The dutie and danger of swearing opened in a sermon preached at York, February 3, 1655, the day of swearing the lord maior / by Edward Bowles ...
         Bowles, Edward, 1613-1662.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A28913 of text R31277 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing B3871). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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             The dutie and danger of swearing opened in a sermon preached at York, February 3, 1655, the day of swearing the lord maior / by Edward Bowles ...
             Bowles, Edward, 1613-1662.
          
           [6], 22 p.
           
             Printed and sold in York by Tho. Broad,
             [York] :
             1655.
          
           
             Imperfect: pages tightly bound.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Oaths -- Great Britain.
           Swearing -- Great Britain.
        
      
    
       A28913  R31277  (Wing B3871).  civilwar no The dutie and danger of swearing: opened in a sermon preached at York, February 3. 1655. the day of swearing the Lord Maior. By Edward Bowle Bowles, Edward 1655    11628 37 25 0 0 0 0 53 D  The  rate of 53 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           DUTIE
           AND
           DANGER
           OF
           SWEARING
           :
           Opened
           in
           a
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           YORK
           
             February
          
           3.
           1655.
           the
           day
           of
           Swearing
           the
           Lord
           Maior
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Edward
             Bowles
          
           M
           :
           A.
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospell
           there
           .
        
         
           Zach.
           5.
           4.
           
        
         
           And
           I
           will
           bring
           forth
           
             the
             Curse
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Lord
           of
           Hosts
           ,
           and
           it
           shall
           enter
           into
           the
           House
           of
           the
           Thief
           ,
           and
           into
           the
           House
           of
           him
           that
           sweareth
           falsly
           by
           my
           Name
           :
           and
           it
           shall
           remain
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           House
           ,
           and
           shall
           consume
           it
           ,
           with
           the
           Timber
           thereof
           ,
           and
           the
           Stones
           thereof
           .
        
         
           Printed
           and
           sold
           in
           York
           by
           
             Tho
             :
             Broad
             .
          
           1655.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Honourable
           Stephen
           Watson
           Lord
           Maior
           ,
           the
           Aldermen
           and
           the
           Common
           Counsell
           of
           the
           ancient
           Citie
           of
           York
           .
        
         
           
             Honoured
             and
             beloved
             ,
          
        
         
           IT
           hath
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           of
           the
           Harvest
           in
           his
           wise
           and
           good
           Providence
           ,
           to
           allot
           my
           Work
           and
           Service
           (
           if
           it
           be
           worth
           the
           name
           of
           Service
           )
           to
           that
           Citie
           which
           God
           hath
           made
           not
           onely
           your
           habitation
           ,
           but
           also
           your
           charge
           ;
           I
           am
           pleased
           with
           my
           lot
           ,
           not
           onely
           as
           it
           is
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           is
           among
           you
           :
           I
           must
           acknowledge
           (
           and
           hereby
           do
           )
           that
           I
           have
           found
           that
           affection
           and
           respect
           from
           you
           as
           becomes
           a
           Minister
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           give
           you
           a
           testimony
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           not
           sought
           my
           own
           profit
           ,
           but
           the
           profit
           of
           many
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           saved
           ,
           (
           if
           I
           may
           use
           the
           words
           of
           so
           great
           an
           Apostle
           concerning
           my self
           )
           I
           have
           been
           induced
           partly
           by
           way
           of
           acknowledgement
           and
           respect
           ,
           but
           especially
           by
           the
           sense
           of
           my
           duty
           ,
           as
           a
           Minister
           ,
           to
           offer
           to
           your
           reading
           and
           consideration
           the
           substance
           of
           a
           Sermon
           lately
           preached
           among
           you
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           (
           through
           Divine
           blessing
           )
           may
           be
           usefull
           to
           you
           .
           You
           who
           are
           awakened
           cannot
           but
           be
           sensible
           how
           easily
           ,
           and
           how
           quickly
           the
           Word
           spoken
           slips
           
           from
           you
           .
           It
           is
           soon
           gone
           from
           us
           who
           study
           it
           ,
           and
           write
           it
           ,
           and
           speak
           it
           ;
           you
           have
           lesse
           advantage
           to
           retain
           it
           ,
           who
           hear
           it
           but
           once
           ,
           unlesse
           the
           peculiar
           Promise
           and
           Blessing
           made
           to
           the
           Word
           Preached
           ,
           do
           befriend
           you
           .
           I
           am
           jealous
           over
           you
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           with
           a
           godly
           jealousie
           ,
           least
           through
           inadvertency
           of
           mind
           ,
           unsutablenesse
           and
           unprepardnesse
           of
           heart
           ,
           earthlinesse
           of
           affection
           ,
           seconded
           with
           Satans
           depths
           and
           devices
           ,
           this
           counsell
           given
           you
           concerning
           Oathes
           may
           be
           forgotten
           .
           I
           know
           you
           have
           almost
           daily
           need
           to
           consider
           of
           this
           subject
           ,
           being
           frequently
           called
           to
           actions
           relating
           thereunto
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           now
           in
           your
           power
           daily
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           frequently
           ,
           to
           peruse
           it
           :
           If
           you
           walk
           in
           the
           violation
           of
           the
           Oathes
           of
           God
           that
           are
           upon
           you
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           charged
           upon
           me
           ,
           I
           have
           delivered
           my
           own
           soul
           ,
           and
           endeavoured
           to
           deliver
           yours
           .
           I
           have
           but
           two
           words
           further
           to
           speak
           unto
           you
           at
           this
           present
           ;
           First
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           more
           frequently
           and
           diligently
           attend
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           
             The
             Power
             of
             God
             unto
             salvation
             .
          
           It
           pleaseth
           God
           out
           of
           his
           bounty
           and
           good
           will
           to
           you
           ,
           to
           afford
           you
           besides
           the
           publique
           Ordinances
           on
           the
           Lords
           day
           ,
           a
           weekly
           Lecture
           ,
           which
           I
           apprehend
           to
           be
           very
           much
           neglected
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           often
           heard
           the
           paucity
           of
           hearers
           laid
           as
           a
           reproch
           upon
           the
           Citie
           ,
           by
           well
           disposed
           strangers
           .
           I
           pray
           consider
           
             your selves
          
           and
           
             those
             that
             are
             sorrowfull
             for
             the
             solewn
             assembly
             to
             whom
             the
             reproach
             of
             it
             is
             a
             burthen
             ▪
             Zeph.
          
           3.
           18.
           
           You
           may
           plead
           our
           unworthinesse
           whe●
           preach
           unto
           you
           ,
           but
           that
           Plea
           I
           doubt
           will
           not
           be
           admitted
           at
           the
           great
           Barr
           ;
           there
           is
           not
           the
           meanest
           o●
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           by
           whose
           labours
           you
           migh●
           not
           profit
           ,
           if
           the
           defect
           were
           not
           in
           your
           own
           hearts
           ▪
           
           Remember
           that
           Divine
           Institution
           and
           Blessing
           are
           the
           main
           advantages
           in
           hearing
           the
           Word
           ,
           not
           the
           Gifts
           of
           the
           Speakers
           ,
           or
           the
           capacitie
           of
           the
           Hearers
           .
           God
           is
           pleased
           most
           frequently
           to
           concurr
           with
           the
           plainest
           ,
           (
           I
           had
           almost
           said
           the
           meanest
           )
           gift
           ,
           in
           the
           conversion
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           the
           glory
           might
           be
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           men
           .
           I
           am
           sure
           you
           cannot
           plead
           want
           of
           leisure
           ,
           through
           multitude
           of
           trading
           &
           worldly
           imployment
           ,
           I
           wish
           it
           were
           more
           ;
           and
           truly
           I
           think
           there
           is
           no
           better
           way
           to
           help
           it
           ,
           then
           to
           deal
           liberally
           with
           God
           in
           publike
           Duties
           .
           First
           ,
           he
           hath
           secured
           you
           that
           you
           shall
           be
           no
           loosers
           ,
           by
           that
           promise
           made
           to
           the
           
             Israel
          
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Neither
             shall
             any
             man
             desire
             thy
             Land
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           thou
           shalt
           sustain
           no
           dammage
           ,
           
           the
           Lord
           is
           thy
           security
           )
           
             when
             thou
             goest
             up
             to
             appear
             before
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             .
          
           Nay
           ,
           I
           think
           you
           may
           safely
           applie
           that
           passage
           of
           the
           Lord
           to
           his
           people
           ,
           
             Hagg.
             2.
             18.
             
             Consider
             the
             day
             that
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             Temple
             was
             laid
             ,
             consider
             it
             ,
             from
             this
             day
             will
             I
             blesse
             you
             .
          
           Trie
           the
           Lord
           ,
           or
           rather
           trust
           the
           Lord
           .
           You
           complain
           of
           great
           decayes
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           visible
           ;
           
             You
             Sow
             much
             ,
             and
             bring
             in
             little
             ,
             &c.
             
             Consider
             your
             wayes
             ;
          
           
           whether
           you
           be
           not
           defective
           in
           that
           which
           concerns
           the
           House
           of
           God
           .
           The
           second
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           studie
           by
           all
           means
           to
           preserve
           peace
           and
           unitie
           among
           your selves
           ,
           by
           delivering
           up
           unto
           perpetuall
           oblivion
           all
           inveterate
           envies
           and
           enmities
           ;
           to
           that
           end
           that
           Magistrates
           would
           equally
           and
           gently
           (
           as
           to
           Brethren
           )
           administer
           justice
           ,
           (
           
             I
          
           mean
           onely
           such
           a
           gentlenesse
           as
           to
           execute
           the
           Law
           with
           a
           Gospell
           spirit
           )
           that
           the
           people
           would
           submit
           themselves
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           &
           not
           wear
           out
           the
           spirits
           of
           their
           Rulers
           by
           their
           cumbrance
           and
           strife
           ;
           but
           turn
           some
           of
           their
           complaints
           into
           prayers
           ,
           
           to
           which
           they
           are
           obliged
           by
           the
           sacred
           Rule
           
             *
          
           .
           It
           is
           easier
           to
           blame
           then
           understand
           the
           work
           and
           weight
           of
           Magistracy
           and
           Ministery
           ,
           especially
           when
           they
           have
           to
           deal
           with
           a
           people
           that
           are
           
             poor
             &
             foolish
             ,
             and
             know
             not
             the
             way
             the
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             the
             judgement
             of
             their
             God
             ,
          
           Jer.
           5.
           4.
           
           And
           lastly
           ,
           it
           will
           tend
           much
           to
           unity
           ,
           that
           you
           be
           very
           carefull
           what
           Ministers
           are
           planted
           among
           you
           ,
           such
           as
           give
           some
           evidence
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           dwelling
           in
           them
           ,
           whose
           fruits
           are
           
             love
          
           and
           
             peace
             ;
          
           such
           as
           are
           desirous
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           least
           superstition
           ,
           vanitie
           and
           strife
           proceed
           from
           them
           who
           should
           be
           the
           greatest
           promoters
           of
           Knowledge
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           .
           I
           will
           detain
           you
           no
           longer
           ,
           if
           I
           have
           erred
           in
           what
           I
           have
           written
           to
           you
           ,
           impute
           it
           to
           the
           largenesse
           of
           my
           affection
           to
           the
           Citie
           ,
           which
           may
           possibly
           have
           intrenched
           upon
           my
           understanding
           in
           what
           
             I
          
           have
           said
           .
           
           
             Finally
             ,
             brethren
             ,
             farewell
             :
             Be
             perfect
             ,
             be
             of
             good
             comfort
             ,
             be
             of
             one
             minde
             ,
             live
             in
             peace
             ;
             and
             the
             God
             of
             love
             und
             peace
             shall
             be
             with
             you
             .
          
        
         
           
             Yorke
             ,
             
               March
               ,
               15.
               1655.
               
