â—eared_z a_o oath_n but_o through_o the_o custom_n of_o swear_v they_o run_v into_o false_a swear_v and_o though_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n live_v yet_o sure_o they_o swear_v false_o and_o because_o of_o oath_n the_o land_n mourn_v and_o this_o land_n mourn_v and_o therefore_o even_o in_o the_o prophet_n time_n oath_n &_o swear_v be_v testify_v against_o as_o though_o thou_o israel_n play_v the_o harlot_n yet_o let_v not_o judah_n sin_n come_v not_o you_o unto_o giâ—gal_n neither_o go_v you_o up_o to_o bâ—thaven_n not_o swear_v the_o lord_n live_v hos._n 4._o 15._o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o forbid_v to_o swear_v be_v because_o of_o their_o wickedness_n and_o profanation_n we_o say_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o may_v now_o testify_v against_o swear_v and_o for_o conscience_n sake_n can_v uphold_v the_o custom_n thereof_o nor_o submit_v to_o the_o imposition_n thereof_o though_o this_o man_n be_v not_o ashamed_a for_o all_o this_o abuse_n and_o profanation_n to_o urge_v and_o applaud_v it_o as_o the_o high_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o god_n receive_v people_n which_o if_o it_o can_v be_v grant_v as_o it_o be_v not_o it_o only_o signify_v thus_o much_o that_o only_o the_o righteous_a and_o such_o as_o be_v convert_v to_o god_n must_v swear_v and_o that_o upon_o a_o very_a sacred_a account_n to_o god_n himself_o now_o judge_n serious_a reader_n what_o the_o tenor_n of_o this_o man_n work_n amount_v to_o it_o be_v that_o righteous_a man_n must_v oblige_v themselves_o to_o god_n and_o adore_v he_o by_o swear_v what_o be_v this_o to_o swear_v to_o man_n in_o litigious_a court_n and_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o imposition_n of_o oath_n we_o desire_v the_o parliament_n to_o remove_v under_o the_o law_n oath_n be_v use_v in_o two_o respect_n namely_o first_o to_o prevent_v and_o end_v strife_n among_o man_n and_o these_o both_o in_o private_a and_o public_a two_o â—o_o god_n himself_o or_o between_o man_n and_o man_n and_o man_n and_o god_n or_o swear_v to_o man_n and_o vow_v to_o god_n see_v gen._n 24._o 9_o &_o 31._o 53._o &_o 21._o 23._o &_o 26._o 28._o &_o 47._o 31._o num._n 30._o 23._o 1_o sam._n 20._o 3._o &_o chap._n 14._o 26._o 1_o king_n 8._o 31._o neh._n 10._o 29._o chap._n 5._o 12._o now_o this_o man_n work_n render_v swear_v by_o god_n in_o general_a to_o be_v the_o high_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o only_o they_o that_o be_v convert_v to_o god_n can_v perform_v in_o his_o sense_n and_o such_o none_o of_o the_o wicked_a or_o unconvert_v be_v capable_a to_o perform_v judge_n whether_o this_o distinction_n be_v make_v in_o the_o usual_a practice_n of_o swear_v or_o have_v this_o man_n take_v so_o much_o pain_n with_o the_o magistrate_n as_o to_o instruct_v and_o warn_v they_o not_o to_o impose_v oath_n upon_o the_o unconvert_v nor_o especial_o upon_o those_o excommunicate_v by_o the_o bishop_n for_o it_o needs_o must_v be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o they_o that_o be_v wicked_a and_o unchristian_a profane_a the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o they_o swear_v by_o he_o and_o they_o must_v needs_o partake_v of_o their_o sin_n who_o force_v they_o to_o it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o convert_v and_o righteous_a they_o be_v of_o credit_n and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o force_v they_o to_o swear_v be_v under_o a_o great_a bond_n and_o covenant_n with_o god_n then_o that_o of_o oath_n impose_v by_o man_n christ_n be_v to_o they_o their_o covenant_n and_o bond_n the_o end_n of_o oath_n under_o the_o law_n and_o the_o substance_n of_o god_n oath_n to_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n so_o we_o leave_v this_o man_n doctrine_n for_o all_o serious_a reader_n to_o judge_v of_o concern_v oath_n and_o swear_v as_o what_o a_o oath_n be_v and_o concern_v swear_v these_o be_v