be_v a_o thing_n evil_n in_o itself_o and_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n will_v not_o have_v be_v do_v second_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n from_o the_o text_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o oath_n be_v that_o god_n himself_o in_o condescension_n to_o the_o custom_n of_o man_n who_o use_v to_o confirm_v and_o give_v credit_n to_o what_o they_o say_v by_o a_o oath_n be_v represent_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o confirm_v his_o promise_n to_o we_o by_o a_o oath_n verse_n 13._o when_o god_n make_v the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n because_o he_o can_v swear_v by_o none_o great_a he_o swear_v by_o himself_o for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a 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 wherein_o god_n will_v more_o abundant_o to_o show_v unto_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n the_o immutability_n of_o his_o counsel_n confirm_v it_o by_o a_o oath_n which_o he_o certain_o will_v not_o have_v do_v have_v a_o oath_n be_v unlawful_a in_o itself_o for_o that_o have_v be_v to_o comply_v with_o man_n in_o a_o evil_a practice_n and_o by_o his_o own_o example_n to_o give_v countenance_n to_o it_o in_o the_o high_a manner_n but_o though_o god_n condescend_v to_o represent_v himself_o to_o we_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n he_o never_o do_v it_o in_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n evil_a and_o sinful_a three_o from_o the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o oath_n in_o humane_a affair_n to_o give_v credit_n and_o confirmation_n to_o our_o word_n and_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o contestation_n now_o that_o which_o serve_v to_o such_o excellent_a purpose_n and_o be_v so_o convenient_a for_o humane_a society_n and_o for_o mutual_a security_n and_o confidence_n among_o man_n ought_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v presume_v unlawful_a till_o it_o be_v plain_o prove_v to_o be_v so_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o every_o thing_n belong_v to_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o have_v the_o least_o appearance_n of_o evil_n in_o it_o there_o be_v sure_o no_o evil_a in_o it_o as_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n nor_o as_o it_o be_v a_o appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n and_o avenger_n in_o case_n we_o swear_v false_o nor_o as_o it_o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o a_o doubtful_a matter_n nor_o as_o it_o put_v a_o end_n to_o strife_n and_o controversy_n and_o these_o be_v all_o the_o essential_a ingredient_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o they_o be_v all_o so_o good_a that_o they_o rather_o commend_v it_o than_o give_v the_o least_o colour_n of_o ground_n to_o condemn_v it_o i_o proceed_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n whether_o from_o reason_n or_o from_o scripture_n first_o from_o reason_n they_o say_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o oath_n be_v occasion_v by_o the_o want_n of_o truth_n and_o fidelity_n among_o man_n and_o that_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o demean_v himself_o with_o that_o faithfulness_n and_o integrity_n as_o may_v give_v credit_n and_o confirmation_n to_o his_o word_n and_o then_o oath_n will_v be_v needless_a this_o pretence_n will_v be_v full_o answer_v if_o we_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n no_o other_o obligation_n beside_o that_o of_o a_o oath_n have_v be_v think_v sufficient_a among_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a of_o man_n to_o assert_v their_o fidelity_n to_o one_o another_o even_o the_o best_a man_n to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o a_o great_a author_n have_v not_o trust_v the_o best_a man_n without_o it_o as_o we_o see_v in_o very_o remarkable_a instance_n where_o oath_n have_v pass_v between_o those_o who_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v the_o great_a confidence_n in_o one_o another_o as_o between_o abraham_n and_o his_o old_a faithful_a servant_n eliezer_n concern_v the_o choice_n of_o a_o wife_n for_o his_o son_n between_o father_n and_o son_n jacob_n and_o joseph_n concern_v the_o burial_n of_o his_o father_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n between_o two_o of_o the_o dear_a and_o most_o intimate_a friend_n david_n and_o jonathan_n to_o assure_v their_o friendship_n to_o one_o another_o and_o it_o have_v its_o effect_n long_o after_o jonathans_n death_n in_o the_o save_n of_o mephibosheth_n when_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o the_o security_n of_o his_o throne_n seem_v to_o move_v david_n strong_o to_o the_o contrary_a for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v 2_o sam._n 21.7_o that_o david_n spare_v mephibosheth_n jonathan_n son_n because_o of_o the_o oath_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v between_o they_o imply_v that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o his_o oath_n other_o consideration_n may_v probable_o have_v prevail_v with_o he_o to_o have_v permit_v he_o to_o have_v be_v cut_v off_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o saul_n child_n 2._o this_o reason_n which_o be_v