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leave_v they_o at_o liberty_n whether_o they_o will_v serve_v god_n or_o idol_n but_o by_o a_o very_a rhetorical_a scheme_n of_o speech_n endeavour_n to_o engage_v they_o more_o firm_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n to_o countenance_n and_o support_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o people_n be_v instruct_v in_o it_o and_o that_o none_o be_v permit_v to_o debauch_v and_o seduce_v man_n from_o it_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n this_o power_n the_o king_n of_o israel_n always_o exercise_v not_o only_o with_o allowance_n but_o with_o great_a approbation_n and_o commendation_n from_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o case_n be_v not_o alter_v since_o christianity_n the_o better_a the_o religion_n be_v the_o better_a it_o deserve_v the_o countenance_n and_o support_v of_o the_o civil_a authority_n and_o this_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n but_o by_o the_o enthusiast_n of_o these_o late_a time_n and_o yet_o among_o these_o every_o father_n and_o master_n of_o a_o family_n claim_v this_o power_n over_o his_o child_n and_o servant_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o deny_v it_o to_o the_o magistrate_n over_o his_o subject_n but_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v where_o the_o difference_n lie_v have_v a_o master_n of_o a_o family_n more_o power_n over_o those_o under_o his_o government_n than_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o man_n ever_o pretend_v it_o nay_o so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o that_o that_o the_o natural_a authority_n of_o a_o father_n may_v be_v and_o often_o be_v limit_v and_o restrain_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o why_o then_o may_v not_o a_o magistrate_n exercise_v the_o same_o power_n over_o his_o subject_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o every_o master_n challenge_v to_o himself_o in_o his_o own_o family_n that_o be_v to_o establish_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o such_o manner_n and_o with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o he_o think_v best_o and_o to_o permit_v none_o to_o affront_v it_o or_o to_o seduce_v from_o it_o those_o that_o be_v under_o his_o care_n and_o to_o prevent_v all_o misunderstanding_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o do_v not_o hereby_o ascribe_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o magistrate_n that_o can_v possible_o give_v he_o any_o pretence_n of_o right_a to_o reject_v god_n true_a religion_n or_o to_o declare_v what_o he_o please_v to_o be_v so_o and_o what_o book_n he_o please_v to_o be_v canonical_a and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o to_o make_v a_o false_a religion_n so_o currant_n by_o the_o stamp_n of_o his_o authority_n as_o to_o oblige_v his_o subject_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o because_o he_o who_o acknowledge_v himself_o to_o derive_v all_o his_o authority_n from_o god_n can_v pretend_v to_o none_o against_o he_o but_o if_o a_o false_a religion_n be_v establish_v by_o law_n the_o case_n here_o be_v the_o same_o as_o in_o all_o other_o 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pretend_v to_o be_v to_o enjoy_v the_o private_a liberty_n and_o exercise_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o religion_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o thankful_a and_o to_o forbear_v the_o open_a make_n of_o proselyte_n to_o their_o own_o religion_n though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o sure_a that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_a till_o they_o have_v either_o a_o extraordinary_a commission_n from_o god_n to_o that_o purpose_n or_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n make_v way_n for_o it_o by_o the_o permission_n or_o connivance_n of_o the_o magistrate_n not_o but_o that_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o publish_v and_o propagate_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o to_o declare_v it_o against_o a_o false_a one_o but_o there_o be_v no_o obligation_n upon_o any_o man_n to_o attempt_v this_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o when_o without_o a_o miracle_n it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o effect_n but_o the_o loss_n of_o his_o own_o life_n unless_o he_o have_v a_o immediate_a command_n 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may_v prove_v any-wise_a serviceable_a i_o be_o sir_n your_o very_a faithful_a and_o humble_a servant_n jo._n tillotson_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o heb._n vi_o 16._o and_o a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o support_n of_o humane_a society_n in_o nothing_o appear_v more_o evident_o than_o in_o this_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o peace_n and_o justice_n among_o man_n depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o sense_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o any_o man_n that_o do_v not_o believe_v a_o god_n shall_v make_v the_o least_o conscience_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o 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end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o approach_a dissolution_n of_o all_o thing_n when_o faith_n and_o truth_n shall_v hardly_o be_v find_v among_o man_n luke_n 18.8_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n