N00858:26
The fear of an oath. Or, Some cautions to be used about swearing, if…
The fear of an oath. Or, Some cautions to be used about swearing, if we would approve our selves truly godly. As it was discoursed in a sermon, preached at Boston, on the lecture; January 30. 1700,1. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Two lines in Latin from Cicero]
printed for Nicholas Boone, 1701
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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. Now let us enquire what influence this Fear hath into a Godly man, to regulate him about an Oath? And here, we must premise, that allowance is to be made for the remainder of Sinful Corruption, which is in the best of Gods people, while in this life, which sometimes prevails so far as to lead them Captive, and ⟨p. 15⟩draw them into things unworthy of their Profession: but yet we are to Conclude, that according to the Tract and Tenor of their Conversation in this world, they will carefully endeavour to live in the exercise of Grace, and studiously Conform to the directions of the Spirit, given them in the precepts of His word. There are therefore several things wherein this Fear will discover its activity in regard of an Oath, and that both with respect to themselves, and to others.
2. Now let us enquire what influence this Fear hath into a Godly man, to regulate him about an Oath? And here, we must premise, that allowance is to be made for the remainder of Sinful Corruption, which is in the best of Gods people, while in this life, which sometimes prevails so far as to lead them Captive, and ⟨p. 15⟩draw them into things unworthy of their Profession: but yet we are to Conclude, that according to the Tract and Tenour of their Conversation in this world, they will carefully endeavour to live in the exercise of Grace, and studiously Conform to the directions of the Spirit, given them in the precepts of His word. There are therefore several things wherein this Fear will discover its activity in regard of an Oath, and that both with respect to themselves, and to others.
1. With respect to themselves. The Christians first Care begins at home, how he may order himself aright, & so as to keep a good Conscience towards God, & towards man; & this Holy Fear will stimulate him unto it: and upon the account of an Oath, it will instigate him;