IN every Age and Generation of the World ſince man had a being upon the Earth, God had a Seed, either inviſible in being, or viſible in manifeſtation, by and thorow which he manifeſted himſelf in his own way, time and manner, according to the good pleaſure of his Heavenly Will; which Way and manner, in every Age of the World, ſince ſin entred into the World, was contrary to the will and way of Mankind in the Fall; and therefore were they in whom God brought forth his Seed in all Ages, to give teſtimony in the World unto his Eternal Name and Truth, perſecuted, and made a prey upon by the earthly powers, who was not acquainted with theſe ſecrets of the Lord, which was ever hid from the wiſe and prudent of the World; and therefore did the Jews and chief Prieſts with the Scribes agree together to Crucifie the Lord of Life, and after them many Heathen Emperors roſe up againſt his Members, and deſtroyed many thouſands of them for the Teſtimony of Jeſus and Word of God, as both the Scriptures of Truth, and the Hiſtories of the Ancient Chriſtians, which immediately ſucceeded the Apoſtles, doth largely and plentifully witneſs, teſtifie and declare; ſo that ſince Mans Fall, He that was born after the Fleſh perſecuted him that was born after the Spirit, Gal. 4. 29. even as it is manifeſt at this day, for the Enmity yet remaineth between the Seed of the Serpent, and the Seed of the Woman, Gen. 3. 15. and ſo will continue until the deſolution of all things.

Now in the 11th Moneth in the Year 1668/9 did the Word of the Lord come unto me, Saying, Write, and give a Teſtimony for my Name thereby, and ſpread it amongſt thoſe who have multiplied thine, and many others Sufferings, for my Name and Teſtimony, theſe ſeveral years laſt paſt, that they may all be left without excuſe when I call them before my Judgement Seat, to give an account of the deeds done in their Bodies, who have not yet repented of their evil, but in ſecret have vindicated themſelves, as that they have done me ſervice in perſecuting them whom I have ſent to be Witneſſes for my Name and Truth in the Earth.

Theſe Words lay upon my ſpirit the moſt part of the aforeſaid Moneth, being willing to wait upon the Lord, that he might further manifeſt his Will and Mind unto me, what I ſhould write, rather chuſing to continue in ſilence many years, then to ſet Pen to Paper to declare any thing which the Spirit of Truth would not ſeal unto; which burden of the Word of the Lord continued ſtill upon me, till I gave up thereunto: And upon the 21ſt day of the ſame Moneth, in the year aforeſaid, I begun to write, and the matter that was firſt laid upon me to write was concerning Swearing at all, for the denial of which, in obedience to the Command of Chriſt, I had ſuffered ſtrait and cloſe impriſonment well nigh ſeven years; beſides other great afflictions that have been added to my bonds by the hands of wicked men, in the ſaid time; all which I have been both made able and willing to bear for the Teſtimony of Jeſus and Word of God; not counting my liberty not life dear unto me, that I might finiſh my Teſtimony with joy, being counted worthy not onely to believe, but alſo to ſuffer for that ancient Doctrine, Faith and Practice, which the beſt and moſt ancient Chriſtians ſufſered the loſs of their Liberties, and moſt of them their lives for; as hereafter I ſhall make appear.

And furthermore, it is upon my ſpirit to give ſome Teſtimony againſt that abominable Oppreſſion of Tythes, under which many groan at this day, it being never any inſtitution of Chriſt to his Miniſters, under the Goſpel; nor ever owned by the ancient Chriſtians ſucceeding them, nor ever claimed as any Goſpel right for a thouſand years after Chriſt's dayes, till the midnight of Popery came over the Earth; in the which the ſeveral Popes ordered Tythes to be paid to the Mother Church.

To the firſt, that the Oppoſers of Gods preſent Manifeſtation of this Way and Truth in this our day, (who have magnified themſelves againſt thoſe whom God hath raiſed in the Power of his Spirit to revive the ancient Teſtimony of his Servants in the Earth) ſhould flatter themſelves in their rigorous proceedings againſt me, and many others at this day, for our conſtant obedience to the Command of Chriſt, having no other thing to charge us withal, but concerning the Law of Chriſt: Now I ſay, leſt any who hath appeared againſt us herein, ſhould vindicate themſelves by or under colour or pretence of any Scripture given forth, either under the Firſt or Second Covenant, or the Law it ſelf by which they now proceed againſt us, which was never intended to take hold of the Innocent and let the Guilty go free.