            
          
           
             Your
             affectionate
             servant
             in
             the
             Lords
             work
             ,
             
               Edw
               :
               Bowles
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           
             Matth.
             5.
             33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             Again
             ye
             have
             heard
             it
             hath
             been
             said
             by
             them
             of
             old
             time
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             for
             swear
             thy self
             ,
             but
             shalt
             perform
             unto
             the
             Lord
             thine
             Oathes
             ;
             But
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             swear
             not
             at
             all
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           often
           had
           it
           in
           my
           thoughts
           to
           speak
           something
           concerning
           
             Oathes
             ,
          
           a
           subject
           which
           (
           duely
           considered
           )
           would
           administer
           matter
           of
           humiliation
           and
           reformation
           to
           us
           and
           many
           more
           :
           and
           having
           this
           opportunity
           put
           into
           my
           hands
           ,
           I
           shall
           deliver
           my self
           ,
           taking
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           which
           have
           been
           read
           unto
           you
           for
           my
           ground-work
           ,
           which
           ,
           whosoever
           would
           understand
           ,
           must
           diligently
           consider
           the
           scope
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           the
           persons
           he
           had
           to
           deal
           with
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           the
           Jews
           ,
           leavened
           with
           Pharisaicall
           glosses
           ,
           and
           corrupt
           traditions
           .
        
         
           Our
           Saviour
           was
           now
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           propheticall
           Office
           ,
           and
           preaching
           the
           Gospell
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           finding
           the
           Sect
           and
           opinion
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           to
           be
           most
           opposite
           and
           prejudiciall
           to
           his
           intention
           ,
           he
           sets
           himself
           in
           this
           Sermon
           to
           pull
           down
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           ,
           that
           so
           he
           might
           bring
           in
           the
           righteousnesse
           which
           is
           of
           God
           by
           faith
           ;
           and
           therefore
           tells
           them
           plainly
           ,
           that
           
             except
             their
             righteousnesse
             did
             exceed
             the
             righteousnesse
             of
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
             they
             should
             
             in
             no
             case
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
          
           Verse
           20.
           
           Now
           because
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           was
           in
           better
           credit
           among
           the
           people
           then
           to
           be
           blasted
           with
           a
           bare
           assertion
           ,
           Christ
           shewes
           the
           vanitie
           and
           defectivenesse
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           fell
           exceeding
           short
           of
           its
           pretence
           ,
           which
           was
           ,
           to
           fulfill
           the
           Law
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           which
           instead
           of
           fulfilling
           they
           destroyed
           .
           For
           as
           it
           is
           the
           common
           practice
           of
           erroneous
           persons
           when
           they
           cannot
           bring
           their
           opinions
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           they
           will
           wrest
           the
           Scripture
           to
           their
           opinions
           ,
           as
           the
           Father
           speaks
           of
           some
           who
           did
           
             pertrahere
             Evangelium
             ad
             sententiae
             suae
             praecipitium
             ;
          
           so
           the
           Pharisees
           seeing
           they
           could
           not
           raise
           their
           righteousnesse
           to
           the
           line
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           they
           brought
           down
           the
           Law
           to
           the
           levell
           of
           their
           own
           righteousnesse
           ;
           in
           particular
           ,
           they
           restrained
           the
           Commamdements
           which
           in
           themselves
           are
           spirituall
           and
           exceeding
           broad
           (
           reaching
           the
           thoughts
           and
           intents
           of
           the
           heart
           ,
           all
           kinds
           and
           degrees
           of
           evill
           )
           to
           some
           outward
           actions
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           strength
           of
           morall
           principles
           they
           might
           forbear
           ,
           whose
           right
           Heirs
           are
           the
           Papists
           ,
           who
           ,
           resolved
           to
           establish
           a
           righteousnesse
           of
           works
           ,
           and
           possibility
           of
           fulfilling
           the
           Law
           ,
           will
           by
           no
           means
           grant
           that
           concupiscence
           is
           sin
           ,
           least
           thereby
           their
           legall
           righteousnesse
           should
           be
           tainted
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           to
           the
           Pharisees
           with
           whom
           Christ
           had
           to
           deal
           ▪
           they
           restrained
           the
           seventh
           Commandement
           to
           the
           act
           of
           Adultery
           ,
           Christ
           extends
           it
           to
           the
           wandrings
           of
           the
           eye
           and
           heart
           :
           they
           limited
           the
           sixt
           Commandment
           to
           actuall
           murther
           ,
           whereas
           Christ
           extends
           it
           to
           inordinate
           passion
           and
           ill
           language
           :
           so
           dealt
           they
           in
           this
           particular
           whereof
           we
           treat
           .
           They
           confined
           the
           third
           Commandement
           to
           prejurie
           ,
           whereas
           Christ
           extends
           it
           to
           the
           prohibition
           of
           rash
           vain
           swearing
           by
           the
           Creatures
           .
           And
           so
           I
           come
           to
           the
           words
           ,
           onely
           I
           must
           first
           endeavour
           the
           determination
           of
           one
           Question
           ,
           whether
           Christ
           in
           this
           discourse
           intend
           an
           
             abrogation
          
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           an
           
             addition
          
           to
           it
           ,
           or
           onely
           an
           
             interpretation
          
           of
           it
           ?
           Certainly
           not
           an
           abrogation
           of
           the
           morall
           Law
           ,
           which
           he
           professes
           
             he
             came
             not
             to
             destroy
             ,
             but
             to
             fulfill
             ,
          
           Verse
           17.
           
           Some
           would
           have
           it
           to
           be
           an
           addition
           ,
           which
           opinion
           indeed
           hath
           the
           countenance
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Fathers
           ;
           but
           the
           Socinians
           are
           most
           earnest
           in
           this
           conception
           ,
           upon
           this
           ground
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           admit
           of
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           Christ
           ,
           o●
           
           justification
           by
           his
           death
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           wrong
           they
           do
           to
           his
           Priestly
           Office
           ,
           they
           pretend
           to
           make
           amends
           in
           his
           Propheticall
           ,
           and
           say
           that
           he
           came
           to
           improve
           and
           raise
           the
           Precepts
           of
           the
           old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           more
           exact
           Law
           then
           was
           given
           by
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           in
           the
           observation
           whereof
           our
           Gospell
           righteousness
           should
           consist
           .
           But
           we
           beleeve
           that
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           only
           intended
           a
           restauration
           of
           the
           Law
           from
           the
           corrupt
           glosses
           and
           traditions
           of
           the
           Elders
           ,
           with
           whom
           he
           deals
           in
           this
           discourse
           ,
           not
           with
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           who
           was
           faithfull
           in
           the
           House
           of
           God
           :
           for
           he
           professes
           that
           he
           came
           not
           to
           destroy
           the
           Law
           ,
           which
           upon
           the
           matter
           he
           had
           done
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           shewed
           it
           to
           be
           a
           short
           or
           crooked
           rule
           ,
           but
           to
           fulfill
           it
           ,
           or
           (
           as
           the
           word
           will
           bear
           )
           to
           fill
           it
           up
           ,
           
           by
           true
           and
           full
           interpretations
           .
           Christ
           fulfilled
           the
           Law
           both
           
             practically
          
           in
           obeying
           it
           ,
           and
           
             doctrinally
          
           in
           making
           up
           those
           gaps
           which
           the
           Pharisaicall
           glosses
           and
           traditions
           had
           made
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           
             You
             have
             heard
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             said
             by
             them
             of
             old
             time
             ,
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           as
           some
           would
           have
           it
           ,
           to
           them
           of
           old
           time
           :
           It
           may
           be
           here
           enquired
           what
           times
           and
           persons
           Christ
           hath
           reference
           to
           in
           this
           passage
           ;
           some
           may
           think
           that
           he
           hath
           respect
           unto
           
             Moses
          
           and
           the
           people
           of
           Israel
           to
           whom
           he
           spake
           things
           to
           this
           purpose
           :
           
             Lev.
          
           19
           :
           12
           ,
           
             Ye
             shall
             not
             swear
             by
             my
             Name
             falsely
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           But
           I
           beleeve
           that
           an
           antiquity
           of
           a
           much
           later
           date
           is
           meant
           by
           this
           expression
           ,
           even
           of
           those
           Elders
           mentioned
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           15.
           2.
           whose
           traditions
           the
           Pharsees
           complained
           were
           broken
           by
           Christs
           Disciples
           ;
           for
           the
           word
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           signifies
           sometimes
           that
           which
           is
           not
           long
           past
           ,
           as
           
             Act.
          
           15.
           7.
           
           And
           here
           take
           notice
           that
           after
           the
           Law
           and
           the
           Prophets
           there
           rose
           up
           a
           generation
           of
           men
           who
           were
           not
           content
           with
           the
           written
           word
           ,
           but
           added
           the
           supplement
           of
           traditions
           ,
           which
           though
           in
           the
           esteem
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           
           were
           ancient
           ,
           yet
           very
           far
           short
           of
           true
           antiquity
           which
           was
           
             Moses
          
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ;
           the
           counterpart
           of
           this
           dealing
           we
           find
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ;
           who
           besides
           the
           
             verbum
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           will
           have
           a
           
             verbum
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           a
           traditionall
           word
           which
           they
           make
           equall
           to
           the
           Scripture
           in
           authority
           and
           esteem
           ;
           thus
           the
           Councill
           of
           
             Trent
             ,
             Traditiones
             ipsas
             tum
             ad
             fidem
             tum
             ad
             mores
             pertinentes
             pari
             pietatis
             affectu
             ac
             Scripturas
             suscipit
             &
             veneratur
             Ecclesia
             Romana
             .
          
           And
           they
           will
           pretend
           much
           of
           antiquity
           for
           their
           practises
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           a
           modern
           antiquity
           ,
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           speak
           )
           the
           true
           antiquity
           
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           they
           have
           no
           minde
           to
           deal
           with
           ,
           not
           yet
           that
           of
           the
           first
           three
           hundred
           years
           after
           Christ
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           be
           some
           peeces
           which
           they
           may
           justly
           call
           theirs
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           either
           forged
           or
           corrupted
           them
           :
           although
           we
           must
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           their
           corruptions
           began
           early
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           have
           an
           intimation
           ,
           2
           
             Thessalonians
          
           2.
           7.
           1
           
           
             Iohn
          
           2.
           18.
           
        
         
           What
           is
           it
           that
           was
           said
           by
           them
           of
           old
           time
           ?
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             forswear
             thy self
             ,
             &c.
          
           was
           it
           not
           well
           said
           ?
           yes
           doubtlesse
           it
           was
           the
           truth
           ,
           but
           not
           all
           the
           truth
           ;
           take
           the
           words
           in
           themselves
           and
           it
           was
           well
           said
           ,
           but
           take
           them
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           third
           Commandement
           ,
           which
           thereby
           they
           intended
           to
           interpret
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           misse
           ;
           for
           they
           contain
           not
           the
           sum
           and
           substance
           of
           that
           Commandement
           ,
           which
           reaches
           not
           onely
           to
           forswearing
           ,
           but
           to
           vain
           swearing
           ,
           swearing
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           other
           abuses
           of
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           frequent
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           who
           (
           provided
           they
           did
           not
           swear
           by
           the
           name
           of
           God
           )
           thought
           themselves
           excusable
           if
           they
           swore
           frequently
           in
           ordinary
           communication
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ;
           and
           that
           some
           of
           their
           Oathes
           by
           the
           Creatures
           were
           not
           obliging
           ,
           as
           we
           finde
           
             Matth.
          
           23.
           16.
           where
           the
           Gold
           and
           the
           Gift
           were
           by
           their
           covetousnesse
           advanced
           to
           be
           more
           sacred
           then
           the
           Temple
           or
           Altar
           .
        
         
           
             But
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
             .
          
           These
           words
           seem
           to
           be
           a
           direct
           prohibition
           of
           all
           Oathes
           ,
           and
           hence
           the
           Anabaptists
           have
           concluded
           the
           unlawfulnesse
           of
           swearing
           in
           any
           case
           ,
           and
           it
           hath
           deceived
           some
           of
           the
           Ancients
           :
           
             Hierome
          
           himself
           saith
           upon
           this
           place
           ,
           that
           
             Evangelica
             veritas
             non
             recipit
             juramentum
             :
          
           But
           I
           hope
           we
           shall
           without
           much
           difficultie
           evince
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           the
           intention
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           to
           forbid
           swearing
           in
           all
           cases
           by
           this
           expression
           ,
           but
           that
           
             particula
             omnino
             non
             ad
             substantiam
             sed
             ad
             formam
             referenda
             ,
          
           as
           
             Rivet
          
           well
           observes
           :
           For
           we
           must
           know
           this
           in
           generall
           ,
           that
           universall
           terms
           in
           Scripture
           are
           sometimes
           to
           be
           taken
           with
           restriction
           ,
           
           as
           in
           that
           passage
           of
           
             Paul
             ,
             I
             became
             all
             things
             to
             all
             men
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           all
           lawfull
           things
           ;
           and
           so
           I
           conceive
           must
           that
           place
           
             Rom.
             
