that_o mind_n that_o be_v carnal_a and_o therefore_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o rom._n 8_o 7._o but_o all_o who_o mind_n the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o so_o know_v christ_n doctrine_n to_o be_v his_o that_o send_v he_o when_o he_o say_v swear_v not_o at_o all_o and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o god_n be_v pure_o worship_v and_o true_o serve_v before_o any_o oath_n be_v and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o israel_n be_v command_v to_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o serve_v he_o and_o swear_v by_o his_o name_n by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o swear_v be_v no_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o be_v but_o temporary_a and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o israel_n be_v to_o seek_v the_o place_n which_o the_o lord_n shall_v chase_v to_o put_v his_o name_n there_o viz._n jerusalem_n and_o thither_o they_o be_v to_o come_v and_o bring_v their_o burn_a offering_n deut._n 12.5_o 6_o 7._o joh._n 4.20_o and_o there_o be_v and_o be_v a_o time_n that_o neither_o in_o the_o mountain_n nor_o yet_o at_o jerusalem_n they_o shall_v worship_v the_o father_n joh._n 4.21_o and_o there_o be_v a_o time_n that_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o heir_n shall_v not_o differ_v from_o a_o servant_n etc._n etc._n and_o there_o be_v a_o appoint_a time_n when_o he_o shall_v be_v lord_n of_o all_o and_o receive_v the_o adoption_n of_o a_o son_n gal._n 4.1_o to_o 6._o but_o the_o well_o be_v deep_a and_o whilst_o people_n have_v or_o at_o the_o least_o make_v use_n of_o nothing_o to_o draw_v the_o water_n with_o but_o what_o they_o have_v and_o receive_v from_o man_n by_o man_n and_o of_o man_n they_o will_v receive_v little_a refreshment_n or_o satisfaction_n in_o these_o thing_n beforementioned_a nevertheless_o when_o they_o in_o their_o heart_n shall_v turn_v to_o the_o lord_n the_o veil_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o for_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v there_o be_v light_n and_o it_o be_v the_o light_n that_o god_n have_v command_v to_o shine_v in_o man_n heart_n for_o to_o give_v unto_o they_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o his_o spirit_n which_o the_o natural_a man_n understand_v not_o nor_o can_v the_o wisdom_n which_o be_v from_o below_o find_v out_o and_o now_o i_o come_v to_o a.s._n his_o twelve_o argument_n or_o last_o reason_n which_o be_v and_o be_v arg._n 12._o the_o general_a practice_n of_o christendom_n who_o can_v not_o all_o be_v so_o ignorant_a as_o to_o misunderstand_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o or_o so_o wicked_a as_o not_o only_o rash_o but_o advise_o to_o act_v against_o they_o answ._n it_o be_v write_v thou_o shall_v not_o follow_v a_o multitude_n to_o do_v evil_a and_o also_o that_o when_o king_n herod_n hear_v that_o the_o holy_a child_n jesus_n be_v bear_v he_o be_v trouble_v and_o all_o jerusalem_n with_o he_o and_o gather_v together_o all_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n of_o the_o people_n he_o ask_v of_o they_o where_o christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v and_o they_o say_v at_o bethlem_n etc._n etc._n mat._n 2.1_o etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n be_v so_o wicked_a that_o they_o assemble_v together_o and_o consult_v how_o they_o may_v take_v jesus_n by_o subtlety_n and_o kill_v he_o mat._n 26.3_o 4._o concern_v who_o the_o apostle_n act_v 3.17_o bear_v witness_n that_o they_o do_v what_o they_o do_v unto_o he_o ignorant_o because_o they_o know_v he_o not_o and_o therefore_o exhort_v they_o to_o repentance_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v possible_a that_o all_o those_o in_o christendom_n mention_v by_o a._n s._n to_o own_o swear_n as_o man_n may_v in_o this_o case_n of_o swear_v be_v ignorant_a the_o time_n of_o ignorance_n be_v wink_v at_o and_o therefore_o this_o reason_n give_v by_o a.s._n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n do_v not_o forbid_v all_o swear_n when_o he_o have_v say_v