Now under the Law of the Firſt Covenant, while Iſrael ſtood in Covenant with God, they were commanded to ſwear by his Name in ſome Caſes, leſt they ſhould ſwear by falſe Gods and Idols, as was the manner of the Heathens in their dayes; as the Egyptians ſwore by the Life of Pharaoh; and after them the Romans, by the Life or Fortune of Caeſar, which was to neither of them any Command of God, for they then were Enemies to him and his people.

But Iſrael was to Swear by the Living God, Thou ſhalt fear the Lord thy God, and him ſhalt thou ſerve, and to him ſhalt thou cleave, and ſware by his Name, Deut. 10. 20.

And in Leviticus, this was the Precept to Iſrael, Ye ſhall not ſteal, neither deal falſly, neither lye one to another; neither ſhalt thou profane the Name of thy God; I am the Lord, Levit. 19. 11, 12.

And in Numbers, If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, and ſwear an Oath to bind his Soul with a Bond, he ſhall not break his Bond, but do all that proceedeth out of his mouth, Numb. 30. 2.

Thus Iſrael in their infancy was commanded to ſwear by the Lord, and to perform their Oaths unto him, by which they bound their Souls both to God, and one unto another, which in its day and time was well-pleaſing unto the Lord, they anſwering his requirings therein; but take notice by the way, Iſrael was but then under the Law of outward obſervances, which made nothing perfect, and ſo it became them to ſwear by the Lord, as it becomes a child to ſuck; but not a man: for when Iſrael was grown up, (viz.) when Chriſt came, the Oath of God, who fulfilled the Law, and all the Commands therein, as they received him, and grew in Grace, and the knowledge of him, they put away childiſh things, and teſtified againſt all Oathes, and many other thing, which the Law commanded, as being but typical, and Figures of good things to come, when the Subſtance of all theſe things was brought in, who came not to deſtroy the Law, but to fulfil it, as he himſelf teſtified to them that were zealous for the Law, and diſpiſed him, the Subſtance of it.

For Circumciſion was an expreſs Command of God to Iſrael, being Jews outwardly, to them and their Seed for an everlaſting Covenant, Gen. 17. 13. for ſaith God, The uncircumciſed man-child whoſe fleſh of his foreskin is not circumciſed, that Soul ſhall be cut off from his people, he hath broken my Covenant, verſ. 14. this had a further and more large extent then Swearing ever had, yet when Chriſt came, the end of the Law for righteouſneſs ſake to every one that believed, the Apoſtle told Iſrael when they were grown up, That if they were circumciſed Chriſt would profit them nothing, Gal. 5. 2. yet might Circumciſion have been more ſtrongly pleaded for; when Paul ſpoke to the Galatians, being God had commanded it to the Jews, and to their Seed for an everlaſting Covenant, which he never did Swearing, neither under the Firſt nor Second Covenant; ſo the Galatians had more ground to withſtand Paul in crying down Circumciſion, then any hath to withſtand the People or God at this day, for denying Swearing: And under the Goſpel Swearing is more abſolutely denied and forbidden by Chriſt and his Apoſtles then Circumciſion, being, but a little after Chriſt began to Preach to Iſrael, under the Second Covenant, by his own mouth, given in ſpecial charge to them then in being, Not to Swear at all, Matth. 5. 34, 35, 36, 37. and confirmed by the Apoſtle James, Jam. 5. 12. and never practiſed after by any of the Diſciples, as was Circumciſion; for Paul afterwards circumciſed Timothy: Therefore you who are ſo zealous for Swearing; why are not you ſo zealous for Circumciſion, which was more enjoyned in the Scripture then ever Swearing was, and with leſs Authority (under the Goſpel) denied?

Object. And further, ſome pleads for Swearing, becauſe the holy men of old time did Swear, (viz.) Abraham, David and Solomon, Joſeph, &c.

To which I anſwer, Moſes, who gave forth the Law at the Command of God, ſaid unto Iſrael, A Prophet ſhall the Lord your God raiſe unto you, like nnto me, him ſhall ye hear in all things; and it ſhall come to paſs, that whoſoever will not hear the voice of that Prophet, ſhall be cut off from among the People, Deut. 18. 18, 19. which Prophet, was Chriſt, the end of the Law; and when God brought him forth into the World, he commanded Iſrael to hear him in all things, Matth. 17. 5. who ſaid, Before Abraham was I am; he commanded Iſrael, Not to Swear at all.