          
           ●
           .
           18.
           be
           interpreted
           ,
           
             By
             the
             righteousnesse
             of
             one
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           Christ
           )
           
             the
             free
             gift
             came
             upon
             all
             men
             to
             justification
             of
             life
             ;
          
           that
           is
           ,
           upon
           all
           that
           have
           relation
           to
           the
           second
           
             Adam
             ,
          
           as
           mankinde
           
           had
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           to
           be
           of
           his
           Seed
           .
           So
           that
           this
           expression
           
             [
             swear
             not
             at
             all
             ]
          
           may
           be
           limited
           ,
           notwithstanding
           its
           seeming
           universalitie
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           expounded
           by
           the
           temper
           of
           those
           times
           in
           which
           it
           was
           spoken
           ,
           and
           those
           persons
           to
           whom
           it
           was
           spoken
           ;
           for
           where
           the
           Scripture
           speaks
           
             ad
             hominem
             ,
          
           as
           it
           doth
           much
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           their
           disposition
           and
           opinion
           must
           be
           considered
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           swear
           ordinarily
           in
           their
           communicaon
           ,
           when
           bare
           affirmations
           or
           negations
           would
           have
           sufficed
           :
           and
           because
           they
           had
           not
           onely
           a
           religious
           but
           a
           superstitious
           apprehension
           of
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           use
           it
           when
           they
           might
           ,
           they
           swore
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           thought
           they
           were
           not
           much
           bound
           by
           such
           Oathes
           ;
           so
           that
           all
           our
           Saviour
           intends
           ,
           is
           this
           ,
           Swear
           not
           as
           you
           are
           wont
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           ,
           as
           you
           think
           you
           may
           do
           ;
           swear
           not
           at
           all
           by
           the
           Creatures
           :
           for
           the
           generall
           word
           [
           
             not
             at
             all
          
           ]
           must
           be
           interpreted
           by
           the
           particulars
           enumerated
           ,
           which
           if
           they
           had
           been
           omitted
           ,
           or
           ,
           if
           the
           name
           of
           God
           had
           been
           put
           among
           them
           ,
           it
           must
           have
           been
           construed
           as
           a
           generall
           prohibition
           ,
           which
           now
           it
           cannot
           be
           .
           And
           whereas
           this
           not
           mentioning
           of
           the
           name
           of
           God
           may
           seem
           to
           be
           supplied
           in
           that
           of
           
             Iam.
          
           5.
           12.
           where
           to
           the
           enumeration
           of
           some
           particulars
           this
           generall
           clause
           is
           added
           ,
           [
           
             Neither
             by
             any
             other
             oath
          
           ]
           it
           must
           be
           restrained
           to
           oaths
           of
           that
           kinde
           ;
           for
           it
           were
           strange
           that
           the
           name
           of
           God
           should
           be
           intended
           and
           not
           mentioned
           in
           either
           of
           these
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           ought
           especially
           to
           be
           vindicated
           from
           profanation
           .
           If
           this
           Question
           need
           any
           further
           clearing
           ,
           I
           shall
           mention
           another
           place
           ,
           where
           under
           the
           single
           expression
           of
           swearing
           ,
           not
           all
           swearing
           ,
           but
           fals
           ,
           vain
           ,
           and
           rash
           swearing
           is
           discountenanced
           ,
           
             viz.
             Eccles.
             9.
             2.
             
             He
             that
             sweareth
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             feareth
             an
             Oath
          
           are
           opposed
           ;
           where
           he
           that
           sweareth
           ,
           signifies
           ,
           a
           prophane
           swearer
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           feareth
           an
           Oath
           ;
           one
           that
           reverenceth
           ,
           not
           one
           that
           refuseth
           it
           in
           all
           cases
           ,
           So
           that
           you
           see
           it
           is
           agreeable
           to
           the
           scope
           and
           circumstances
           of
           this
           place
           ,
           as
           also
           to
           other
           Scriptures
           ,
           that
           this
           universall
           clause
           [
           
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
          
           ]
           be
           interpreted
           with
           restriction
           to
           the
           vain
           ,
           unnecessary
           customary
           abuse
           of
           swearing
           among
           the
           Jews
           .
        
         
           The
           words
           thus
           explaned
           ,
           offer
           to
           our
           observation
           these
           two
           Propositions
           ;
        
         
         
           
             Propos.
             I.
          
           It
           is
           not
           utterly
           unlawfull
           to
           swear
           .
        
         
           
             II.
          
           It
           is
           utterly
           abominable
           to
           forswear
           .
        
         
           The
           later
           of
           these
           Propositions
           was
           never
           under
           question
           ,
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           which
           reached
           not
           heaven
           ,
           yet
           reacht
           thus
           far
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             forswear
             thy self
             .
          
           The
           former
           hath
           endured
           some
           dispute
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           confirm
           it
           by
           some
           arguments
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           first
           taken
           from
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           third
           Commandement
           ,
           to
           which
           swearing
           is
           generally
           reduced
           ,
           and
           indeed
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           main
           intent
           of
           it
           ;
           it
           is
           there
           said
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             take
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             in
             vain
             :
          
           thou
           shalt
           not
           use
           it
           
             nee
             frustra
             ,
             nee
             falso
             ,
          
           for
           the
           word
           [
           
             vain
          
           ]
           in
           Scripture
           signifies
           both
           .
           But
           it
           is
           not
           said
           ,
           Thou
           shalt
           not
           use
           it
           ,
           or
           lift
           it
           up
           ,
           (
           as
           the
           word
           signifies
           )
           in
           any
           case
           ;
           but
           the
           forbidding
           of
           the
           abuse
           doth
           implie
           ,
           or
           rather
           enjoyn
           a
           lawfull
           use
           of
           the
           name
           of
           God
           in
           swearing
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           affirmative
           part
           of
           the
           Precept
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Morall
           Law
           (
           of
           which
           this
           is
           a
           speciall
           part
           )
           be
           of
           generall
           and
           perpetuall
           obligation
           to
           all
           men
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           (
           a●
           without
           doubt
           it
           is
           )
           we
           yet
           remain
           not
           onely
           under
           the
           liberty
           but
           in
           just
           cases
           under
           the
           duty
           of
           swearing
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           a
           part
           of
           Divine
           worship
           ,
           not
           a
           Ceremoniall
           or
           mutable
           part
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           shadow
           of
           a
           shadow
           or
           Type
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           one
           well
           observes
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           out
           of
           date
           in
           the
           new
           Testament
           .
           It
           is
           so
           considerable
           a
           part
           of
           worship
           ,
           that
           all
           worship
           is
           sometimes
           expressed
           by
           it
           ,
           
           as
           at
           other
           times
           by
           calling
           upon
           the
           name
           of
           God
           .
           
           And
           the
           Apostle
           to
           the
           
             Hebrews
             ,
          
           though
           his
           work
           be
           to
           shew
           the
           diasnulling
           of
           all
           carnall
           and
           temporary
           ordinances
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           is
           so
           farr
           from
           putting
           sweaing
           among
           them
           ,
           that
           he
           seems
           to
           establish
           it
           as
           a
           standing
           Ordinance
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           6.
           16.
           where
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             That
             an
             Oa●●
             for
             confirmacion
             is
          
           (
           not
           was
           )
           
             the
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           it
           i●
           an
           action
           which
           (
           duely
           and
           reverently
           managed
           )
           doth
           give
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           honour
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           end
           of
           worship
           ;
           it
           gives
           him
           the
           honour
           of
           his
           Soveraigntie
           ,
           Omniscience
           Justice
           and
           Truth
           ;
           it
           gives
           him
           the
           last
           appeal
           in
           all
           differenrences
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           great
           Trust
           ,
           and
           consequently
           a
           great
           honour
           ;
           and
           ,
           
             Inquisitio
             post
             juramentum
             Deo
             irrogat
             injuriam
             ,
          
           It
           reflects
           upon
           God
           himself
           ,
           when
           men
           will
           not
           rest
           in
           an
           Oath
           which
           was
           appointed
           for
           the
           end
           of
           strife
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           The
           ground
           and
           occasion
           of
           Oathes
           yet
           remains
           ,
           and
           the
           Law
           must
           remain
           till
           the
           foundation
           of
           it
           be
           removed
           .
           An
           Oath
           was
           appointed
           
             in
             remedium
             defectus
             ,
          
           and
           these
           defects
           which
           swearing
           was
           appointed
           as
           a
           remedy
           for
           ,
           yet
           continue
           such
           as
           the
           deceit
           ,
           falshood
           ,
           incredulity
           of
           men
           ,
           the
           ground
           of
           
             assertory
          
           Oathes
           ;
           the
           instability
           and
           changeablenesse
           of
           men
           ,
           the
           ground
           of
           
             promissary
          
           Oathes
           .
           There
           are
           controversies
           yet
           to
           be
           decided
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           ,
           and
           so
           an
           usefulnesse
           of
           Oathes
           for
           the
           ending
           of
           them
           .
           Humane
           Societies
           cannot
           subsist
           without
           evidences
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           mutuall
           belief
           among
           men
           ,
           which
           sometimes
           must
           be
           established
           by
           an
           Oath
           ;
           and
           therefore
           
             Iulian
          
           the
           Apostate
           taking
           it
           for
           grant
           ,
           that
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           did
           forbid
           all
           Oathes
           ,
           insulted
           upon
           it
           as
           false
           and
           ridiculous
           ,
           because
           it
           did
           
             Tollere
             praecipuum
             humanae
             societatis
             vinculum
             .
          
        
         
           Having
           spoken
           to
           the
           vindication
           of
           Oathes
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           unnecessary
           to
           adde
           something
           concerning
           the
           regulation
           of
           them
           ,
           &
           because
           I
           must
           not
           exceed
           the
           limits
           of
           a
           Sermon
           ,
           I
           shall
           onely
           open
           that
           known
           place
           
             Ier.
             4.
             2.
             
             Thou
             shalt
             swear
             the
             Lord
             liveth
             ,
             in
             truth
             ,
             in
             righteousnesse
             ,
             and
             in
             judgement
             :
          
           where
           we
           have
           the
           
             form
          
           and
           
             qualifications
          
           of
           a
           lawfull
           Oath
           ;
           the
           
             form
             ,
             The
             Lord
             liveth
             .
          
           In
           every
           Oath
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           an
           interposing
           of
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ;
           
             Deut.
             6.
             13.
             
             Thou
             shalt
             swear
             by
             his
             Name
             .
          
           To
           swear
           is
           to
           confesse
           a
           Deitie
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           comparing
           those
           two
           places
           ,
           
             Isa.
             45.
             23.
             
             To
             me
             shall
             every
             knee
             bow
             ,
             and
             every
             tongue
             swear
             ;
          
           with
           
             Phil.
             2.
             11.
             
             That
             every
             tongue
             should
             confesse
             that
             Iesus
             Christ
             is
             Lord
             .
          
           And
           because
           we
           finde
           this
           expression
           frequent
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             liveth
             ,
          
           it
           deserves
           a
           little
           opening
           ;
           to
           which
           purpose
           we
           may
           take
           notice
           of
           that
           passage
           in
           
             Hebrews
             ,
             6.
             16.
             
             Men
             verily
             swear
             by
             the
             greater
             .
          
           And
           when
           the
           Lord
           sweareth
           ,
           
           he
           doth
           it
           by
           that
           in
           himself
           which
           is
           the
           greatest
           ,
           
           
             his
             Life
             ,
          
           and
           
             his
             Holinesse
             ,
          
           which
           are
           more
           then
           single
           Attributes
           :
           His
           
             Life
          
           is
           his
           fundamentall
           excellency
           ,
           and
           his
           
             holinesse
          
           is
           more
           then
           an
           Attribute
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           that
           complexion
           which
           runs
           thorow
           all
           his
           Attributes
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           beautifull
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           usuall
           forme
           in
           Scripture
           which
           Men
           and
           Angels
           have
           made
           use
           of
           .
           
             Revel.
          