swear_v not_o at_o all_o be_v neither_o sound_n nor_o satisfactory_a especial_o the_o scripture_n follow_v well_o consider_v joh._n 5.34_o 36._o &_o 8.43_o mat._n 11.25_o to_o which_o many_o other_o may_v be_v add_v and_o yet_o my_o belief_n be_v that_o the_o lord_n in_o no_o age_n have_v leave_v himself_o without_o witness_n concern_v the_o truth_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n aforesaid_a although_o bear_v by_o babe_n and_o poor_a fisherman_n or_o other_o person_n unlearned_a in_o the_o many_o language_n and_o therefore_o little_o esteem_v of_o the_o world_n though_o high_o esteem_v of_o god_n but_o by_o the_o world_n hate_v and_o their_o testimony_n reject_v as_o erroneous_a and_o yet_o great_a be_v he_o that_o be_v in_o they_o than_o he_o that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o they_o have_v the_o great_a witness_n for_o if_o the_o witness_n of_o man_n be_v great_a the_o witness_n of_o god_n be_v great_a which_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v have_v in_o himself_o 1_o joh._n 5.9_o 10._o and_o he_o that_o keep_v the_o command_n of_o christ_n he_o dwell_v in_o christ_n and_o christ_n in_o he_o according_a to_o 1_o joh._n 3.23_o 24._o and_o i_o also_o believe_v concern_v many_o of_o they_o who_o have_v affirm_v as_o their_o judgement_n the_o lawfulness_n of_o some_o swear_n under_o the_o gospel_n that_o if_o they_o have_v live_v in_o these_o our_o day_n wherein_o the_o lord_n god_n out_o of_o the_o riches_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o abundance_n of_o his_o light_n which_o he_o have_v command_v to_o shine_v out_o of_o darkness_n after_o the_o long_a night_n of_o apostasy_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o heir_n of_o his_o righteousness_n for_o to_o give_v unto_o they_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o glory_n and_o of_o the_o true_a witness-bearing_a in_o the_o face_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o it_o be_v before_o any_o oath_n or_o swear_v be_v that_o they_o will_v have_v come_v to_o have_v see_v and_o also_o to_o have_v acknowledge_v as_o many_o in_o these_o day_n bless_v be_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o his_o unspeakable_a gift_n have_v do_v their_o mistake_n in_o the_o case_n of_o swear_v and_o by_o confess_v their_o sin_n and_o acknowledge_v their_o mistake_n have_v give_v glory_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o conform_v their_o judgement_n &_o practice_n to_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o and_o with_o solomon_n have_v bear_v their_o testimony_n that_o in_o make_v many_o book_n there_o be_v no_o end_n and_o in_o read_v of_o they_o much_o wearisomeness_n to_o the_o flesh_n and_o that_o the_o end_n of_o all_o be_v to_o learn_v to_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n which_o be_v the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n eccles._n 12.12_o 13._o and_o now_o have_v bear_v my_o testimony_n for_o the_o lord_n concern_v oath_n and_o swear_v according_a to_o that_o in_o my_o conscience_n and_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o not_o in_o a_o way_n of_o oppose_v the_o son_n of_o god_n against_o his_o father_n nor_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n against_o the_o old_a nor_o by_o make_v any_o text_n of_o scripture_n contradictory_n in_o itself_o but_o in_o and_o by_o such_o a_o way_n as_o they_o be_v establish_v in_o unity_n one_o with_o another_o neither_o with_o a_o contend_v or_o oppose_v spirit_n against_o any_o law_n or_o ordinance_n of_o man_n that_o aught_o to_o be_v submit_v unto_o for_o the_o lord_n sake_n but_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o love_n and_o meekness_n for_o the_o clear_n my_o conscience_n before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n in_o yield_v a_o reason_n wherefore_o i_o and_o some_o other_o may_v not_o take_v any_o oath_n or_o swear_v at_o all_o although_o we_o shall_v be_v require_v thereunto_o by_o a_o lawful_a magistrate_n i_o have_v peace_n cause_v rather_o in_o this_o case_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n