The ſame Jeſus ſaid, that he was greater then Solomon, Mat. 12. 41, 42. and was Davids Lord, and by him God ſpake to Iſrael, who was and is to be heard and obeyed in all things; yea, Whoſoever ſhall break one of the leaſt of his Commandments, and teach men ſo, ſhall be called leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoſoever ſhall do, and teach them, ſhall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 5. 19. by which, all you Swearing Teachers, and Swearers contrary to the poſitive Command of Chriſt and the Apoſtle, without any exception, may read your portion; for they who love Chriſt, both keep his Commandment, and teach others ſo to do.

For where Chriſt intended any exception in changing of the Law, in what it had commanded, he plainly expreſſed it; as in Matthew, where it was ſaid that Moſes ſuffered a man that would put away his wife to give her a Writing of Divorcement, &c. Mat. 5. 31. but ſaith Chriſt, I ſay unto you, whoſoever ſhall put away his wife, ſaving for the cauſe of Fornication, verſ. 31. [Mark] ſaving for the cauſe of Fornication; where Chriſt plainly expreſſeth the exception when he intended it: And at the 28th verſe Chriſt expreſſed the exception again when he intended it, (i. e.) Whoſoever ſhall look upon a woman to luſt after her, [mark] to luſt after her, hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart; ſo it is plain, that when Chriſt intended any exception in changing the Law, he did not leave his work imperfect for vain man after him to rectifie.

And immediately after this, in the ſame Chapter, Chriſt poſitively commands, without any exception, his Diſciples and Followers, Not to ſwear at all; neither by Heaven; neither by the Earth; neither by Jeruſalem, nor by the Head, &c. Mat. 5. 34, 35, 36.

Now here is a plain change of the Law, which commanded Iſrael to ſwear by the Lord, by him who had all Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him, Matth. 28. 18. that he might rule all Nations with a rod of Iron, who fulfilled the Law under which Abraham, Solomon, David and Joſeph ſware; ſo is their Swearing no plea for any under the Goſpel to immitate, but the contrary.

But it is objected, That by thoſe of old time, Chriſt meant the Expoſiters of the Law, who ſaid, If men ſwear Truth, it was no evil; but onely they were not to ſwear to that which was falſe.

To which is anſwered, that this being an invention of the Objector, and no where ſo ſaid in the Scripture of Truth; It needs no other anſwer, but a denial; for by them of old time, is ſpoken of them by whom God ſpoke to Iſrael under the Law; let the Greek Readers ſpeak if the word therein doth not imply ſo much.

But when Iſrael revolted from the Lord in their hearts, and yet kept the Form of Swearing, and ſaid, The Lord lived; yet the Prophet Jeremiah ſaith, Though they ſay the Lord liveth, albeit they ſwear falſly, Jer. 1, 2, and 23. though no truer thing could be ſaid or ſworn unto, then that the Lord lived; yet after they ceaſed to walk with God in his Covenant made with them, but went into Adultery and Deceit, and perverted Judgement, and judged not the cauſe of the Fatherleſs, nor the right of the Widdow; and laſt of all, the wonderful horrible thing was committed in their Land, Their Prophets propheſted faſly, and their Prieſts bear rule by their means, and they loved to have it ſo; therefore ſaith the Lord, what will ye do in the end thereof?

So though it was true that the Lord lived, yet he lived not in them who were in the aforeſaid Abominations; they held the Form, but were gone from the Power and Life; and ſo then it was a cuſtomary thing with them to ſwear, even as it is now with the Apoſtate Chriſtians, who are now in the very ſame Horrible Abominations of Swearing, Lying, Killing, Stealing, and committing Adultery, their Prieſts bearing rule by their means, more like lords over Gods Heritage, then any Examples of the Flock, and the people loving to have it ſo; but what will ye do in the end thereof.

But though Iſrael play the Harlot, yet let not Judah ſo offend: But come ye not to Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethauan, nor Swear the Lord lives: And Amos ſaith, They that ſwear by the ſin of Samaria, and ſaith, the God of Dan liveth, and the manner of Beerſheba liveth; even they ſhall fall and never riſe again, Amos 8. 14. but while Iſrael kept Covenant with God, as I ſaid before, they ſwore by the Name of the Lord in Truth and Righteouſneſs; but when they revolted they kept the Form, and ſwore without fear, and prophaned the Name of the Lord, and ſwore by the Heathen, by Malcam, and by the ſin of Samaria, which was no where warranted to them by God; even as the Apoſtate Chriſtians in ourage, ſwear now upon a Book, for which they have not the leaſt colour of Scripture, it being made up of divers Creatures, which was never commanded to be ſworn by, either under the Firſt or Second Covenant, but forbidden.