           10.
           6.
           because
           of
           the
           peculiar
           accommodation
           of
           the
           life
           of
           God
           unto
           an
           Oath
           ,
           for
           it
           imports
           that
           he
           sees
           and
           knows
           our
           appeal
           ,
           that
           he
           abides
           ready
           to
           confirm
           the
           truth
           ,
           or
           avenge
           the
           false-hood
           
           of
           him
           that
           swears
           .
           And
           I
           see
           not
           how
           swearing
           by
           any
           Creature
           can
           be
           exempted
           from
           Idoltary
           ,
           if
           swearing
           be
           (
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           proved
           )
           a
           part
           of
           Worship
           .
           God
           complains
           that
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           swore
           by
           them
           that
           were
           no
           gods
           ,
           
             Ierem.
          
           5.
           7.
           and
           to
           swear
           by
           Creatures
           ,
           turns
           them
           into
           Idols
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           not
           so
           before
           :
           to
           worship
           an
           Image
           and
           swear
           by
           a
           Creature
           ,
           may
           be
           ranked
           together
           .
           And
           though
           some
           would
           excuse
           that
           expression
           of
           
             Ioseph
             ,
          
           [
           
             By
             the
             life
             of
             Pharaoh
          
           ]
           and
           tell
           us
           that
           the
           primitive
           Christians
           did
           sometimes
           swear
           
             per
             salutem
             Imperatoris
             ,
          
           yet
           the
           former
           language
           seems
           fitter
           for
           
             Aegypt
          
           then
           for
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           and
           the
           later
           savours
           more
           of
           Courtship
           then
           Christianity
           .
           There
           is
           indeed
           a
           passage
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           23.
           21
           ,
           22.
           where
           he
           seems
           to
           make
           it
           all
           one
           to
           swear
           by
           some
           Creatures
           ,
           as
           to
           swear
           by
           God
           himself
           ;
           for
           he
           saith
           ,
           that
           
             he
             that
             sweareth
             by
             the
             Temple
             ,
             sweareth
             by
             him
             that
             dwelleth
             therein
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             sweareth
             by
             Heaven
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
             sweareth
             by
             him
             that
             sitteth
             thereon
             :
          
           but
           the
           scope
           of
           our
           Saviour
           must
           be
           attended
           ,
           who
           reproves
           the
           vain
           conceit
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           who
           thought
           God
           was
           not
           concerned
           in
           those
           Oaths
           where
           his
           Name
           was
           not
           expresly
           mentioned
           ;
           and
           tels
           them
           ,
           that
           because
           those
           Oaths
           were
           reducible
           unto
           God
           ,
           who
           accounted
           himself
           interessed
           in
           every
           Oath
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           be
           excused
           from
           perjury
           in
           the
           breach
           of
           them
           .
           
             Pareus
          
           expresses
           it
           briefly
           and
           well
           ,
           that
           those
           Oaths
           were
           
             formaliter
             vitiosa
             ,
             sed
             finaliter
             obligatoria
             :
          
           So
           that
           our
           Saviour
           doth
           not
           countenance
           those
           forms
           of
           swearing
           ,
           but
           discountenance
           their
           great
           vanitie
           and
           folly
           in
           the
           construction
           of
           them
           ;
           for
           an
           Oath
           taken
           by
           that
           which
           is
           no
           god
           ,
           if
           he
           that
           swears
           ,
           puts
           it
           in
           the
           room
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           found
           to
           oblige
           .
           Thus
           much
           for
           the
           Form
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           from
           which
           howsoever
           it
           hath
           pleased
           men
           to
           vary
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           good
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           the
           first
           and
           purest
           use
           of
           Oathes
           ,
           which
           was
           ,
           to
           mention
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           with
           lifting
           up
           the
           hand
           to
           Heaven
           ;
           so
           
             Abraham
          
           (
           as
           fit
           for
           our
           pattern
           as
           any
           man
           else
           )
           
             Genes
             .
             14.
             22.
             
             I
             have
             lift
             up
             my
             hand
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             the
             Possessor
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             not
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           Thus
           much
           concerning
           the
           Form
           ,
           the
           Qualifications
           follow
           ,
           
             In
             truth
             ,
             in
             righteousnesse
             ,
          
           and
           
             in
             judgement
             .
             Hierome
          
           gives
           this
           brief
           and
           clear
           interpretation
           of
           these
           words
           ,
           There
           must
           be
           
             veritas
             
             in
             re
             ,
             justitia
             in
             causa
             ,
             juditium
             in
             modo
             jucandi
             .
          
           First
           ,
           he
           that
           swears
           must
           have
           a
           principall
           eye
           to
           Truth
           ,
           for
           the
           end
           of
           an
           
             essertory
          
           oath
           is
           to
           
             evidence
          
           truth
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           
             promissory
          
           oath
           to
           
             engage
          
           truth
           :
           
             veritas
             entis
          
           must
           be
           looked
           to
           in
           the
           former
           ,
           
             veritas
             mentis
          
           in
           the
           latter
           ,
           and
           no
           room
           is
           left
           for
           equivocation
           ,
           which
           crosses
           the
           very
           end
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
           It
           is
           certainly
           a
           most
           horrid
           impiety
           to
           call
           God
           to
           witness
           an
           untruth
           ,
           who
           delights
           to
           be
           stiled
           
             The
             God
             of
             truth
             ;
          
           it
           is
           an
           affront
           we
           should
           be
           ashamed
           to
           offer
           a
           Person
           of
           Honour
           ,
           to
           make
           him
           a
           partner
           in
           our
           iniquitie
           .
           In
           brief
           ,
           he
           that
           swears
           a
           falshood
           ,
           doth
           insinuate
           ,
           that
           God
           doth
           either
           not
           know
           the
           truth
           ,
           or
           not
           regard
           it
           ;
           but
           
             his
             eyes
             are
             on
             the
             truth
             ,
             Ierem.
          
           5
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           Let
           those
           that
           swear
           falsly
           well
           consider
           it
           ,
           lest
           a
           curse
           enter
           into
           their
           houses
           ,
           as
           the
           Lord
           threatneth
           ,
           
             Zech.
          
           5.
           3
           ,
           4.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           He
           that
           sweareth
           must
           do
           it
           
             in
             righteousnesse
             ,
          
           in
           a
           lawfull
           and
           just
           matter
           ;
           if
           the
           oath
           be
           
             promissory
             ,
          
           the
           thing
           sworn
           must
           be
           lawfull
           and
           good
           ;
           not
           such
           an
           oath
           as
           
             David
          
           swore
           against
           
             Nabal
          
           and
           his
           house
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           25.
           22.
           or
           
             Herod
          
           to
           
             Herodias
             ,
             Matth.
          
           14.
           7.
           
           If
           the
           oath
           be
           
             assertory
             ,
          
           let
           it
           be
           with
           righteous
           and
           just
           intentions
           ,
           to
           the
           furtherance
           of
           justice
           and
           charitie
           ,
           and
           upon
           no
           other
           account
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             In
             judgement
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           wisely
           discerning
           the
           occasion
           and
           ordering
           the
           circumstances
           of
           his
           oath
           ;
           for
           instance
           ,
           he
           that
           swears
           in
           
             judgement
          
           will
           not
           swear
           in
           a
           triviall
           or
           sleight
           businesse
           ;
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           great
           ,
           wonderfull
           ,
           and
           holy
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           made
           use
           of
           but
           in
           solemn
           and
           serious
           things
           .
           An
           honest
           man
           will
           not
           swear
           in
           a
           false
           matter
           ,
           nor
           a
           wise
           man
           in
           a
           frivolous
           .
           Oathes
           and
           Lots
           are
           of
           like
           nature
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           both
           seriously
           to
           be
           used
           ,
           and
           in
           cases
           of
           necessitie
           .
           
             Temere
             jurat
             qui
             aliter
             potest
             proximo
             consulere
             ,
          
           is
           a
           sober
           speech
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           regarded
           ;
           If
           by
           any
           other
           means
           we
           can
           provide
           for
           our
           neighbours
           good
           and
           safetie
           ,
           it
           is
           rashnesse
           to
           swear
           on
           his
           behalf
           .
           To
           swear
           in
           
             judgement
             ,
          
           is
           to
           do
           it
           with
           deliberation
           ,
           and
           actuall
           consideration
           of
           the
           importance
           of
           an
           oath
           ;
           the
           Majesty
           ,
           Truth
           ,
           and
           Justice
           of
           him
           by
           whom
           ,
           or
           unto
           whom
           we
           swear
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           confirmed
           and
           illustrated
           the
           Proposition
           ,
           a
           word
           of
           application
           will
           be
           needfull
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           consutation
           to
           those
           who
           utterly
           deny
           the
           
           lawfulnesse
           of
           oathes
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           that
           under
           the
           countenance
           of
           this
           Scripture
           which
           I
           am
           insisting
           on
           ,
           together
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           
             Iames
             ,
          
           
           already
           mentioned
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           are
           sufficiently
           vindicated
           from
           any
           such
           meaning
           ,
           in
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           considerate
           Reader
           :
           If
           men
           will
           run
           away
           with
           the
           sound
           of
           words
           ,
           instead
           of
           the
           sence
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           single
           out
           an
           expression
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           urge
           it
           against
           the
           evidence
           of
           severall
           plain
           places
           ,
           speaking
           the
           contrary
           ,
           it
           argues
           an
           Hereticall
           disposition
           ,
           more
           addicted
           to
           opinion
           than
           to
           truth
           .
           
             Calvin
          
           takes
           notice
           of
           such
           a
           temper
           ,
           in
           his
           Commentary
           upon
           this
           place
           ,
           his
           words
           are
           these
           ,
           
             Vna
             cum
             rixandi
             libidine
             crassam
             inscitiam
             produnt
             Anabaptistae
             dum
             ,
             vocem
             unam
             morose
             urgendo
             ,
             totum
             sermonis
             tenorem
             clausis
             oculis
             praetereunt
             :
          
           The
           Anabaptists
           by
           occasion
           of
           this
           Scripture
           discover
           (
           together
           with
           their
           perversnesse
           )
           grosse
           ignorance
           ,
           while
           they
           frowardly
           urge
           one
           word
           ,
           neglecting
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           the
           discourse
           .
           It
           is
           said
           our
           Anabaptists
           (
           if
           they
           will
           admit
           of
           that
           name
           ,
           which
           they
           must
           rather
           than
           we
           to
           gratifie
           them
           with
           the
           name
           of
           the
           baptized
           Churches
           ,
           deny
           our
           own
           Baptisme
           )
           allow
           of
           oathes
           :
           It
           is
           well
           if
           it
           proceed
           from
           a
           soundnesse
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           a
           latitude
           of
           Principles
           :
           But
           by
           denying
           the
           use
           of
           them
           God
           loses
           honour
           ,
           and
           men
           come
           short
           (
           many
           times
           )
           of
           truth
           and
           justice
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           if
           men
           were
           as
           they
           ought
           ,
           
             yea
          
           and
           
             nay
          
           might
           suffice
           instead
           of
           
             Oathes
             .
             Omnis
             fidelis
             sermo
             pro
             juramento
             est
             ,
          
           saith
           
             Hierome
             ;
          
           but
           we
           must
           take
           men
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           with
           their
           defects
           of
           
             faith
             ,
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           
             knowledge
             ,
          
           and
           the
           remedy
           of
           those
           defects
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           
             Oath
             ,
          
           must
           still
           continue
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           because
           where
           there
           is
           one
           too
           scrupulous
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           too
           profuse
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           oathes
           ,
           a
           severe
           reprehension
           belongs
           to
           those
           who
           observe
           no
           rule
           in
           swearing
           ;
           such
           are
           they
           who
           sweare
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           
             light
             ,
             bread
             ,
          
           or
           any
           thing
           that
           comes
           next
           hand
           ,
           whereby
           a
           man
           first
           abuses
           his
           own
           reason
           ;
           for
           what
           ridiculous
           folly
           is
           it
           to
           call
           inanimate
           Creatures
           to
           attest
           any
           thing
           ?
           what
           madnesse
           to
           curse
           ourselves
           by
           our
           blessings
           ?
           Secondly
           ,
           he
           abuses
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           interposed
           in
           an
           oath
           ,
           by
           substituting
           any
           other
           thing
           in
           his
           room
           ,
           which
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           Heaven
           or
           Earth
           fit
           to
           supplie
           .
           
