David or Solomon c. hath not God But whosoever abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God and he that doth abide in it hath both the Father and the Son for he that obeyeth the Son obeyeth the Father also for the Father hath committed all things unto the son whom he hath given for a Leader and Commander to the people and to be his salvation to the ends of the earth and there is no other name given under heaven whereby men shall be saved Neither of Men or Angels for he was before Abraham was and is greater then Solomon and Davids Lord and higher then the Angels who commands Not to swear at all Mat. 5. 14. Object Now if any should yet Object and say Did not God himself swear by himself Heb. 6.13 And the Apostle Paul say An Oath for confirmation among men was the end of strife c. Do not this allow of swearing and make room for oathes now among men in these dayes c. 15. Answ That which God did in daies past concerning swearing mentioned Heb. chap. 6. It was to confirme his promise made to Abraham and to his Seed and they that are Christs are Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise and such are Christs that abide in his doctrine and do his commands they only are his friends and by way of similitude did the Apostle Paul there speak of it not by command or doctrine he that reads let him understand That men by an oath did end the controversie or strife among them and confirme the thing about which they swore who did swear by the Greater as I have before mentioned by them in the old time Num. 30.2 Deu. 6.13 c. So that the Apostle said Because God could not find a Greater he did swear by himself to Abraham saying surely in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thee c. This was a promise made to Abraham with an oath putting him out of all doubt that he would fulfil it and so he staggered not at it but patiently waited till it came to pass Hebrews 6.15 So that this is onely a Parable shewing that if among men an oath did confirme a thing and end the strife and that men did perform their oathes who did swear by the Greater which was once commanded by Him how much more would the Lord be faithful to perform His oath which he sware by Himself who is the Greatest to Abraham and to his seed seeing he cannot lye nor is he a man that he should repent but is the Righteous Judge of all the earth that doth right Gen. 18.25 17. So that this is neither precept example or command for the Christians the Disciples of Christ now in these last daies for swearing and oathes but a repetition of what was done in times past the old time to the Fathers as he speaks Heb. 1.1 Which was in divers manners and at sundry times but now he hath spoken unto us in his Son and Heir who is before Abraham and the end of the old time the Law and the Prophets who saith Swear not at all 18. Object But did not God swear by himself and will not Repent ch 7.21 But this seems as if God did repent seeing now by his son to whom he hath given all power in heaven and earth he commands not to swear at all in these last daies is not this repenting of what was done formerly in the old time c. Ans No It cannot be said truly here he did Repent seeing he hath willingly and faithfully performed and fulfilled that which he had then sworn and promised as in the Record of Luke 1.72.73 where it is mentioned not for a precept of swearing but in thanksgiving and praises to the Lord that he had performed the oath which he had sworn to Abraham by giving them light who sate in darkness and in the shadow of death and the knowledge of salvation by the remission of their sins c. But where he spake of swearing and will not repent it was conserning the disanulling of all those Priests which were made by a carnal commandement and of establishing Christ Jesus His Son with an oath to be a Priest for evermore after the order of Melchisedeck an unchangeable unalterable order and not after the order of Aaron which Priesthood was changed and so there was of necessity a change also of the Law by which swearing and oathes was commanded and tollerated for such an High-Priest saith the Scripture became us who is holy harmeless undesiled seperate from sinners and made higher then the Heavens c. For the Law maketh men High-Priests which have infirmity but the word of the oath which was since the law maketh the Son who is consecrated for evermore mark the word of the oath which was since the Law which God sware and will not repent maketh the Son an High-Priest for evermore at whose mouth the Law must now be sought as it was of the Priests in the Old time whose lips were to preserve the peoples knowledge Mal. 2.7 But now in the Son Christ dwelleth all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge by whom God speakes in these last daies saying This is my beloved son hear ye him c. 21. So that you who contend and plead for swearing and oathes and persecute about it are yet in the old time and under the Law and the old disanulled changeable Priesthood and fell into condemnation Iames 5.12 and not under grace no Disciples of Christ Jesus the everlasting unchangeable High-priest who saith Swear not at all And so no christians 22. And so now ye have no covering but what is too narrow for your swearing and oathes nor no shadow of death or dark place to hide yourselves under from the light of the Son who is now risen and coming up to the noon day whom God hath highly exalted and given him a Name above every Name that at his Name every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in the earth and things under the earth c. Phil. 2.9.10 23. And so if every knee must bow to him then must Abraham David and Solomon Ioseph Isaac and Iacob and all the Angels bow their knees understand what name and what knees of things in Heaven and Earth c. and all who did swear in the Old time to him who now saith Swear not at all Mat. 5. which is since the law 24. And if ye shall yet again say or do beleive that it was only prophane swearing and oathes that Christ there forbad his Disciples even such as drunkards and quarrellers use in their common talke or such as the Pharisees used as aforesaid and not lawful or religious oathes 25. To this I answer If such prophane oathes and swearing and such superstitious and Idolatrous swearing as the Pharisees and Hipocrites then used Mat. 23. were ever commanded of God and to be performed to him in the Old time then it