his_o affirmation_n 1._o it_o be_v a_o invocation_n of_o god_n name_n 2._o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o calling_n god_n to_o witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v 3._o a_o calling_n god_n for_o a_o record_n against_o their_o soul_n 4._o a_o execration_n or_o denounce_v a_o curse_n 5._o a_o evidence_n of_o conversion_n to_o the_o lord_n 6._o divine_a service_n and_o homage_n 7._o a_o eminent_a act_n of_o save_v confession_n 8._o one_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n 9_o a_o sign_n witness_v and_o argument_n of_o egypt_n conversion_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n 10._o the_o language_n of_o canaan_n that_o pure_a language_n which_o god_n promise_v to_o restore_v to_o all_o nation_n at_o the_o come_v of_o christ._n 11._o that_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a religion_n which_o be_v at_o first_o reveal_v to_o man_n in_o parad_n se._n 12._o such_o a_o condition_n as_o upon_o the_o fulfil_n thereof_o god_n will_v number_v man_n among_o his_o disciple_n 13._o that_o confession_n of_o god_n without_o which_o they_o do_v not_o sufficient_o glorify_v he_o either_o by_o prayer_n thanksgiving_n attendance_n on_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n 14._o a_o dare_v god_n to_o his_o face_n challenge_v the_o divine_a vengeance_n to_o do_v its_o worst_a in_o case_n he_o swear_v false_o 15._o that_o god_n esteem_v this_o swear_v as_o the_o high_a &_o most_o august_n act_n of_o divine_a worship_n that_o the_o creature_n can_v possible_o exhibit_v to_o he_o 16._o that_o which_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a condition_n of_o the_o gospel_n all_o the_o way_n of_o god_n people_n confess_v to_o he_o 17._o that_o swear_v by_o god_n imply_v the_o whole_a worship_n of_o god_n 18._o that_o man_n ought_v to_o learn_v diligent_o to_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o learn_v this_o as_o the_o way_n of_o god_n people_n 19_o to_o swear_v religious_o by_o his_o name_n yet_o but_o in_o extreme_a necessity_n 20._o that_o in_o the_o form_n of_o oath_n we_o be_v to_o swear_v by_o heaven_n earth_n etc._n etc._n and_o call_v they_o to_o witness_v lawful_o because_o he_o that_o swear_v by_o heaven_n swear_v by_o he_o who_o throne_n it_o be_v 21._o we_o must_v subscribe_v to_o this_o that_o in_o such_o form_n of_o swear_v we_o name_v some_o creature_n 22._o that_o to_o swear_v by_o heaven_n by_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n be_v camel-oath_n 23._o that_o strong_a asseveration_n by_o oath_n as_o a_o solemn_a invocation_n of_o god_n name_n be_v the_o celebration_n of_o the_o most_o augu_v act_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o adoration_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v tender_v to_o divine_a majesty_n 24._o that_o christian-churche_n ought_v to_o perform_v worship_n to_o god_n by_o swear_v as_o well_o as_o blessing_n their_o tongue_n must_v swear_v as_o well_o as_o their_o knee_n bow_v 25._o that_o swear_v be_v one_o of_o the_o church_n strong_a bulwarks_a one_o of_o those_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n whereby_o the_o champion_n of_o the_o christian-faith_n have_v irrefragable_o prove_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o prophet_n christ_n viz._n because_o since_o the_o call_n of_o we_o gentile_n we_o have_v worship_v the_o true_a god_n in_o swear_v by_o his_o name_n 26._o that_o this_o swear_v be_v one_o of_o the_o prime_a jewel_n of_o the_o king_n of_o saint_n his_o crown_n 27._o that_o the_o prophet_n say_v that_o he_o christ_n shall_v teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o learn_v to_o swear_v the_o lord_n live_v 28._o that_o it_o be_v and_o always_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o oath_n shall_v be_v reserve_v and_o sequester_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n thus_o have_v sum_v up_o this_o man_n fruitless_a work_n for_o swear_v to_o make_v