A37049:513
A37049:513
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
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.
1. That he may in this set out his own Greatness, and work a fear and reverence of him in the hearts of his people; therefore will he have them reverently using that which concerneth him, that the due distance betwixt God that is in Heaven, and Creatures that are on Earth, may be imprinted on us, and entertained by us, Eccles. 5.1, 2, 3. Lev. 22.31, 32. Psal. 89.9.
2. Because his Name, whereby he holdeth forth something of himself, or that infinite excellent Being, called God, is great, dreadful and glorious, and is so to be had in reverence, Psal. 111. that more than ordinary watchfulness should be used in testifying our respect to it.
2. Because his Name, whereby he holdeth forth somthing of himself, or that infinit excellent Being, called God, is great, dreadful and glorious, and is so to be had in reverence, Psal. 111. that more than ordinary watchfulness should be used in testifying our respect to it.
3. Because this is the way to curb Atheism and Profanity, which the Devil driveth on by these steps; first to think little of God, and then by little and little to inure men to profanity, and habituate them to baffle and affront the Name of God: Hence it is that he takes possession, mainly, of young ones this way; and hardly ye will see any that irreverently meddleth with the Name of God, but they are gross, or fall at length to be gross, in other things.
3. Because this is the way to curb Atheism and Prophanity, which the Devil driveth on by these steps; first to think little of God, and then by little and little to inure men to prohanity, and habituate them to baffle and affront the Name of God: Hence it is that he takes possession, mainly, of young ones this way; and hardly ye will see any that irreverently medleth with the Name of God, but they are gross, or fall at length to be gross, in other things.
4. God's Name is precious, and given to his people for a great refuge, Prov. 18.10. therefore will he not have that which is their singular mercy to be abused.
5. God is a Friend in Covenant, yet so as that relation may not in the least wear out his honour and our due distance with him, Deut. 28.58. Its the great and dreadful Name, the Lord our God.
6. Because this honoureth God, and adorneth the profession of the Gospel before others, whereas Irreverence therein dishonoureth God before them.
For more particular considering the matter and breaches of this Command, we shall draw it to these heads; and 1. We shall speak to what concerneth Swearing, Vowing, or public Cov •nanting with God 2. To what concern •h Blasphemy. 3. Concerning the taking of the Name of the Lord in vain, in worship, private or public, particularly, how it is taken in vain by Hypocrisy. 4. Of taking it in vain out of worship rashly and unnecessarily. 5. How it is taken in vain in our conversation, as others are occasioned or caused to Blaspheme God's Name by our carriage. 6. Concerning Lots, &c. These we shall consider, especially with respect to our practise.
For more particular considering the matter and breaches of this Command, we shall draw it to these heads; and 1. We shall speak to what concerneth Swearing, Vowing, or publick Cov •nanting with God 2. To what concerne •h Blasphemy. 3. Concerning the taking of the Name of the Lord in vain, in worship, private or publick, particularly, how it is taken in vain by Hypocrisie. 4. Of taking it in vain out of worship rashly and unnecessarily. 5. How it is taken in vain in our conversation, as others are occasioned or caused to Blaspheme God's Name by our carriage. 6. Concerning Lots, &c. These we shall consider, especially with respect to our practise.
In speaking of what concerneth Oaths, we would 1. speak of an Oath. 2. Of the Obligation of it, for this Command both requireth Oaths, and the keeping of them, and it may be broken in reference to both.
We would in the entry distinguish betwixt these four 1. Oaths. 2. Asseverations. 3. Simple affirmations or Assertions. 4. Imprecations or Curses.
2. Asseverations (called vehement Assertions) are expressed thus, As the Lord liveth, As that Light shineth, in Conscience, Faith, &c.
3. Simple assertions are such as in truth, truly, indeed, which but speak the thing simply, and affirm that to be true or false that is asserted, and so belongeth to the 9th. Command only, as such.
4. Imprecations are either directed to ones self conditionally, as if such a thing be truth, then let me perish; Shame befall me if I do not this or this; or towards others, especially in these, Shame befall thee, the Devil take thee, a Vengeance on th •e, and other expressions abominable to mention.
Again, in Oaths which are for confirmation, let us distinguish betwixt assertory Oaths, that do▪ but confirm such a thing to be truth; and promissory Oaths, that engage the person Swearing to the performance of such a thing for the time to come, either absolutely or with qualifications.
Again, in Oaths which are for confirmation, let us distinguish betwixt assertory Oaths, that do▪ but confirm such a thing to be truth; and promissory Oaths, that ingage the person Swearing to the performance of such a thing for the time to come, either absolutely or with qualifications.
For clearing the matter, take this proposition, that Oaths in both these cases being well qualified, is a lawful piece of God's worship, and may, and should be made use of by his People; this is a clear truth from these Scriptures, Deut. 10.20. Deut. 6.13. Jer. 4.2.
As for Anabaptists, who deny the lawfulness of Oaths under the New Testament, we are not now to meddle with them, because there be few in these days that are in such an Error. We shall consider 1. What qualifications are requisite to right Swearing: Then 2. Clear some practical questions. 3. Show wherein this Command is violate in respect of Swearing.
As for Anabaptists, who deny the lawfulness of Oaths under the New Testament, we are not now to meddle with them, because there be few in these days that are in such an Errour. We shall consider 1. What qualifications are requisite to right Swearing: Then 2. Clear some practical questions. 3. Shew wherein this Command is violate in respect of Swearing.