Object. Again, It is ſaid, the Apoſtle in the Epiſtle to the Hebrews allows of Swearing before a Magiſtrate, in theſe Words; For men verily ſwear by the greater, and an Oath for confirmation is to them an end of all ſtrife.

Anſw. To which is replyed, that the Apoſtle there ſpoke, of men that were in ſtrife, and not of them who had learned of Chriſt, as is very clear and manifeſt from his words, both in that place, and alſo in his Epiſtle to the Corinthians, ſaying, He had fed them with Milk, and not with Meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet are ye able. For ye are carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and ſtrife, and diviſions; are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3. Now theſe are the carnal men that ſwear by the greater, of which Paul ſpoke to the Hebrews, who were in ſtrife, and ſo had not learned Chriſt, who ends the Law in which the ſtrife is: here Paul makes a clear diſtinction to the Hebrews, between men in ſtrife and ſwearing, and grown Chriſtians who had learned of Chriſt, and did abide in his Doctrine; in ſaying to the Hebrews, For men verily ſwear by the greater, &c. [mark] men in ſtrife, and carnal; not you Hebrews: And again, An Oath for confirmation to them; [mark] to them, (not to you) is an end of all ſtrife; For where envying and ſtrife is, there is contention, and every evil work, Jam. 3. 16.

And there is no more ground given by the Apoſtle for the Saints to ſwear at all, by any Oath, from the words before mentioned, then there is ground from Chriſt's words to the Saints, to exerciſe lordſhip one over another, becauſe he ſaith, Mark 10. 42. The Gentiles do ſo, &c. Beſides, did not thoſe that uſed ſwearing in thoſe dayes, do it to put an end to all ſtrife? but is not Oathes impoſed at this day where no ſtrife is? nay, are they not impoſed for the beginning of ſtrife? let the Righteous judge how far theſe who would be accounted Goſpel Profeſſors are fallen, that they are ſhort of the practiſe of thoſe who were carnal, and lived in ſtrife in dayes paſt.

And the Apoſtle James, to confirm Chriſt's words, when he ſpoke to his Brethren, who had learned of Chriſt, and come out of the ſtrife, ſaying, Above all things, my Brethren, Swear not, neither by Heaven, nor Earth, nor any other Oath; but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, leſt ye fall into condemnation, Jam. 5. 12. This he ſpoke without any exception, as Chriſt had done before to his Diſciples; ſo as it was the perfection of the Jews under the Law, not to ſwear falſly; ſo it was the perfection of the Chriſtians under the Goſpel, not to ſwear at all.

Object. But ſome have ſaid, that it is vain ſwearing that Chriſt, and the Apoſtle James forbad, in ordinary communication, and not ſwearing in Courts of Judicature, &c.

Anſw. If ſo, then Chriſt did not more then what the Law had done before, which is high preſumption againſt God to ſay; for the Law poſſitively forbad all vain and falſe ſwearing whatſoever, though it made nothing perfect; Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltleſs that taketh his Name in vain, Exod. 20. 7. This ſhuts out all vain Swearing, without any exception, before the better Hope was brought in, Heb. 7. 19. which was Chriſt in them the hope of glory, Col. 1. 27. who was and is the Miniſter of a better Covenant then that which commanded Swearing, which was eſtabliſhed upon better Promiſes, Heb. 8. 6. So the Prieſthood being changed, there is made of Neceſſity a change of the Law, Heb. 7. 12. and Chriſt did not onely change that part of the Law which appertained to ſwearing, but divers other clauſes and ſayings thereof. As firſt, that of Circumciſion, which the Law ſtrictly commanded, Gal. 5. 2. Secondly, Love to Enemies, which the Law commanded to hate, Matth. 5. 53. Thirdly, Overcoming evil with good, &c whereas the Law commanded to take Eye for Eye, and Tooth for Tooth, &c. and many other inſtances which I might produce; yet he came not to deſtroy the Law but to fulfil it, Matth. 5. 17. as the Jews who upheld ſwearing, and haring of Enemies after Chriſt came, charged him withal, even as the Apoſtate Chriſtians now charges his Followers who abide to his Doctrine, and dare not ſwear at all) to be Deſtroyers of the Law, and Contemners of Magiſtracy, and bringers in of new Doctrine. Acts 17. 19. which the ſame ſpirit in the dayes of old 〈◊〉 upon him and them whom God raiſed up in 〈◊〉 dayes to preach Repentance and Remiſſion of ſins by Jeſus Chriſt; who 〈◊〉 Marvel not, my Brethren, if the World hate you: 1 Joh. 3. 13. For it hated me before it hated you; and the Servant is not greater then his Lord, &c. John 15. 18, 19.