of the Law or that ye are Infidels or Heathens no longer profes your selves christians for shame or take the name of Christ into your mouthes for a cloak of malitiousness but as flatly deny him to be come in the flesh with your mouth tongues as ye do with your works Tit. 1.16 And that such or anylother of his commands are of no effect or force to you so deny him to be Lord who is the Head over all to his Church to whom every tongue shall confess to the glory of God the Father For if ye do still profess him or his Name in words and that ye are his servants and call your selves christians or the like and yet not obey his commands nor do the things which he hath said nor abide in his doctrine but persecute them that do we must and shall judge you in righteous judgement to be abominable hypocrites and rebellious and disobedient both to the Father and the Son for God hath said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him and the Son said Swear not at all and John said Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God And this is Christs doctrine before mentioned which he taught In which who so abideth hath both the Father and the Son Therefore take heed to your selves what ye do or what ye intend to do against such for the Lord God of Heaven is pleading their cause and will plead with you all who break his commands and teach men so or compel men so to do for ye are all out of the doctrine of Christ in the transgression though ye can talk of him and profess him with your mouth and lips and hath not God but are without God in the world which lies in wickedness where ye are contending and pleading for swearing and oathes in the old time which ends not your strife which the one oath the new living way ends who saith Swear not all Mat. 5. So ye being without God in the world breaking his commands ye are not under Christs government and so being out of his government ye are without his protection for he praies not for the world but for them whom he hath chosen out of it for the whole world lies in wickedness So ye being in the wickedness in the Transgression out of Christs protection who hath all power in Heaven and earth ye are in darkness and under the shadow of death and in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity captivated in the snares and chains of the Old fool at his pleasure whom ye obey and so ye are in such apremunire body soul and spirit that ye will never more get out except ye repent with speed and turn your minds to the light of Christ Jesus in your consciences and obey his commands and abide in his doctrine who saith Swear not at all And this is the word of the Lord God of Heaven unto all you Rulers Priests and people whatsoever who swear and plead for swearing and oathes and persecute the harmeless about it ye are none of Christs sheep servants friends or children but of the linage of Cain and the old hipocrites in their way to whom the woe belongs who denied Christ and chused a murtherer and so ye are no christians But Christ Jesus is come and is setting up his government Kingdome and dominion over all your kingdomes and establishing his Throne upon top of all your Thrones whose Secpter is a Scepter of righteousness which must rule over all unrighteous Secpters And to his name which is above every name shall all your knees bow If ye fulfil the Royal Law according to the Scripture Thou shalt love thy neighbour and thy self ye do well c. For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point be is guilty of all Iam. 2.8 c. A few words more to the Rulars Priests Teachers and People of what sort soever in this Nation of England from the highest to the lowest who have any hand in persecuting the Innocent c. HEar and understand all ye Rulers Priests and Teachers of England with all your Officers and servants or whomsoever else Superior or Inferior from the Iudge to the Goaler or from the highest to the lowest who have any hand or are in any measure pertakers against the innocent people and servants of the Lord Iesus Christ who cannot break his commands by swearing This we would give you to understand that as for us who fear and obey the Lord your Prisons and cruel unjust dealings and your long furrowes ye plough upon our backs therein is very little to us except to the more raising and strengthning of that life in us which will never bow to your wills or any will of man by transgressing the commands of Christ Iesus for our eyes are not at what ye can or will or have power permitted you to do or at the length of time in which we suffer bonds under your ambitious wills or at any other temporal thing whatsoever but to the Lord our God alone who is pleading and will plead our innocent cause for us in all your consciences Ye if ye should shut us up in