this_o state_n of_o thing_n do_v loud_o call_v for_o his_o come_n to_o destroy_v the_o world_n which_o be_v even_o ready_a to_o dissolve_v and_o fall_v in_o piece_n of_o itself_o when_o these_o band_n and_o pillar_n of_o humane_a society_n do_v break_v and_o fail_v and_o sure_o never_o in_o any_o age_n be_v this_o sign_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n more_o glare_a and_o terrible_a than_o in_o this_o degenerate_a age_n wherein_o we_o live_v when_o almost_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n seem_v to_o have_v break_v loose_a from_o all_o obligation_n to_o faith_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o argument_n more_o proper_a and_o useful_a to_o be_v treat_v of_o upon_o this_o occasion_n than_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v the_o utmost_a security_n that_o one_o man_n can_v give_v to_o another_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v the_o strong_a tie_n of_o fideility_n the_o sure_a ground_n of_o judicial_a proceed_n and_o the_o most_o firm_a and_o sacred_a bond_n that_o can_v be_v lay_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o public_a justice_n upon_o judge_n and_o jury_n and_o witness_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o these_o word_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n declare_v to_o we_o the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o oath_n among_o man_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n he_o have_v say_v before_o
question_n upon_o oath_n for_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o form_n of_o give_v a_o oath_n to_o witness_n and_o other_o be_v not_o by_o tender_v a_o formal_a oath_n to_o they_o as_o the_o custom_n be_v among_o we_o but_o by_o adjure_v they_o that_o be_v require_v they_o to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o levit._n 5.1_o if_o a_o man_n hear_v the_o voice_n of_o swear_v and_o be_v a_o witness_n whether_o he_o have_v see_v or_o know_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n if_o he_o do_v not_o utter_v it_o than_o he_o shall_v bear_v his_o iniquity_n if_o he_o have_v hear_v the_o voice_n if_o swear_v that_o be_v if_o be_v adjure_v or_o demand_v to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n concern_v what_o he_o have_v see_v or_o hear_v he_o do_v not_o utter_v the_o truth_n he_o be_v perjure_v now_o to_o this_o adjuration_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n our_o saviour_n answer_v thou_o have_v say_v which_o word_n be_v not_o a_o avoid_v to_o answer_v as_o some_o have_v think_v but_o a_o direct_a answer_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v it_o be_v as_o thou_o say_v it_o be_v even_o so_o i_o be_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o upon_o this_o answer_n the_o high_a priest_n say_v he_o have_v speak_v blasphemy_n but_o to_o put_v the_o matter_n beyond_o all_o doubt_n st._n mark_n tell_v we_o mark_v 14.61_o that_o he_o be_v ask_v by_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v thou_o the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o bless_a he_o answer_v i_o be_o so_o that_o unless_o we_o will_v interpret_v our_o saviour_n doctrine_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o practice_n we_o can_v understand_v he_o to_o forbid_v all_o oath_n and_o consequent_o they_o be_v not_o unlawful_a i_o have_v be_v the_o long_o upon_o this_o that_o i_o may_v give_v clear_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o receive_v it_o as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n in_o use_n among_o we_o in_o the_o take_n of_o oath_n it_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v always_o matter_n of_o liberty_n and_o several_a nation_n have_v use_v several_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n in_o their_o oath_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o grecian_n to_o swear_v lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o altar_n quod_fw-la sanctissimum_fw-la jusjurandum_fw-la est_fw-la habitum_fw-la say_v a._n gellius_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o sacred_a form_n of_o swear_v the_o roman_n be_v wont_v jupiter_fw-la lapidem_fw-la jurare_fw-la that_o be_v he_o that_o swear_v by_o jupiter_n hold_v a_o flint_n stone_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o fling_v it_o violent_o from_o he_o with_o these_o word_n si_fw-la sciens_fw-la fallo_fw-la ita_fw-la me_fw-it jupiter_n bonis_fw-la omnibus_fw-la ejiciat_fw-la ut_fw-la ego_fw-la hunc_fw-la lapidem_fw-la if_o i_o know_o falsify_v god_n so_o throw_v i_o out_o of_o all_o my_o possession_n as_o i_o do_v this_o stone_n in_o scripture_n there_o be_v two_o ceremony_n mention_v of_o swear_v one_o of_o put_v the_o hand_n under_o the_o thigh_n of_o he_o to_o who_o the_o oath_n be_v make_v thus_o eliezer_n swear_v to_o abraham_n gen._n 24._o and_o joseph_n to_o jacob_n gen._n 47._o the_o other_o be_v by_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n to_o heaven_n thus_o abraham_n express_v the_o manner_n of_o a_o oath_n gen._n 14.22_o i_o have_v lift_v up_o my_o hand_n to_o the_o most_o high_a god_n and_o thus_o god_n condescend_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n express_v himself_o deut._n 32_o 40._o if_o i_o lift_v up_o my_o hand_n to_o heaven_n and_o swear_v in_o allusion_n to_o this_o custom_n the_o psalmist_n describe_v the_o perjure_a person_n psal_n 144.8_o who_o mouth_n speak_v vanity_n and_o who_o right_a hand_n