A39678:147
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
THE REASONABLENESS OF Personal Reformation, › Chapter 3 › Section 2
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.
SECT. II.
Swearing by the Name of God in a righteous Cause, when called thereto by due Authority, is not only a lawful, but a religious Act, founded upon, and directed to the Honour of God's Omniscience, whereunto there is a solemn Appeal made in every assertory and promissory Oath, and a religious Acknowledgement made him of his infallible Knowledge of the Truth or Falsehood of our Hearts, and all the Secrets of them, be they never so involved and inward things.
Swearing by the Name of God in a righteous Cause, when called thereto by due Authority, is not only a lawful, but a religious Act, founded upon, and directed to the Honour of God's Omniscience, whereunto there is a solemn Appeal made in every assertory and promissory Oath, and a religious Acknowledgment made him of his infallible Knowledg of the Truth or Falshood of our Hearts, and all the Secrets of them, be they never so involved and inward things.
The lawful use and end of Swearing, is to put an end to all Strife, and to maintain both Equity and Charity among Men, the two Bonds and Ligaments of Humane Society. Now it being the Sovereign Right and Property of God alone, infallibly to search and try the hearts and reins of Men, he thereby becomes the infallible Witness to the Truth or Falsehood of what they speak; so that in every such lawful Oath, there is not only a solemn Appeal, and in that Appeal an Ascription of Glory to his Sovereign Omniscience▪ but therein (implicitly at least) they put themselves under his Wrath and Curse, in case they ⟨p. 34⟩Swear falsely, which makes this Action most sacred and solemn.