Dungeons never so close from you out of your sight or hearing yet Gods witness as a drawn sword in your bowels which seeth in secret shall pierce through your heart and life and smite you in your very vital parts for all your wickedness against him his way of truth and harmeless people and set in order before you all you ungodly deeds and blasphemous hard speeches which ye have committed and spoken for the eye of the pure God beholds and his ear of jealousy hears you in your most secret chambers from whose presence ye cannot alwaies fly nor hide your counsels though you should dig as deep as Hell or fly to the uttermost parts of the earth And though you should keep us till death in your prisons we cannot break the commands of our Lord and Saviour which hath saved us and will yet save and deliver us But as for you who profess your selves christians consider these things Whether he whom you professe in words will not call you to an account for breaking his commands and for casting his servants and children into prisons and keep them there for no other cause but for keeping the commands abideing in the doctrine of Christ whom your selves profess in words and shew as the Phraisees did Moses and the Prophets but opposed their life Crucified Christ Iesus the end and substance of Moses and the Prophets words Ye hypocrites what covering or excuse can ye have to hide or shelter your selves under in the day of the Lord which hastens upon you It s not your Acts and decrees made in the will of man that shall stand you in steed or save you when the sentence is given against you Go ye workers of Iniquity into everlasting torment Nay they shall not be able to save themselves from the just judgement of our God but shall receive a just recompence for all their doings And as for us we choose rather to die then transgress against the Lord Iesus Christ or wrong our conscience in any measure by bowing to the corrupt wills of proud ambitious men who are alienated from God and would alienate us from him also Did we obey your requirings or impositions in these unjust unrighteous things but we desire to live alway in obedience and humility before him though our outward man perish through your unjust and cruel dealings our souls you cannot touch to defile them neither can ye break our peace with our God by all ye can do For we know the uttmost of your power and Ability the last enemy is death and through the tender meacies of our God we do enjoy that life and peace in which we dayly triumph over death and Hell and the gates of it Praises and thanks to his holy Name for ever and ever being founded on the unmoveable Rock of our salvation Christ Jesus in whose will life and strength we are resolved in patience for his truth and Namesake to undergoe the greatest punishments afflictions or death that you from the highest to the lowest can or shall be able or suffered to inflict upon us So we have fully weighed and considered the cost to the utmost Mite But as for you this I tell you all from the highest to the lowest who have the least hand in our sufferings either in perticular or in general who in scorn are called Quakers you are splitting and dashing breaking and scattering confounding and destroying your own selves in these things and if no other hand be lifted up against you by this shall ye fall And this is Gods word of truth unto you which shall stand and be fulfilled So his blessed will be done and in it we are well satisfied knowing and beleiving that the Lord whom we serve and obey knoweth how to deliver them that trust only in him and to reserve the ungodly to the day of judgement to be punished From my Prison at Harford the 10th month 1663. where I remain a close prisoner because I cannot swear and break the command of Christ Jesus Thus saith the Lord I will make Jerusalem a burthensom stone to all people and they that burthen themselves with her shall be dashed in pieces The END Printed for W. M.
Father and the Son Ch. 2.22.23 For whosoever denieth Christ's words and doctrine hath denied him also and he that denieth him denieth the Father also not onely with the lips for the Father hath committed all power and judgement to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father who said This is my beloved Son here ye him Mat. 17.5 But they that break his Commandes and abide not in his doctrine do dishonour him and are contrary to him of Antichrist without God in the world c. 7. Object Now some may object and say that these Commands or Doctrines of Christ Jesus and his servant Iames about oathes and swearing was not to disanul make void or prohibit all swearing and oathes as Religious oathes as some call them or oathes of Allegiance or obedience to Superiors before a Magistrate lawfully tendred or the like but vain and frivolous oathes and swearing in their common talk or such superstious and Idolatrous swearing and oathes as the Phatisees used who said it was nothing to swear by the Temple but whosoever shall swear by the Gold of the Temple he is a debter c. Against whom Christ denounced many woes and called them Fooles and blind Matt. 23. 