it_o conspicuous_a we_o proceed_v to_o his_o accusation_n and_o aspersion_n in_o his_o three_o section_n sect._n iii_o the_o anthority_n and_o testimony_n rescue_v that_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a primitive_a christian_n martyr_n and_o father_n be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n with_o we_o in_o their_o conscientious_o refuse_v to_o swear_v not_o only_o by_o the_o heathen_a god_n but_o also_o more_o general_o in_o obedience_n to_o and_o pursuance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n james_n before_o urge_v against_o swear_v at_o all_o and_o that_o we_o have_v allege_v example_n pertinent_a for_o tender_a conscience_n not_o only_o against_o swear_v in_o particular_a case_n but_o swear_v in_o general_a and_o have_v neither_o bewray_v the_o want_n of_o ingenuity_n or_o honesty_n therein_o as_o most_o false_o and_o malicious_o our_o antagonist_n have_v asperse_v we_o but_o that_o he_o himself_o have_v bewray_v his_o own_o want_n of_o both_o ingenuity_n and_o honesty_n will_v appear_v though_o those_o example_n that_o we_o have_v allege_v in_o this_o case_n be_v but_o a_o very_a few_o to_o those_o we_o can_v allege_v 1._o about_o polycarpus_n that_o eminent_a martyr_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o disciple_n of_o st._n john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o who_o
j._n s._n undertake_v further_a to_o expound_v james_n be_v word_n but_o above_o all_o thing_n my_o brethren_n swear_v not_o he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v nowhere_o else_o render_v in_o scripture_n above_o but_o before_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o here_o pag._n 29._o and_o then_o he_o thus_o paraphase_n let_v not_o a_o oath_n lie_v uppermost_a upon_o your_o heart_n and_o come_v first_o of_o all_o before_o all_o thing_n out_o of_o your_o mouth_n pag._n 30._o this_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o easy_a mean_v but_o a_o plain_a perversion_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n which_o do_v not_o allow_v of_o any_o such_o liberty_n at_o all_o for_o swear_v as_o this_o do_v as_o if_o he_o only_o forbid_v swear_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o our_o discourse_n whenas_o the_o prohibition_n be_v plain_a and_o positive_a above_o all_o thing_n swear_v not_o neither_o by_o heaven_n neither_o by_o the_o earth_n neither_o by_o any_o other_o oath_n but_o this_o man_n will_v still_o have_v some_o other_o oath_n so_o whether_o must_v we_o believe_v he_o or_o the_o apostle_n james_n judge_v reader_n and_o though_o we_o do_v not_o look_v on_o swear_v as_o worse_o than_o adultery_n or_o manslaughter_n as_o be_v query_v upon_o the_o word_n above_o all_o thing_n swear_v not_o yet_o doubtless_o the_o apostle_n see_v the_o consequence_n of_o it_o may_v be_v bad_a and_o sad_a enough_o or_o else_o he_o will_v not_o so_o strict_o have_v forbid_v it_o to_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n j._n s._n make_v these_o the_o consequence_n of_o our_o stick_v to_o the_o express_a command_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n viz._n that_o paul_n call_v god_n to_o witness_n come_v from_o a_o evil_a spirit_n that_o our_o saviour_n as_o often_o as_o he_o say_v amen_o amen_n have_v those_o word_n put_v into_o his_o mouth_n by_o the_o evil_a one_o pag._n 31._o to_o the_o first_o we_o say_v no_o it_o be_v christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o speak_v in_o paul_n who_o witness_n god_n be_v and_o the_o son_n be_v simple_o own_v the_o father_n for_o his_o witness_n we_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o make_v up_o a_o formal_a oath_n to_o the_o second_o neither_o can_v we_o own_o that_o our_o saviour_n swear_v as_o often_o as_o he_o say_v amen_o or_o very_o very_o which_o be_v but_o a_o note_n of_o affirmation_n and_o not_o of_o swear_v and_o more_o than_o yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o again_o he_o