A37049:522
A37049:522
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.
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.
In an Oath consider, 1. Its matter. 2. Its form. 3. Its rise, or mens Call to it. 4. The expressions its conceived in. 5. Our manner of going about it. 6. Our keeping of it, which followeth after to be spoken to distinctly.
First, for the matter of an Oath, Assertory Oaths must be of things that are 1. True. 2. Weighty. 3. They must be such to our knowledge. Again, Promissory Oaths must be in things just and lawful, possible, profitable, and in our power, and which to our knowledge are such.
2. The form must be By the true God, it being a peculiar part of his worship, for we can swear by none whom we cannot invocate, therefore Idols, Creatures, Graces, &c. are excluded here, for none of these are God.
2. The forme must be By the true God, it being a peculiar part of his worship, for we can swear by none whom we cannot invocate, therefore Idols, Creatures, Graces, &c. are excluded here, for none of these are God.
3. Its rise must be Edification, that is God's glory, our own vindication, or our Neighbours good, or the call of a Magistrate putting us to it; and it should be used for deciding of Controversies, when no other mean of clearing or deciding such a thing is remaining; hence we say, juratus fuit, he was Sworn passively; and the Hebrews have no active word for expressing it, to let us see men ought not to swear, but to be sworn, or by necessity pressed to it.
3. Its rise must be Edification, that is God's glory, our own vindication, or our Neighbours good, or the call of a Magistrate putting us to it; and it should be used for deciding of Controversies, when no other mean of clearing or deciding such a thing is remaining; hence we say, juratus fuit, he was Sworn passively; and the Hebrews have no active word for expressing it, to let us see men ought not to swear, but to be sworne, or by necessity pressed to it.
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 intelligible to his meaning and understanding, to whom the Oath is given; otherwise it deludeth, 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 ordinarily and obviou ••y gathered ⟨p. 127⟩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, God's Name is profaned, and the end of an Oath frustrate; much more equivocations in expressions 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 sworne; its required, not only that it be truth to, and in the mans meaning that sweareth, but that the expressions be plain and intelligible to his meaning and understanding, to whom the Oath is given; otherwise it deludeth, 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 ordinarily and obviou ••y gathered ⟨p. 127⟩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, God's Name is prophaned, and the end of an Oath frustrate; much more equivocations in expressions 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, Jer. 4.2. 2. Fear and Reverence in going about it, as being in an especial way in God's own sight; thus, to fear an Oath, is a good property, and the heart would be filled with the apprehension of a present God. 3. Singleness in the end, that it be not to deceive any, but to express the truth truly and faithfully, called Righteousness, Jer. 4.2. And for the most part these properties or qualifications may agree to Oaths, Asseverations and Imprecations.
For the further clearing of this matter, we would speak to some questions.
And the 1. Question is, How then differ Oat •s from Asseverations?
Answ. They should both be in Truth & Judgment with fear, and when called unto; but in this they differ, that in Oaths we are only to make mention of the true God, and swear by him, but Asseverations may be thus expressed, As thy Soul liveth, 2 King. 2. v. 2.4, 6. and yet we do not swear by the Soul of any.