and_o by_o submission_n unto_o their_o punishment_n which_o hitherto_o bless_a be_v god_n i_o and_o some_o other_o have_v find_v not_o according_a to_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n but_o with_o some_o moderation_n thereby_o testify_v my_o practice_n to_o be_v according_a to_o my_o judgement_n against_o all_o resistance_n of_o the_o power_n which_o god_n have_v set_v over_o i_o and_o that_o not_o for_o fear_v of_o wrath_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n to_o god_n who_o be_v able_a not_o only_o to_o destroy_v my_o body_n but_o to_o cast_v both_o soul_n and_o body_n into_o hell_n fire_n assure_o believe_v that_o while_o i_o have_v a_o respect_n unto_o all_o the_o command_v of_o christ_n jesus_n i_o shall_v never_o be_v ashamed_a and_o if_o in_o this_o matter_n concern_v swear_v any_o shall_v yet_o remain_v otherwise_o mind_v and_o seem_v to_o be_v contentious_a about_o word_n and_o form_n i_o say_v we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n for_o where_o glory_n be_v give_v to_o god_n on_o high_a there_o be_v peace_n on_o earth_n and_o good_a will_n to_o all_o man_n on_o earth_n below_o and_o all_o who_o wait_v in_o the_o light_n of_o god_n as_o it_o shine_v in_o their_o heart_n 〈◊〉_d in_o due_a time_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o truth_n reveal_v unto_o they_o 〈◊〉_d which_o i_o have_v herein_o bear_v my_o testimony_n and_o i_o and_o other_o 〈…〉_z o_o walk_v in_o that_o whereunto_o we_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v come_v that_o so_o we_o may_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o our_o testimony_n for_o the_o lord_n though_o bear_v through_o much_o suffering_n the_o end_n
a_o true_a testimony_n concern_v oath_n &_o swear_v etc._n etc._n as_o also_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o subject_a matter_n contain_v in_o twelve_o argument_n or_o reason_n lay_v down_o in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o carliste_n aug._n 17._o 1664._o by_o allan_n smalwood_n d.d._n as_o he_o style_v himself_o to_o prove_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o forbid_v all_o swear_v wherein_o be_v full_o clear_v the_o command_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n james_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o matth._n 5.34_o &_o jam._n 5.12_o from_o the_o corrupt_a gloss_n limit_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o say_v a._n s._n in_o his_o say_a sermon_n and_o in_o his_o reply_n to_o f.h._n his_o book_n call_v oath_n no_o gospel_n ordinance_n etc._n etc._n and_o also_o the_o unsatisfactoriness_n and_o unsoundness_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a argument_n full_o discover_v and_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o manifest_v to_o be_v a_o universal_a prohibition_n of_o all_o oath_n and_o swear_v whatsoever_o to_o his_o disciple_n write_a in_o the_o year_n 1668._o by_o ger._n benson_n psal._n 89.49_o 50._o remember_v o_o lord_n the_o rebuke_n thy_o servant_n have_v wherewith_o thy_o enemy_n have_v blaspheme_v thou_o and_o slander_v the_o footstep_n of_o thiâ—â—_n anoint_v london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1669._o to_o the_o reader_n reader_n what_o i_o have_v write_v in_o this_o little_a treatise_n not_o be_v after_o man_n neither_o by_o i_o receive_v of_o man_n nor_o from_o man_n i_o have_v therefore_o make_v no_o use_n of_o the_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n neither_o of_o any_o man_n testimony_n for_o the_o confirm_v the_o same_o but_o as_o the_o testimony_n therein_o bear_v be_v for_o god_n &_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o say_n &_o not_o for_o man_n i_o have_v make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o witness_n than_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n that_o bear_v witness_v because_o the_o spirit_n be_v truth_n and_o be_v so_o can_v neither_o deceive_v nor_o be_v deceive_v which_o spirit_n be_v of_o god_n be_v great_a than_o man_n and_o so_o know_v more_o for_o the_o thing_n therein_o treat_v of_o be_v matter_n of_o faith_n &_o