we_o that_o the_o apostle_n swear_v because_o he_o say_v as_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o i_o no_o man_n shall_v stop_v i_o of_o this_o boast_n in_o the_o region_n of_o achaia_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v but_o wonder_v to_o think_v that_o he_o shall_v call_v this_o swear_n if_o it_o be_v swear_v what_o do_v he_o swear_v by_o in_o your_o stead_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o i_o shall_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v as_o you_o say_v than_o he_o swear_v by_o that_o truth_n or_o belief_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v in_o he_o again_o if_o he_o swear_v what_o do_v he_o swear_v to_o i_o answer_v that_o he_o will_v boast_v the_o matter_n touch_v which_o he_o will_v boast_v of_o be_v evident_a so_o to_o gather_v this_o up_o we_o thus_o reason_n that_o if_o the_o apostle_n swear_v that_o then_o he_o swear_v by_o something_o that_o be_v not_o god_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v stop_v he_o of_o his_o boast_n now_o to_o swear_v by_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o god_n will_v be_v easy_o grant_v on_o all_o hand_n to_o be_v sin_n which_o this_o argue_v accuse_v the_o apostle_n with_o and_o certain_o it_o need_v be_v no_o wonder_n that_o man_n have_v get_v a_o custom_n in_o england_n to_o swear_v by_o their_o faith_n or_o truth_n if_o paul_n swear_v by_o the_o same_o for_o if_o swear_v by_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v in_o we_o be_v not_o to_o swear_v by_o our_o faith_n than_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o be_o to_o seek_v but_o certain_o none_o that_o well_o consider_v what_o they_o say_v will_v affirm_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v swear_v by_o his_o faith_n neither_o that_o he_o make_v so_o slight_a a_o account_n of_o a_o oath_n as_o to_o swear_v he_o will_v boast_v yet_o notwithstanding_o to_o prove_v the_o apostle_n do_v swear_v in_o these_o word_n he_o refer_v we_o to_o the_o 1_o king_n 1.29_o and_o tell_v we_o that_o daniel_n swear_v as_o the_o lord_n live_v yet_o if_o this_o be_v true_a it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o word_n as_o do_v make_v it_o to_o be_v a_o oath_n at_o all_o time_n but_o if_o you_o look_v into_o the_o text_n you_o will_v find_v that_o it_o say_v that_o the_o king_n swear_v and_o say_v as_o the_o lord_n live_v from_o whence_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o his_o oath_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o what_o he_o say_v in_o the_o follow_a word_n be_v another_o thing_n and_o if_o we_o mind_v the_o 30._o verse_n he_o tell_v we_o what_o the_o oath_n be_v even_o as_o i_o swear_v unto_o thou_o by_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o in_o plainness_n we_o may_v understand_v that_o the_o king_n swear_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o say_v as_o the_o lord_n live_v that_o bath_n redeem_v my_o soul_n out_o of_o all_o distress_n again_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o swear_v in_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v or_o record_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o say_v judge_v 11.10_o jerem._n 42.5_o but_o these_o text_n do_v not_o call_v it_o swear_v though_o mr._n ives_n do_v and_o though_o he_o tell_v we_o if_o call_v god_n to_o witness_n be_v not_o swear_v he_o be_v ignorant_a what_o swear_v be_v yet_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o he_o have_v give_v we_o never_o a_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v but_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v from_o deut._n 4.26_o and_o 30.19_o and_o 31.28_o do_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o every_o call_n to_o witness_n in_o a_o solemn_a manner_n be_v not_o swear_v for_o then_o not_o only_a moses_n but_o god_n himself_o have_v swear_v by_o creature_n a_o thing_n which_o mr._n ives_n himself_o grant_v be_v never_o lawful_a but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o