Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 5.

Obj. T is also appropriated unto them of this notion, that they are of opinion that it is not lawfull to take an oath before a Magistrate, aleadging the Text, Mat. 5. 34. But I say unto you, sweare not at all, &c. but that it is lawfull to take an oath a∣mongst Christians is thus proved.

Ans. If it had not been lawfull to sweare, and if the thing were* 1.1 evill in it selfe, then the holy Servants of God would not have sworne at all, as Abraham did to Abimelech, Gen. 22. Jacob to Laban, Gen. 31. 53. Jonathan to David, and David to Jonathan 1 Sam. 20. 42.

2. God commandeth us to sweare by his name, Deut. 6. 13. & 10. 20. but God commandeth no evill to be done.

3. The end of an Oath is, to put an end to all strife and con∣troverfie, Heb. 16. 16. therefore it is to Gods glory, and profita∣ble to humane society, that by Oathes such businesses should be ended.

Obj. Although it were permitted in the Old Testament to the Fathers to sweare, yet it is forbidden in the New, at Mat. 5. 34. I say unto you, sweare not at all.

Ans. Christ came not to dissolve the Law, viz. the Morall Law, which being perpetuall doth yet remaine in use. 2. The Prophets speaking of the times of the Gospel, and o•• the state of

the Church under Christ, doth fore-tell that they should sweare by his name, Isa. 65. 16. He that sweareth on earth, shall sweare by the true God. 3. We have the example of Paul, which often called God to witnesse; as Rom. 1. 9. & Cor. 1. 23. Rom. 9. 1. Phil. 1. 8. Gal. 1. 23.

Obj. Our Saviour giveth a generall prohibition against swearing in that text of Mat. 5. 34. and the Apostle James saith, Above all things my brethren sweare not at all, but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, &c.

Ans. Our Saviour doth not generally forbid all kind of oathes, but only rash, and unadvised oathes, which were used in their common talke; so that there he only correcteth an abuse amongst the Jewes, who were allowed to sweare by heaven, and earth, and such like, as though such kinde of oathes nothing concerned God; but our Saviour telleth them, that even in such oathes the name of God is prophained, and abused, because there can no part of the world be named, where the Lord hath not sent some prints of his glory.

Againe, as touching the instance of our Saviours, Mat. 5. 34. he meaneth such oathes as came of an evill minde, for otherwise he himselfe used more then yea, and nay in his speech, saying, Amen, &c. the Apostle Paul also oft-times called God to witnesse, which should have been against his Masters rule, if it had not been lawfull at all to have taken an oath; and therefore in regard of the incredulity, and deceitfulnesse of men, the necessity of oathes were brought in; therefore the Argument doth not fol∣low, that whatsoever is more, &c. commeth of evill,: for albeit that good Lawes are caused by evill manners, it doth not there∣fore follow that they are evill.

Obj. It is not in mans power to performe what he sweareth to doe, for things to come are not in his power; therefore it was bet∣ter to forbeare an oath, then to fall into apparent danger of perjury.

Ans. Though this were granted, yet doth it not take away the use of all oathes, but only such as are for the performing of Covenants, and promises. There is another kinde of oathes, which is called Acirtorium, which affirmeth the truth of something al∣ready done, which oath (if this objection were admitted) were

not to be taken away. It satisfieth that he that taketh an oath to performe some covenant and promise, have a full intent, and pur∣pose to doe it, though it fall out otherwise afterward.

Obj. The oathes which are allowed in Scripture were publick, such as were required of the Magistrate; this giveth not liberty to private men.

Ans. Jacob sware to Laban, Joseph to Jacob, Jonathan to Da∣vid, and David to Jonathan, yet all these which tooke these oathes, sware privately, and as private men; and so an oath ser∣veth* 1.2 for the evidence of the truth, for the ending of strife, and controversies, in which there may be a lawfull and necessary use of oathes, as well publickly as privately, not upon every occasion, but when the matter is urgent, and the place so requireth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The lawful∣nesse of an oath, to which purpose many objections are answered.
• * 1.2

  Severall ob∣jections an∣swered touch∣ing the power of the Civill Magistrate.