therefore_o stand_v not_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o word_n or_o of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n who_o shut_v &_o no_o man_n can_v open_v &_o open_v &_o no_o man_n can_v shut_v neither_o indeed_o be_v fall_v man_n especial_o a_o swearer_n a_o competent_a witness_n in_o this_o controversy_n about_o swear_v no_o man_n be_v a_o competent_a witness_n in_o his_o own_o cause_n read_v then_o without_o prejudice_n own_o with_o understanding_n or_o answer_v in_o the_o ground_n without_o contend_v about_o word_n to_o no_o profit_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n consist_v not_o in_o word_n but_o in_o power_n neither_o in_o meat_n &_o drink_n but_o righteousness_n and_o peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n a_o true_a testimony_n concern_v oath_n and_o swear_v etc._n etc._n in_o the_o day_n that_o almighty_a god_n create_v man_n before_o man_n be_v in_o his_o image_n and_o according_a to_o his_o own_o likeness_n create_v he_o he_o male_a and_o female_a create_v he_o they_o and_o have_v finish_v the_o work_n of_o creation_n he_o look_v upon_o all_o that_o he_o have_v make_v and_o lo_o it_o be_v very_o good_a and_o have_v also_o make_v the_o man_n of_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n he_o plant_v a_o garden_n eastward_o in_o eden_n where_o he_o put_v the_o man_n who_o he_o have_v make_v and_o that_o man_n may_v learn_v obedience_n the_o lord_n command_v he_o say_v thou_o shall_v eat_v free_o of_o every_o tree_n of_o the_o garden_n but_o of_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a thou_o shall_v not_o eat_v of_o it_o for_o in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v die_v the_o death_n now_o in_o that_o day_n there_o be_v no_o strife_n or_o controversy_n for_o what_o the_o lord_n command_v it_o be_v do_v as_o it_o be_v write_v psal._n 33.9_o for_o he_o speak_v and_o it_o be_v do_v he_o command_v and_o it_o stand_v fast_o and_o god_n be_v all_o in_o all_o and_o over_o all_o the_o lawgiver_n judge_n and_o king_n and_o as_o then_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n in_o the_o world_n which_o god_n have_v make_v so_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o controversy_n or_o strife_n betwixt_o man_n and_o his_o maker_n or_o among_o the_o creature_n of_o god_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o oath_n or_o swear_v nor_o any_o other_o outward_a or_o visible_a sign_n shadow_n type_n or_o figure_n in_o or_o by_o which_o the_o lord_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v nor_o any_o need_n thereof_o for_o the_o lord_n god_n who_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o all_o be_v all_o in_o all_o and_o over_o all_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o who_o be_v worship_v not_o in_o word_n but_o in_o deed_n not_o with_o oath_n and_o swear_v neither_o in_o set_a form_n shadow_n sign_n or_o figure_n but_o in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n in_o love_n and_o true_a obedience_n which_o be_v and_o be_v better_a than_o sacrifice_n or_o the_o fat_a of_o ram_n and_o in_o that_o day_n the_o law_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v eternal_a and_o nor_o moral_a be_v the_o rule_n and_o guide_v of_o man_n in_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n with_o who_o man_n in_o his_o spirit_n have_v unity_n and_o fellowship_n in_o the_o light_n life_n and_o truth_n that_o be_v eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n even_o so_o it_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o restauration_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v and_o be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v the_o almighty_a alpha_n and_o omega_n the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o the_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n the_o author_n of_o all_o true_a witness-bearing_a but_o man_n be_v in_o honour_n continue_v not_o for_o the_o serpent_n be_v more_o subtle_a than_o any_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n deceive_v the_o woman_n with_o his_o limit_v sense_n and_o