Object. Again, its ſaid Paul ſwore from that Scripture, I proteſt before God, &c. and in ſaying, I call God to witneſs; which is ſaid to be an Oath.

Anſw. As to the firſt, it is an intruſion of the Tranſlation, It being neither in the Greek Copies, nor in the Latine, nor ſome Engliſh Copies.

To the ſecond, that he calls God to witneſs, is no Oath, but an earneſt atteſtation; for an Oath is that whereby ſomething is ſworn by; as Iſrael was to ſwear by the Lord in Truth, Judgement and Righteouſneſs; and calling God to witneſs is no more, then to ſay, I ſpeak in the preſence of God, who knows the hearts and thoughts of all men, and is no formal Oath, neither under the Law nor Goſpel.

Neither is there any command more full in either Law or Goſpel, then Chriſt's Command to his Diſciples, not to ſwear at all by any Oath, without any exception, being ſeconded by the Apoſtles command to his Brethren, as I ſaid before, enjoyning them earneſtly, above all things, not to ſwear by any thing either in Heaven or Earth, leſt they fell into condemnation, which Commands were binding to all both then preſent, and the ſucceeding Saints and Chriſtians ſeveral hundred years after Chriſt aſcended to the Father, and the Apoſtles Teſtimony was finiſhed in the World: yea, the ancient Chriſtians many years after their dayes, kept the Doctrine of Chriſt and the Apoſtle James, teſtifying to their death againſt the Heathen Emperors, who would have compelled them to Swear, affirming it a ſpecial mark and character of a Chriſtian, from Chriſt's words, not to ſwear at all, as ſhall be made evident anon.

By all which it will manifeſtly appear, that the Quakers denial of all Swearing is no New Doctrine, but the renewing of that which was commanded and practiſed by the beſt of Chriſtians above ſixteen hundred years ago, and continued in force and practice many hundred years, even till the Beaſt that John ſpoke of in the Revelation got up and made war with the Witneſſes, and with the Saints, and overcame them that kept the Teſtimony of Jeſus and Word of God, Rev. 13. 7. and then the power of Darkneſs came over the Earth, which ſet up Swearing, contrary to Chriſt's Commands, under which many of the ancient Chriſtians ſuffered cruel Martyrdom, for ſtanding faithfull Witneſſes for the Name of the Lord in the Earth, and for denying to ſwear at all to thoſe under whom they were; as a cloud of Witneſſes might be brought out af the Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtories of them that denied all Swearing in divers Ages; onely for brevity I ſhall inſtance a few.

Firſt, Polycarpus, who was, as its ſaid, John's Diſciple, and had been a Chriſtian Eighty ſix years, when he came to ſuffer Martyrdom, the Proconſul requiring him to ſwear By the Emperors good Fortune, and By Caeſars Proſperity, (Irenius lib. 3. cap. 1.) which was the Cuſtom of the Romans at that time, and divers Heathen Emperors to ſet up their Images to be worſhipped, and their Perſons to be Sworn by; but Polycarpus denied, and ſaid, he was a Chriſtian, and would ſhew forth the Doctrine of Chriſtianity, if he deſired the ſame, if the Proconſul would appoint a day to hear it; ſo Polycarpus refuſed to Swear, and kept Chriſt's Doctrine, for which he was led away to be burned, being an old man, and full of dayes, Acts and Monuments vol. 1. fol. 55, 56, 57.

Secondly, Baſiliades, an Officer, and afterwards a Martyr, being required to Swear, affirmed plainly, that it was not lawfull for him to Swear, for that he was a Chriſtian: hence it appears that it was the proper mark of a Chriſtian, not to Swear. Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 71. Euſeb. cap. 6. pag. 98.

Thirdly, In the dayes of Domitius Nero, who began to reign about ſixty ſeven years after Chriſt, under whom was the Firſt of the Ten cruel Perſecutions of the Chriſtians, he cauſed the Chriſtians of all ſorts to ſuffer; he commanded Rome to be ſet on fire in twelve places, and to avoid the infamy thereof, he accuſed the Chriſtians with it, and cauſed them to be put to death. After him began Domitian the Emperor to reign, who began the ſecond Perſecution of the Chriſtians, who was a Blaſphemer of God, and an Idolater, in his dayes was John the Evangeliſt baniſhed into the Iſle of Patmos.