           And
           thirdly
           ,
           he
           abuses
           the
           Creature
           it self
           ,
           by
           imploying
           it
           to
           an
           end
           dishonourable
           to
           its
           Creator
           ,
           an
           use
           to
           which
           it
           never
           was
           appointed
           ;
           and
           this
           may
           well
           be
           part
           of
           that
           burthen
           under
           which
           the
           Creature
           groaneth
           and
           travelleth
           in
           pain
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           
             Rom.
          
           1.
           22.
           and
           of
           that
           vanitie
           of
           sin
           and
           trouble
           which
           it
           is
           subjected
           to
           .
           To
           swear
           by
           Creatures
           below
           our selves
           ,
           is
           to
           under-value
           our selves
           :
           
             For
             men
             verily
             swear
             by
             the
             greater
             ,
             Hebr.
          
           6.
           16.
           
           To
           swear
           by
           Creatures
           above
           our selves
           ,
           (
           as
           glorified
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           )
           is
           to
           overvalue
           them
           ,
           for
           what
           or
           who
           are
           they
           that
           they
           should
           be
           to
           us
           in
           the
           room
           of
           God
           ?
           They
           also
           who
           regard
           not
           truth
           ,
           judgement
           ,
           and
           righteousnesse
           in
           their
           oathes
           ,
           what
           reproof
           is
           sharp
           enough
           for
           them
           ?
           To
           swear
           falsly
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           God
           of
           truth
           ,
           how
           great
           a
           provocation
           is
           it
           ?
           Those
           that
           swear
           falsly
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           either
           that
           which
           they
           know
           to
           be
           false
           ,
           or
           that
           which
           they
           know
           not
           to
           be
           truly
           ,
           are
           highly
           guilty
           of
           offence
           against
           the
           God
           of
           truth
           ,
           whose
           eyes
           are
           upon
           the
           truth
           ,
           
             Ierem.
          
           5.
           3.
           and
           also
           against
           humane
           society
           ,
           which
           is
           knit
           together
           by
           the
           bands
           of
           truth
           and
           justice
           .
           The
           Aegyptians
           had
           so
           reverent
           an
           esteem
           of
           their
           Idols
           ,
           which
           were
           but
           vanity
           ,
           and
           a
           lie
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           were
           found
           to
           swear
           falsly
           by
           them
           ,
           they
           were
           adjudged
           worthy
           of
           death
           ;
           and
           shall
           we
           make
           light
           of
           abusing
           the
           name
           of
           the
           living
           and
           true
           God
           ?
           There
           is
           no
           person
           of
           honour
           and
           honesty
           but
           would
           look
           upon
           it
           with
           highest
           indignation
           to
           be
           called
           to
           attest
           an
           untruth
           ;
           what
           shall
           we
           then
           think
           of
           the
           God
           of
           truth
           ,
           will
           he
           not
           be
           very
           jealous
           for
           his
           honour
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ?
           It
           is
           sad
           to
           see
           and
           consider
           how
           often
           men
           are
           produced
           to
           swear
           contradictions
           ,
           where
           one
           must
           needs
           be
           guilty
           of
           false-hood
           in
           swearing
           ,
           unless
           ,
           both
           parts
           of
           a
           contradiction
           can
           be
           found
           true
           ,
           which
           is
           impossible
           .
           And
           that
           which
           adds
           to
           the
           mischiefe
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           unrighteousness
           is
           bound
           up
           with
           untruth
           in
           the
           most
           false
           Oathes
           ,
           and
           so
           both
           Tables
           are
           broken
           at
           once
           .
           Sometimes
           men
           swear
           falsly
           ,
           out
           of
           malice
           ,
           and
           revenge
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           a
           strange
           revenge
           ,
           to
           destroy
           a
           mans
           reputation
           ,
           to
           wound
           his
           conscience
           ,
           to
           hazard
           his
           salvation
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           require
           another
           .
           
             Oh
             what
             folly
             and
             madness
             is
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             while
             they
             live
             ,
             and
             after
             they
             go
             to
             the
             dead
             ,
          
           as
           the
           wise
           man
           complaines
           ,
           
             Eccles.
          
           9.
           3.
           
           Others
           swear
           falsly
           out
           of
           a
           covetous
           principle
           ,
           
             loving
             the
             
             wages
             of
             unrighteousness
             ,
          
           as
           
             Balaam
          
           did
           ;
           but
           what
           profit
           is
           it
           to
           
             win
             the
             world
             and
             lose
             a
             mans
             own
             soul
             ,
          
           saith
           Christ
           ,
           who
           knew
           well
           enough
           what
           the
           worth
           of
           both
           was
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           16.
           26.
           such
           a
           man
           is
           like
           to
           come
           to
           
             Iudas
          
           his
           reckoning
           ,
           who
           dearly
           earned
           the
           
             reward
             of
             iniquity
             ,
             Act.
          
           1.
           18.
           
           Others
           who
           think
           it
           base
           to
           forswear
           themselves
           for
           money
           ,
           will
           yet
           do
           it
           out
           of
           respect
           to
           a
           Superiour
           ,
           or
           kindnesse
           to
           a
           friend
           ;
           but
           for
           a
           man
           to
           pawn
           his
           soul
           in
           courtesie
           ,
           is
           madnesse
           and
           not
           kindnesse
           ,
           and
           most
           desperate
           folly
           for
           one
           to
           lay
           down
           his
           own
           conscience
           or
           comfort
           as
           a
           Bridge
           to
           make
           passage
           for
           another
           to
           his
           worldly
           advantages
           .
           But
           I
           shut
           up
           this
           admonition
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Lord
           by
           the
           Prophet
           
             Zechariab
             ,
             8.
             17.
             
             Let
             nme
             of
             you
             imagine
             evill
             in
             your
             hearts
             against
             his
             neighbour
             ,
             and
             love
             no
             false
             Oath
             ,
             for
             these
             things
             I
             hate
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             .
             Odium
             terminatur
             ad
             non
             esse
             .
          
           Destruction
           is
           the
           fruit
           of
           hatred
           .
        
         
           And
           lastly
           ,
           the
           number
           of
           them
           that
           swear
           but
           not
           in
           
             judgement
             ,
          
           is
           exceeding
           great
           ;
           alas
           ,
           how
           few
           are
           there
           that
           understand
           an
           Oath
           ,
           and
           fewer
           that
           consider
           it
           !
           Those
           that
           swear
           in
           common
           conversation
           ,
           certainly
           swear
           not
           in
           judgement
           ,
           they
           do
           it
           so
           frequently
           ,
           so
           sleightly
           ,
           that
           their
           understanding
           cannot
           exercise
           any
           deliberate
           act
           about
           it
           ;
           they
           take
           so
           little
           notice
           of
           it
           that
           they
           will
           hardly
           be
           brought
           to
           acknowledge
           they
           have
           sworn
           ;
           if
           they
           confesse
           it
           they
           will
           tell
           you
           it
           was
           before
           they
           were
           aware
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           found
           witnesses
           against
           themselves
           ,
           that
           they
           swear
           not
           in
           
             judgement
             :
          
           but
           if
           every
           idle
           word
           is
           to
           be
           accounted
           for
           ,
           as
           our
           Saviour
           tels
           us
           
             Matth.
          
           12.
           36.
           what
           shall
           we
           think
           of
           idle
           oathes
           ,
           which
           signifie
           nothing
           but
           a
           profane
           and
           vain
           spirit
           ,
           will
           not
           they
           inflame
           the
           reckoning
           exceedingly
           ?
           The
           sons
           of
           men
           (
           especially
           great
           and
           noble
           persons
           )
           cannot
           endure
           to
           have
           their
           Names
           tossed
           up
           and
           down
           among
           vain
           men
           ,
           or
           used
           upon
           sleight
           occasions
           :
           and
           will
           no
           the
           God
           of
           heaven
           take
           it
           in
           greater
           indignation
           that
           his
           Name
           [
           
             which
             is
             great
             ,
             wonderfull
             ,
             holy
          
           ]
           should
           be
           made
           triviall
           or
           common
           ,
           by
           the
           frequent
           usurpations
           of
           ignorant
           and
           wicked
           men
           certainly
           he
           will
           not
           hold
           them
           guiltlesse
           that
           thus
           take
           hi●
           Name
           in
           vain
           :
           It
           is
           not
           the
           plea
           of
           custome
           that
           will
           excuse
           no●
           yet
           extenuate
           the
           sin
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           some
           places
           are
           so
           profane
           ,
           the
           swearing
           is
           become
           the
           very
           dialect
           of
           the
           Town
           or
           Family
           
           where
           they
           dwell
           ,
           and
           shall
           they
           escape
           by
           the
           commonnesse
           of
           their
           iniquity
           ,
           no
           surely
           neither
           nature
           nor
           custome
           which
           is
           the
           second
           nature
           are
           tolerable
           excuses
           for
           any
           evill
           ,
           but
           rather
           aggravations
           of
           it
           .
           Sin
           is
           not
           the
           lesse
           but
           rather
           the
           more
           to
           be
           bewailed
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           deep
           root
           it
           hath
           in
           our
           corrupt
           natures
           .
           In
           this
           glasse
           it
           was
           that
           
             David
          
           and
           
             Paul
          
           saw
           their
           sins
           to
           be
           above
           measure
           sinfull
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           51.
           and
           
             Rom.
          
           7.
           
           And
           the
           like
           may
           be
           said
           of
           custome
           ,
           
             alteranatura
             ;
          
           it
           is
           so
           little
           capable
           of
           being
           pleaded
           by
           way
           of
           mitigation
           of
           the
           sinn
           of
           swearing
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           iniquity
           ,
           that
           it
           renders
           it
           the
           more
           mischievous
           and
           dangerous
           .
           The
           Lord
           by
           the
           Prophet
           
             Ieremy
          
           gives
           an
           account
           of
           the
           state
           of
           
             Iudah
             ,
             Chap.
             13.
             23.
             
             Can
             the
             Aethiopian
             change
             his
             skin
             ,
             or
             the
             Leopard
             his
             spots
             ?
             then
             may
             ye
             also
             do
             good
             who
             are
             accustomed
             to
             do
             evill
             .
          
           But
           was
           this
           any
           advantage
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           so
           accustomed
           to
           evill
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           not
           leave
           it
           ?
           No
           ,
           for
           it
           follows
           
             vers.
             24.
             
             Therefore
             will
             I
             scatter
             them
             as
             the
             stubble
             that
             passeth
             away
             by
             the
             winde
             of
             the
             wildernesse
             .
             This
             is
             thy
             lot
             ,
             the
             portion
             of
             thy
             measures
             from
             me
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           Let
           men
           take
           heed
           of
           customary
           sins
           .
           If
           men
           will
           be
           wont
           to
           sin
           ,
           God
           is
           wont
           to
           punish
           .
        
         
           Others
           there
           are
           more
           deliberate
           in
           this
           wickednesse
           ,
           and
           so
           more
           guilty
           ;
           they
           think
           it
           a
           kinde
           of
           a
           gallantrie
           and
           gracefulnesse
           of
           speech
           to
           interlace
           it
           with
           Oathes
           and
           Execrations
           ;
           nay
           ,
           some
           are
           become
           so
           exceeding
           vain
           and
           vile
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           study
           new-fashion'd
           Oathes
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           cloaths
           ,
           and
           so
           go
           down
           to
           destruction
           in
           the
           right
           mode
           :
           Concerning
           these
           persons
           I
           know
           not
           well
           what
           to
           say
           ,
           but
           choose
           rather
           to
           stand
           and
           admire
           ,
           first
           ,
           the
           depth
           of
           wickednesse
           and
           madnesse
           in
           the
           heart
           of
           man
           ,
           which
           casteth
           up
           such
           mire
           and
           dirt
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           infinite
           patience
           of
           the
           God
           of
           heaven
           ,
           who
           is
           highly
           sensible
           of
           such
           affronts
           and
           provocations
           ,
           and
           easily
           able
           to
           avenge
           himself
           ,
           yet
           forbears
           to
           execute
           his
           just
           displeasure
           .
           But
           let
           them
           who
           like
           raging
           waves
           of
           the
           Sea
           thus
           foam
           out
           their
           owne
           shame
           ,
           and
           vent
           the
           superfluity
           of
           naughtinesse
           that
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           know
           ,
           that
           though
           God
           be
           long
           suffering
           ,
           yet
           he
           will
           not
           alwayes
           suffer
           ,
           his
           patience
           hath
           prefixed
           bounds
           ;
           and
           though
           for
           some
           time
           there
           may
           be
           one
           event
           to
           the
           righteous
           and
           the
           sinner
           ,
           
             to
             him
             that
             sweareth
             and
             him
             that
             feareth
             an
             oath
             ,
          
           as
           saith
           the
           Preacher
           ,
           
             Eccles.
          