meaning_n which_o he_o then_o give_v to_o the_o positive_a word_n and_o command_n of_o god_n even_o as_o the_o spirit_n that_o now_o rule_v in_o all_o the_o chileren_fw-mi of_o disobedience_n with_o his_o limit_v sense_n and_o commodious_a interpretation_n as_o they_o be_v call_v of_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n do_v deceive_v the_o simple_a that_o lend_v a_o ear_n unto_o he_o and_o thereby_o bring_v she_o then_o as_o that_o spirit_n do_v people_n now_o into_o the_o transgression_n of_o the_o word_n and_o command_n of_o god_n unto_o which_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o add_v any_o thing_n neither_o to_o diminish_v aught_o therefrom_o deut._n 4.2_o rev._n 22._o 18_o 19_o and_o the_o woman_n have_v eat_v of_o that_o which_o in_o its_o self_n be_v good_a and_o therefore_o not_o intrinsical_o evil_a mark_v that_o give_v unto_o her_o husband_n with_o she_o and_o he_o do_v eat_v who_o have_v eat_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n and_o command_n of_o god_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o the_o world_n into_o man_n heart_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n the_o first_o ground_n or_o cause_n of_o unbelief_n and_o now_o in_o that_o day_n the_o candle_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v put_v out_o death_n and_o darkness_n pass_v over_o the_o life_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n in_o man_n so_o that_o the_o word_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n the_o ground_n of_o true_a witness-bearing_a which_o be_v and_o be_v eternal_a not_o moral_a be_v hide_v from_o their_o eye_n who_o have_v sin_v and_o now_o man_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o ignorant_a of_o his_o righteousness_n go_v after_o his_o own_o invention_n so_o that_o as_o it_o be_v write_v death_n reign_v from_o adam_n until_o moses_n rom._n 5.14_o and_o now_o in_o that_o day_n the_o lord_n have_v a_o controversy_n with_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o man_n in_o his_o sin_n be_v in_o unbelief_n of_o the_o word_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n the_o ground_n of_o true_a witness-bearing_a insomuch_o as_o that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n when_o man_n begin_v to_o be_v multiply_v upon_o earth_n the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n wax_v great_a so_o that_o they_o go_v into_o strife_n and_o contention_n one_o against_o another_o until_o blood_n touch_v blood_n and_o in_o this_o estate_n of_o man_n abimelech_n king_n of_o gerar_n who_o be_v in_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o word_n and_o power_n of_o god_n and_o observe_v that_o god_n be_v with_o abram_n he_o be_v afraid_a as_o it_o be_v write_v the_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n be_v afraid_a where_o no_o fear_n or_o cause_n thereof_o be_v psal._n 53.4_o 5._o and_o have_v a_o controversy_n against_o abram_n concern_v sarah_n gen._n 20.9_o say_v unto_o abram_n swear_v unto_o i_o here_o by_o god_n
full_o supply_v where_o it_o be_v receive_v nay_o there_o be_v much_o more_o surety_n to_o our_o neighbour_n by_o true_a witness-bearing_a than_o by_o swear_v because_o a_o true_a witness_n will_v not_o lie_v the_o four_o argument_n be_v thus_o form_v arg._n 4._o that_o interpretation_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o which_o render_v the_o follow_a word_n vain_a and_o impertinent_a be_v false_a etc._n etc._n answ._n that_o christ_n intend_v what_o he_o say_v i_o hope_v no_o christian_n will_v deny_v and_o that_o those_o word_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o be_v speak_v by_o christ_n and_o be_v in_o themselves_o a_o prohibition_n of_o all_o swear_v whatsoever_o be_v evident_a and_o that_o they_o be_v speak_v by_o christ_n not_o by_o way_n of_o compliance_n with_o what_o have_v be_v say_v before_o to_o they_o of_o old_a time_n but_o in_o the_o contrary_a thereof_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o word_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o which_o word_n if_o they_o signify_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v