The law unsealed

And 1. For the matter of them; they may be in three sorts of Matter. 1. In such matter as is Morally necessary▪ as the Fearing, Serving, Worshipping the true God▪ &c. So was Jacobs Oath and Vow, Genes. 28. 20, 21. That the Lord should be his God. And many of the Covenants mentioned in the Old Testament; and Davids swearing, Psalm 119. 106. To keep Gods Statutes.

2. There is a Civil lawful good Matter; such as Duties to Superiors, or to make some Obligation we owe to others forth-coming; or to return and requite such a particular good turn to one. Such are Oaths of Allegiance to lawful Superiors: Such did the Spies swear to Rachab, Joshua 2. 12, &c. And David to Jonathan: and that these are Lawful, having due Qualifications, cannot be denied.

2. There is a Civil lawful good Matter; such as Duties to Superiours, or to make some Obligation we owe to others forth-coming; or to return and requite such a particular good turn to one. Such are Oaths of Allegiance to lawful Superiours: Such did the Spies swear to Rachab, Joshua 2. 12, &c. And David to Jonathan: and that these are Lawful, having due Qualifications, cannot be denyed.

3. There are somethings indifferent; as Eating, or abstaining from such and such Meats or Drinks, or on such and such days: and although the thing be not simply unlawful, yet Oaths therein would be engaged in, with much Prudence, on such Grounds, and with such Qualifications and Conditions, as may make it appear the Swearer is not using the Name of God unnecessarily, and that he cannot otherwise gain his Point: Nor superstitiously to make it appear, that he doth not bring his Conscience under a Yoke of Will-worship. One of which ways ordinarily men fail, in these Oaths; and so they are neither to Gods Honour, nor others good: and therefore such Oaths are either rarely to be engaged in, or not at all.