a_o elephant_n may_v swim_v but_o the_o gain_n will_v countervail_v the_o loss_n and_o charge_n here_o be_v a_o lamp_n to_o light_v we_o the_o dew_n of_o heaven_n to_o refresh_v we_o a_o sword_n to_o defend_v we_o a_o key_n to_o open_a christ_n will_n to_o we_o flagon_n of_o wine_n and_o apple_n of_o paradise_n take_v therefore_o these_o direction_n in_o thy_o read_n 4._o direction_n if_o thou_o will_v read_v the_o word_n with_o profit_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o thou_o prepare_v thy_o heart_n for_o so_o solemn_a a_o duty_n come_v not_o out_o of_o a_o huddle_n of_o business_n with_o thy_o heart_n full_a of_o the_o world_n to_o discourse_v with_o god_n take_v not_o god_n word_n any_o more_o than_o his_o name_n in_o vain_a take_v it_o not_o profane_o into_o thy_o mouth_n without_o due_a regard_n or_o consideration_n lest_o he_o turn_v thou_o away_o with_o a_o curse_n instead_o of_o a_o blessing_n it_o be_v a_o business_n of_o great_a concernment_n even_o of_o life_n and_o death_n yea_o of_o the_o eternal_a well_o or_o ill_o be_v of_o thy_o soul_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v slight_v beg_v leave_v therefore_o of_o god_n before_o thou_o meddle_v with_o it_o yea_o beg_v his_o blessing_n upon_o it_o without_o which_o nothing_o can_v do_v we_o good_a for_o soul_n or_o body_n the_o want_n of_o due_a preparation_n cause_v many_o to_o find_v the_o word_n so_o ineffectual_a yea_o find_v so_o little_a sweetness_n in_o it_o again_o if_o thou_o will_v profit_v by_o it_o hold_v on_o in_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o read_v it_o be_v not_o read_v by_o fit_n and_o start_n will_v serve_v turn_n many_o be_v now_o off_o now_o on_o now_o they_o will_v and_o then_o they_o will_v not_o as_o the_o world_n give_v they_o leave_v or_o as_o the_o humour_n take_v they_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a but_o get_v a_o strong_a resolution_n to_o hold_v on_o in_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o read_v what_o ever_o come_v of_o it_o break_v through_o all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o lie_v in_o the_o way_n a_o little_a now_o and_o then_o will_v do_v thou_o little_a good_a without_o this_o resolution_n satan_n will_v baffle_v thou_o and_o lay_v some_o temptation_n in_o the_o way_n to_o hinder_v the_o world_n will_v divert_v thou_o and_o one_o business_n or_o other_o present_v itself_o to_o be_v do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n thy_o own_o corruption_n will_v oppose_v it_o and_o thy_o deceitful_a heart_n make_v thou_o delay_v it_o but_o this_o be_v the_o food_n of_o thy_o soul_n be_v not_o divert_v from_o it_o any_o more_o than_o thou_o will_v be_v from_o thy_o meat_n but_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a thou_o must_v not_o only_o do_v the_o duty_n but_o do_v it_o well_o to_o this_o end_n get_v thy_o heart_n in_o order_n get_v it_o cleanse_v from_o distract_n thought_n and_o care_n &_o free_v from_o disquiet_v motion_n &_o perterbation_n a_o full_a vessel_n can_v receive_v no_o more_o and_o a_o heart_n full_a of_o the_o world_n have_v no_o room_n for_o heaven_n say_v therefore_o to_o thy_o worldly_a care_n and_o thought_n when_o thou_o come_v to_o this_o duty_n as_o abraham_n to_o his_o servant_n when_o he_o go_v to_o sacrifice_n stay_v here_o and_o i_o will_v come_v to_o you_o again_o set_v thyself_o as_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o great_a god_n apprehend_v he_o by_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n behold_v thou_o this_o will_v keep_v thy_o thought_n from_o rove_a and_o thy_o imagination_n from_o wander_a in_o his_o service_n and_o awe_v thy_o heart_n and_o curb_v thy_o affection_n bring_v with_o thou_o also_o a_o spiritual_a appetite_n to_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n come_v with_o a_o empty_a stomach_n or_o why_o do_v thou_o seek_v after_o food_n a_o hungry_a man_n be_v most_o like_a to_o taste_v