infer_v that_o the_o elect_a angel_n which_o christ_n send_v from_o heaven_n to_o communicate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o future_a thing_n to_o st._n john_n be_v inspire_v by_o the_o devil_n when_o he_o swear_v by_o he_o that_o live_v forever_o answ._n no_o that_o he_o be_v not_o for_o he_o speak_v as_o god_n representative_a or_o ambassador_n have_v a_o peculiar_a commission_n power_n and_o dispensation_n therein_o which_o man_n may_v not_o imitate_v which_o extend_v through_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o which_o the_o swear_v be_v and_o wherein_o the_o angel_n be_v send_v as_o god_n messenger_n and_o representative_n minister_a spirit_n and_o servant_n to_o the_o whole_a seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o heir_n of_o salvation_n to_o who_o god_n promise_n be_v confirm_v by_o a_o oath_n and_o this_o be_v a_o vision_n represent_v in_o figure_n his_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n prohibit_v the_o use_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v more_o to_o be_v intrinsical_o evil_a pag._n 31._o answ._n though_o oath_n when_o lawful_a can_v not_o be_v account_v intrinsical_o evil_a yet_o there_o be_v a_o evil_a that_o be_v a_o occasion_n of_o oath_n before_o permit_v among_o the_o jew_n as_o that_o of_o diffidence_n jealousy_n instability_n liableness_n to_o run_v after_o other_o god_n and_o to_o do_v injustice_n distrust_v one_o of_o another_o etc._n etc._n and_o as_o this_o man_n confess_v common_a humane_a infirmity_n ambiguity_n pag._n 1._o and_o pag._n 17._o how_o plain_a be_v it_o it_o be_v weakness_n distrust_n and_o fear_v in_o abimelâ—ch_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o require_v abraham_n to_o swear_v that_o he_o will_v not_o deal_v false_o with_o he_o and_o a_o covenant_n with_o isaac_n that_o he_o will_v do_v they_o no_o hurt_v gen._n 21._o 23._o and_o chap._n 26._o 28._o therefore_o christ_n word_n be_v plain_a let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v more_o than_o these_o that_o be_v in_o affirm_v and_o deny_v come_v of_o evil_a or_o of_o the_o evil_a one._n and_o many_o thing_n ceremony_n circumstance_n and_o shadow_n under_o the_o law_n that_o in_o themselves_o be_v not_o intrinsical_o evil_a do_v wax_n old_a and_o grow_v out_o of_o use_n and_o vanish_v as_o the_o old_a covenant_n itself_o do_v be_v account_v weak_a insufficient_a and_o of_o a_o decay_a nature_n when_o a_o high_a and_o more_o eminent_a dispensation_n be_v bring_v in_o as_o that_o of_o the_o new_a covenant_n which_o therefore_o to_o oppose_v with_o any_o of_o those_o inferior_a thing_n before_o lawful_a come_v now_o of_o the_o evil_a one._n and_o j._n s._n his_o consequence_n and_o doctrine_n appear_v both_o gross_a impious_a and_o antichristian_a where_o he_o say_v that_o if_o the_o christian-churche_n do_v not_o perform_v homage_n to_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n by_o swear_v as_o well_o as_o blessing_n in_o his_o name_n if_o their_o tongue_n do_v not_o as_o well_o swear_v as_o their_o knee_n bow_v to_o he_o than_o the_o christian-people_n be_v not_o the_o people_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v but_o stâ—ll_o to_o be_v expect_v then_o the_o bless_a jesus_n be_v not_o the_o christ_n of_o who_o the_o prophet_n speak_v but_o as_o the_o jew_n at_o his_o arraignment_n and_o their_o posterity_n blasphemous_o style_v he_o a_o deceiver_n and_o a_o counterfeit_n pag._n 34._o answ._n oh_o monstrous_a and_o blasphemous_a stuff_n first_o thus_o insolent_o to_o attempt_v the_o engage_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o swear_v as_o well_o as_o blessing_n yea_o to_o curse_v and_o dare_a god_n to_o his_o face_n challenge_v the_o divine_a vengeance_n to_o do_v its_o worst_a as_o before_o he_o have_v define_v a_o oath_n as_o well_o as_o blessing_n in_o his_o name_n bow_v the_o knee_n or_o perform_v worship_n to_o he_o what_o people_n of_o a_o christian-spirit_n