Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	earth_n	lord_n	soul_n	10,053	5	4.7640	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93487	Some consideration about the nature of an oath more particularly relating to our nationall covenant. Seriously propounded to all who truely feare God, and desire so to walkd with him, that they may enjoy peace of conscience. Wherein this quærie is handled: whether the said nationall covenant hath those requisites in it, which according to Gods word ought to be in every oath. The consideration whereof is in this juncture of time the more seasonable, for the said covenant is on the one hand too much adored by some, and on the other hand by others esteemed scarce oblieging, even them who have sworn it. Imprimatur Theodore Jennings Septem. 17. 1649.		1649 (1649)	Wing S4480; Thomason E575_11; ESTC R206328	9,315	15

SOME CONSIDERATIONS about the Nature of an Oath More particularly relating to Our Nationall Covenant Seriously propounded to all who truely feare God and desire so to walk with him that they may enjoy Peace of Conscience Wherein this QUAERIE is Handled Whether the said Nationall Covenant hath those Requisites in it which according to Gods Word ought to be in every OATH The Consideration whereof Is in this juncture of time the more seasonable for that the said Covenant is on the one hand too much adored by some and on the other hand by others esteemed scarce oblieging even them who have Sworn it Qui facilè jurat facilè perjurat Imprimatur Theodore Jennings Septem 17. 1649. London Printed for Robert Ibbitson in Smithfield near the Queens head Tavern Octob. 4. 1649. Observations upon our Nationall COVENANT HAving with much sorrow beheld how the divisions and troubles of this torne and dis-joynted Kingdome have been continued even when we had good hopes that they were drawing to a period Looking into the cause this hath been observed to be none of the least that all parties have laboured to uphold their owne Interests by endeavouring to weave in Religion and Conscience with a designe which they were driving on This practise appeares no where more then in the use that is made of the Nationall Covenant which being a long Oath and abounding with ambiguous expressions may by any party in the Kingdom be easily construed to countenance their undertakings The observation hereof hath invited a search into this question Whether this Nationall Covenant be agreeing for matter with those Covenants which we read of in Scripture or whether it have those qualifications which according to Gods word ought to be in every Oath The Covenants which we read of in Scripture made by Asa Nehemia and others were wholly or mostly for seeking God for humbling their soules under the sense of sinne and for a reformation of their lives But look upon our Covenant and except a little at the latter end it is stuffed with matter of Polity Government Rights Priviledges Liberties and a many other matters savouring more of earth then heaven and more likely to perplex the conscience with doubts then to strengthen and further a pious soule that seekes it's owne cleansing and reformation and to close with the Lord Christ for strength and assistance hereunto Hence it commeth to passe as was before said that all Parties have laboured to countenance their actions with this cloake Their Covenant In the late invasion of the Scots under Duke Hamilton what brought them in but Their Covenant As you may see by their Declaration The risings in severall parts of this Kingdome this last Summer 1648. It was as they said to pursue the ends of their Covenant And how many that have stood out against the Parliament have done it as they said in pursuance of their Covenant Let us therefore look into Gods word and see what qualifications we find there required in every Oath that is pleasing to God Let us consider what the godly and learned have written on this subject and then without any pretending to a new light we shall easily discover how peccant this long Oath is against all Rules laid down by all Protestant writers old and new The ordinary qualifications of an Oath are these that it be taken in Truth in Judgement in Righteousnesse collected from Jeremiah 4.2 Isay 48.1 First in Truth That is of such things as we will performe and are fully resolved seriously to put in practise Secondly Therefore we must swear in Judgement We must well and throughly understand what we swear unto An Oath must not have ambiguous expressions in it for then how shall we sweare in Judgement And thirdly we must swear in Righteousnesse that is we must not bind our selves to ought but what is just and righteous and may stand with the honour of God and the good of them that fear him Now examine the severall Articles of our Covenant and let him that takes it weigh the expressions he there meets withall as he ought to do before he takes an Oath and he shall soon see how disagreeing those Articles are with these Rules Our first qualification is to swear in Truth Then bring the fourth Article of our Nationall Covenant to this qualification And I aske him that takes the Covenant whether he intend to complaine of or discover to some in Authority all MALIGNANTS and all that shall be so Those are the words of the Article If he purpose seriously to do as he there swears if he be one who frequents much company I dare assure him he may begin in January and hold on till December and do no other businesse Besides let the practise of our Covenanters speak for them and I aske any man who hath sworn this Covenant how many Malignants he hath discovered since he tooke it Is it because he never came in company of such that he hath discovered few or none He is one then that mewes himselfe up in his closet and avoids the sight of the most But here it is worth the time to observe what hard shifts they study up to excuse the breach of their Oath One sayes that by Malignant is not understood he that railes or speakes evill of the Parliament but he that plots and contrives against them Answer 1. Are not words the discovery of mens minds 1 Answ And are not words punishable by all lawes of God and man Doe not all Common-Weals punish an offender in words Nay even between private men a wrong in words requires satisfaction much more words that are against the publick well-being of the State Answer 2. 2 Answ If men are not to be discovered untill they plot and act it is then like that it is too late to discover such and indeed contrary to the intent of a discovery which is to prevent them that may plot and act not to lay open them that do act for they have discovered themselves therefore he that by his speech declares himselfe Malignant must be here comprehended A second Shift used to evade this Article is of some that run to the first words of the Covenant And say that this discovery is to be made of every one in his place and calling but say they it is not my place and calling therefore it concerns not me Answer 1. 1 Answ Either it is every mans duty to make this discovery who takes this Oath or else no mans duty if any mans duty why not thine as well as another mans since thou hast sworn to do it Answer 2. If it belong not to thy place to do it 2 Answ then thou swearest to an Impertinency And so takest the name of God in vaine and breakest the third Commandment As that reverend man M. Ley of Budworth a member of the Assembly hath wel observed in his booke against the Oath of the new Cannon called Defensive doubts c. Printed for G.