and_o relish_v those_o dainty_n the_o word_n be_v to_o david_n sweet_a than_o honey_n and_o the_o honeycomb_n and_o to_o job_n better_a than_o his_o appoint_a food_n if_o there_o be_v spiritual_a life_n in_o the_o soul_n there_o will_v be_v a_o appetite_n for_o no_o life_n can_v be_v preserve_v without_o food_n bring_v faith_n also_o along_o with_o thou_o which_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o without_o this_o the_o soul_n can_v receive_v no_o nourishment_n the_o word_n which_o they_o hear_v profit_v they_o not_o because_o it_o be_v not_o mix_v with_o faith_n in_o they_o that_o hear_v it_o heb._n 4.2_o reading_n will_v do_v thou_o little_a good_a if_o thou_o believe_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o thou_o read_v or_o doubte_v of_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o promise_n or_o threaten_n i'faith_o also_o will_v subdue_v carnal_a reason_n and_o help_v thou_o out_o when_o thou_o be_v at_o a_o stand_n but_o above_o all_o seek_v help_n from_o above_o from_o god_n here_o be_v many_o difficulty_n too_o hard_o for_o thou_o to_o grapple_v with_o which_o can_v be_v understand_v but_o by_o divine_a assistance_n paul_n may_v plant_v and_o apollo_n water_n but_o god_n give_v the_o increase_n it_o be_v he_o that_o open_v lydia_n heart_n and_o must_v open_v thou_o or_o the_o word_n can_v do_v it_o beg_v therefore_o his_o assistance_n and_o come_v thus_o prepare_v to_o the_o duty_n this_o be_v the_o likely_a way_n to_o speed_n 2._o direct_v if_o thou_o will_v profit_v by_o read_v of_o the_o word_n be_v sure_a to_o propound_v right_a end_n to_o thyself_o for_o the_o end_n crown_v the_o action_n many_o read_v much_o and_o profit_v little_a because_o their_o end_n be_v bad_a they_o undo_v themselves_o and_o lose_v their_o labour_n by_o this_o mean_n some_o read_v for_o custom_n and_o for_o fashion_n sake_n and_o make_v read_v the_o end_n of_o read_v and_o be_v like_o the_o silly_a woman_n the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o always_o learn_v and_o never_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o so_o the_o work_n be_v do_v matter_n it_o no_o more_o some_o read_v to_o fill_v their_o head_n with_o knowledge_n and_o their_o brain_n with_o notion_n that_o they_o may_v thereby_o be_v able_a to_o discourse_v with_o applause_n when_o yet_o they_o never_o suffer_v it_o to_o sink_v down_o or_o soak_v into_o or_o season_v the_o heart_n but_o such_o speculative_a knowledge_n do_v little_a good_a yea_o great_a hurt_n it_o make_v they_o sin_n with_o a_o candle_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o some_o read_v to_o a_o worse_a end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n and_o maintain_v error_n and_o pervert_v the_o good_a way_n of_o god_n thus_o the_o pharisee_n thus_o the_o jesuit_n and_o many_o heretic_n but_o every_o one_o shall_v and_o a_o true_a christian_a do_v in_o this_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o other_o make_v god_n glory_n in_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o own_o and_o other_o soul_n the_o mark_n he_o aim_v at_o and_o regulate_v his_o action_n according_o and_o doubtless_o from_o god_n he_o will_v receive_v his_o reward_n when_o other_o as_o it_o be_v self_n they_o aim_v at_o so_o from_o self_n they_o must_v expect_v their_o wage_n a_o believer_n he_o will_v know_v more_o that_o he_o may_v obey_v better_a he_o will_v know_v god_n better_o that_o he_o may_v love_v he_o more_o and_o know_v god_n will_n that_o he_o may_v do_v his_o work_n he_o will_v know_v his_o work_n as_o well_o as_o his_o wage_n his_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o his_o privilege_n he_o read_v he_o word_n of_o god_n and_o those_o book_n which_o open_a and_o apply_v it_o that_o he_o may_v know_v truth_n from_o error_n and_o follow_v the_o one_o and_o fly_v the_o other_o and_o may_v not_o be_v seduce_v by_o false_a teacher_n nor_o draw_v aside_o from_o the_o rule_n