8. Answ Now first consider to whom Christ and his Servant Iames did speak and read their words and weigh them in the fear of God Matt. 5.6 ch And thou maist see that Christ spake to his own Disciples expounding the things concerning the law wherein was written Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not kill c. Exod. 20. And an eye for an eye and a Tooth for a tooth c. 21.14 And whosoever shall put away his Wife let him give her a writing of Divorsement Deut. 24.1 c. Calling the time of the Law the Old time in which these things were given forth as Commandements by the Lord as also swearing in that time was commanded and lawful and the oathes to be performed to the Lord as may be read Numb 30.2 If a man vow a vow unto the Lord or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond he shall not break his word he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth c. And in Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his name And Psalm 63. Every one that sweareth by him shall glory but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopt and the Angel swore and Abraham and Isack swore and in Isaiah 65.16 And he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of Truth but the mouth of the lyar shall be stopt and Ioseph and David swore and many more that might be mentioned so that swearing by the God of Truth in the earth was lawful in the Old time of which Christ spake as is sufficiently proved Gen. 21.24 and 26.31 and 42.15 But these things were but for their time and season for the Law served and the Old time swearing and ceremonies till the Seed came Gal. 3. which is Christ the new and living way who saith swear not at all Matt. 5.34 So these were no such frivelous Oathes neither was it onely such prophane or superstitious swearing of which Christ was here speaking and forbidding his Disciples or such oathes as the Pharisees used among them But such as were to be performed in the Old time to the Lord even in the time of the Law and the Prophets of whom Christ the Substance is the end to every one that beleiveth who saith Swear not at all 9. And again do ye conceit or beleive that the Disciples of Jesus Christ whom he sometimes called Brethren and children were such common or prophane swearers or did swear their common talke as you false Christians do who profess him his doctrine practise only in words shew or do ye think or imagine it was onely the Pharisees blind Superstitions swearing or the like that he forbade them If so Then why did he mention the Old time and those other things of the Law and say Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of Old time Thou shalt not forswear thy self but shall perform unto the Lord thine Oathes c. this could not be the Pharisees oathes and swearing then present neither any such prophane or superstitious oathes because it were such oathes as were to be performed to the Lord and not at that present time of the Pharisees but in the Old time of which they had heard Matt. 5. or can thou say that ever the Pharisees blind swearing or foolish confused Oathes Mat. 23. was ever commanded by the Lord or to be performed to him which I judge no man can prove 10. But however or what oathes or swearing soever it was of which there and then he was speaking and forbidding his Disciples it was sufficient for them then and for the Disciples of Christ the true Christians now that he hath positively commanded which is not to be disputed by them that follow him saying But I say unto you swear not at all seeing all power in heaven and earth and all judgement and authority is given and committed to him of whom God hath said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him And again Hebrew 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers in the Prophets hath in these last daies spoken unto us in his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds c. Now if Abraham I sacc and Iacob David and Solomon Moses Isaiah or Ioseph did swear these were all but servants in the old time but the Son who is the heir of all things by whom the worlds were made who is above the servants by whom God speaks in these last daies the new and living way to whom all power is given in heaven and earth whom all are to hear saith Swear not at all and though the Angel swore yet he is but a servant as he himself said to Iohn See thou do it not for I am thy fellow servant Rev. 21.9 But Christ the Son is the Heir of all things and hath obtained a more excellent name then the Angels by Inheritance Heb. 1.4 And again when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him vers 5.6 c. 12. And said Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ If an Angel from Heaven should preach another Gospel or doctrine unto you then that which we have preached let him be accursed so that we are not to look at any that swore in old time or in daies past for our example and rule though it be an Angel from Heaven contrary to Christs doctrine and command who saith Swear not at all 13. For the Scripture 2 Iohn 9. do not say Whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Angels or of Isaiah
were such oathes and swearing But I do not read nor beleive nor any other true Christian that God did ever in any age or to any people whatsoever command or allow of such a kind of swearing and oathes as the ungodly drunkards and prophane people use in their common talk or such as the Hipocrites did then or do now use who persecute them that witness the oath and everlasting covenant of God fulfilled which now saith to his Disciples Swear not at all 26. But if it could be so proved and made manifest yet the word or commandement I say unto you swear not at all do include to the understanding of the upright and reasonable all swearing whatsoever to be forbidden by Christ Jesus whom all are to hear and to whom every knee must bow 27. Object But here may yet another question arise in the unsariable reasoning part among people in the World Viz. If all swearing and oathes is now forbidden and that we must not swear at all by the command of