allege_v against_o oath_n among_o man_n be_v much_o strong_a against_o god_n confirm_v his_o promise_n to_o we_o by_o a_o oath_n for_o he_o who_o be_v truth_n itself_o be_v sure_o of_o all_o other_o most_o to_o be_v credit_v upon_o his_o bare_a word_n and_o his_o oath_n needless_a to_o give_v confirmation_n to_o it_o and_o yet_o he_o condescend_v to_o add_v his_o oath_n to_o his_o word_n and_o therefore_o that_o reason_n be_v evident_o of_o no_o force_n second_o from_o scripture_n our_o saviour_n seem_v altogether_o to_o forbid_v swear_v in_o any_o case_n matth._n 5.33_o 34._o you_o have_v hear_v that_o it_o have_v be_v say_v to_o they_o of_o old_a time_n thou_o shall_v not_o forswear_v thyself_o 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 but_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o and_o nay_o nay_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v more_o than_o these_o come_v of_o evil_a and_o this_o law_n st._n james_n recite_v chap._n 5._o vers_fw-la 12._o as_o that_o which_o christian_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o very_a particular_a and_o principal_a regard_n to_o above_o all_o thing_n my_o brethren_n swear_v not_o and_o he_o make_v the_o breach_n of_o this_o law_n a_o damn_v sin_n lest_o you_o fall_v into_o condemnation_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o consider_v that_o text._n and_o because_o here_o lie_v the_o main_a strength_n of_o this_o opinion_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o oath_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o this_o text_n be_v full_o consider_v and_o that_o it_o be_v make_v very_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v not_o our_o saviour_n meaning_n by_o this_o prohibition_n whole_o to_o forbid_v the_o use_n of_o oath_n but_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o this_o matter_n i_o will_v ready_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o error_n whatsoever_o that_o have_v a_o more_o plausible_a colour_n from_o scripture_n than_o this_o which_o make_v the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o be_v seduce_v into_o it_o the_o more_o pityable_a but_o than_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v how_o much_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o oath_n reflect_v upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n since_o it_o be_v so_o evident_o prejudicial_a both_o to_o humane_a society_n in_o general_n and_o particular_o to_o those_o person_n that_o entertain_v it_o neither_o of_o which_o ought_v rash_o to_o be_v suppose_v and_o take_v for_o grant_v concern_v any_o law_n deliver_v by_o our_o saviour_n because_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a for_o we_o to_o vindicate_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o this_o doctrine_n to_o humane_a society_n i_o have_v speak_v already_o but_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o they_o that_o hold_v it_o it_o render_v they_o suspect_v to_o government_n and_o in_o many_o case_n incapable_a of_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o justice_n and_o other_o privilege_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o expose_v they_o to_o great_a penalty_n as_o the_o constitution_n of_o all_o law_n and_o government_n at_o present_a be_v and_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o they_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o and_o which_o be_v very_o considerable_a in_o this_o matter_n it_o set_v those_o who_o refuse_v oath_n upon_o very_o unequal_a term_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n if_o where_o the_o estate_n and_o life_n of_o man_n be_v equal_o concern_v their_o bare_a testimony_n shall_v be_v admit_v without_o a_o oath_n and_o other_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o speak_v upon_o oath_n nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a in_o experience_n than_o that_o many_o man_n will_v lie_v for_o their_o interest_n when_o they_o will_v not_o be_v perjure_v god_n have_v plant_v in_o the_o natural_a conscience_n of_o
themselves_o can_v not_o deny_v may_v be_v very_o proper_a and_o effectual_a but_o although_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v more_o than_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v the_o better_a to_o we_o if_o it_o be_v absolute_o and_o in_o itself_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n and_o this_o i_o hope_v will_v sufficient_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v these_o four_o thing_n 1._o that_o for_o god_n to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n do_v signify_v some_o very_a extraordinary_a blessing_n and_o happiness_n to_o those_o person_n of_o who_o this_o be_v say_v 2._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o eminent_a faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v 3._o their_o condition_n in_o this_o world_n 4._o the_o general_a importance_n of_o this_o promise_n abstract_v from_o the_o person_n particular_o specify_v and_o name_v in_o it_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n first_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o for_o god_n to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n do_v signify_v some_o very_a extraordinary_a blessing_n and_o happiness_n to_o those_o person_n of_o