to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a he_o will_v know_v light_a from_o darkness_n and_o have_v the_o scale_n of_o ignorance_n fall_v from_o his_o eye_n he_o will_v know_v good_a from_o evil_n that_o he_o may_v follow_v the_o one_o and_o avoid_v the_o other_o he_o will_v be_v able_a to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n or_o no_o yea_o to_o try_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a he_o will_v know_v vice_n from_o virtue_n and_o discern_v what_o be_v sin_n and_o what_o be_v duty_n that_o he_o be_v not_o like_o those_o that_o in_o persecute_v the_o saint_n think_v they_o do_v god_n good_a service_n he_o will_v be_v acquaint_v with_o his_o own_o heart_n and_o know_v the_o state_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o whether_o his_o evidence_n for_o heaven_n be_v good_a or_o no_o he_o observe_v what_o qualification_n the_o scripture_n require_v for_o heaven_n and_o then_o by_o scripture-light_n he_o will_v discern_v they_o in_o his_o own_o heart_n and_o endeavour_n to_o read_v his_o own_o name_n in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o see_v what_o interest_n he_o have_v in_o
be_v also_o necessary_a that_o thou_o understand_v what_o thou_o read_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n as_o the_o sense_n thou_o shall_v look_v after_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o tell_v you_o have_v great_a care_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o count_v the_o word_n syllable_n and_o letter_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n and_o yet_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o sense_n and_o miss_v of_o the_o meaning_n when_o thou_o read_v a_o dark_a passage_n in_o the_o scripture_n rest_v not_o till_o thou_o understand_v it_o to_o this_o end_n divine_n have_v give_v several_a direction_n such_o as_o these_o if_o thou_o be_v able_a compare_v the_o original_a and_o translation_n together_o and_z perhaps_o this_o may_v resolve_v thy_o doubt_n every_o language_n have_v a_o peculiar_a elegancy_n and_o some_o word_n be_v of_o so_o hard_a a_o signification_n that_o they_o can_v full_o be_v express_v in_o a_o translation_n now_o know_v the_o original_a will_n abundant_o help_v and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o art_n and_o science_n be_v also_o of_o great_a use_n let_v the_o enemy_n to_o learning_n say_v what_o they_o will_v to_o the_o contrary_n if_o this_o help_v thou_o not_o look_v into_o the_o context_n observe_v the_o circumstance_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o place_n and_o receive_v no_o interpretation_n which_o cross_v that_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v compare_v this_o place_n with_o other_o the_o like_a and_o admit_v not_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v other_o scripture_n especial_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n those_o plain_a doctrinal_a conclusion_n gather_v out_o of_o other_o plain_a scripture_n of_o which_o no_o doubt_n be_v make_v and_o if_o it_o agree_v not_o with_o this_o reject_v it_o for_o truth_n itself_o can_v oppose_v itself_o we_o must_v reduce_v dark_a place_n to_o those_o that_o be_v plain_a and_o not_o force_v those_o that_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o dark_a one_o if_o this_o help_v not_o read_v some_o learned_a exposition_n upon_o the_o place_n if_o this_o fail_v seek_v assistance_n from_o god_n for_o as_o the_o sun_n can_v be_v see_v but_o by_o its_o own_o light_n so_o the_o will_n of_o god_n can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o his_o own_o spirit_n he_o that_o faithful_o and_o careful_o observe_v these_o direction_n may_v through_o god_n blessing_n come_v to_o know_v as_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a 5._o direct_v if_o thou_o will_v profit_v by_o the_o word_n thou_o read_v careful_o observe_v the_o general_a scope_n of_o it_o and_o what_o design_n god_n be_v aim_v