can_v believe_v this_o doctrine_n secondâ—y_o his_o render_v swear_v such_o a_o eminent_a proof_n of_o demonstration_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v against_o the_o jew_n opinion_n of_o he_o and_o as_o reasonable_a as_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o effectual_a mean_n to_o convince_v the_o jew_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n be_v to_o swear_v that_o he_o be_v so_o instead_o of_o the_o apostle_n plain_a confession_n of_o he_o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n who_o prefer_v confession_n instead_o of_o swear_v again_o his_o scornful_a talk_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o quaker_n christ_n and_o say_v that_o the_o quaker_n gloss_n defrauds_n god_n of_o his_o due_a homage_n rob_v the_o king_n of_o saint_n of_o one_o of_o the_o prime_a jewel_n of_o his_o crown_n present_v the_o everblessed_n jesus_n in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o impostor_n and_o false_a christ_n lead_v direct_o to_o the_o gulf_n of_o gross_a infidelity_n and_o denial_n of_o christ_n pag._n 35._o this_o be_v as_o wicked_a and_o blasphemous_a as_o his_o consequence_n before_o and_o show_v this_o man_n to_o be_v a_o most_o gross_a idolater_n in_o thus_o unscriptural_o applaud_v of_o swear_v as_o the_o prime_a jewel_n of_o the_o king_n of_o saint_n his_o crown_n whereas_o the_o king_n of_o saint_n and_o his_o servant_n have_v plain_o forbid_v swear_v which_o be_v not_o to_o make_v the_o gospel_n contradict_v the_o holy_a prophet_n as_o to_o their_o spiritual_a intent_n and_o end_n which_o be_v to_o confess_v to_o god_n and_o to_o christ_n as_o be_v false_o infer_v and_o as_o false_o he_o represent_v the_o prophet_n as_o say_v christ_n shall_v teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o swear_v the_o lord_n live_v but_o where_o the_o prophet_n so_o say_v we_o be_v all_o to_o seek_v but_o not_o where_o they_o testify_v against_o swear_v see_v jer._n 23._o 10._o hosea_n 4._o 15._o chap._n 2._o 3._o zach._n 5._o â—_o zeph._n 1._o 5._o eccles._n 9_o 2._o but_o if_o swear_v be_v that_o divine_a homage_n or_o include_v the_o whole_a worship_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o be_v among_o christian_n why_o be_v christ_n so_o silent_a in_o it_o and_o the_o apostle_n as_o not_o express_o to_o command_v it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a express_o forbid_v it_o or_o if_o swear_v be_v the_o most_o august_n act_n of_o divine_a worship_n sure_o the_o apostle_n james_n instead_o of_o say_v above_o all_o thing_n my_o brethren_n swear_v not_o shall_v have_v say_v above_o all_o thing_n my_o brethren_n swear_v you_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o the_o jewsâ—eared_v
judge_n we_o pray_v what_o retractation_n be_v this_o and_o shall_v not_o our_o opposer_n have_v show_v we_o where_o he_o retract_v that_o opinion_n aforesaid_a against_o oath_n if_o he_o can_v or_o where_o ever_o he_o acknowledge_v himself_o convince_v that_o this_o be_v a_o error_n his_o submission_n be_v principal_o to_o the_o evange_o or_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o j._n s._n leave_v out_o as_o he_o do_v holy_a before_o church_n we_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o charge_v w._n brute_n that_o he_o design_v a_o submission_n contrary_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v that_o principal_a thing_n without_o which_o the_o other_o can_v not_o determine_v but_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o w._n brute_n retract_v any_o more_o in_o the_o word_n above_o than_o he_o do_v sometime_o before_o 623._o when_o he_o tell_v the_o bishop_n thus_o if_o any_o man_n will_v show_v i_o that_o i_o err_v in_o my_o write_n or_o say_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n or_o by_o authority_n of_o reason_n ground_v thereon_o i_o will_v humble_o and_o glady_n receive_v his_o determination_n but_o as_o for_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o