call_v god_n to_o witness_n be_v swear_v yet_o it_o will_v make_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o the_o apostle_n use_v it_o only_o in_o case_n assertory_n and_o not_o promissory_n again_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n swear_v in_o rom._n â—_o 1_o because_o he_o say_v he_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o christ_n i_o confess_v if_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o christ_n be_v swear_v than_o this_o be_v swear_v but_o if_o not_o i_o know_v not_o how_o he_o can_v make_v a_o oath_n of_o these_o word_n but_o in_o regard_n the_o apostle_n also_o in_o this_o text_n be_v assert_v the_o truth_n i_o shall_v leave_v this_o and_o come_v to_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v promissory_n swear_v now_o to_o prove_v that_o promissory_n swear_v be_v lawful_a he_o cit_v 2_o tim._n â—_o 1_o where_o paul_n charge_v timothy_n before_o god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o what_o of_o this_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o he_o charge_v he_o to_o swear_v the_o text_n say_v only_o that_o paul_n charge_v timothy_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n but_o it_o be_v only_o mr._n ives_n that_o tell_v we_o he_o charge_v he_o to_o swear_v but_o now_o to_o make_v good_a his_o assertion_n he_o bring_v we_o to_o 1_o thess_n 5.27_o where_o the_o text_n speak_v not_o a_o word_n of_o swear_v but_o to_o wind_v up_o his_o discourse_n have_v no_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v his_o matter_n he_o do_v as_o the_o priest_n of_o england_n use_v to_o do_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o beza_n translation_n but_o what_o then_o if_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o beza_n translation_n will_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o beza_n translation_n be_v true_a and_o all_o other_o false_a i_o will_v appeal_v to_o all_o rational_a man_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o man_n to_o swear_v promissory_n oath_n because_o beza_n in_o one_o text_n of_o scripture_n contradict_v other_o translator_n but_o again_o consider_v what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v imagine_v that_o paul_n shall_v write_v to_o the_o thessalonian_o to_o charge_v they_o to_o swear_v to_o read_v his_o epistle_n to_o all_o the_o brethren_n be_v it_o not_o more_o reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o if_o the_o thessalonian_o do_v value_n paul_n charge_n they_o will_v as_o soon_o have_v read_v his_o epistle_n without_o swear_v as_o to_o be_v swear_v or_o to_o swear_v to_o read_v it_o for_o doubtless_o if_o they_o have_v not_o value_v his_o charge_v they_o to_o read_v it_o they_o will_v not_o have_v value_v his_o charge_v they_o to_o swear_v to_o read_v it_o so_o that_o this_o consider_v it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o paul_n swear_v they_o to_o proceed_v i_o come_v to_o the_o five_o reason_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o mat._n 5._o and_o jam._n 5._o can_v not_o forbid_v all_o such_o swear_n as_o be_v use_v under_o the_o law_n because_o there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o the_o use_n of_o some_o oath_n now_o as_o ever_o there_o be_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o as_o to_o oath_n assertory_n i_o shall_v leave_v it_o because_o it_o be_v not_o our_o case_n but_o as_o to_o oath_n promissory_n i_o answer_v and_o say_v that_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v above_o reason_n for_o when_o christ_n command_v we_o must_v not_o inquire_v whether_o his_o command_n be_v reasonable_a or_o no_o if_o we_o do_v it_o be_v possible_a our_o carnal_a reason_n may_v come_v short_a of_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n as_o for_o instance_n what_o reason_n be_v there_o that_o abraham_n shall_v slay_v isaac_n only_o the_o command_n of_o god_n again_o what_o reason_n be_v there_o that_o all_o the_o male_n shall_v be_v