This Domitian the Emperor, fearing the coming of Chriſt again, commanded, that all that could be found of the Stock of David in Jury ſhould be put to death: The inquiſition was this, they commanded thoſe they ſuſpected to be Chriſtians, to ſwear whether they were indeed Chriſtians or not; but the Chriſtians refuſed to Swear, confeſſing that they were Chriſtians, and could not deny Chriſt nor his Doctrine; for which they were commanded to be put to death.

Fourthly, The Waldenſes or Lioniſts, whoſe names are ſo famous among the reformed Churches, and who are ſaid immediately to ſucceed the Apoſtles, and were the moſt ancient and true Proteſtants, profeſſed it no way lawfull for a Chriſtian man to Swear: In defence of whom, in the very matter, Biſhop Ʋſher, (De Succeſſ. cup 6.) late Biſhop of Armath, Primate of Ireland, pleaded their cauſe againſt the Papiſts and Jeſuits, who are Swearers, and Breakers of Oathes.

Fifthly, The Plowman in his Complaint, which is ſo much eſteemed of, and commended in the Book of Martyrs, ſaith Lord thou giveth us a Commandment of Truth, in bidding us ſay yea, yea, and nay, nay, and ſwear for nothing: thou giveſt us alſo a Commandment of meekneſs, another of poorneſs; but, Lord, he that calls himſelf thy Vicar on Earth hath broken both theſe Commandments; for he maketh a Law to compel men to Swear, and by his Law he teacheth, that for a man to ſave his life may forſwear and Lye; and ſo, Lord, through comfort of him and his Laws, the people need readeth to Swear or Lye; nay, oft-times to forſwear themſelves; Lord, here is little truth, &c. Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 527.

Sixthly, It is one of John Wickliffs Articles, whoſe Works were as much eſteemed by the Proteſtants in England and Bohemia, as diſpiſed by the Papiſts and their Clergy, having his bones taken up and burnt forty one years after his deceaſe; and his Books were alſo burned by the Papiſts; and this Article was condemned, with many other, by the Counſel of Conſtance: That all Oaths which be made for any Contract or civil Bargain between man and man be unlawfull: John Hus, and Jerome of Prague were condemned for holding of John Wickliff's opinions, Ex Actis Conſilij Con. ſtat. vol. 1. fol. 606.

Seventhly, Walter Brute, a Teacher among the People of God, in the Age of Scorners called, The Devil's Servant, or Lollard, againſt whom the Pope and King Richard the ſecond, and the then ungodly Biſhops, made ſo much ado to have the Name of Truth extinguiſhed, and the Profeſſors thereof cut off. This is Walter's Teſtmony concerning Oathes; I believe and obey the Doctrine of Almighty God, and my Maſter Jeſus Chriſt, which teacheth that Chriſtian men, in the affirmation of Truth, ſhould paſs the righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſees of the old Teſtament, or elſe he excludeth them from the Kingdom of Heaven; for he ſaith, Except your righteouſneſs exceed the righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſees ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: And as concerning Oathes, he ſaith, It hath been ſaid of old time, Thou ſhalt not forſwear thy ſelf, but ſhalt perform thoſe things unto the Lord thou knoweſt; But I ſay unto you, thou ſhalt not Swear at all, neither by Heaven, nor by the Earth; but let your communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay, for whatſoever is more then theſe cometh of evil: Therefore as the Perfection of the ancient men of the old Teſtament was not to forſwear themſelves; ſo the Perfection of a Chriſtian man is not to Swear at all; becauſe he is ſo commanded of Chriſt, whoſe Commands in no wiſe muſt be broken; although the City of Rome is contrary to the Doctrine of Chriſt. Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 653. Rich. 2d's days.

Eightly, Chryſoſtom, who was a Biſhop of Conſtantinople, in commendation of whom much is ſaid in the Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory; he blameth them greatly that brought forth a Book to ſwear upon; charging his Clerks, that in no wiſe, they conſtrained any body to Swear, whether they think a man ſweareth true or falſe, ſaying. It is a ſin to Swear well, &c. Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 701, 702.

