A26924:836
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
Chapter 55: POINT XII. Whether all Trusted in Corporations may declare, That there is NO OBLIGATION…
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.
M. This also is Pernicious Doctrine against all sober Casuists. If the matter be good, the causeless and unlawful act of taking it, doth not nullify the obligation to perform it. He that voweth an indifferent act, should not have done it; for a vow must not be causeless; but he must keep it when it is made. He that sinned in marriage when he ought not, yet must perform his marriage Covenant. He that in mere hypocrisy maketh the Baptismal vow, did sin and yet is bound to keep it. The truth is, wicked men have so much of ill principles, and ill ends, that they do all sinfully that they do oft as to the substance, and ever as to the manner: But they are not disobliged ⟨p. 204⟩from all their Contracts and Vows, because they sinfully made them. Else they will purposely do all sinfully, that they may, not be obliged. So that, 1. If the Act of Imposition. 2. The Act of Swearing. 3. And part of the matter Sworn, be all unlawful; yet a man is obliged to that part of the matter that is lawful. But part of the Vow in question was good.
M. This also is Pernicious Doctrine against all sober Casuists. If the matter be good, the causeless and unlawful act of taking it, doth not nullifie the obligation to perform it. He that voweth an indifferent act, should not have done it; for a vow must not be causeless; but he must keep it when it is made. He that sinned in marriage when he ought not, yet must perform his marriage Covenant. He that in meer hypocrisie maketh the Baptismal vow, did sin and yet is bound to keep it. The truth is, wicked men have so much of ill principles, and ill ends, that they do all sinfully that they do oft as to the substance, and ever as to the manner: But they are not disobliged ⟨p. 204⟩from all their Contracts and Vows, because they sinfully made them. Else they will purposely do all sinfully, that they may, not be obliged. So that, 1. If the Act of Imposition. 2. The Act of Swearing. 3. And part of the matter Sworn, be all unlawful; yet a man is obliged to that part of the matter that is lawful. But part of the Vow in question was good.