A37046:531
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.
It may be asked, How we shall judge of Indefinite Oaths; such as Soldiers give to their Officers, to be obedient to them; or of Oaths in things which are indistinct, and the matter not obvious, as Oaths in Colleges, Incorporations, Towns, &c. Where the things sworn are Complex.
It may be asked, How we shall judge of Indefinite Oaths; such as Souldiers give to their Officers, to be obedient to them; or of Oaths in things which are indistinct, and the matter not obvious, as Oaths in Colledges, Incorporations, Towns, &c. Where the things sworn are Complex.
Answ. These cannot altogether be condemned. 1. Because though a man have not, yea cannot have, a particular and distinct knowledge of all Particulars; yet he understandeth such Oaths, as binding to all necessary and lawful things, as the general Condition requireth. 2. Because he taketh the Oath for the end, and in the sense, that it is Commonly taken, which bindeth in the Essential things, pertaining to the being of that Incorporation, but taketh not in, every particular strictly.
By what is said, then: We may, 1. Condemn Oaths in Trivial things, as Oaths in Complements; when men swear they will not go one before an other. That men are welcome to their Houses: That they will not let them go so soon: That they shall drink so much, though it may not be to Excess: That they shall return some petty thing they have borrowed, and the like. 2. Rash Promises, such as are hastily and unadvisedly or doubtingly made. But ere we come to Particulars; let us consider what is condemned as Perjury, which is the highest Degree.
By what is said, then: We may, 1. Condemn Oaths in Trivial things, as Oaths in Complements; when men swear they will not go one before an other. That men are wellcome to their Houses: That they will not let them go so soon: That they shall drink so much, though it may not be to Excess: That they shall return some petty thing they have borrowed, and the like. 2. Rash Promises, such as are hastily and unadvisedly or doubtingly made. But ere we come to Particulars; let us consider what is condemned as Perjury, which is the highest Degree.