Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	good_a	lord_n	way_n	4,531	5	4.7348	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91547	The copy of a letter, sent from an unknowne hand to that reverend man, now with God, Mr. Herbert Palmer, a Member of the Assembly concerning the great abuse of oathes. The substance whereof was published to the Parliament by the said Mr. P. the 30. of September, 1646. viz. Concerning those oaths which are used in corporations, and many other societies. The customary irreligious taking of them making it become a nationall sin, & call's aloud for redresse, specially at this time now that the Parliament is upon a generall reformation. Published for a generall good, that men may take notice of this common abuse of oaths as of a nationall sinne.	P. P.	1648 (1648)	Wing P93; Thomason E449_18	4,903	8

have been debar'd of those comforts they have sought which they have been judged uncapable of and unfit for becaus● of their r●fusall I acknowledge that there are many these licentious times which cry our for liber●y of conscience in matters not fit to be allowed them when as it is indeed liberty to the flesh and licentiousnesse which is intended and desired by th●m Yet Sir there are againe that are indeed tender consciences that out of such tendernesse fear an oath to whom these ways of imposing an oath are a burthen a snare specially in a promissory oath wherein in regard of the multiplicity of particulars promised the performance is of such transcendent d fficulty that it cometh near an impossibility And these upon my knowledge upon their refusall have beene made mourners and that even in these times which have promised otherwise rejoycing to the hearts of the Saints Ever since the beginning of our troubles both sides have acknowledged that a speciall regard ought to be had to tender consciences such as are truly so indeed and not pretended I wish it were as much considered when it comes to practice as it hath in words beene freely acknowledged I am sure those that have needed a respect to their tendernesse have not found it so But I shall not hold you any longer upon this subject In the last place to add something concerning my self who have moved you to endeavor a redresse this way The searcher of hearts knoweth that my conscience hath urged me hereto as having no rest in my selfe if I should not endeavour so far as I lawfully may a Reformation of a Nationall sin and to be silent in Gods cause may enwrap in the guilt of the crime whereas by labouring the removall I shall at least deliver my owne soule which I beseech you Sir as God shall give you opportunity seriously to consider and apply to your selfe And though you prevaile not yet you need not question but your very endeavour is acceptable with God And that no other end hath moved me to write unto you saving only the glory of God and the good of his Church I beseech him to judge and reward me accordingly if it be otherwise before whose judgment-seat we must one day all stand wherein also I have concealed my name and intreat you not to enquire it And secondly why I have made so bold with your selfe in particular of all the Assembly to addresse my selfe unto I shall give you this reason that I had strong encouragements to perswade me that I should prevaile with you to be the man to breake the ice in this businesse by promoting it to the consideration of Authority for that I find you have laid to heart matters of farre l●sse concernement than this in your booke of making Religion ones businesse Part 1. sect 5. As in our ordinary discourse to say with all my heart or to use such a word as Infinite because it is proper only to God which is a fault so ordinary in our speech that had not you hinted it had beene I suppose by sew observed How much more in a solemn Ordinance to call upon the name of God and ipso facto to prophane it by making it a meer formality That solid judicious man Mr. Reynolds of the Assembly in his Sermons on Hosea 14.1 Serm. 1. Sect. 10. hath this observation That one sin generally unreformed unrepented of may undoe a Kingdome The Lord put it into the hearts of them in Authority to consider of it now in this generall Reformation which they are about that they may not leave that one unreformed to the blasting of their other endeavours And though I might have beene taxed of too much boldnesse if I had written to some other thus to put them upon such a work yet I have good hope of you that that humble Spirit wherewith the Lord hath endued you will not take amisse what is done by your weake brother The Lord blesse your pains in the Ministery and make you instrumentall of much good to his Church which is the prayer of Your unknown friend a servant of the same Mr. P. P. Christian Reader THis Letteer being sent delivered to that godly man Mr. Palmer he was very sensible of the great dishonour daily done the name of God by this abuse of an Oath and therefore the very next time that he preached before the Parliament which was at the Fast Sept. 30. 1646. he earnestly urged the removall of these oaths and that specially on these grounds 1. Because Gods name is hereby from time to time fearefully taken in vaine 2. The parties conscience often wounded 3. Men are hereby inured to wretched prophanenesse and not to feare an oath at any time in the most serious matters of Justice Truth or Righteousnesse 4. Because it is no hard matter to find out other wayes to effect that good for which these oaths were first introduced as you may see at large in his Sermon upon Isa 58 12. at pag. 37. Printed for T. Underhill The Lord put it in the heart of our Parliament seriously to thinke of the removall of these oaths I● were to be wished that men truly conscientious would before they take an oath first seriously weigh and consider the particulars of what they sweare un●o There are many godly young men every year made free in the City of London who I dare say if they were aware of the danger in taking that oath which is given them with their freedome would rather abide the penally than take it Let them but get a copy of their oath and then see if it have these qualifications which ought to be in every Oath 1. Whether or no it be made in Judgment that is Doe they well and throughly understand all the particulars which they then swear to perform They swear to m●intain the Franchises and Customes of the City those are the words Doth every young man that comes out of his time well understand how many these be and what 2. Every oath ought to be made in Righteousnesse Let him be sure all the customes of the City which he swears to maintaine be righteous 3. An oath ought to be made in truth that is of such things as we will perform and then let him also looke that they be such things as he can performe besides an oath should not be of things frivol●us or impertinent or not belonging to his place and calling who takes the Oath and let every Free-man consider whether the oath hath these qualifications Lastly there are other things in that oath that imply a difficulty in keeping as contribution to all charges the word all is of large extent and will quickely stumble a man of tender conscience Let us pray to God to guide us so that we may vse religious ordinances with that solempnity which is due to them and not perform them for a fashion custome formality or the like as is the manner of the prophane world FINIS