circumcise_v only_o the_o command_n of_o god_n again_o what_o reason_n be_v there_o that_o a_o man_n or_o woman_n shall_v go_v in_o a_o cold_a frosty_a morning_n to_o be_v baptize_v only_o that_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o person_n when_o convert_v arise_v why_o tarry_v thou_o and_o be_v baptize_v and_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o say_v swear_v not_o at_o all_o promissory_n oath_n though_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v refrain_v than_o there_o be_v for_o the_o former_a case_n cite_v see_v we_o have_v for_o this_o as_o for_o the_o former_a the_o command_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n how_o we_o consult_v with_o reason_n in_o such_o case_n but_o i_o may_v prove_v sufficient_o from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o reason_n in_o our_o day_n for_o promissory_n swear_v as_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n but_o suppose_v that_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o may_v be_v sufficient_a i_o shall_v only_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o mat._n 24.6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o verse_n and_o ezek._n 24.17_o desire_v they_o to_o consider_v of_o they_o not_o that_o i_o will_v here_o be_v mistake_v as_o if_o i_o do_v believe_v from_o these_o text_n that_o it_o be_v the_o saint_n work_v to_o overturn_v government_n but_o only_o this_o i_o
writing_n if_o he_o have_v be_v swear_v he_o must_v have_v say_v amen_o to_o the_o oath_n or_o so_o be_v it_o or_o i_o take_v this_o oath_n upon_o i_o then_o after_o he_o have_v take_v the_o oath_n so_o upon_o he_o if_o he_o have_v answer_v any_o thing_n it_o have_v be_v upon_o his_o oath_n again_o whereas_o mr._n ives_n cit_v levit._fw-la 5.1_o to_o prove_v that_o a_o man_n be_v swear_v if_o he_o unter_v a_o matter_n be_v abjure_v thereunto_o by_o the_o live_a god_n the_o text_n say_v no_o such_o matter_n for_o the_o text_n at_o most_o if_o we_o take_v it_o in_o his_o own_o term_n do_v but_o say_v if_o a_o man_n sin_n and_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o swear_v or_o abjuration_n and_o be_v a_o witness_n whether_o he_o have_v see_v or_o know_v of_o it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o utter_v it_o than_o he_o shall_v bear_v his_o iniquity_n as_o much_o as_o if_o the_o lord_n shall_v have_v say_v that_o he_o that_o can_v witness_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o matter_n and_o will_v not_o when_o he_o be_v charge_v to_o it_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n because_o he_o do_v not_o discover_v it_o and_o as_o solomon_n say_v prov._n 19.24_o he_o that_o be_v partner_n with_o a_o thief_n hate_v his_o own_o soul_n he_o hear_v curse_v and_o bewray_v it_o not_o as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v by_o keep_v silence_n when_o he_o ought_v to_o witness_v he_o become_v guilty_a of_o another_o man_n sin_n now_o the_o text_n do_v not_o say_v that_o if_o he_o do_v not_o utter_v it_o he_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o false_a swear_n but_o the_o text_n only_o say_v he_o shall_v bear_v his_o iniquity_n again_o whereas_o mr._n ives_n say_v from_o the_o 1_o king_n 22._o 16,17_o that_o the_o prophet_n micah_n be_v as_o firm_o swear_v when_o the_o king_n abjure_v he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o live_a god_n as_o if_o he_o have_v pronounce_v the_o oath_n with_o his_o own_o lip_n i_o much_o wonder_n that_o he_o shall_v so_o much_o wrong_v the_o prophet_n for_o if_o every_o time_n the_o king_n abjure_v he_o he_o be_v swear_v than_o he_o be_v sometime_o forswear_v for_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n how_o many_o time_n that_o the_o king_n have_v sometime_o abjure_v he_o before_o and_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o give_v the_o king_n any_o direct_a answer_n before_o and_o therefore_o i_o conclude_v as_o before_o that_o except_o the_o prophet_n have_v first_o own_v the_o oath_n