The Copy of a LETTER Sent from an unknown hand to that reverend man, now with God, Mr. Herbert Palmer, a Member of the Assembly concerning the great abuse of OATHS.  
The substance whereof was published to the Parliament by the said Mr. P. the 30. of September, 1646. viz.  
Concerning those oaths which are used in Corporations, and many other Societies. The customary irreligious taking of them making it become a Nationall sin, & calls aloud for Redress, specially at this time now that the Parliament is upon a general REFORMATION.  
Published for a general good, that men may take notice of this common abuse of Oaths as of a NATIONALL SIN.  
Because of swearing the Land mourns,  Jer. 13.10. 
June 23. LONDON, Printed by Matthew Simmons, 1648.   

A copy of a Letter sent to Mr. Palmer concerning the abuse of Oaths for form, custom, etc. in most Societies in this KINGDOM.  
Reverend Sir,  
I Beseech you be pleased to take notice, (from the pen of a stranger to you,) of a way wherein you may do a good service, as is conceived, to Christ and his Church in this Kingdom, by being a means to represent unto Authority a burden which lieth sadly and heavily upon many men of tender consciences in this Kingdom. And for that the Parliament is now upon a general Reformation, it is not to be doubted but that they will hearken to them that shall show them what particulars according to the word of God do need it. Therefore you being so near them and so often among them, and having many opportunities put into your hands by preaching before them, and otherwise, to promote it. Accept I beseech you this information, and take it as it is intended for the public good and benefit of the faithful, especially of the weaker.  
Sir, This pressure complained of is the great multitude of needless oaths commanded and enjoined, some by custom, and some by the laws of the Land, upon most sort of men in this Kingdom.  
There is scarce any society that any man can be admitted into in this Kingdom, but presently an oath is tendered him.  
1. Boys that are admitted into the University many times before they know what an oath is. There is tendered the oath of matriculation, they swear at their admittance to keep Statutes which it is questionable whether or no they have seen before the oath taken. And whether then they swear in judgement, righteousness and truth, is no hard matter to determine.  
2. As soon as a young man hath served out his Apprent ship in almost any Corporation; when he cometh to be made free, presently an oath is tendered him to maintain customs and privileges of that Corporation (and enwraps him in a snare the same day that he enters into the world to set up for himself) which customs how well they can be observed, the practice many times showeth. So that the taking of an oath which is so solemn a part of God's worship, is made a mere formality, a ceremony, a toy, to remember such a day of admittance by. In these kind of people the abuse of on oath may be called a snare.  
Then there are others, to whom it is a great burden, a stumbling block, as to all that enter into Offices, in the ordering the Commonwealth, as Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Parish-officers. There is sc●rce any way for a man to be never so little public, but presently this snare is thrown over his neck.  
If I should enter upon particulars they would swell above the dimensions of a letter, for they are very many, I shall therefore only touch some of them.  
1. The Churchwardens oath is removed (blessed be God) with the Canons: But still the Constable's oath is continued. Every year at the entrance into his office he taketh an oath, which he is as likely to observe as the young lads at Cambridge are to keep their matriculation-oath, or as the former oath was kept by Churchwardens. If the conscience scruple at it, presently they are in danger of the Law for refusing, or else in danger of a troubled conscience for acting against that scruple, by taking an oath with a doubting conscience.  
For examples hereof, take one for all, in a County wherein you have been a Pastor▪ viz. in Hartfordshire, at a Town called Hunsden, where the Constable chosen for this year 1646. being tender of taking the oath at his entrance on that office; was therefore upon his refusal bound over to answer it at the County Sessions. And how he escaped, I have not yet heard; for I know not whither they have had a Sessions since.  
If it be objected that it is useful that all which enter into office should have some Tie upon them to mind them of their office. I answer. 1. Can their be no tye found out but what must ensnare the conscience? I doubt not but that there may be many ways found out to engage them which are in office to a care of the performance far better and freer from this ensnaring the conscience.  
2. Those that are conscientious will be careful without this ty; those which are not, have only so much the more sin bound upon their shoulders; for it is not like that an oath will do it, when conscience of their duty moves them not.  
Yet I pray conceive not that with the Anabaptists I speak against all oaths, (for I know that an oath for testimony of a truth in question is so useful that a Christian Commonwealth cannot well be without it.) But the remedy which we desire, is,  
First, and principally against those oaths which are promissory, and contain so large promises, and so many, that they are very seldom performed, and scarce indeed possible to observe.  
2. Against those which are tendered to those of so young years, that they are ready to swear to any thing, not heeding.  
3. Against oaths given to them that understand not the nature of an oath.  
4. Against oaths pressed on those that scruple at matter or words ●n an oath.  
I need not mention to you (who understand these things so well) the great dishonour done to the name of God by this manifold abuse of an oath, only I shall mind you that this sin is conceived to be in the number of them that are called Nationall sins, (and therefore most-proper at this time of a general Reformation to be considered of) which is clear, if the observation of some be true who make that a Nationall sin, not which is most frequent in a Nation, but which hath most authority and countenance from the laws and government of the Nation. And I humbly submit to your consideration whither that Scripture, Because of Oaths the Land mourns, may not as well (if not more properly) be understood of these kind of oaths, as of those that are rashly uttered by profane ones in their ordinary discourse. Sure I am, some of these oaths being pressed upon some good Christians, have been unto them a ground of mourning, while they durst not swear through tenderness of conscience: and by refusal, have been debarred of those comforts they have sought, which they have been judged uncapable of, and unfit for, because of their refusal.  