at_o and_o what_o end_v he_o aim_v at_o in_o it_o and_o prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o mark_n that_o he_o do_v for_o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v for_o our_o instruction_n now_o if_o we_o heedful_o mark_v the_o general_a scope_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o end_n which_o god_n drive_v on_o in_o the_o main_a be_v to_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o the_o world_n in_o his_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n to_o the_o end_n that_o man_n may_v own_v he_o as_o their_o lord_n owner_n and_o benefactor_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n for_o their_o redeemer_n and_o saviour_n that_o he_o may_v get_v himself_o glory_n in_o their_o salvation_n now_o in_o thy_o read_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n that_o god_n do_v and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o end_n which_o he_o do_v and_o this_o be_v the_o likely_a way_n to_o profit_n the_o scripture_n in_o general_n set_v before_o thou_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o thyself_o what_o god_n be_v and_o what_o he_o have_v do_v what_o thou_o be_v by_o nature_n what_o by_o the_o fall_n and_o what_o by_o thy_o restauration_n and_o also_o what_o god_n require_v at_o thy_o hand_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o end_n the_o scripture_n handle_v those_o point_n which_o conduce_v hereunto_o as_o first_o in_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n thou_o may_v see_v god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n for_o none_o else_o can_v make_v the_o world_n of_o nothing_o yea_o every_o creature_n will_v point_v out_o god_n to_o a_o understand_a man_n for_o it_o pass_v the_o power_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n to_o make_v the_o least_o fly_n especial_o without_o pre-existent_a matter_n nay_o the_o creature_n do_v not_o only_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o also_o sâ—…_n forth_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o eternity_n wisdom_n power_n majesty_n goodness_n and_o perfection_n these_o clear_o shine_v forth_o in_o these_o his_o work_n the_o least_o creature_n if_o you_o follow_v he_o home_o to_o his_o original_a by_o divine_a meditation_n will_v point_v out_o a_o omnipotent_a arm_n for_o his_o creator_n and_o when_o thou_o read_v of_o his_o work_n of_o providence_n these_o also_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o lesson_n the_o wonderful_a work_n and_o miracle_n he_o have_v wrought_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o his_o people_n the_o rule_n and_o government_n which_o he_o have_v set_v in_o the_o world_n the_o preservation_n of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o frequent_a deliverance_n he_o have_v give_v to_o his_o people_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n bespeak_v to_o we_o his_o power_n wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n when_o thou_o read_v of_o the_o work_n of_o redemption_n this_o bespeak_v christ_n the_o lord_n the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v witness_v from_o heaven_n by_o angel_n by_o saint_n by_o enemy_n by_o devil_n all_o which_o give_v testimony_n to_o his_o divinity_n and_o that_o he_o be_v true_o man_n be_v also_o evident_a by_o his_o incarnation_n birth_n growth_n action_n passion_n death_n and_o burial_n and_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n be_v clear_o evident_a by_o scripture_n light_n here_o thou_o may_v find_v that_o all_o the_o prophecy_n that_o go_v before_o of_o he_o be_v clear_o fulfil_v in_o he_o and_o no_o other_o and_o such_o miracle_n wrought_v and_o such_o mighty_a work_v do_v and_o such_o gracious_a word_n speak_v that_o make_v it_o plain_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v indeed_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n again_o when_o thou_o read_v the_o command_n threaten_n