A09432:428
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his executors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table: one, of special points here handled; the other, of choice places of Scripture here quotedA godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and iudicious diuine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his exequutors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one, of speciall points here handled; the other, of choise places of Scripture here quoted
Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the University of Cambridge, 1608Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, 1608
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. Seeing this sin of perjury is so great, whether may such a man be put to his oath, as is certainly thought will perjure himself, if he be put to swear? I answer, men that put others to swear, are either private persons, or public Magistrates: a private man for his own private cause, may not put such a man to his oath; for he should have greater care of Gods glory, and of the other mans soul, then of his private gain: and therefore ought rather to depart from his temporal right, then suffer his brother so to dishonour God, and to hurt his own soul. But if a Magistrate be to put such a man to his oath, as is verily thought will perjure himself, he may lawfully do it; but yet he is first, to advertise the party of the weight of an oath, and of the fearful sin of perjury; and then, if the order of Law and Justice so require, he may minister an oath unto him, leaving the event to God: for the execution of justice must not stay on mans misdemeanour, nor wait, till they make conscience of sin; for if it did, no common wealth could stand, no war could be made: Moses and the Levites executed1 vengeance upon the idolatrous Jews, without waiting for their repentance▪
Quest. Seeing this sinne of periurie is so great, whether may such a man be put to his oath, as is certainely thought will periure himselfe, if he be put to sweare? I answer, men that put others to sweare, are either priuate persons, or publike Magistrates: a priuate man for his owne priuate cause, may not put such a man to his oath; for hee should haue greater care of Gods glorie, and of the other mans soule, then of his priuate gaine: and therefore ought rather to depart from his temporall right, then suffer his brother so to dishonour God, and to hurt his owne soule. But if a Magistrate bee to put such a man to his oath, as is verely thought will periure himselfe, he may lawfully doe it; but yet he is first, to aduertise the partie of the waight of an oath, and of the fearefull sin of periurie; and then, if the order of Law and Iustice so require, he may minister an oath vnto him, leauing the euent to God: for the execution of iustice must not staie on mans misdemeanour, nor waite, till they make conscience of sinne; for if it did, no common wealth could stand, no warre could bee made: Moses and the Leuites executed1 vengeance vpon the idolatrous Iewes, without waiting for their repentance