           9.
           2.
           yet
           there
           is
           a
           day
           of
           the
           revelation
           of
           the
           
           righteous
           judgement
           of
           God
           approaching
           ,
           and
           then
           will
           the
           Lord
           put
           an
           everlasting
           difference
           betwixt
           the
           righteous
           and
           the
           wicked
           ;
           
             betwixt
             him
             that
             serveth
             God
             ,
             and
             him
             that
             serves
             him
             not
             ,
             Malach.
             3.
             ult.
          
           It
           may
           be
           such
           profane
           persons
           finde
           not
           the
           Curse
           entered
           into
           their
           houses
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           threatning
           
             Zach.
          
           5.
           3
           ,
           4.
           but
           it
           is
           entred
           into
           their
           hearts
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           worse
           consequence
           ,
           for
           by
           their
           hardnesse
           and
           impenitency
           they
           treasure
           up
           wrath
           against
           the
           day
           of
           wrath
           .
        
         
           And
           though
           the
           persons
           mentioned
           do
           most
           notoriously
           offend
           against
           this
           rule
           of
           swearing
           in
           judgement
           ,
           for
           they
           have
           no
           judgement
           in
           their
           goings
           or
           doings
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           the
           onely
           offenders
           in
           this
           point
           ;
           there
           are
           many
           who
           call
           others
           to
           swear
           ,
           and
           are
           called
           lawfully
           thereunto
           ;
           that
           rush
           upon
           oathes
           without
           due
           consideration
           :
           they
           consider
           not
           the
           weight
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           or
           the
           necessity
           of
           an
           Oath
           in
           the
           case
           .
           Every
           unnecessary
           Oath
           is
           a
           vain
           Oath
           ,
           and
           litigious
           persons
           who
           occasion
           many
           Oathes
           for
           the
           decision
           of
           their
           needlesse
           controversies
           ,
           will
           finde
           they
           have
           much
           to
           answer
           for
           ;
           their
           sins
           against
           charitie
           by
           contentions
           ,
           against
           justice
           by
           vexations
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           by
           calling
           men
           to
           swear
           about
           that
           which
           is
           hardly
           worthy
           a
           mans
           going
           over
           the
           threshold
           to
           prove
           .
           And
           though
           
             Erasmus
          
           was
           too
           strict
           in
           saying
           ,
           
             Non
             est
             ingenui
             Christiani
             jur
             are
             pro
             rebus
             hujus
             seculi
             ,
             pro
             praediis
             &
             nummis
             ;
          
           yet
           the
           truth
           lies
           very
           near
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           men
           should
           be
           very
           backward
           to
           swearing
           in
           such
           cases
           ,
           and
           utterly
           averse
           if
           the
           difference
           may
           otherwise
           be
           determined
           .
           
           An
           Oath
           is
           rather
           to
           be
           reckoned
           
             in
             necessariis
             quam
             in
             simpliciter
             bonis
             .
          
           The
           command
           to
           swear
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Deuter.
          
           6.
           13.
           is
           not
           like
           that
           of
           
             calling
             upon
             his
             name
             ,
          
           but
           the
           meaning
           is
           ,
           If
           there
           be
           a
           just
           occasion
           of
           thy
           swearing
           ,
           then
           let
           it
           be
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           any
           Idol
           or
           Creature
           .
        
         
           Others
           consider
           not
           the
           solemnity
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           the
           Majestie
           and
           Dread
           of
           that
           Name
           which
           is
           in
           vocated
           thereby
           ,
           but
           lightly
           ,
           hastily
           ,
           and
           irreverently
           use
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           full
           of
           provocation
           .
           It
           is
           sad
           to
           see
           how
           in
           Courts
           of
           Justice
           ,
           where
           Magistrates
           are
           tender
           enough
           of
           their
           own
           Honour
           and
           Power
           ,
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           is
           profaned
           with
           rude
           and
           irreverent
           swearing
           :
           what
           hudling
           of
           Oathes
           there
           is
           with
           very
           little
           sense
           or
           
           consideration
           of
           the
           weight
           and
           importance
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           if
           administred
           with
           deliberation
           and
           solemnitie
           ,
           would
           conduce
           much
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           right
           end
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           serious
           confirmation
           of
           a
           Truth
           in
           question
           .
           And
           it
           would
           be
           no
           small
           degree
           of
           reformation
           among
           us
           in
           civill
           proceedings
           ,
           if
           the
           number
           of
           Oathes
           were
           lessened
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           must
           be
           taken
           were
           administred
           with
           more
           solemnitie
           ,
           as
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           ought
           to
           be
           :
           Let
           me
           therefore
           put
           you
           my
           Lord
           Maior
           &
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           in
           mind
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           intrusted
           you
           with
           a
           very
           great
           Treasure
           ,
           which
           is
           
             The
             glorious
             and
             fearfull
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             ,
          
           which
           he
           is
           very
           tender
           of
           ,
           and
           expects
           you
           should
           be
           so
           also
           ,
           and
           expresse
           your
           regard
           thereto
           ,
           by
           punishing
           unlawfull
           Oathes
           ,
           preventing
           unnecessary
           Oathes
           ,
           and
           duly
           regulating
           those
           which
           are
           lawfull
           and
           necessary
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           truth
           and
           peace
           .
           The
           day
           is
           hastening
           upon
           us
           when
           we
           shall
           have
           no
           other
           refuge
           but
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           strong
           Power
           to
           the
           righteous
           ,
           
             Proverbs
          
           18.
           10.
           and
           how
           sad
           will
           it
           be
           to
           finde
           such
           a
           repulse
           as
           this
           ,
           
             What
             have
             you
             to
             do
             take
             my
             Name
             in
             your
             mouthes
             ,
             which
             you
             have
             profaned
             and
             suffered
             to
             be
             profaned
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             executing
             the
             Power
             and
             Trust
             committed
             to
             you
             by
             God
             and
             men
             ?
          
           Is
           not
           every
           mans
           particular
           burthen
           heavie
           enough
           for
           him
           to
           bear
           ?
           Let
           us
           not
           then
           neither
           Magistrates
           nor
           Ministers
           (
           for
           we
           are
           most
           concerned
           )
           make
           our selves
           partakers
           of
           other
           mens
           sins
           ,
           by
           not
           discharging
           our
           dutie
           to
           them
           .
           This
           shall
           suffice
           o
           have
           spoken
           of
           〈…〉
           wherein
           I
           have
           had
           more
           speciall
           respect
           to
           ass
           〈…〉
           I
           come
           now
           to
           the
           second
           ,
           which
           will
           more
           directly
           c
           〈…〉
           
             Oathes
             promissory
             ,
          
           such
           as
           you
           have
           taken
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           
             Propos.
             II.
             It
             is
             utterly
             abominable
             to
             forswear
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             perform
             our
             Oathes
             unto
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           The
           righteousnesse
           of
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           which
           came
           short
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           short
           of
           Heaven
           (
           as
           I
           have
           already
           said
           )
           yet
           reach●d
           thus
           far
           ,
           that
           Oathes
           were
           to
           be
           performed
           ;
           if
           Scripture
           were
           silent
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           and
           Nations
           would
           speak
           plain
           and
           loud
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           there
           being
           hardly
           any
           sin
           upon
           which
           they
           have
           set
           a
           fowler
           mark
           then
           that
           of
           perjury
           ;
           I
           suppose
           because
           of
           the
           peculiar
           mischief
           and
           malignitie
           that
           it
           carries
           with
           it
           to
           humane
           Societies
           ,
           which
           are
           preserved
           by
           truth
           and
           fidelity
           .
           
             Apud
             omnes
             populos
             &
             
             ab
             omni
             aevo
             circa
             pollicitationes
             et
             contractus
             maxima
             semper
             vis
             fui●
             jures
             jurandi
             .
          
           
           I
           think
           it
           utterly
           superfluous
           to
           produce
           any
           thing
           by
           way
           of
           proof
           in
           so
           clear
           a
           point
           as
           this
           is
           ,
           I
           only
           give
           this
           argument
           from
           the
           lesse
           to
           the
           greater
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           generally
           look'd
           upon
           as
           unworthy
           to
           break
           a
           mans
           word
           or
           promise
           (
           as
           indeed
           it
           is
           ,
           for
           it
           renders
           a
           man
           inconstant
           ,
           if
           not
           unfaithfull
           )
           much
           more
           unworthy
           is
           it
           to
           recede
           from
           a
           promise
           strengthened
           and
           seconded
           with
           an
           Oath
           .
           It
           is
           worth
           the
           consideration
           that
           of
           
             Paul
             .
             2
             Cor.
          
           1.
           17.
           
           Where
           you
           find
           him
           exceeding
           solicitor
           to
           preserve
           his
           reputation
           from
           the
           stain
           of
           lightnesse
           ;
           
             When
             therefore
             was
             thus
             minded
             did
             I
             use
             lightnesse
             ?
             or
             the
             things
             that
             purpose
             do
             I
             purpose
             according
             to
             the
             flesh
             ,
             that
             with
             me
             there
             should
             b●
             yea
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             nay
             ,
             nay
             ?
             But
             as
             God
             is
             true
             ,
             our
             word
             toward
             you
             wa●
             not
             yea
             ,
             and
             nay
             :
          
           And
           so
           it
           becomes
           every
           one
           that
           nameth
           the
           name
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             the
             faithfull
             and
             true
             witnesse
             ,
          
           to
           have
           a
           tende●
           respect
           to
           credit
           and
           conscience
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           Oathes
           and
           promises
           which
           is
           one
           speciall
           branch
           of
           that
           blessed
           exercise
           o●keeping
           
             a
             good
             conscience
             void
             of
             offence
             toward
             God
             and
             toward
             men
             .
          
        
         
           To
           this
           may
           be
           added
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           strictnesse
           o●
           God
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           how
           severe
           hath
           he
           been
           in
           reprehensions
           and
           punishments
           for
           the
           violation
           of
           
             promissory
             Oathes
             ,
          
           though
           some
           excuse
           might
           have
           been
           pleaded
           for
           the
           breach
           of
           them
           ▪
           When
           
             Saul
          
           broke
           the
           Oath
           made
           by
           
             Ioshua
          
           and
           the
           Princes
           o●
           the
           Congregation
           to
           the
           
             Gibeonites
             ,
             Ioshua
          
           9.
           15.
           he
           might
           have
           said
           it
           was
           made
           by
           his
           Predecessors
           ,
           but
           not
           by
           himself
           ;
           it
           was
           a
           surprize
           ,
           a
           Covenant
           obtained
           by
           indirect
           and
           fallacious
           means
           ,
           it
           seemed
           to
           clash
           with
           the
           injunction
           of
           God
           for
           destroying
           the
           Nations
           ;
           &
           lastly
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           it
           not
           out
           of
           revenge
           or
           self-interest
           ,
           but
           in
           zeal
           to
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Children
           of
           
             Israel
             :
          
           but
           notwithstanding
           all
           these
           Pleas
           ,
           the
           Lord
           took
           himself
           so
           much
           concerned
           in
           the
           breach
           ,
           that
           he
           looked
           upon
           the
           House
           of
           
             Saul
          
           as
           a
           
             bloody
             House
          
           for
           this
           cause
           ,
           and
           took
           a
           sharp
           recompense
           for
           his
           transgression
           ,
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           21.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           &c.
           