any_o teacher_n christ_n only_o except_v i_o will_v not_o simple_o believe_v except_o he_o be_v able_a to_o establish_v they_o by_o the_o truth_n of_o experience_n or_o of_o the_o scripture_n now_o consider_v reader_n that_o this_o be_v but_o a_o submission_n conditional_o propose_v any_o more_o than_o the_o other_o 653._o and_o that_o some_o time_n after_o this_o he_o positive_o write_v against_o oath_n for_o which_o we_o refer_v thou_o to_o the_o quotation_n and_o this_o conditional_a submission_n seem_v rather_o to_o argue_v his_o belief_n that_o they_o can_v not_o convince_v he_o of_o error_n herein_o no_o more_o than_o the_o bishop_n of_o hereford_n do_v when_o he_o can_v not_o confute_v walter_n brutus_n exhibit_n on_o his_o own_o defence_n 625._o and_o have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o common_a thing_n with_o many_o establish_v in_o the_o truth_n to_o propose_v such_o conditional_a submission_n to_o be_v convince_v and_o receive_v information_n by_o or_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o find_v this_o man_n representation_n of_o waltâ—r_n brute_n to_o have_v so_o much_o as_o a_o face_n of_o truth_n in_o it_o or_o that_o he_o be_v either_o doubtful_a of_o or_o do_v recant_v of_o that_o opinion_n charge_v against_o he_o by_o the_o public_a notary_n viz._n that_o he_o hold_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o christian_n for_o any_o cause_n in_o any_o case_n to_o swear_v by_o the_o creator_n neither_o by_o the_o creature_n but_o rather_o that_o he_o be_v positive_a in_o this_o among_o his_o last_o testimony_n against_o the_o pope_n and_o church_n of_o rome_n see_v act._n mon._n vol._n â—_o fol._n 653._o as_o for_o j._n s._n his_o conclusion_n pag._n 43._o it_o savour_v both_o of_o scorn_n and_o envy_n and_o a_o persecute_v spirit_n that_o will_v instigate_v the_o king_n and_o parliament_n to_o afflict_v we_o as_o if_o we_o be_v not_o conscientious_a in_o what_o we_o profess_v but_o we_o know_v the_o contrary_a in_o our_o conscience_n as_o be_v therein_o oblige_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o command_n we_o sleight_v our_o enemy_n flout_n and_o revile_n to_o his_o say_n the_o order_n of_o middleburgh_n be_v no_o way_n applicable_a to_o the_o quaker_n case_n who_o have_v refuse_v to_o pay_v church_n duty_n the_o man_n seem_v herein_o wilful_o to_o shut_v his_o eye_n for_o the_o say_a order_n be_v very_o plain_a for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n and_o freedom_n from_o the_o imposition_n of_o oath_n unto_o those_o inhabitant_n who_o refuse_v the_o take_v the_o accustomed_a oath_n and_o who_o instead_o thereof_o proffer_v as_o the_o quaker_n do_v that_o their_o yea_o shall_v stand_v instead_o of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o transgressor_n thereof_o be_v punish_v as_o perjure_a person_n which_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o governor_n and_o council_n of_o zealand_n be_v according_o ordain_v and_o confirm_v that_o this_o peoples_n yea_o aforesaid_a shall_v stand_v instead_o of_o a_o oath_n before_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o say_a city_n a_o noble_a precedent_n to_o our_o purpose_n obj._n but_o the_o quaker_n have_v refuse_v to_o pay_v church-duty_n and_o thereby_o rob_v the_o royal_a exchequer_n which_o be_v partly_o supply_v out_o of_o ten_o and_o first_o fruit_n to_o the_o first_o of_o refuse_v to_o pay_v church-duty_n it_o seem_v he_o mean_v tithe_n to_o the_o priest_n and_o must_v we_o therefore_o not_o be_v allow_v the_o liberty_n of_o our_o conscience_n but_o be_v expose_v to_o ruin_n loss_n of_o estate_n and_o livelihood_n because_o we_o can_v pay_v ten_o to_o the_o priest_n oh_o hard_a man_n and_o unjust_a judge_n that_o respect_v more_o the_o pope_n yoke_n and_o antichristian_a imposition_n than_o the_o life_n or_o liberty_n of_o protestant_a subject_n and_o true_a christian_n and_o his_o imply_v a_o indulgence_n