who_o this_o be_v say_v it_o be_v a_o big_a word_n for_o god_n to_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n and_o the_o least_o we_o can_v imagine_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o be_v that_o god_n will_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n employ_v his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n to_o do_v he_o good_a that_o he_o will_v concern_v himself_o more_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o those_o who_o god_n he_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v than_o for_o other_o second_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o eminent_a faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n abraham_n leave_v his_o country_n in_o obedience_n to_o god_n not_o know_v whither_o he_o be_v to_o go_v and_o which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o unparalleled_a and_o strange_a instance_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n that_o can_v almost_o be_v imagine_v he_o be_v willing_a to_o have_v sacrifice_v his_o only_a son_n at_o the_o command_n of_o god_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v also_o very_o good_a man_n and_o devout_a worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n when_o almost_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v sink_v into_o idolatry_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o impiety_n now_o what_o can_v we_o imagine_v but_o that_o the_o good_a god_n do_v design_n some_o extraordinary_a reward_n to_o such_o faithful_a servant_n of_o he_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o he_o intend_v this_o gracious_a declaration_n of_o his_o concern_v they_o for_o a_o stand_a encouragement_n to_o all_o those_o who_o in_o after_o age_n shall_v follow_v the_o faith_n and_o tread_v in_o the_o step_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n three_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o condition_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n in_o this_o world_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v pilgrim_n and_o stranger_n upon_o the_o earth_n have_v no_o fix_a and_o settle_a habitation_n but_o be_v force_v to_o wander_v from_o one_o kingdom_n and_o country_n to_o another_o that_o they_o be_v expose_v to_o many_o hazard_n and_o difficulty_n to_o great_a trouble_n and_o affliction_n in_o this_o world_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o peculiar_a happiness_n befall_v they_o in_o this_o life_n above_o the_o common_a rate_n of_o man_n as_o may_v seem_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o big_a word_n of_o this_o promise_n that_o god_n will_v be_v their_o god_n for_o so_o far_o as_o the_o scripture_n history_n inform_v we_o and_o further_o we_o can_v know_v of_o this_o matter_n esau_n be_v as_o prosperous_a as_o jacob_n and_o jacob_n have_v a_o great_a many_o more_o trouble_n and_o affliction_n in_o this_o life_n than_o esau_n have_v but_o sure_o when_o god_n call_v himself_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n this_o signify_v that_o god_n intend_v some_o very_a peculiar_a blessing_n and_o advantage_n to_o they_o above_o other_o which_o see_v they_o do_v not_o enjoy_v in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o one_o time_n or_o other_o this_o gracious_a declaration_n and_o promise_n or_o god_n be_v make_v good_a to_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n chap._n 11._o from_o this_o very_a expression_n of_o god_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o other_o argue_v that_o some_o extraordinary_a happiness_n be_v reserve_v for_o they_o in_o another_o world_n and_o that_o upon_o this_o very_a ground_n i_o be_o now_o speak_v of_o namely_o because_o the_o condition_n of_o abraham_n and_o some_o other_o be_v not_o such_o in_o this_o world_n as_o may_v seem_v to_o answer_v the_o fullness_n of_o this_o promise_n all_o these_o say_v he_o die_v in_o the_o faith_n not_o have_v receive_v the_o promise_n but_o have_v see_v they_o aâ—ar_v off_o and_o be_v persuade_v of_o they_o and_o embrace_v they_o and_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n upon_o the_o earth_n from_o whence_o he_o reason_v very_o strong_o that_o these_o good_a man_n may_v reasonable_o expect_v something_o better_a than_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v befall_v they_o in_o this_o world_n for_o they_o say_v he_o that_o say_v such_o thing_n declare_v plain_o that_o they_o seek_v a_o country_n which_o at_o the_o 16._o verse_n he_o call_v a_o better_a country_n that_o be_v a_o heavenly_a they_o that_o say_v such_o thing_n that_o be_v they_o who_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o yet_o pretend_v that_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o be_v their_o god_n declare_v plain_o that_o they_o expect_v some_o reward_n beyond_o this_o life_n from_o all_o which_o he_o conclude_v wherefore_o god_n be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o be_v call_v their_o god_n because_o he_o have_v prepare_v for_o they_o a_o city_n intimate_v that_o if_o no_o happiness_n have_v remain_v for_o these_o good_a man_n in_o another_o world_n this_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v their_o god_n will_v shameful_o have_v fall_v short_a of_o what_o it_o seem_v to_o import_v viz._n