punishment_n etc._n etc._n know_v these_o be_v to_o deter_v thou_o from_o sin_n and_o to_o drive_v thou_o home_o to_o god_n thy_o benefactor_n and_o when_o thou_o read_v the_o promise_n invitation_n and_o encouragement_n these_o be_v to_o draw_v the_o near_a to_o he_o therefore_o careful_o observe_v what_o ever_o thou_o read_v and_o some_o way_n or_o other_o it_o will_v conduce_v to_o bring_v thou_o near_o to_o god_n this_o be_v god_n end_n in_o write_v the_o word_n and_o shall_v be_v thy_o end_n in_o read_v it_o 6._o direct_v will_v thou_o profit_v by_o read_v then_o meditate_v upon_o what_o thou_o read_v this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v what_o thou_o read_v thy_o own_o it_o be_v this_o way_n that_o david_n get_v more_o understanding_n than_o the_o ancient_n and_o become_v wise_a than_o his_o teacher_n psal_n 119.98,99,100_o and_o 66.11_o now_o meditation_n be_v a_o studious_a art_n of_o the_o mind_n wherein_o a_o man_n search_v out_o some_o hide_a truth_n by_o the_o discourse_n of_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o profitable_a heart-enriching_a duty_n thou_o can_v perform_v this_o will_v fetch_v in_o provision_n like_o a_o bee_n from_o every_o herb_n and_o flower_n yea_o from_o every_o weed_n thorn_n and_o bramble_n will_v yield_v some_o honey_n this_o will_v store_v thy_o heart_n with_o treasure_n new_a and_o old_a there_o be_v no_o creature_n so_o barren_a but_o will_v yield_v some_o fruit_n nor_o dead_a tree_n or_o hard_a stone_n that_o be_v so_o barren_a but_o it_o will_v yield_v some_o increase_n no_o creature_n but_o will_v yield_v a_o help_a hand_n no_o fowl_n but_o will_v lend_v a_o feather_n to_o mount_v the_o soul_n aloft_o a_o christian_a skill_v in_o the_o divine_a art_n of_o holy_a meditation_n can_v never_o want_v a_o object_n fit_a to_o work_v upon_o and_o if_o the_o creature_n thus_o furnish_v we_o doubtless_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v be_v fruitless_a the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o itself_o be_v mysterious_a and_o dark_a at_o least_o some_o part_n of_o it_o the_o well_o be_v deep_a and_o meditation_n be_v the_o bucket_n hereby_o divine_a mystery_n be_v draw_v out_o and_o the_o water_n of_o life_n pump_v in_o cursory_a read_v many_o thing_n pass_v by_o without_o regard_n which_o by_o meditation_n be_v fetch_v back_o and_o make_v use_n of_o this_o be_v not_o only_o a_o help_n to_o the_o understanding_n but_o the_o memory_n also_o it_o leave_v a_o deep_a impression_n upon_o it_o what_o in_o cursory_a read_n be_v soon_o forget_v be_v press_v hard_o upon_o and_o imprint_v to_o the_o memory_n by_o meditation_n hereby_o the_o heart_n
give_v thou_o christ_n and_o thou_o give_v he_o thyself_o if_o thou_o hold_v god_n will_v not_o flinch_v he_o promise_v heaven_n and_o happiness_n and_o thou_o promise_v love_n and_o obedience_n and_o those_o vow_n which_o thou_o make_v in_o baptism_n and_o renewe_v in_o this_o sacrament_n must_v be_v fulfil_v it_o be_v a_o horrible_a thing_n to_o prove_v treacherous_a to_o this_o god_n and_o to_o break_v covenant_n with_o he_o god_n will_v avenge_v the_o quarrel_n of_o his_o covenant_n it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n to_o have_v god_n for_o a_o enemy_n and_o our_o conscience_n for_o our_o accuser_n resolve_v therefore_o to_o make_v good_a thy_o engagement_n and_o fulfil_v thy_o vow_n consider_v in_o the_o sacrament_n what_o entertainment_n thou_o have_v meet_v with_o from_o god_n and_o what_o welcome_a he_o have_v give_v thou_o have_v thou_o speed_v or_o no_o do_v he_o meet_v thou_o in_o the_o ordinance_n or_o have_v thou_o have_v a_o answer_n of_o thy_o prayer_n or_o have_v be_v frustrate_v of_o thy_o hope_n and_o expectation_n if_o so_o examine_v thy_o preparation_n and_o demeanour_n before_o and_o after_o the_o duty_n haply_o thou_o may_v find_v some_o miscarriage_n if_o so_o humble_v thyself_o and_o be_v more_o careful_a for_o the_o future_a take_v