before_o say_v then_o shall_v they_o not_o only_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o hurtful_a by_o make_v the_o case_n of_o swear_v more_o dark_a and_o questionable_a than_o it_o be_v before_o under_o the_o law_n which_o for_o any_o man_n to_o affirm_v be_v a_o great_a injury_n to_o christ_n jesus_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o christ_n have_v speak_v all_o those_o word_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o in_o the_o contrary_a of_o what_o be_v say_v before_o as_o the_o word_n but_o and_o the_o word_n not_o at_o all_o do_v import_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o christ_n do_v in_o that_o command_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o forbid_v somewhat_o that_o be_v not_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n and_o consequent_o all_o swear_v whatsoever_o whether_o by_o the_o lord_n or_o by_o the_o creature_n and_o that_o christ_n add_v neither_o by_o heaven_n the_o earth_n jerusalem_n the_o head_n they_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o the_o visible_a creature_n all_o the_o other_o creature_n be_v the_o lesser_a or_o inferior_a be_v include_v the_o great_a comprehend_v the_o less_o so_o that_o the_o word_n follow_v and_o precedent_n be_v all_o significant_a and_o useful_a for_o be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n not_o any_o of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v but_o all_o and_o every_o word_n establish_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o beseem_v christian_n to_o give_v all_o diligence_n to_o observe_v the_o law_n and_o command_v of_o christ_n then_o to_o invent_v and_o frame_v argument_n against_o his_o word_n which_o be_v in_o themselves_o plain_a and_o have_v no_o ambiguity_n in_o they_o and_o be_v so_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n when_o in_o word_n there_o be_v no_o ambiguity_n there_o no_o exposition_n be_v to_o be_v make_v against_o the_o word_n express_v for_o in_o doubtful_a speech_n we_o utter_v not_o a_o doubtful_a sense_n but_o only_o that_o which_o we_o mean_v therefore_o he_o which_o speak_v one_o thing_n and_o mean_v another_o neither_o do_v he_o utter_v that_o which_o the_o word_n signify_v because_o he_o mean_v not_o so_o neither_o that_o which_o he_o mean_v because_o he_o speak_v it_o not_o which_o for_o any_o man_n to_o affirm_v of_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o be_v as_o before_o be_v say_v a_o great_a injury_n to_o christ_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n from_o which_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n be_v give_v forth_o all_o which_o word_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o themselves_o prohibition_n of_o swear_v and_o no_o exception_n as_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o case_n of_o divorcement_n be_v where_o it_o be_v say_v except_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o fornication_n do_v the_o more_o confirm_v and_o illustrate_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o command_n and_o be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n they_o be_v neither_o vain_a nor_o impertinent_a no_o more_o than_o those_o word_n in_o the_o four_o commandment_n in_o it_o thou_o shall_v do_v no_o manner_n of_o work_n nor_o thy_o son_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o be_v include_v in_o those_o general_a word_n before-going_a remember_v the_o sabbath_n day_n to_o keep_v it_o holy_a or_o the_o enumerate_v all_o those_o word_n write_v in_o the_o table_n of_o stone_n which_o be_v all_o brief_o comprehend_v in_o those_o few_o word_n thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n '_o and_o thy_o neighbour_n as_o thyself_o and_o yet_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v wise_a than_o man_n know_v whereof_o we_o as_o man_n have_v need_n speak_v all_o those_o word_n in_o the_o law_n and_o where_o the_o lawgiver_n have_v make_v no_o exception_n he_o to_o who_o the_o law_n be_v give_v ought_v not_o and_o so_o i_o conclude_v that_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o