some_o extraordinary_a reward_n and_o blessing_n worthy_a of_o god_n to_o bestow_v something_o more_o certain_a and_o last_a than_o any_o of_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o world_n which_o since_o god_n have_v abundant_o perform_v to_o they_o in_o the_o happiness_n of_o another_o life_n his_o promise_n to_o they_o be_v make_v good_a to_o the_o full_a and_o he_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o be_v call_v their_o god_n but_o if_o nothing_o beyond_o this_o life_n have_v be_v reserve_v for_o they_o that_o say_v of_o old_a jacob_n towards_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o life_n few_o and_o evil_n have_v the_o day_n of_o the_o year_n of_o my_o life_n be_v will_v have_v be_v a_o eternal_a reflection_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o he_o who_o have_v so_o often_o call_v himself_o the_o god_n of_o jacob._n but_o now_o because_o to_o all_o this_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o this_o promise_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v good_a to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n in_o this_o world_n for_o be_v not_o god_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n when_o he_o take_v such_o a_o particular_a and_o extraoadinary_a care_n of_o they_o and_o protect_v they_o from_o the_o manifold_a danger_n they_o be_v expose_v to_o by_o such_o a_o special_a and_o immediate_a providence_n suffer_v no_o one_o to_o do_v they_o harm_n but_o rebuke_v even_o king_n for_o their_o sake_n be_v not_o he_o abraham_n god_n when_o he_o blessed_v he_o so_o miraculous_o with_o a_o son_n in_o his_o old_a age_n and_o with_o so_o considerable_a a_o estate_n to_o leave_v to_o he_o be_v not_o that_o say_v of_o jacob_n a_o great_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o gracious_a providence_n of_o god_n towards_o he_o with_o my_o staff_n pass_v i_o over_o this_o jordan_n and_o now_o i_o be_o become_v two_o band_n and_o though_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a cut_a affliction_n to_o he_o to_o lose_v his_o son_n joseph_n as_o he_o think_v he_o have_v do_v yet_o that_o be_v more_o than_o recompense_v to_o he_o in_o joseph_n strange_a advancement_n in_o egypt_n whereby_o god_n put_v into_o his_o hand_n the_o opportunity_n of_o save_v his_o father_n and_o his_o whole_a family_n alive_a and_o be_v not_o god_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n in_o make_v they_o father_n of_o so_o numeron_n a_o offspring_n as_o afterward_o become_v come_v a_o great_a nation_n and_o in_o give_v they_o a_o fruitful_a land_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o quiet_a possession_n of_o it_o by_o such_o a_o series_n of_o wonderful_a miracle_n what_o need_v then_o be_v there_o of_o extend_v this_o promise_n to_o another_o world_n do_v it_o not_o seem_v abundant_o make_v good_a in_o those_o great_a blessing_n which_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o whilst_o they_o live_v and_o
of_o gross_a hypocrisy_n who_o pretend_v a_o further_a obligation_n of_o conscience_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v give_v this_o plain_a demonstration_n which_o rely_v upon_o concession_n general_o make_v on_o all_o hand_n and_o by_o all_o party_n no_o protestant_a that_o i_o know_v of_o hold_v himself_o oblige_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v up_o his_o religion_n and_o make_v convert_v in_o spain_n or_o italy_n nor_o do_v either_o the_o protestant_a minister_n or_o popish_a priest_n think_v themselves_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o turkey_n and_o to_o confute_v the_o alcheran_n to_o convert_v the_o mahometan_n and_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n because_o of_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o inquisition_n in_o popish_a country_n and_o of_o the_o law_n in_o turkey_n but_o do_v the_o danger_n then_o alter_v the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n no_o certain_o but_o it_o make_v man_n throw_v off_o the_o false_a pretence_n and_o disguise_n of_o it_o but_o where_o 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serve_v on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o flood_n or_o the_o god_n of_o the_o amorites_n in_o who_o land_n you_o dwell_v idolatry_n be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o father_n and_o have_v spread_v itself_o over_o the_o great_a and_o most_o ancient_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o most_o famous_a for_o learning_n and_o art_n the_o chaldean_n and_o egyptian_n and_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o amorites_n and_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o so_o that_o joshua_n represent_v the_o heathen_a religion_n with_o all_o its_o strength_n and_o advantage_n and_o do_v not_o dissemble_v its_o confident_a pretence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o universality_n whereby_o they_o will_v also_o insinuate_v the_o novelty_n and_o singularity_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o it_o be_v very_o well_o worthy_a our_o observation_n that_o one_o or_o both_o of_o these_o have_v always_o be_v the_o exception_n of_o false_a religion_n especial_o of_o idolatry_n and_o 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these_o two_o exception_n with_o