Again, in six cases an oath binds nothing at all. I. If it be made of a thing ⟨p. 860⟩that is flat against the word of God. For all the power of binding which it hath is by the word of God: and therefore when it is against Gods will, it hath no power to constrain. And it is an old received rule, that an oath must not be a bond of iniquity. Hereupon David when he made a rash oath to kill Nabal and all his household, rejoiced when he had occasion offered by Abigail to break the same, 1. Sam. 23.32. And though he sware to Shemi, that he would save his life, 2. Sam. 19. 23. yet afterward upon better consideration (as it may seem) he commanded his son Solomon to put him to death, as one that had long ago deserved the same. 1. King. 2.9. And Herod was far deceived, that thought he was bound by his oath to give to the damsel John Baptists head in a platter, Matth. 14.7. II. If it be against the good and wholesome laws of any kingdom or country, whereof a man is a member, it binds not at all: because on the contrary Gods commandment binds us to keep the good laws of men. III. If it be made by such persons as want sufficient reason and discretion, as young children, fools, mad men. For the conscience can not indeed be bound where the understanding can not discern what is done. IV. If it be made of such as have no power to bind themselves, it binds not: because it is made against the law of nature, which is, thata he which is not in his own power can not bind himself. Hence it follows, that Papists err grossly when they teach, that a childb may enter into any rule or order of religion, yea bind himself thereto by oath, and the oath to be good, flat against his parents consent. Num. 30.4. If a woman vow unto the Lord, and bind her self by a hand, being in her fathers house in the time of her youth, &c. v. 6. If her father disallow her the same day that he heareth all her vows and bonds, they shall not be of value. And an ancient Council decreed that all children that upon pretence of Gods worship should depart from their parents, 3and not do them due reverence, should be accursed. Secondly they err in that they teach that the promise made privately by a child in way of marriage, without and against consent of wise and careful parents, binds them: whereas indeed if this promise were further bound by an oath, it could not stand:
Againe, in sixe cases an oath bindes nothing at all. I. If it be made of a thing ⟨p. 860⟩that is flat against the word of God. For all the power of binding which it hath is by the word of God: and therefore when it is against Gods will, it hath no power to constraine. And it is an old receiued rule, that an oath must not be a bond of iniquitie. Hereupon Dauid when he made a rash oath to kill Nabal and all his houshold, reioyced when he had occasion offered by Abigail to breake the same, 1. Sam. 23.32. And though he sware to Shemi, that he would saue his life, 2. Sam. 19. 23. yet afterward vpon better consideration (as it may seeme) he commaunded his sonne Salomon to put him to death, as one that had long ago deserued the same. 1. King. 2.9. And Herod was farre deceiued, that thought he was bound by his oath to giue to the damsell Iohn Baptists head in a platter, Matth. 14.7. II. If it be against the good and wholesome laws of any kingdome or countrey, whereof a man is a member, it bindes not at all: because on the contrarie Gods commandement bindes vs to keepe the good laws of men. III. If it be made by such persons as want sufficient reason and discretion, as young children, fooles, madde men. For the conscience can not indeede be bound where the vnderstanding can not discerne what is done. IV. If it be made of such as haue no power to bind themselues, it binds not: because it is made against the law of nature, which is, thata he which is not in his owne power can not binde himselfe. Hence it follows, that Papists erre grossely when they teach, that a childb may enter into any rule or order of religion, yea binde himselfe thereto by oath, and the oath to be good, flat against his parents consent. Num. 30.4. If a woman vow vnto the Lord, and binde her selfe by a hond, beeing in her fathers house in the time of her youth, &c. v. 6. If her father disallow her the same day that he heareth all her vowes and bonds, they shall not be of value. And an ancient Council decreed that all children that vpon pretence of Gods worship should depart from their parents, 3and not doe them due reuerence, should be accursed. Secondly they erre in that they teach that the promise made priuately by a child in way of marriage, without and against consent of wise and careful parents, binds them: whereas indeed if this promise were further bound by an oth, it could not stand:
- aQui sui juris n• est obligare se non potest.Qui sui iuris n• est obligare se non potest.
- bBellar. lib. 2. de Mon. cap. 36.
- 3Conci. Gang. cap. 16.
