These things being premised I do affirm, That where matters are in strife or controversy among men, the peace and tranquillity of humane Society in general, or particular, depending on the right determination of them, it is lawful for a Christian or a Believer being lawfully called to confirm the truth which he knows by the interposition or invocation of the Name of God in an Oath, with this design to put an end unto strife. For our Apostle in this place doth not only urge the common usage of mankind, but he layeth down a certain maxim and principle of the Law of Nature whose exercise was to be approved amongst all. And if the practice hereof had not been lawful unto them unto whom he wrote, that is, Christians who obeyed the Gospel, he had exceedingly weakened all that he had designed from his Discourse concerning the Oath of God by shutting it up with this Instance, which could be of no force unto them, because in that which was unlawful for them to practise, or to have an experience of its efficacy. Wherefore I shall manifest these two things, (1) That a solemn Oath is a part of the natural Worship of God which the Light of Nature leads unto, and is not only lawful, but in some cases a necessary Duty unto Christians and positively approved by God in his Word. (2) That there is nothing in the Gospel that doth contradict or control this Light of Nature and Divine Institution, but there is that whereby they are confirmed. For the first we have the Example of God himself, ⟨p. 150⟩who as we have seen is said sundry times to swear, and whose Oath is of signal use unto our Faith and Obedience. Now if men had not had a sense and understanding of the Nature, Lawfulness, and Obligation from the Light of Nature of an Oath, this would have been of no use nor signification unto them. It is true that God did expressly institute the Rite and Use of swearing in Judgement among his people at the giving of the Law, and gave directions about the causes, manner, and form of an Oath, Deut. 6. 16. chap. 13. 20. Exod. 22. 8. from thence the use of an Oath and consequentially of the Oath of God might be known. But the most solemn swearing of God was before the Law, as in that Instance which our Apostle insists upon of his Oath unto Abraham.
These things being premised I do affirm, That where matters are in strife or controversie among men, the peace and tranquillity of humane Society in general, or particular, depending on the right determination of them, it is lawful for a Christian or a Believer being lawfully called to confirm the truth which he knows by the interposition or invocation of the Name of God in an Oath, with this design to put an end unto strife. For our Apostle in this place doth not only urge the common usage of mankind, but he layeth down a certain maxime and principle of the Law of Nature whose exercise was to be approved amongst all. And if the practice hereof had not been lawful unto them unto whom he wrote, that is, Christians who obeyed the Gospel, he had exceedingly weakened all that he had designed from his Discourse concerning the Oath of God by shutting it up with this Instance, which could be of no force unto them, because in that which was unlawful for them to practise, or to have an experience of its efficacy. Wherefore I shall manifest these two things, (1) That a solemn Oath is a part of the natural Worship of God which the Light of Nature leads unto, and is not only lawful, but in some cases a necessary Duty unto Christians and positively approved by God in his Word. (2) That there is nothing in the Gospel that doth contradict or controul this Light of Nature and Divine Institution, but there is that whereby they are confirmed. For the first we have the Example of God himself, ⟨p. 150⟩who as we have seen is said sundry times to swear, and whose Oath is of signal use unto our Faith and Obedience. Now if men had not had a sense and understanding of the Nature, Lawfulness, and Obligation from the Light of Nature of an Oath, this would have been of no use nor signification unto them. It is true that God did expresly institute the Rite and Use of swearing in Judgement among his people at the giving of the Law, and gave directions about the causes, manner, and form of an Oath, Deut. 6. 16. chap. 13. 20. Exod. 22. 8. from thence the use of an Oath and consequentially of the Oath of God might be known. But the most solemn swearing of God was before the Law, as in that Instance which our Apostle insists upon of his Oath unto Abraham.
