A Christian Directory

Answ. This is a promise of omitting that which else would be a duty. It is ordinarily a duty to reveal a Thief and bribe-taker that he may be punished. But affirmatives bind not ad semper: no act, (especially external) is a duty at all times: Therefore not this, of revealing an offenders fault. And if it be not always a duty, then it must be none when it is inconsistent with some greater benefit or duty: For when two goods come together, the greater is to be preferred: Therefore in case that you see in just probability, that the concealment of the sinner will do more hurt, to the Common-wealth or the souls of men, than the saving of your life is like to do good, You may not promise to conceal him: or if you sinfully promise it, you may not perform it. But in case that your life is like to be a greater good than the Not promising to conceal him, then such a promise is no fault; because the disclosing him is no duty. But to judge rightly of this is a matter of great difficulty. If it be less than life which you save by such a promise, it oft falls out that it is a lesser good, than the detecting of the offence.

Answ. This is a promise of omitting that which else would be a duty. It is ordinarily a duty to reveal a Thief and bribe-taker that he may be punished. But affirmatives bind not ad semper: no act, (especially external) is a duty at all times: Therefore not this, of revealing an offenders fault. And if it be not alwayes a duty, then it must be none when it is inconsistent with some greater benefit or duty: For when two goods come together, the greater is to be preferred: Therefore in case that you see in just probability, that the concealment of the sinner will do more hurt, to the Common-wealth or the souls of men, than the saving of your life is like to do good, You may not promise to conceal him: or if you sinfully promise it, you may not perform it. But in case that your life is like to be a greater good than the Not promising to conceal him, then such a promise is no fault; because the disclosing him is no duty. But to judge rightly of this is a matter of great difficulty. If it be less than life which you save by such a promise, it oft falls out that it is a lesser good, than the detecting of the offence.

§. 18. But it will here be said, If I promise not to conceal a Robber, I must conceal him nevertheless; for when he hath killed me, I cannot reveal him; and I must conceal the bribe-taker; for till I have promised secrecy, I cannot prove him guilty. And he that promiseth to forbear a particular good action whilst he liveth, doth yet reserve his life, for all other good works: whereas if he dye, he will neither do that nor any other. But this case is not so easily determined: If Daniel dye, he can neither pray nor do any other good on earth. And if he live he may do much other good, though he never pray: And yet he might not promise to give over praying, to save his life. I conceive that we must distinguish of duties essential to the outward part of Christianity, or of constant indispensable necessity; and duties which are alterable, and belong only to some persons, times and places: Also between the various consequents of omissions. And I conceive that ordinarily a man may promise for the saving of his life, that he will forbear a particular alterable duty, or relation: As to read such a Commentary, to speak with such a Minister, to be a Magistrate or a Minister, &c. in case we have not before bound our selves, never to give over our Calling till death: And in case that the good which will follow our forbearance, is likely (to a judicious person,) to be greater than the evil. But no man may promise to omit such a duty as God hath made necessary during life: as not to love God, or fear or trust him: not to Worship him and call upon him and praise him: nor to do good to mens souls or bodies in the general: or, not to Preach or Pray while I am a Minister of Christ; or not at all to Govern while you are a Governor: For all these contradict some former and greater promises or duties. Nor may you omit the smallest duty to save your life, at such a time when your death is like to do more good, than your life would do without that one duty. Apply this to the present case.