and_o then_o answer_v he_o be_v not_o swear_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v but_o much_o wonder_n that_o he_o shall_v so_o earnest_o desire_v other_o to_o consider_v of_o this_o and_o yet_o so_o little_o consider_v of_o it_o himself_o for_o he_o first_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o man_n be_v swear_v if_o he_o do_v but_o speak_v the_o truth_n when_o he_o be_v abjure_v by_o the_o live_a god_n and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o afterward_o that_o a_o oath_n like_o this_o we_o have_v in_o our_o common_a law_n now_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o any_o man_n that_o know_v but_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o law_n whether_o or_o not_o when_o the_o witness_n be_v charge_v by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n the_o whole_a truth_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n between_o party_n and_o party_n now_o if_o the_o witness_n shall_v speak_v the_o truth_n without_o lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o the_o book_n and_o kiss_v it_o or_o give_v his_o consent_n to_o or_o own_v of_o the_o oath_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v whether_o any_o rational_a man_n will_v say_v that_o this_o man_n be_v swear_v therefore_o i_o will_v desire_v you_o for_o to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n for_o a_o man_n to_o relate_v a_o matter_n when_o he_o be_v charge_v or_o abjure_v to_o swear_v to_o it_o and_o another_o thing_n for_o a_o man_n first_o to_o own_o or_o take_v the_o oath_n upon_o he_o and_o then_o to_o relate_v it_o upon_o his_o oath_n now_o the_o three_o way_n by_o which_o a_o man_n bind_v his_o soul_n by_o a_o oath_n i_o do_v grant_n be_v no_o less_o sacred_a though_o somewhat_o different_a from_o the_o former_a and_o that_o be_v call_v a_o oath_n of_o curse_v num._n 5.21_o but_o this_o oath_n be_v not_o otherways_o take_v then_o the_o former_a for_o either_o the_o party_n take_v it_o must_v utter_v the_o curse_n with_o his_o own_o mouth_n 2_o sam._n 3.35_o or_o else_o when_o the_o oath_n be_v pronounce_v by_o another_o the_o party_n must_v say_v amen_o or_o a_o word_n of_o like_a import_n to_o signify_v that_o they_o own_v the_o oath_n or_o else_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v as_o appear_v num._n 5.22_o nehe._n 5_o 12_o 13._o and_o all_o the_o congregation_n say_v amen_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v now_o come_v unto_o the_o second_o qustion_n viz._n what_o be_v the_o end_n of_o sacred_a oath_n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o distinction_n between_o oath_n command_v and_o voluntary_a because_o he_o say_v that_o oath_n that_o be_v command_v be_v ordinary_o such_o as_o be_v make_v by_o god_n to_o man_n and_o oath_n that_o be_v voluntary_a be_v make_v to_o god_n i_o confess_v if_o this_o distinction_n be_v true_a it_o will_v somewhat_o clear_v the_o matter_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o take_v good_a notice_n of_o the_o way_n he_o take_v to_o prove_v it_o for_o faith_n he_o this_o distinction_n appear_v plain_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o example_n of_o abraham_n swear_v his_o servant_n to_o he_o by_o the_o loid_v gon._n 23.4_o and_o abraham_n swear_v by_o the_o lord_n abimeleoh_o gen_n 21.23_o and_o the_o spy_n swear_v by_o the_o lord_n to_o rahab_n jos_n 2_o 12._o i_o confess_v if_o these_o text_n prove_v that_o god_n command_v man_n to_o swear_v one_o to_o another_o they_o will_v make_v something_o to_o his_o purpose_n but_o if_o every_o practice_n or_o example_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n of_o old_a do_v prove_v the_o thing_n practise_v to_o be_v a_o command_n of_o god_n then_o have_v i_o lose_v my_o understanding_n but_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o mr._n ives_n will_v not_o say_v that_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n of_o old_a be_v command_v by_o god_n for_o all_o man_n that_o know_v