notice_n of_o the_o repulse_n and_o be_v humble_v yet_o despair_v not_o sometime_o the_o ordinance_n may_v be_v more_o beneficial_a after_o than_o at_o present_a as_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n usual_o be_v if_o thou_o have_v meet_v with_o some_o fruit_n but_o not_o so_o much_o as_o thou_o expect_v or_o desire_v consider_v thou_o be_v not_o to_o be_v thy_o own_o carver_n he_o deal_v his_o mercy_n as_o he_o see_v best_o thou_o must_v wait_v upon_o he_o in_o a_o long_a posture_n it_o will_v come_v in_o the_o most_o suitable_a season_n if_o thou_o have_v find_v any_o it_o be_v more_o than_o thy_o desert_n bless_v god_n for_o it_o from_o who_o bounty_n it_o proceed_v if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o thou_o expect_v it_o be_v more_o than_o thou_o deserve_v it_o be_v to_o be_v own_v he_o that_o be_v not_o thankful_a for_o a_o little_a god_n will_v not_o trust_v he_o with_o much_o thou_o give_v he_o thanks_o for_o bodily_a food_n and_o will_v be_v thankful_a for_o crumb_n and_o not_o for_o christ_n for_o temporal_a favour_n and_o not_o for_o spiritual_a mercy_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v express_v in_o deed_n as_o well_o as_o word_n thou_o shall_v live_v thanks_o as_o well_o as_o speak_v thanks_o and_o as_o christ_n give_v himself_o to_o thou_o so_o give_v up_o not_o only_o thy_o name_n but_o thy_o heart_n to_o he_o keep_v alive_a in_o thy_o soul_n the_o spiritual_a fervour_n and_o maintain_v thy_o ground_n against_o thy_o corruption_n see_v how_o thy_o grace_n grow_v and_o how_o thy_o corruption_n die_v this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n walk_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o one_o ordinance_n to_o another_o and_o thus_o do_v thou_o will_v be_v a_o grow_a christian_a and_o thou_o will_v find_v through_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o thy_o endeavour_n that_o the_o sacrament_n which_o many_o get_v little_a benefit_n by_o be_v indeed_o a_o soul-fatting_a ordinance_n chap._n xi_o direction_n about_o oath_n the_o next_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n that_o i_o shall_v direct_v you_o in_o be_v the_o right_a use_n of_o a_o oath_n for_o though_o rash_a swear_n be_v a_o horrible_a sin_n as_o i_o intend_v god_n willing_a elsewhere_o to_o demonstrate_v yet_o a_o oath_n in_o itself_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a yea_o a_o command_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n thou_o shall_v fear_v the_o lord_n and_o serve_v he_o and_o shall_v swear_v by_o his_o name_n deut._n 6.13_o the_o like_a we_o find_v deut._n 10.20_o my_o work_n therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n will_v be_v to_o show_v you_o what_o a_o oath_n be_v and_o then_o to_o prove_v it_o lawful_a and_o afterward_o to_o give_v you_o direction_n in_o this_o as_o i_o have_v do_v in_o other_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n a_o oath_n be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o religious_a worship_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n in_o which_o be_v lawful_o call_v thereunto_o we_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o assert_v and_o our_o real_a intention_n to_o perform_v what_o we_o promise_v and_o to_o reward_v or_o punish_v we_o according_a to_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o what_o we_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n the_o text_n before_o quote_v serve_v to_o prove_v 2_o cor._n 1.23_o moreover_o i_o call_v god_n for_o a_o record_n upon_o my_o soul_n that_o to_o spare_v you_o i_o come_v not_o as_o yet_o unto_o corinth_n 2_o chron._n 6.22,23_o if_o a_o man_n sin_n against_o his_o neighbour_n and_o a_o oath_n be_v lay_v upon_o he_o to_o make_v he_o swear_v and_o the_o oath_n come_v before_o thy_o altar_n in_o this_o house_n then_o hear_v thou_o from_o heaven_n and_o do_v and_o judge_v thy_o servant_n by_o requite_v the_o wicked_a by_o recompense_v