Ninethly, Jerome, who was an ancient Father and Teacher in the Church, whom all the Proteſtants owned, upon that place, Matth. 5. 37. and James 5. 12. theſe were his words, It was permitted under the Law to the Jews, as being tender, and as it were Infants, that they might offer Sacrifices to God, leſt they ſhould ſacrifice to Idols; ſo they might ſwear by God, not that it was rightfull ſo to do, but becauſe it was better to ſwear by God, then by falſe gods and Devils; but the great Evangeliſt admits not of an Oath, ſince every true ſaying is equal thereunto, &c.

Tenthly, In like manner doth Theophiliſt, an ancient Father of the Church, whom the Proteſtants own, and have often cited his Doctrine, for proof upon the place in controverſie, ſaith, Learn hence that under the Law it was not evil for one to Swear; but ſince the coming of Chriſt it is evil, as is Circumciſion, and in ſum, what ever is judicial; for it may become a child to ſuck, but not a man.

Eleventh, And Ambroſs ſaith upon Pſalm 110. Let him then Swear that cannot repent of his Oath; and a little after the ſaid Ambroſs ſaith, Do not immitate him in ſwearing, whom you cannot immitate in following; and indeed the principle ſolution given by him is, Swear not at all.

Twelfth, Many other Saints and Martyrs I might inſtance at large, both in Henry the fourth, and Henry the ſixth's days, whereof ſome were burned, ſome cruelly handled, who ſaid, It was not lawfull to Swear in private Caſes. Vol. 1. pag. 896. Hen. 6. days.

Thirteenth, In Henry the fourth dayes it is ſaid, That neither the Pope nor Prelates, neither any Ordinary can compel any man to ſwear by the Bible-book, or any Creature of God; for ſaith a Maſter of Divinity, It is not lawfull either to give or to take any Oath upon a Book; for every Book, ſaith he, is nothing elſe but divers Creatures of which it is made: Therefore to ſwear upon a Book, is to ſwear by Creatures, and this ſwearing is ever unlawfull. Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 701.

It would melt any tender heart to hear of the Cruelties and Tortures which that Blood-thirſty ſpirit invented to deſtroy the Bodies of thoſe who kept the Commands of Chriſt, and could not be forced to ſwear by all the Cruelties that the power of darkneſs, either in Henry the fourth's dayes, Henry the ſixth's dayes, Richard the ſeconds, or Queen Maries dayes could invent to torment their Bodies withal, which was not a few, as may be ſeen upon record at this day in the firſt, ſecond and third Volums of the Books of Martyrs.

But they who loved Chriſt, and kept his Commands, in thoſe dayes had power and ſtrength given them to endure what ever the Lord ſuffered wicked hands to inflict upon them, by which their Faith and Patience was fully tried and manifeſted; but after the Iniquities of their Adverſaries were full, the Lord brought ſwift and fore deſtruction upon them, divers manner of wayes, as a juſt reward of their Blood and Cruelty, as may be read at large, in the latter end of the ſaid Books: For God in every Age ſhewed his ſevere wrath againſt the Spirit of Perſecution about Worſhip and Sacrifice unto him, (Gen. 3.) even from the dayes of wicked Cain unto this hour, that ſpirit is accurſed, and drove out from the preſence of the God of Iſrael where ever it appeareth at this day, even as it was in the dayes of Pharaoh, Saul, Nebuchadnezer, Herod, Pilate, and all the Chief Prieſts; and after them the wicked Emperors and Kings; and after them the divers Popes and their Bloodthirſtly Rabble of Clergy, and all other, under what Name or Form ſoever at this day, where that ſpirit of Perſecution yet remains, the Curſe and Vengeance of the Almighty doth purſue it, where ever it goes; though God ſuffer long, as he did Pharaoh and the reſt, to vex Iſrael, till their iniquities was full: even ſo the Lord in theſe latter Ages hath ſuffered many to act much violence and wickedneſs againſt his Heritage, for their obedience to the Commands of his Son, and they who love him now keeps his Commands, as they did in the dayes of old; for he ſaith unto his, If ye love me keep my Commandments, and his Commandments is not grievous but joyous, 1 John 5. 2, 3, 4. and John ſaid, Hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments; for he that ſaith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a Lyar, and the Truth is not in him, 1 John 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

By all which it is more then manifeſt that the moſt ancient true and faithfull Chriſtians in their day and time gave a teſtimony againſt Swearing at all, and ſuffered for it, both under the Pope, and many Heathen Emperors; but they who would be accounted Chriſtians now, having got the power into their hands, are found in the ſame ſpirit of Perſecution, as they were in, under which the true Chriſtians alwayes ſuffered, and do act as furiouſly, according to the power given them from above, as they did in dayes paſt, and no doubt would run as high as they did, in Burning, Hanging Gibbitting and Strangling, if they had the leaſt colour of Law to countenance them therein.