any_o thing_n do_v know_v that_o they_o practise_v many_o thing_n as_o liberty_n and_o not_o as_o command_v now_o therefore_o except_o i_o can_v find_v one_o text_n of_o scripture_n either_o in_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n to_o prove_v that_o promissory_n swear_v be_v command_v i_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v never_o command_v now_o say_v he_o the_o end_n of_o such_o oath_n as_o man_n swear_v by_o god_n to_o one_o another_o be_v as_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n tell_v we_o heb._n 6_o 1â—_n to_o end_v all_o strife_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o matter_n in_o question_n a_o example_n we_o have_v of_o this_o exod._n 22.11_o if_o a_o man_n deliver_v to_o his_o neighbourian_n ox_n or_o a_o ass_n or_o a_o sheep_n or_o any_o beast_n to_o keep_v and_o it_o die_v or_o be_v hurt_v or_o drive_v away_o no_o man_n see_v it_o then_o shall_v a_o oath_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v between_o they_o both_o that_o he_o have_v not_o put_v his_o hand_n unto_o his_o neighbour_n good_n and_o the_o owner_n thereof_o shall_v accept_v it_o and_o he_o shall_v not_o make_v it_o good_a now_o i_o grant_v that_o one_o end_n of_o man_n swear_n one_o to_o another_o be_v as_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n say_v to_o end_v all_o strife_n and_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o forementioned_a text_n exod._n 22.11_o i_o do_v also_o grant_v that_o another_o end_n of_o one_o man_n swear_v to_o another_o be_v to_o make_v good_a all_o lawful_a promise_n according_a as_o mr._n ives_n say_v but_o you_o may_v be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o here_o he_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o say_v have_v speak_v of_o the_o end_n of_o such_o oath_n that_o be_v command_v when_o he_o have_v not_o give_v one_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v promissory_n oath_n command_v i_o shall_v therefore_o conclude_v that_o not_o only_o all_o sacred_a oath_n to_o god_n be_v voluntary_a but_o also_o all_o promissory_n oath_n to_o man_n be_v voluntary_a because_o i_o know_v no_o text_n of_o scripture_n command_v they_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v and_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o he_o say_v to_o the_o end_n of_o voluntary_a oath_n now_o say_v he_o the_o end_n of_o those_o sacred_a oath_n that_o be_v voluntary_a be_v to_o afflict_v the_o soul_n by_o fall_v or_o otherwise_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o some_o voluntary_a oath_n be_v to_o afflict_v the_o soul_n num._n 30.3_o but_o it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o all_o voluntary_a oath_n be_v to_o afflict_v
a_o caution_n to_o the_o son_n of_o zion_n be_v a_o answer_n to_o jeremiah_n ives_n his_o book_n entitle_v the_o great_a case_n of_o conscience_n open_v i._o prove_v that_o every_o calling_n god_n to_o witness_n be_v not_o swear_v ii_o prove_v that_o promissory_a oath_n be_v never_o command_v by_o god_n only_o practise_v as_o liberty_n under_o former_a dispensation_n iii_o prove_v that_o promissory_a oath_n be_v never_o command_v nor_o practise_v by_o christ_n nor_o his_o disciple_n in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n iv_o show_v what_o a_o oath_n be_v v._o prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o all_o promissory_a oath_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o land_n be_v full_a of_o adulterer_n for_o because_o of_o swear_v the_o land_n mourn_v the_o pealant_n place_n of_o the_o wilderness_n be_v dry_v up_o and_o their_o course_n be_v evil_a and_o their_o force_n be_v not_o right_a jerem._n 23.10_o by_o samuel_n hodgkin_n london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n in_o the_o year_n 1660._o a_o answer_n to_o jeremiah_n ives_n his_o book_n entitle_v the_o great_a case_n of_o conscience_n open_v forasmuch_o as_o many_o of_o the_o lord_n people_n through_o this_o nation_n be_v imprison_v at_o this_o