Christ Iesus what then will become of all the world One man might kill another and steal from another and abuse rob and speil their neighbours witbout restraint or punishment seeing mens words will not be taken as sufficient to prove any crime against any according to Law without an oath which among men doth end the strife and is a confirmation c. 28. To which I answer I grant the whole world lyeth in wickedness as the Apostle Iohn said and they themselves confess the same that they break the commands of God every day in thought word and deed which is also very apparent to all whose eyes are open and many times complain there is no health or truth in them and that they are miserable sinners This is generally confest throughout Europe and it may be throughout the whole world among the swearers who are still in strife and debate and smiteing with the fist of wickedness notwithstanding all their oathes and swearing it ends not the strife among them 29. But now mark these are all of the world and their teachers who plead for swearing and oaths are of the world and the world heareth them 1 Iohn 5.19 These are miserable sinners without truth and health no soundness from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot from the high and mighty to the beggar on the dunghil but all gone out of the way erred and strayed from the right way as they themselves confess 30 Now when these do steal one from another or kill murther or rob one another we do not bid them refrain from swearing one against another in that case because they are no christians And what have we to do with them that are without as Paul said for such God judgeth 1 Cor. 5.12 13. but we direct and inform peoples minds and exhort them that are thus in strife and swearing killing and stealing for which the Land mourneth Hos 4.2.3 to come to the Light of Christ Jesus in their consciences and learn of him who sheweth them that these things are evil and reproves the wole world for their sins that so they might be taught as his Disciples are to deny all such ungodliness and these worldly Lusts from whence the strife and swearing wars and fightings comes and live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world and to do unto all men as they would have others do to them and yet this is but the Law and the Prophets 31. Therefore ye should consider that this strife swearing and oathes is not among christians who obeys Christs commands and abide in his doctrine but in the world which lyeth in wickedness And as saith the Prophet The wicked will do wickedly while many are tryed purified and made white and none of the wicked shall understand Dan. 12. And such as abide not in the doctrine of Christ but transgresseth hath not God 2. John 9. 32. So that all these things are among them that are out of the doctrine of Christ who saith Swear not at all and so are without God in the world having their hearts blinded and their hearts alienated and estranged from the covenant of promise which God sware to Abraham and strangers to the Common-wealth of Israel so are none of his Disciples whom he hath taught to be merciful and to do to all men as they would be done unto and when this is done among people where would be the killing or stealing imprisoning or persecuting if ye were but come to this for thou would not have another kill thee nor steal from thee nor persecute thee for thy Religion and conscience then take heed that thou do likewise else thou art no christian let thy profession be what it will or thy Religion and worship and outside Garments of what colour or form soever So that we do justly conclude and Gods witness in all your consciences shall one day witness the same That we who are out of the swearing and strife abiding in Christs doctrine and commands are of God and hath both the Father and the Son as it is written 2 Iohn 9. how blindly soever you now judge of us and that you who are in the strife and swearing out of the doctrine of Christ hath not God but are without God in the world that lyeth in wickedness and have not his fear before your eyes which is to depart from evil Prov. 8.13 and 16.6 Therefore consider these things all ye Rulers Teachers and people who contend for swearing and oathes and cast the servants of God into your noysome holes and prison-houses making long furrows upon their backs with your Instruments of cruelty for abiding in the doctrine of Christ Jesus and because they cannot break his commands by swearing and yet you your selves profess his name in woâ—ds and say you are christians and that he is your Lord and Saviour and the like Away with this hipocrisy Gods soul loaths it and ye are a burthen to him which he is even weary to bear and he will shortly ease himself of all you hypocrites who cry Lord Lord and do not the things which he commands this was the Pharisees state the persecutors to whom the woes from the Son of God were denounced as they are against you at this day Therefore if ye will now own swearing and oathes to be lawful useful and tollerable and plead for them and persecute about them and such things when Christ Jesus hath expresly and possitively forbidden all swearing to whom God hath committed all power and judgement in Heaven and earth to whom every knee must bow who is made an High Priest with an oath which God sware and will not Repent since the Law and the Old time who is the end of the Law and the Prophets by whom God speaks in these last daies c. Then confess openly before all people that ye are Jews-living in the Old time under the Law and not in the new and living way Christ the end