A37046:506
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
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.
4. As to the expressions in which it is conceived, or the thing sworn; its required not only that it be truth to, and in the mans meaning that sweareth, but that the expressions be plain and intel gible to his meaning and understanding, to whom the Oath is given; otherwise it dcludeth, but doth not clear. Hence these two rules are to be observed. 1. That the meaning be so clear, as may be, and is most ordina ily and obviously gathered from such words and expressions as are used. 2. That the expressions be according as they are supposed to be understood by others, especially him that exacteth the Oath; for if he mean one thing, and we another, Gods Name is profaned, and the end of an Oath frustrate; much more equivocations in expressions ⟨p. 81⟩and mental reservations are to be condemned here, the first whereof taketh in Ambiguity in words, the second, a different sense in our thoughts from what seemeth to be meant in our words.
4. As to the expressions in which it is conceived, or the thing sworn; its required not only that it be truth to, and in the mans meaning that sweareth, but that the expressions be plain and intell gible to his meaning and understanding, to whom the Oath is given; otherwise it dcludeth, but doth not clear. Hence these two rules are to be observed. 1. That the meaning be so clear, as may be, and is most ordina ily and obviously gathered from such words and expressions as are used. 2. That the expressions be according as they are supposed to be understood by others, especially him that exacteth the Oath; for if he mean one thing, and we another, Gods Name is prophaned, and the end of an Oath frustrate; much more equivocations in expressions ⟨p. 81⟩and mental reservations are to be condemned here, the first whereof taketh in Ambiguity in words, the second, a different sense in our thoughts from what seemeth to be meaned in our words.
5. As to the right manner of Swearing, these things ought to be noticed: 1. That it be in judgment, that we understand the thing we Swear, and the nature of our Oath, and him we swear by,