for_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o pay_v the_o priest_n tithe_n be_v like_a as_o to_o tell_v we_o we_o may_v have_v the_o liberty_n of_o our_o conscience_n if_o we_o will_v be_v conformable_a oh_o generous_a indulgence_n to_o such_o as_o need_v it_o not_o can_v our_o conscience_n serve_v we_o to_o conform_v pay_v tithe_n uphold_v priest_n etc._n etc._n what_o need_v we_o make_v address_n for_o liberty_n his_o charge_n of_o rob_v the_o royal_a exchequer_n be_v envious_a and_o false_a show_v a_o persecute_v spirit_n the_o priest_n â—yth-barns_n be_v not_o the_o royal_a exchequer_n we_o can_v help_v to_o fill_v they_o they_o demand_v tyth_n of_o we_o not_o only_o of_o our_o land_n but_o of_o the_o fruit_n and_o increase_v of_o our_o labour_n and_o industry_n a_o manifest_a extortion_n and_o their_o demand_n of_o they_o be_v as_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o on_o a_o religious_a account_n as_o claim_v a_o divine_a right_n in_o neither_o of_o which_o be_v we_o satisfy_v nor_o can_v we_o own_o either_o and_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v that_o the_o king_n be_v more_o merciful_a to_o they_o about_o the_o first_o fruit_n than_o they_o be_v to_o we_o and_o do_v not_o so_o severe_o prosecute_v or_o strict_o look_v after_o they_o as_o they_o do_v to_o we_o have_v cause_v many_o deep_o to_o suffer_v both_o in_o person_n and_o estate_n and_o make_v grievous_a havoc_n by_o take_v away_o and_o spoil_v man_n good_n drive_v away_o their_o cow_n ox_n etc._n etc._n many_o time_n more_o than_o the_o value_n of_o the_o tuthe_n beside_o the_o sweep_a away_o household_n good_n and_o expose_v many_o poor_a industrious_a family_n to_o ruin_n as_o also_o the_o many_o long_a &_o tedious_a imprisonment_n which_o they_o have_v cause_v many_o to_o suffer_v in_o till_o death_n but_o when_o have_v we_o refuse_v to_o pay_v our_o civil-duty_n or_o tax_n be_v in_o a_o capacity_n that_o be_v out_o of_o bond_n and_o suffering_n which_o have_v disable_v many_o and_o if_o the_o king_n and_o great_a council_n of_o the_o nation_n be_v please_v to_o repeal_v those_o old_a law_n enforce_v the_o payment_n of_o tithe_n and_o to_o convert_v they_o into_o some_o necessary_a civil_a use_n as_o for_o the_o poor_a or_o some_o national_a service_n and_o benefit_n it_o will_v appear_v whether_o we_o shall_v not_o pay_v our_o part_n and_o whether_o the_o royal_a exchequer_n will_v not_o be_v convenient_o supply_v without_o the_o ten_o from_o the_o priest_n as_o for_o our_o desire_n of_o be_v exempt_v from_o take_v a_o oath_n because_o our_o conscience_n will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o swear_v to_o this_o our_o adversary_n add_v viz._n when_o you_o actual_o do_v swear_v in_o as_o solemn_a &_o august_a a_o form_n as_o its_o possible_a for_o the_o tongue_n of_o man_n to_o express_v even_o then_o when_o you_o say_v you_o dare_v not_o swear_v god_n who_o be_v the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n know_v that_o it_o be_v with_o a_o holy_a respect_n to_o the_o reputation_n of_o christianity_n the_o evangelical_n dispensation_n and_o to_o christ_n express_a prohibition_n etc._n etc._n this_o person_n have_v give_v we_o various_a definition_n of_o a_o oath_n of_o which_o he_o reckon_v that_o to_o say_v god_n who_o be_v the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n know_v be_v a_o most_o solemn_a &_o august_a form_n of_o swear_v but_o sure_o he_o egregious_o miss_v in_o this_o for_o at_o this_o rate_n of_o define_v a_o solemn_a form_n of_o a_o oath_n we_o shall_v scarce_o know_v how_o to_o mention_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o any_o serious_a or_o solemn_a way_n either_o in_o prayer_n thanksgiving_n appeal_v to_o he_o either_o as_o witness_v for_o we_o or_o single_o as_o desire_v that_o the_o truth_n may_v be_v discover_v in_o any_o case_n but_o this_o must_v all_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o most_o solemn_a and_o august_a form_n