A37046:528
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.
3. One in secret may thus engage himself to God, in Lawful and necessary things; As David, I have sworn, that I will keep thy righteous judgements.
3. One in secret may thus ingage himself to God, in Lawful and necessary things; As David, I have sworn, that I will keep thy righteous judgements.
Yet in the third place, all these Oaths, would still be with these Qualifications, mentioned Jerem. 4. 2. First, in Truth, namely, the two-fold Truth before mentioned. 2. In Judgement, that is, with Knowledge and Deliberation, minding and understanding what it is we swear. 3. With righteousness or justice, that is, That it be in things, that are according to the Law of Equity, as well as Piety, neither wronging God, nor others by our Oaths; for Oaths are in themselves still, Vincula •quitatis, and not iniquitatis: Bonds of Equity and Justice, and not of Iniquity and Injustice.
There are also to be observed these Tacit or Express Conditions in all Promissory Oaths, (and sometimes it is fit to express them, and sometimes not;) If God will, and if nothing intervene to hinder, Jam. 4. If I live, and health permit. As much as in them lieth, they shall aim at it, if some impossibility intervene not. 3. So far as the fulfilling of this▪ shall be Lawful; for it can only tie to Lawful things, and Lawful means and courses; and this is especially to be understood of Indefinite Oaths. 4, While things stand so; but if the Case alter Essentially, and ⟨p. 85⟩