           Another
           instance
           may
           be
           that
           of
           the
           King
           and
           Princes
           of
           
             Iudah
             ,
          
           who
           being
           overcome
           by
           the
           King
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           entered
           into
           an
           Oath
           and
           a
           Covenant
           with
           him
           ,
           which
           afterward
           they
           violated
           ,
           by
           sending
           Ambassadours
           to
           
             Aegypt
          
           for
           Auxiliaries
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           get
           their
           neck
           from
           under
           the
           Yoke
           .
           Forth
           is
           also
           something
           
           might
           be
           pleaded
           ,
           as
           That
           it
           was
           a
           forced
           Oath
           ,
           drawn
           from
           them
           in
           extremity
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           contrary
           to
           the
           promises
           made
           to
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           that
           it
           should
           be
           high
           above
           all
           Nations
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           honour
           and
           interest
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           to
           be
           under
           the
           oppression
           of
           strangers
           :
           should
           
             Israel
          
           be
           a
           servant
           ,
           a
           home-born
           slave
           ,
           and
           not
           deliver
           himself
           at
           his
           first
           advantage
           ?
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           the
           Lord
           tels
           them
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           oath
           was
           made
           to
           the
           King
           of
           
             Babylon
          
           that
           was
           his
           enemy
           as
           well
           as
           theirs
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           the
           Lords
           Oath
           :
           
             Theref●re
             thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             I
             live
             surely
             mine
             Oath
             that
             he
             hath
             despised
             ,
             and
             my
             Covenant
             that
             he
             hath
             broken
             ,
             even
             it
             will
             I
             recompense
             upon
             his
             own
             head
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             spread
             my
             Net
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             be
             taken
             in
             my
             snare
             ;
          
           seeing
           no
           Bands
           of
           mens
           making
           will
           hold
           him
           fast
           ,
           I
           will
           make
           a
           snare
           for
           him
           in
           which
           he
           shall
           be
           surely
           held
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           notwithstanding
           the
           strictnesse
           of
           the
           obligation
           of
           
             promissory
             Oathes
             ,
          
           there
           will
           be
           sometimes
           a
           necessitie
           of
           dispensation
           ,
           some
           explicatory
           Rules
           must
           be
           added
           ;
           as
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           An
           unlawfull
           Oath
           or
           engagement
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           that
           which
           obliges
           to
           a
           sinfull
           Act
           ,
           a
           breach
           of
           any
           of
           Gods
           Commandements
           ,
           must
           not
           be
           performed
           .
           
           
             Iuramentun
             non
             debet
             esse
             vinculum
             iniquitatis
             .
             Ames
             .
          
           and
           therefore
           
             David
          
           did
           much
           better
           in
           breaking
           his
           Oath
           made
           against
           
             Naball
          
           and
           his
           house
           by
           way
           of
           revenge
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           25.
           22
           
           :
           23.
           then
           
             Herod
          
           did
           by
           keeping
           that
           rash
           and
           sinfull
           engagement
           made
           to
           
             Herodias
             ,
             Matth.
          
           14.
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           For
           though
           it
           may
           seem
           to
           reflect
           upon
           the
           obligation
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           that
           in
           any
           case
           it
           should
           be
           remitted
           ,
           yet
           it
           would
           be
           a
           greater
           dishonour
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           an
           Oath
           if
           it
           should
           be
           allowed
           to
           tye
           a
           man
           to
           the
           disobedience
           of
           Gods
           commands
           ,
           and
           so
           have
           influence
           into
           sin
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           any
           be
           so
           unwarrantably
           engaged
           ,
           they
           must
           repent
           of
           the
           first
           sin
           in
           making
           such
           an
           Oath
           ,
           and
           not
           adde
           a
           second
           in
           the
           keeping
           of
           it
           :
           for
           as
           we
           say
           of
           precepts
           ,
           so
           we
           may
           of
           promises
           ,
           
           
             Praeceptum
             inferioris
             non
             obligat
             contra
             potestatem
             superioris
             .
          
           Neither
           precepts
           nor
           promises
           made
           against
           the
           lawfull
           power
           of
           our
           Superiour
           ,
           (
           much
           lesse
           our
           supreme
           God
           himself
           )
           are
           binding
           .
           Naturall
           light
           reaches
           thus
           far
           ,
           
           for
           we
           find
           in
           
             Curtius
          
           that
           
             Nicomachus
          
           having
           rashly
           sworn
           secrecy
           to
           
             Dymnus
             ,
          
           when
           he
           understood
           the
           businesse
           to
           be
           an
           intended
           murther
           against
           the
           King
           ,
           he
           denied
           
           that
           he
           was
           obliged
           by
           a
           religious
           Bond
           to
           a
           wicked
           Act
           ,
           and
           revealed
           the
           matter
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           An
           Oath
           binds
           not
           to
           impossibility
           ,
           to
           swear
           that
           which
           is
           at
           the
           present
           impossible
           ,
           is
           great
           rashnesse
           and
           folly
           ;
           but
           a
           man
           sometimes
           finds
           it
           impossible
           to
           perform
           that
           which
           was
           possible
           when
           he
           engaged
           to
           it
           ,
           but
           certainly
           with
           the
           possibilitie
           the
           obligation
           ceases
           ,
           and
           it
           suffies
           that
           there
           be
           a
           willingnesse
           to
           perform
           ,
           and
           a
           propensitie
           to
           embrace
           an
           opportunity
           of
           fulfilling
           it
           when
           God
           shall
           render
           it
           possible
           and
           fit
           to
           be
           done
           ;
           and
           here
           the
           Lord
           himself
           makes
           a
           dispensation
           by
           providence
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           case
           of
           an
           unlawfull
           Oath
           he
           doth
           by
           Precept
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           the
           Oath
           be
           lawfull
           and
           possible
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           extremely
           prejudiciall
           ,
           and
           incovenient
           unto
           the
           person
           so
           ingaged
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           to
           dispense
           with
           the
           performance
           of
           it
           .
           This
           is
           made
           a
           character
           of
           a
           Citizen
           of
           
             Zion
             ,
          
           that
           he
           sweareth
           to
           his
           own
           hurt
           ,
           and
           changeth
           not
           ;
           and
           it
           sufficeth
           not
           for
           an
           excuse
           of
           the
           breach
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           
             We
             did
             it
             rashly
             and
             upon
             mistakes
             ,
          
           for
           so
           might
           
             Ioshua
          
           and
           the
           Princes
           of
           
             Israel
          
           have
           said
           concerning
           their
           Oath
           to
           the
           
             Gibeonites
             ,
          
           which
           was
           an
           Oath
           of
           disadvantage
           to
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           as
           
             Saul
          
           thought
           ,
           when
           in
           zeal
           to
           their
           good
           he
           brake
           it
           ,
           and
           an
           Oath
           wherein
           they
           were
           surprized
           ,
           yet
           they
           were
           obliged
           by
           it
           .
           And
           as
           for
           that
           dispensation
           which
           some
           allow
           in
           the
           case
           of
           prejudice
           to
           publike
           good
           ,
           although
           I
           would
           not
           wholly
           reject
           it
           ,
           for
           a
           man
           may
           pass
           away
           his
           own
           right
           when
           he
           cannot
           do
           so
           with
           the
           publique
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           to
           be
           admitted
           with
           very
           much
           caution
           and
           tendernesse
           ,
           because
           there
           is
           great
           danger
           least
           it
           open
           a
           gap
           to
           unjust
           and
           unnecessary
           violations
           of
           this
           religious
           bond
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           a
           cloke
           to
           private
           interests
           as
           frequently
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           therefore
           let
           it
           be
           a
           clear
           and
           indisputable
           good
           ,
           and
           judged
           so
           to
           be
           by
           others
           rather
           then
           him
           that
           is
           to
           dispence
           with
           his
           Oath
           about
           it
           .
           To
           keep
           an
           Oath
           with
           my
           own
           disadvantage
           is
           a
           demonstration
           how
           far
           I
           prefer
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           honour
           of
           Religion
           unto
           my
           own
           concernments
           ,
           and
           so
           an
           argument
           of
           sincerity
           toward
           God
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           of
           honesty
           among
           men
           .
           Having
           gone
           as
           far
           as
           the
           limits
           of
           a
           Sermon
           will
           permitt
           ,
           I
           must
           refer
           to
           Treatises
           for
           that
           which
           is
           further
           desired
           concerning
           this
           subject
           ,
           onely
           I
           must
           close
           with
           a
           word
           of
           application
           .
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           
           to
           those
           who
           have
           the
           power
           of
           imposing
           promissory
           Oathes
           upon
           others
           ;
           that
           they
           would
           be
           exceeding
           tender
           ,
           nay
           I
           will
           say
           ,
           backward
           and
           averse
           unto
           such
           kind
           of
           obligations
           ,
           some
           have
           thought
           them
           utterly
           unlawfull
           and
           that
           our
           Saviour
           in
           this
           Text
           intends
           the
           prohibition
           of
           them
           ,
           whom
           though
           we
           cannot
           agree
           to
           ,
           yet
           we
           must
           acknowledge
           them
           to
           be
           exceeding
           dangerous
           ;
           
             Assrrtory
          
           Oathes
           are
           the
           end
           of
           all
           strife
           ,
           but
           
             promissory
          
           Oathes
           prove
           many
           times
           the
           beginnings
           and
           aggravations
           of
           strife
           ,
           and
           if
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           great
           care
           to
           avoid
           unnecessary
           Oathes
           in
           case
           of
           assertion
           ,
           certainly
           much
           more
           in
           case
           of
           obligation
           :
           to
           offend
           in
           the
           former
           is
           an
           act
           more
           transient
           ,
           in
           the
           latter
           more
           permanent
           .
           Governours
           are
           ready
           to
           think
           it
           is
           their
           great
           security
           to
           establish
           themselves
           by
           Oathes
           ,
           Covenants
           ,
           &
           engagements
           ;
           the
           use
           of
           them
           is
           not
           absolutely
           denyed
           ,
           but
           the
           abuse
           and
           unprofitablesse
           of
           them
           is
           evidently
           manifest
           ;
           how
           easily
           men
           say
           even
           concerning
           these
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             break
             their
             bonds
             in
             sunder
             ,
             and
             cast
             away
             their
             cords
             from
             us
             .
          
           The
           policies
           of
           men
           have
           been
           pronounced
           vain
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           men
           purpose
           according
           to
           the
           flesh
           ,
           (
           as
           
             Paul
          
           speaks
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           1.
           )
           their
           words
           will
           be
           yea
           and
           nay
           ;
           and
           especially
           to
           do
           it
           at
           such
           a
           time
           as
           this
           ,
           a
           time
           of
           unsetlednesse
           and
           quick
           revolution
           ,
           wherein
           it
           were
           too
           hard
           a
           task
           to
           bid
           a
           man
           lay
           hold
           of
           the
           Sails
           of
           a
           whirling
           Windmill
           ,
           or
           stay
           the
           wheels
           of
           a
           running
           Chariot
           :
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           men
           will
           not
           be
           bound
           ,
           much
           lesse
           will
           the
           Almighty
           by
           such
           Cords
           as
           these
           .
           
             Canst
             thou
             draw
             out
             Leviathan
             ●ith
             a
             Hook
             ?
          
           Job
           41.
           1.
           
        
         
           The
           like
           may
           be
           said
           in
           some
           degree
           concerning
           the
           Oathes
           taken
           by
           inferiour
           Officers
           ,
           by
           Tradesmen
           in
           Companies
           and
           Corporations
           ;
           these
           Oathes
           are
           too
           much
           used
           ,
           and
           too
           little
           observed
           among
           them
           :
           I
           think
           it
           is
           possible
           to
           hold
           forth
           a
           more
           excellent
           way
           both
           in
           the
           former
           case
           and
           this
           latter
           ;
           if
           ●agistrates
           would
           take
           fast
           hold
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           lay
           firm
           obligations
           upon
           them
           ;
           it
           must
           not
           be
           by
           words
           ,
           but
           actions
           ;
           not
           ●y
           the
           peoples
           Promises
           ,
           but
           their
           own
           performances
           :
           
             Vbi
             non
             〈◊〉
             sanctitas
             ,
             pietas
             ,
             fides
             ,
             instabile
             regnum
             est
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Heathen
           Poet
           .
           ●onsciencious
           persons
           who
           lay
           to
           heart
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           ●●ould
           be
           obliged
           by
           nothing
           more
           then
           due
           liberty
           and
           order
           〈◊〉
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           two
           howsoever
           they
           have
           been
           
           kept
           at
           distance
           ,
           are
           not
           onely
           possible
           but
           willing
           to
           be
           reconciled
           .
           