be_v a_o right_a hand_n of_o falsehood_n and_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o scripture_n that_o either_o of_o these_o ceremony_n be_v prescribe_v and_o appoint_v by_o god_n but_o voluntary_o institute_v and_o take_v up_o by_o man_n and_o thus_o among_o we_o the_o ceremony_n of_o swear_v be_v by_o lay_v the_o hand_n on_o the_o holy_a gospel_n and_o kiss_v the_o book_n which_o be_v both_o very_a solemn_a and_o significant_a and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o this_o solemn_a kind_n of_o oath_n be_v call_v a_o corporal_a oath_n and_o be_v ancient_o so_o call_v because_o the_o sign_n or_o ceremony_n of_o it_o be_v perform_v by_o some_o part_n of_o the_o body_n and_o this_o solemnity_n be_v a_o aggravation_n of_o the_o perjury_n because_o it_o make_v it_o both_o more_o deliberate_a and_o more_o scandalous_a i_o shall_v speak_v but_o brief_o to_o the_o iv_o and_o last_o particular_a viz._n the_o sacred_a obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n because_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o what_o we_o say_v to_o god_n i_o say_v from_o who_o pierce_v and_o all-seeing_a eye_n from_o who_o perfect_a and_o infinite_a knowledge_n nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v hide_v so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o thought_n in_o our_o heart_n but_o he_o see_v it_o nor_o a_o word_n in_o our_o tongue_n but_o he_o discern_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o it_o whenever_o we_o swear_v we_o appeal_v to_o his_o knowledge_n and_o refer_v ourselves_o to_o his_o just_a judgement_n who_o be_v the_o powerful_a patron_n and_o protector_n of_o right_n and_o the_o almighty_a judge_n and_o avenger_n of_o all_o falsehood_n and_o unrighteousness_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o lay_v a_o more_o sacred_a and_o solemn_a obligation_n upon_o their_o conscience_n than_o by_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o oath_n moses_n very_o well_o express_v it_o by_o bind_v our_o soul_n with_o a_o bond_n numb_a 30.2_o if_o a_o man_n swear_v a_o oath_n to_o bind_v his_o soul_n with_o a_o bond_n intimate_v that_o he_o that_o swear_v lay_v the_o strong_a obligation_n upon_o himself_o and_o put_v his_o soul_n in_o pawn_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v and_o this_o obligation_n no_o man_n can_v violate_v but_o at_o the_o utmost_a peril_n of_o the_o judgement_n and_o vengeance_n of_o god_n for_o every_o oath_n imply_v a_o curse_n upon_o ourselves_o in_o case_n of_o perjury_n as_o plutarch_n observe_v and_o this_o be_v always_o the_o sense_n of_o mankind_n concern_v the_o obligation_n of_o oath_n nullum_fw-la vinculum_fw-la ad_fw-la astringendam_fw-la fidem_fw-la majores_fw-la nostri_fw-la jurejurando_fw-la arctius_fw-la esse_fw-la voluerunt_fw-la say_v tully_n our_o forefather_n have_v no_o strict_a bond_n whereby_o to_o oblige_v the_o faith_n of_o man_n to_o one_o another_o than_o that_o of_o a_o oath_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o in_o the_o comedian_n aliud_fw-la si_fw-la scirem_fw-la qui_fw-la firmare_fw-la meam_fw-la apud_fw-la vos_fw-la possem_fw-la fidem_fw-la sanctius_fw-la quam_fw-la jusjurandum_fw-la id_fw-la pollicerer_fw-la tibi_fw-la if_o i_o know_v any_o thing_n more_o sacred_a than_o a_o oath_n whereby_o to_o confirm_v to_o you_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o say_v i_o will_v make_v use_n of_o it_o i_o will_v crave_v your_o patience_n a_o little_a long_o whilst_o by_o way_n of_o inference_n from_o this_o discourse_n i_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o swear_v in_o common_a conversation_n upon_o trivial_a and_o needless_a occasion_n and_o the_o heinousness_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o perjury_n 1._o first_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o swear_v upon_o trivial_a and_o needless_a occasion_n in_o common_a conversation_n because_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o solemn_a thing_n and_o reserve_v for_o great_a occasion_n to_o give_v confirmation_n to_o our_o word_n in_o some_o weighty_a matter_n and_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o controversy_n which_o can_v otherwise_o be_v peremptory_o and_o satisfactory_o decide_v and_o therefore_o to_o use_v oath_n upon_o light_a occasion_n argue_v great_a profaneness_n and_o irreverence_n of_o almighty_a god_n so_o ulpian_n the_o great_a roman_a lawyer_n observe_v nonnullus_fw-la esse_fw-la faciles_fw-la ad_fw-la jurandum_fw-la contemptu_fw-la religionis_fw-la that_o man_n proneness_n to_o swear_v come_v from_o acontempt_n of_o religion_n than_o which_o nothing_o dispose_v man_n more_o to_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n beside_o that_o it_o do_v many_o time_n surprise_v man_n unaware_o into_o perjury_n and_o how_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o when_o man_n use_v to_o interlard_v all_o their_o careless_a talk_n with_o oath_n but_o that_o they_o must_v often_o be_v perjure_a and_o which_o be_v worse_o it_o prepare_v man_n for_o deliberate_a perjury_n for_o with_o those_o who_o be_v accustom_v to_o swear_v upon_o light_a occasion_n a_o oath_n will_v go_v off_o with_o they_o more_o roundly_o about_o weighty_a matter_n from_o a_o common_a custom_n of_o swear_v say_v hierocles_n man_n easy_o slide_v into_o perjury_n therefore_o say_v he_o if_o thou_o will_v not_o he_o perjure_v do_v not_o use_v to_o swear_v and_o this_o perhaps_o hap_n be_v