I acknowledge that there are many these licentious times which cry our for liberty of conscience in matters not fit to be allowed them, when as it is indeed liberty to the flesh and licentiousness, which is intended and desired by th●m. Yet Sir, there are again that are indeed tender consciences, that out of such tenderness fear an oath: & to whom these ways of imposing an oath, are a burden, a snare, specially in a promissory oath, wherein (in regard of the multiplicity of particulars promised) the performance is of such transcendent d fficulty, that it cometh near an impossibility. And these upon my knowledge (upon their refusal) have been made mourners, and that even in these times, which have promised otherwise rejoicing to the hearts of the Saints,  
Ever since the beginning of our troubles, both sides have acknowledged that a special regard ought to be had to tender consciences; such as are truly so indeed, and not pretended, I wish it were as much considered when it comes to practice, as it hath in words been freely acknowledged. I am sure those that have needed a respect to their tenderness, have not found it so. But I shall not hold you any longer upon this subject.  
In the last place to add something concerning myself who have moved you to endeavour a redress this way. The searcher of hearts knoweth that my conscience hath urged me hereto, as having no rest in myself if I should not endeavour so far as I lawfully may a Reformation of a Nationall sin, and to be silent in God's cause may enwrap in the guilt of the crime; whereas by labouring the removal I shall at least deliver my own soul, which I beseech you Sir, as God shall give you opportunity seriously to consider and apply to yourself: And though you prevail not, yet you need not question but your very endeavour is acceptable with God. And that no other end hath moved me to write unto you, saving only the glory of God, and the good of his Church. I beseech him to judge (and reward me accordingly if it be otherwise) before whose judgment-seat we must one day all stand; wherein also I have concealed my name, and entreat you not to inquire it.  
And secondly, why I have made so bold with yourself in particular, of all the Assembly to address myself unto, I shall give you this reason, that I had strong encouragements to persuade me that I should prevail with you to be the man to break the ice in this business by promoting it to the consideration of Authority, for that I find you have laid to heart matters of fare l●sse concernment than this, in your book of making Religion one's business, Part 1. sect. 5. As in our ordinary discourse to say [with all my heart] or to use such a word as Infinite, because it is proper only to God, which is a fault so ordinary in our speech, that had not you hinted it, had been I suppose by sew observed. How much more in a solemn Ordinance to call upon the name of God, and ipso facto to profane it, by making it a mere formality.  
That solid judicious man Mr. Reynolds of the Assembly, in his Sermons on Hosea 14.1. Serm. 1. Sect. 10. hath this observation, That one sin generally unreformed, unrepented of, may undo a Kingdom. The Lord put it into the hearts of them in Authority to consider of it now, in this general Reformation which they are about, that they may not leave that one unreformed to the blasting of their other endeavours.  
And though I might have been taxed of too much boldness if I had written to some other, thus to put them upon such a work; yet I have good hope of you, that that humble Spirit wherewith the Lord hath endued you, will not take amiss what is done by your weak brother.  
The Lord bless your pains in the Ministry, and make you instrumental of much good to his Church, which is the prayer of  
Your unknown friend, a servant of the same Mr. P. P.   

Christian Reader,  
THis Letteer being sent, & delivered to that godly man Mr. Palmer, he was very sensible of the great dishonour daily done the name of God by this abuse of an Oath: and therefore the very next time that he preached before the Parliament (which was at the Fast, Sept. 30. 1646.) he earnestly urged the removal of these oaths, and that specially on these grounds. 1. Because God's name is hereby from time to time fearfully taken in vain. 2. The party's conscience often wounded. 3. Men are hereby enured to wretched profaneness, and not to fear an oath at any time in the most serious matters of Justice▪ Truth, or Righteousness. 4. Because it is no hard matter to find out other ways to effect that good, for which these oaths were first introduced, as you may see at large in his Sermon upon Isa. 58 12. at pag. 37. Printed for T. Underhill.  
The Lord put it in the heart of our Parliament seriously to think of the removal of these oaths. I● were to be wished that men truly conscientious, would, before they take an oath, first seriously weigh and consider the particulars of what they swear un●o. There are many godly young men every year made free in the City of London, who I dare say if they were ware of the danger in taking that oath which is given them with their freedom, would rather abide the penally than take it. Let them but get a copy of their oath, and then see if it have these qualifications which ought to be in every Oath.  
1. Whether or no it be made in Judgement, that is, Do they well and throughly understand all the particulars which they then swear to perform. They swear to maintain the Franchises and Customs of the City, those are the words. Doth every young man that comes out of his time well understand how many these be, and what.  
2. Every oath ought to be made in Righteousness. Let him be sure all the customs of the City which he swears to maintain, be righteous.  
3. An oath ought to be made in truth, that is, of such things as we will perform: and then let him also look that they be such things as he can perform; besides, an oath should not be of things frivolous or impertinent, or not belonging to his place and calling who takes the Oath: and let every Freeman consider whether the oath hath these qualifications.  
Lastly, there are other things in that oath that imply a difficulty in keeping, as contribution to all charges; the word [all] is of large extent, and will quickly stumble a man of tender conscience. Let us pray to God to guide us so that we may use religious ordinances▪ with that solemnity which is due to them, and not perform them for a fashion, custom, formality or the like, as is the manner of the profane world.   
FINIS.