day_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n who_o rather_o choose_v joyful_o to_o suffer_v than_o to_o swear_v i_o therefore_o who_o be_o a_o prisoner_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n be_v constrain_v by_o those_o mani-fold_n persuasion_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o from_o the_o lord_n upon_o my_o spirit_n to_o persuade_v i_o hereunto_o i_o therefore_o have_v think_v it_o my_o duty_n to_o set_v pen_n to_o paper_n in_o vindication_n of_o that_o righteous_a law_n of_o christ_n for_o which_o we_o suffer_v at_o this_o day_n that_o so_o the_o justice_n of_o our_o cause_n may_v appear_v the_o more_o plain_o to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v willing_a to_o look_v on_o it_o with_o a_o unbiased_a eye_n and_o i_o be_o the_o more_o provoke_v hereunto_o through_o consideration_n of_o those_o many_o star_n that_o have_v fall_v in_o this_o evil_a day_n who_o have_v not_o be_v content_v only_o to_o swear_v themselves_o although_o some_o of_o they_o have_v manifest_v by_o their_o suffering_n for_o it_o first_o that_o their_o conscience_n be_v convince_v to_o the_o contrary_a yet_o when_o they_o see_v no_o way_n to_o escape_v suffer_v they_o be_v willing_a rather_o to_o swear_v than_o to_o suffer_v and_o also_o some_o have_v not_o be_v content_v only_o to_o swear_v but_o have_v endeavour_v not_o only_o by_o plead_v for_o but_o also_o write_v to_o vindicate_v the_o same_o and_o lest_o it_o shall_v prove_v to_o the_o wound_n of_o some_o poor_a soul_n i_o judge_v therefore_o myself_o bind_v in_o conscience_n for_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v proceed_v first_o to_o answer_v as_o brief_o as_o may_v be_v what_o have_v be_v assert_v by_o mr_n ives_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o promissory_a swear_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o i_o may_v so_o do_v i_o shall_v examine_v what_o have_v be_v say_v by_o he_o in_o his_o book_n call_v the_o great_a case_n of_o conscience_n open_v and_o to_o the_o end_n we_o way_n escape_v the_o dangen_fw-mi of_o those_o manifold_a extreme_n that_o too_o too_o many_o be_v carry_v away_o by_o in_o this_o our_o day_n let_v we_o therefore_o take_v heed_n least_o through_o the_o pretence_n of_o fear_n of_o split_a ourselves_o on_o the_o rock_n of_o ignorance_n we_o cry_v up_o that_o for_o verity_n which_o be_v in_o itself_o heresy_n i_o shall_v therefore_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o method_n which_o he_o take_v that_o so_o by_o trace_v he_o in_o the_o channel_n wherein_o he_o go_v i_o may_v the_o better_o take_v notice_n wherein_o it_o agree_v or_o not_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n and_o if_o through_o the_o lord_n assistance_n i_o shall_v come_v to_o discover_v any_o thing_n therein_o contain_v not_o to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o truth_n i_o have_v what_o i_o aim_v at_o and_o let_v god_n have_v the_o glory_n and_o that_o i_o may_v so_o do_v i_o shall_v first_o take_v notice_n what_o he_o undertake_v to_o prove_v which_o be_v that_o assertory_n and_o promissory_a oath_n be_v both_o lawful_a and_o useful_a in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o way_n by_o which_o he_o proceed_v for_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v first_o to_o show_v what_o sacred_a oath_n be_v second_o to_o what_o end_n they_o be_v take_v three_o whether_o those_o two_o text_n matthew_n 5.34_o james_n 5.12_o do_v forbid_v all_o oath_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o to_o the_o first_o namely_o what_o a_o sacred_a oath_n be_v say_v he_o it_o be_v a_o band_n by_o which_o a_o man_n bind_v his_o soul_n to_o the_o speak_n of_o that_o which_o be_v in_o itself_o true_a or_o the_o do_n of_o that_o which_o be_v in_o itself_o lawful_a unto_o which_o the_o live_n and_o true_a god_n be_v call_v to_o witness_v numb_a 30.2_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o every_o sacred_a oath_n by_o which_o god_n be_v call_v