be_v perfect_a and_o a_o full_a prohibition_n of_o all_o swear_n unto_o his_o disciple_n and_o be_v perfect_a no_o man_n ought_v to_o add_v any_o thing_n thereunto_o or_o diminish_v any_o thing_n from_o it_o and_o so_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o five_o argument_n arg._n 5._o nothing_o that_o of_o itself_o be_v not_o intrinsical_o evil_a be_v forbid_v by_o christ_n and_o that_o be_v prove_v by_o induction_n but_o swear_v be_v not_o of_o itself_o intrinsical_o evil_a and_o therefore_o christ_n do_v not_o forbid_v it_o answ._n the_o thing_n in_o dispute_n be_v not_o whether_o christ_n do_v ever_o forbid_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o of_o itself_o evil_a but_o whether_o christ_n have_v forbid_v all_o swear_v which_o that_o christ_n have_v forbid_v all_o swear_n his_o own_o word_n which_o be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o heart_n do_v prove_v and_o one_o single_a testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n be_v of_o more_o strength_n than_o a_o thousand_o surmise_n or_o mere_a humane_a witness_n and_o therefore_o swear_v be_v forbid_v by_o christ_n mat._n 5.34_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o christian_n to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o his_o command_n and_o not_o to_o frame_v argument_n to_o evade_v the_o same_o or_o to_o ask_v a_o reason_n wherefore_o he_o so_o do_v and_o yet_o we_o read_v that_o god_n command_v circumcision_n and_o sacrifice_n which_o in_o themselves_o be_v not_o evil_a and_o yet_o forbid_v in_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o we_o also_o read_v that_o god_n forbid_v adam_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o tree_n and_o its_o fruit_n of_o themselves_o be_v not_o intrinsical_o evil_a and_o the_o use_n of_o several_a other_o creature_n under_o the_o law_n be_v forbid_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o what_o god_n the_o father_n do_v forbid_v it_o be_v by_o his_o word_n and_o christ_n the_o word_n and_o power_n of_o god_n he_o forbid_v his_o disciple_n to_o go_v into_o the_o way_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o not_o to_o enter_v into_o any_o of_o the_o city_n of_o the_o samaritan_n mat._n 10.5_o and_o he_o charge_v his_o disciple_n they_o shall_v tell_v the_o vision_n to_o no_o man_n until_o etc._n etc._n mat._n 17._o 9_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v call_v no_o man_n master_n upon_o the_o earth_n mat._n 23._o 9_o none_o of_o which_o of_o themselves_o be_v intrinsical_o evil_a but_o that_o which_o concern_v we_o as_o christian_n and_o so_o under_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o inquire_v whether_o or_o no_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v good_a in_o or_o of_o itself_o but_o whether_o or_o no_o it_o be_v good_a for_o we_o to_o practice_n yea_o or_o nay_o for_o as_o say_v the_o apostle_n what_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n and_o therefore_o that_o be_v good_a for_o christian_n to_o do_v which_o the_o lord_n require_v of_o they_o but_o to_o proceed_v to_o the_o six_o argument_n the_o force_n whereof_o be_v this_o arg._n 6._o either_o christ_n forbid_v not_o the_o take_n of_o a_o oath_n upon_o just_a occasion_n or_o else_o st._n paul_n though_o assist_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n understand_v not_o the_o text._n or_o if_o he_o understand_v it_o he_o act_v against_o it_o and_o that_o not_o rash_o but_o upon_o deliberation_n because_o in_o his_o epistle_n he_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v which_o be_v a_o formal_a oath_n answ._n that_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n in_o that_o precept_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o be_v believe_v but_o that_o he_o act_v contrary_a contrary_n thereto_o when_o he_o say_v god_n be_v my_o witness_n or_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v be_v deny_v for_o as_o he_o know_v christ_n have_v forbid_v all_o swear_n he_o also_o know_v that_o christ_n be_v the_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o