
             autem
             malum
             non
             facis
             ,
             qui
             bene
             uteris
             juratione
             ;
             quae
             si
             non
             bona
             &
             propter
             se
             appetenda
             ,
             tam●n
             necessaria
             est
             ,
             ut
             alteri
             persuadeas
             quod
             utiliter
             suades
             .
             Aust
             .
          
           
             Joseph
             .
             Antiq.
             l.
             17.
             c.
             3.
             
          
           
             Jura
             per
             fortun●m
             caesaris
             ,
             &
             te
             dimittam
             .
             Resp
             .
             Christianus
             sum
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Anno
             Christi
             ,
             205.
             
             Baron
             .
             Annal.
             Tertul.
             Apol.
             cap.
             31.
             
             Juramus
             ut
             non
             per
             Genios
             caesarum
             ;
             ●ta
             per
             salutem
             eorum
             ,
             quae
             est
             augustior
             omnibus
             geniis
             .
             Veget.
             l.
             2.
             
             Milites
             jurant
             per
             Deum
             ,
             per
             Christum
             ,
             &
             Spiritum
             Sanctum
             ,
             &
             per
             Majestatem
             Imperatoris
             ,
             se
             strenue
             factu●os
             qua
             praeceperit
             Imperator
             ,
             nunquam
             deserturos
             militiam
             ,
             nec
             mortem
             recusaturos
             pro
             Rom.
             Rep.
             
          
           
             Concil
             .
             Nicen.
             
          
           
             Ephesinum
             .
          
           
             Constantinopolitanum
             .
          
           
             Athanasius
             Juramento
             se
             pur●at
             à
             calumniis
             ,
             Apologia
             ad
             Constantium
             .
             Manu
             extentâ
             Deum
             in
             animam
             testor
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Juramentum
             est
             Actus
             〈◊〉
             .
             Aquin.
             
          
           
             Qui
             jurat
             aut
             ex●cratur
             aut
             colit
             eum
             quem
             jura●
             .
             Hieron
             .
          
           
             Aug.
             Ep.
             137.
             
          
           
             Bern.
             in
             Cant.
             Hom.
             69.
             
          
           
             The
             judgement
             of
             modern
             Divines
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Hierocles
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Isocrates
             .
             Conclusion
             .