his_o way_n upon_o his_o own_o head_n and_o by_o justify_v the_o righteous_a by_o give_v he_o according_a to_o his_o righteousness_n leu._n 19.12_o you_o shall_v not_o swear_v by_o my_o name_n false_o neither_o shall_v thou_o profane_v the_o name_n of_o thy_o god_n exod._n 2.7_o you_o see_v it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n for_o herein_o god_n be_v call_v to_o be_v a_o witness_n to_o justify_v or_o to_o condemn_v who_o only_o know_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o intention_n yea_o sometime_o it_o be_v put_v for_o the_o whole_a worship_n of_o god_n isa_n 19.18_o where_o swear_v to_o the_o lord_n be_v mean_v worship_v the_o lord_n nay_o we_o have_v the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n that_o always_o have_v esteem_v a_o oath_n sacred_a and_o venerable_a poet_n philosopher_n heathen_n and_o infidel_n make_v conscience_n of_o this_o religious_a band_n and_o reason_n show_v it_o also_o for_o hereby_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o wisdom_n power_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n his_o wisdom_n in_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o know_v the_o hide_a thought_n and_o intention_n of_o it_o his_o power_n in_o be_v able_a to_o punish_v it_o and_o his_o justice_n in_o give_v every_o man_n accord_v to_o his_o desert_n and_o this_o worship_n he_o will_v not_o give_v to_o another_o jer._n 12.16_o they_o teach_v my_o people_n to_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o baal_n amos_n 8.14_o zeph._n 1.5_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o oath_n be_v confess_v by_o most_o and_o deny_v by_o few_o and_o those_o contemptible_a we_o have_v scripture_n warrant_v for_o it_o yea_o the_o command_n of_o god_n as_o you_o have_v hear_v exod._n 22.10_o where_o a_o oath_n be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o case_n of_o lose_a good_n isa_n 45.63_o unto_o i_o every_o tongue_n shall_v swear_v isa_n 65.16_o he_o that_o swear_v in_o the_o earth_n shall_v swear_v by_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n now_o god_n will_v not_o have_v command_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v sinful_a in_o itself_o as_o a_o part_n of_o his_o worship_n nay_o he_o do_v not_o only_o command_v it_o but_o lay_v down_o the_o qualification_n of_o a_o oath_n jer._n 4.2_o thou_o shall_v swear_v the_o lord_n live_v in_o truth_n in_o judgement_n and_o in_o righteousness_n and_o in_o what_o case_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v require_v exod._n 22.11_o neither_o can_v there_o any_o reason_n be_v give_v why_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a as_o well_o in_o gospel_n time_n as_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v not_o ceremonious_a nor_o typical_a neither_o in_o the_o matter_n form_n nor_o end_n nay_o we_o have_v example_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o intrinsâ—…cally_o evil_a gen._n 22.16_o by_o myself_o have_v i_o swear_v say_v the_o lord_n heb._n 6.13_o because_o he_o can_v swear_v by_o no_o great_a he_o swear_v by_o himself_o jer._n 44.26_o i_o have_v swear_v by_o my_o great_a name_n say_v the_o lord_n amos_n 4.2_o the_o lord_n have_v swear_v by_o his_o holiness_n we_o have_v the_o example_n of_o christ_n mat._n 5.18_o for_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o till_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v one_o jot_n or_o one_o tittle_n shall_v in_o no_o wise_a pass_n till_o all_o be_v fulfil_v compare_v this_o with_o heb._n 8.14_o sure_o blessing_n i_o will_v bless_v thou_o etc._n etc._n this_o be_v call_v god_n oath_n and_o frequent_a be_v the_o asservation_n of_o christ_n very_o very_o we_o have_v the_o example_n of_o the_o holy_a angel_n also_o dan._n 12.7_o the_o angel_n lift_v up_o his_o hand_n and_o swear_v by_o he_o that_o live_v for_o ever_o the_o like_a we_o have_v rev._n 10.6_o we_o read_v of_o the_o saint_n swear_v gen._n 14.22_o &_o