             Faith
          
           and
           
             Order
          
           are
           matter
           of
           rejoycing
           to
           an
           Apostle
           
             Col.
          
           2.
           5.
           
           And
           as
           those
           who
           are
           for
           heaven
           would
           be
           most
           ingaged
           by
           such
           means
           ;
           so
           they
           who
           are
           for
           the
           earth
           ,
           by
           consulting
           their
           profit
           &
           their
           quiet
           ,
           both
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           by
           publike
           justice
           in
           which
           all
           are
           equally
           concerned
           .
           And
           as
           to
           the
           
             latter
             case
             ,
          
           concerning
           the
           tying
           of
           Officers
           and
           others
           to
           their
           duties
           by
           the
           Bond
           of
           Oathes
           ,
           it
           is
           indeed
           in
           it self
           the
           most
           sacred
           and
           strong
           tye
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           not
           so
           to
           the
           generalitie
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           are
           more
           awed
           by
           Penalties
           then
           by
           Oathes
           ;
           and
           till
           the
           reverence
           of
           an
           Oath
           be
           restored
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           men
           shall
           regard
           their
           
             Consciences
          
           more
           then
           their
           
             Purses
             ;
          
           it
           would
           be
           advantage
           to
           both
           Parties
           concerned
           in
           
             Promissory
             Oathes
             ,
          
           that
           
             penalties
          
           were
           many
           times
           imposed
           in
           the
           room
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           adde
           a
           word
           to
           those
           persons
           who
           are
           ingaged
           in
           Oathes
           promissory
           .
           First
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           look
           back
           upon
           all
           the
           solemn
           obligations
           of
           this
           kinde
           into
           which
           we
           have
           at
           any
           time
           entred
           ,
           and
           seriously
           bewail
           before
           the
           Lord
           our
           great
           sin
           and
           folly
           concerning
           them
           ;
           how
           rashly
           ,
           slightly
           ,
           implicitely
           and
           inconsiderately
           have
           we
           adventured
           upon
           Oathes
           ,
           Schollers
           in
           the
           Universities
           ,
           Tradesmen
           upon
           their
           admissions
           to
           
             freedom
             ,
          
           Officers
           entring
           on
           publike
           employments
           ?
           and
           if
           we
           search
           our
           consciences
           it
           may
           be
           we
           shall
           finde
           little
           of
           them
           remaining
           ,
           but
           the
           guilt
           ;
           let
           us
           humble
           our selves
           and
           pray
           that
           it
           may
           be
           removed
           .
           And
           let
           us
           not
           think
           that
           sufficient
           ,
           but
           account
           it
           our
           dutie
           to
           revive
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           farr
           as
           it
           is
           lawfull
           or
           possible
           ,
           hold
           our selves
           obliged
           to
           perform
           them
           ,
           though
           we
           have
           been
           incautelously
           and
           unwisely
           surprized
           in
           them
           .
           Loose
           and
           libertine
           spirits
           are
           very
           forward
           to
           say
           ,
           Let
           us
           break
           these
           Bonds
           in
           sunder
           ,
           and
           cast
           away
           these
           Cords
           from
           us
           ;
           let
           us
           look
           upon
           them
           as
           Almanacks
           out
           of
           date
           ;
           but
           let
           such
           take
           heed
           they
           reckon
           not
           without
           the
           Lord
           ,
           whose
           account
           shall
           only
           stand
           in
           the
           day
           of
           our
           great
           account
           ,
           and
           if
           that
           be
           found
           upon
           the
           File
           ,
           which
           we
           thought
           had
           been
           cancelled
           it
           wil
           be
           a
           sad
           reckoning
           ▪
           And
           to
           invort
           that
           of
           the
           Roman
           Senatour
           :
           
             Si
             non
             Romiae
             tamen
             vestri
             miserescite
             .
          
           If
           you
           have
           no
           compassion
           of
           your selves
           ,
           yet
           pitty
           a
           poor
           Nation
           that
           lies
           mourning
           under
           Oathes
           ,
           
           not
           only
           the
           rash
           vain
           Oathes
           of
           profane
           and
           licentious
           men
           ,
           but
           
           deliberate
           promissory
           Oathes
           and
           Covenants
           so
           frequently
           and
           ●alsly
           violated
           .
           I
           would
           not
           extenuate
           any
           sin
           ,
           much
           lesse
           that
           of
           swearing
           ,
           but
           the
           ●ormer
           Oathes
           are
           like
           man
           slaughter
           ,
           when
           the
           latter
           are
           as
           murther
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             forgive
             our
             sin
             and
             heal
             our
             Land
             .
          
        
         
           And
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           let
           us
           as
           far
           as
           possibly
           we
           may
           avoid
           them
           ,
           
             Falsa
             juratio
             mala
             est
             ,
             omnis
             periculosa
             .
          
           But
           if
           there
           be
           a
           just
           and
           necessary
           occasion
           for
           a
           promissory
           Oath
           ,
           as
           sometimes
           there
           may
           ,
           let
           us
           be
           exceeding
           circumspect
           in
           the
           taking
           of
           it
           ,
           well
           weighing
           what
           we
           do
           and
           with
           what
           intention
           ,
           and
           being
           once
           engaged
           ,
           not
           to
           study
           evasions
           but
           executions
           of
           trust
           and
           promise
           .
           What
           can
           I
           say
           more
           then
           the
           Lord
           hath
           said
           in
           his
           perpetuall
           law
           :
           
             The
             Lord
             will
             not
             hold
             him
             guiltlesse
             that
             taketh
             his
             Name
             in
             vain
             .
          
           There
           is
           much
           said
           ,
           but
           more
           intended
           then
           expressed
           ,
           in
           these
           words
           ;
           the
           Lord
           will
           deal
           with
           such
           a
           person
           as
           one
           who
           is
           deeply
           guilty
           of
           provocation
           .
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           be
           particular
           and
           plain
           :
           You
           my
           
             Lord
             Major
          
           and
           
             Sheriffs
          
           are
           under
           the
           band
           of
           an
           Oath
           ;
           
             That
             you
             will
             diligently
             execute
             the
             office
             you
             are
             called
             unto
             according
             to
             your
             skil
             ,
             power
             and
             understanding
             .
          
           Hereby
           you
           are
           tacitely
           obliged
           to
           do
           your
           utmost
           to
           understand
           the
           duty
           of
           your
           places
           ,
           and
           expresly
           bound
           to
           execute
           them
           to
           the
           
             utmost
          
           of
           your
           skil
           and
           power
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           
             great
             word
          
           and
           hard
           to
           be
           performed
           .
        
         
           You
           the
           Aldermen
           ,
           Common-Councell
           ,
           and
           four
           and
           twenty
           (
           as
           you
           are
           called
           )
           are
           sworn
           
             to
             assist
             the
             Mayor
             in
             his
             office
             ,
             to
             come
             to
             Councell
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             when
             you
             are
             sent
             for
             ,
             unlesse
             you
             have
             a
             just
             excuse
             ;
          
           take
           heed
           of
           hindring
           instead
           of
           assisting
           ,
           take
           heed
           of
           absenting
           your selves
           upon
           frivolous
           excuses
           ,
           or
           things
           of
           lesse
           moment
           then
           that
           you
           are
           called
           unto
           ;
           think
           not
           to
           be
           your
           own
           judges
           in
           the
           excuse
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           another
           besides
           you
           ,
           and
           above
           you
           ,
           whose
           Judgment
           is
           according
           to
           truth
           .
           Think
           not
           that
           if
           you
           have
           not
           taken
           the
           Oath
           this
           year
           ,
           you
           are
           not
           obliged
           ,
           a
           former
           Oath
           binds
           you
           as
           long
           as
           you
           continue
           in
           your
           Station
           .
           Give
           not
           heed
           to
           evasions
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           doubtfull
           things
           take
           the
           safer
           course
           .
           You
           also
           take
           an
           Oath
           of
           
             secrecy
             ,
          
           in
           which
           there
           is
           a
           snare
           ,
           be
           carefull
           that
           you
           be
           not
           taken
           in
           it
           ,
           but
           let
           prudence
           and
           conscience
           set
           a
           watch
           before
           the
           door
           of
           your
           lips
           .
        
         
         
           You
           that
           are
           Freemen
           of
           the
           Citie
           are
           also
           under
           this
           sacred
           Bond
           ,
           
             for
             preserv●tion
             of
             the
             due
             rights
             and
             priviledges
             of
             the
             Citie
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             obedient
             to
             the
             just
             and
             good
             goverment
             of
             the
             same
             :
          
           Take
           you
           heed
           also
           ,
           and
           be
           exceeding
           circumspect
           ,
           dispence
           not
           with
           your
           obedience
           ,
           where
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Land
           allow
           not
           a
           dispensation
           ;
           think
           not
           it
           is
           left
           to
           your
           private
           determination
           ,
           what
           is
           just
           and
           good
           goverment
           ;
           you
           must
           take
           it
           as
           you
           find
           it
           ,
           and
           do
           all
           things
           without
           murmurings
           and
           disputings
           ,
           where
           the
           Lawes
           of
           your
           Superiors
           are
           not
           contrary
           to
           the
           Divine
           and
           Supreme
           Law
           .
           So
           shall
           you
           seek
           and
           procure
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Citie
           ,
           and
           of
           your
           own
           souls
           also
           .
        
         
           You
           are
           sometimes
           called
           as
           Jurors
           ,
           and
           sworn
           
             to
             make
             true
             Inquisitions
             and
             Presentments
             ;
             not
             to
             present
             for
             hatred
             or
             malice
             ,
             not
             to
             forbear
             Presenting
             for
             favour
             or
             reward
             ,
             truly
             to
             trie
             Issues
             according
             to
             your
             evidence
             ,
          
           not
           your
           priv●●e
           opinions
           and
           mistaken
           charitie
           .
           Take
           the
           counsell
           given
           by
           
             Moses
          
           to
           Israel
           ,
           
             Take
             head
             to
             your selves
             ,
             and
             keep
             your
             souls
             deligently
             .
             In
             all
             things
             that
             I
             have
             said
             unto
             you
             be
             circumspect
             .
          
           I
           adde
           only
           this
           one
           consideration
           from
           the
           usuall
           close
           of
           your
           Oathes
           wherein
           you
           promise
           to
           do
           such
           and
           such
           things
           ,
           
             so
             help
             you
             God
             ;
          
           a
           most
           weightie
           and
           important
           expression
           .
           If
           the
           Lord
           help
           not
           ,
           how
           sad
           is
           the
           condition
           of
           any
           of
           us
           ▪
           and
           shall
           we
           forfeit
           our
           Interest
           in
           it
           by
           breaking
           the
           Oathes
           we
           enter
           into
           ?
           and
           give
           the
           Lord
           occasion
           to
           say
           when
           we
           flie
           for
           help
           unto
           his
           Name
           ,
           
             How
             can
             you
             expect
             help
             from
             me
             ,
             remember
             the
             day
             when
             you
             said
             and
             swore
             ,
             that
             as
             you
             expected
             help
             from
             me
             ,
             you
             would
             do
             the
             things
             which
             you
             have
             not
             regarded
             .
          
           Thus
           have
           I
           according
           to
           my
           measure
           given
           in
           that
           counsell
           which
           I
           desire
           may
           be
           acceptable
           to
           you
           .
           The
           Lord
           by
           his
           blessed
           Spirit
           supply
           the
           defects
           of
           my
           words
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           our
           hearts
           and
           wayes
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A28913e-130
           
             Exod
             34.
             24.
             
          
           
             Hagg.
             1.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Tim
             2.
             1
             ,
             2
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             13.
             11.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A28913e-420
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             .
          
           
             Act.
             22.
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9
             :
             22.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             63.
             12.
             
          
           
             Ierem.
             10.
             25.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             32.
             40.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             89.
             35.
             
          
           
             Iam.
             5.
             12.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             22.
             11.
             
          
           
             Grot.
             de
             jure
             belli
             &
             pacis
             .
          
           
             Iuravit
             David
             temete
             sed
             non
             implevit
             jurationem
             majori
             pietate
             .
             August
             .
          
           
             Durand
             .
             lib.
             2
             :
             dist.
             39.
             
          
           
             lib.
             6
             :
             Cap.
             7.
             
          
           
             Application
             
          
           
             Iereniah
             23.
             10.