A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

1. No mans temporal loss in Goods, Name, or Estate, will loose him from his Oath, nor make it null and void, Psal. 15. ult 12. that our engagement by Oath is to something of its own nature indifferent, will not loose us, though there be here no other tie upon us to the thing, and that without the Oath we were free; yet the Oath once engaged in, will tie us, as is clear from that same 15th. Psal. For an Oath is of its own nature Obligatory, and according to Numb. 31. Persons at their own dispose must do even in such cases as they have bound their Souls. 3. Though we were engaged in the Oath by the deceit and guile of others, the deceit being circumstantial only, yet if the thing be not sinful, it bindeth us, as is clear in that Oath to the Gibeonites, wherein the deceit was such. 4. Though by fear or violence the Oath hath been extorted, yet the matter being lawful, it bindeth because of the honour of God's Name interposed. 5. Though it was sinful as to the manner, and rashly made at first, as that with the Gibeonites was; yet is it binding, if lawful in the matter, there being a great difference betwixt juramentum illicitum, an Oath unlawfully come under as to its manner, and juramentum de Re illicitâ, an Oath in an unlawful matter. 6. Though we could devise and find out some interpretation ⟨p. 137⟩or meaning of the words of the Oath that might seem to make for loosing us from its obligation; yet, if that was not meant at the first tendering of the Oath, but otherwise understood by him that did take it, it will not absolve nor excuse from the guilt of Perjury, To put afterwards a new gloss on it; because an Oath is stricti juris, and will not admit for any respect nor on any account, of interpretations prejudicial to the native truth of it, lest it should be found to be, according to Psal. 24. a Swearing deceitfully. 7. Though there may be a good meaning and intention in reversing the Oath, and going cross to it, men not doing so for a particular end of their own, but for a public good as is supposed; yet that will not absolve from the obligation of the Oath, nor from the guilt of Perjury, as is clear in God's punishing Saul's Family for breaking that Oath with the Gibeonites, even though he did it out of his Zeal to the Children of Israel and Judah, as the Scripture expressly affirmeth,