to_o witness_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n or_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o a_o lawful_a thing_n be_v a_o band_n whereby_o the_o soul_n be_v bind_v but_o every_o calling_n god_n to_o witness_v in_o lawful_a thing_n be_v not_o a_o oath_n as_o appear_v thus_o if_o a_o bare_a calling_n god_n to_o witness_n be_v swear_v by_o god_n then_o call_v the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o witness_n be_v swear_v by_o heaven_n and_o earth_n for_o then_o moses_n have_v swear_v by_o creature_n deut._n 4.26_o i_o call_v heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o witness_v against_o you_o this_o day_n and_o so_o likewise_o god_n himself_o in_o deut._n 30.19_o i_o call_v heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o record_v against_o you_o chap._n 31.28_o but_o it_o be_v ever_o unlawful_a to_o swear_v by_o creature_n therefore_o i_o conclude_v that_o a_o bare_a call_n to_o witness_n be_v not_o swear_v now_o wheneas_o mr_n ives_n say_v there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o sacred_a oath_n under_o the_o law_n viz._n command_v and_o voluntary_a i_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v but_o there_o be_v no_o other_o sacred_a oath_n command_v under_o the_o law_n but_o assertory_n and_o therefore_o you_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o those_o text_n he_o have_v here_o cite_v to_o wit_n exod_a 22.11_o deut._n 5.3_o chap._n 10.20_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o mention_n any_o promissory_a swear_v now_o therefore_o whereas_o he_o say_v some_o oath_n be_v voluntary_a i_o shall_v not_o deny_v it_o but_o do_v say_v that_o all_o promissory_a oath_n be_v voluntary_a because_o i_o find_v not_o one_o text_n of_o scripture_n where_o ever_o god_n command_v they_o now_o whereas_o m._n ives_n say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o way_n by_o which_o a_o man_n bind_v himself_o with_o a_o oath_n i_o do_v grant_v there_o be_v namely_o first_o when_o he_o pronounce_v the_o oath_n with_o his_o own_o lip_n levit._n 5.4_o second_o as_o a_o man_n be_v swear_v when_o he_o pronounce_v the_o oath_n with_o his_o own_o lip_n so_o i_o grant_v that_o he_o may_v as_o well_o be_v swear_v when_o he_o be_v charge_v or_o abjure_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o live_a god_n provide_v that_o he_o say_v amen_o to_o the_o oath_n or_o i_o take_v this_o oath_n upon_o i_o i_o say_v then_o if_o after_o he_o have_v take_v the_o oath_n upon_o he_o he_o do_v not_o speak_v the_o truth_n he_o be_v as_o well_o guilty_a of_o false_a swear_n as_o he_o that_o pronounce_v the_o oath_n with_o his_o own_o lip_n but_o it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o if_o a_o man_n be_v charge_v or_o abjure_v to_o swear_v and_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n upon_o his_o oath_n and_o he_o give_v no_o consent_n to_o the_o oath_n neither_o by_o say_v amen_o nor_o so_o be_v it_o nor_o i_o take_v this_o upon_o i_o i_o say_v then_o that_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o he_o have_v swear_v because_o he_o speak_v the_o truth_n for_o then_o when_o a_o man_n be_v charge_v or_o abjure_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o live_a god_n and_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o either_o he_o must_v hold_v his_o peace_n or_o else_o if_o he_o speak_v the_o truth_n he_o must_v be_v swear_v whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o i_o say_v therefore_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o the_o high_a priest_n charge_v christ_n to_o swear_v by_o the_o live_a god_n and_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n namely_o whether_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o no_o i_o say_v then_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o he_o consent_v unto_o the_o truth_n in_o say_v thou_o say_v it_o that_o therefore_o he_o be_v swear_v for_o according_a to_o what_o mr_n ives_n cit_v of_o mr._n answorths_n