By all which, let the ſober and honeſt hearted judge, whether the Quakers Doctrine of not Swearing be any new Doctrine or not? and whether our Sufferings this many years for our obedience to the Commands of Chriſt be not vindicated both by Chriſt, and all his Diſciples in their dayes, and by all the ancient Chriſtians before cited? and whether they, who now calls themſelves Chriſtians, are not far degenerated from the Life and Doctrine of Chriſtianity, though they retain the name, and from the practice of the ancient Chriſtians, breaking Chriſt's Commands, and forcing others ſo to do, which in time will pull down the wrath of God upon their heads, if they repent not; For it is not every one that ſaith Lord, Lord, that ſhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 7. 21. It is not the name of Chriſtianity, nor a Profeſſion of Chriſt's words recorded in the Scripture, that will hide you in the day of the Lord that haſtneth, which ſhall burn as an Oven, wherein all the Proud, yea, and all that do wickedly ſhall be as ſtubble, and the day that cometh ſhall leave them neither Root nor Branch, Mal. 4. 1. the Mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it: For the Earth is filled with violence, and the Land mourns becauſe of Oathes; (Jer. 5.) and the Proud are counted happy, and they that work wickedneſs are ſet up, and they that tempt God are even delivered, Mal. 3. 15. and they that reprove Iniquity in the Gate are made a prey upon; for which God hath begun to viſit this Nation with his ſore Judgments, which will bring deſolation in the end to them who continue in the aforeſaid Abominations.

Object. And furthermore, ſome wicked and malicious ſpirits have ſaid, we who are called Quakers will not ſware, becauſe we deſire to plot and contrine miſchief againſt the King and Government, &c.

This is altogether falſe and groundleſs, as many years experience will witneſs for us, who were never found plotting againſt any Government under which we have been, but have from time to time patiently born the rod of the wicked ſince we were a people; and if we durſt break the Command of Chriſt to Swear any Oath, we ſhould as willingly ſwear obedience to the Power and Government under which we are, as any Oath that could be tendred us; this, for my own part I ſpeak heartily, willingly, and freely, without any reſerve of mind whatever; and if any ſhould have power given them to impriſon my body ſo long more as I have ſuffered here, if I would not conſent to hurt the Kings Perſon, or the perſon of any, I could as willingly ſuffer for the denial of that, as I have for my conſtant obedience and adhering to the Command of Chriſt, who ſaith, Swear not at all; for the ſame Jeſus commands me not to war with fleſh and blood, but to love my Enemies; and though I ſhould ſuffer five times more then I have done, I could never be brought to redeem my ſelf through the deſtruction of the perſon of another, though never ſo wicked and ungodly; for I know Vengeance is the Lords, and he will repay it, Rom. 12. 19. and therefore have I committed my juſt and innocent cauſe unto him, who in every Age and Generation of the World recompenced Tribulation upon them that troubled his people, 2 Theſſ. 1. 6. though he ſpared ſome of them long, to ſee if his long ſuffering would lead them to repentance; but as they heardned their hearts againſt him, and his people, he manifeſtly appeared in many Judgments againſt them, to awaken them, as he hath done of late years againſt thoſe who have oppreſſed his Royal Seed in this Age, which he hath cauſed to ſpring up in his people, ſcornfully called Quakers, which ſhall ſpread over the face of the Earth; yea, it is as eaſie to ſtop the courſe of the Sun from running his courſe, as a Giant, as to hinder the growth of the Seed of God; for he hath bleſſed it, and no inchantment ſhall prevail againſt it; yea, if all our bodies ſhould be deſtroyed in whom it is riſen, yet after us ſhall all the Families of the Earth be bleſſed in it; for the more it is perſecuted, the more it grows; as when a Vine tree is cut, the more it is cut, the thicker it ſpreads; ſo doth the Truth at this day, as in Ages paſt, He was made perfect through Sufferings, Hebr. 2. 10. and he is the ſame ſtill, and will remain when all the wrath of man which works not the righteouſneſs of God ſhall have an end, and be no more; and therefore we cannot fear him that kills the body, and hath no more that he can do; but are taught both to love and fear him, who after he hath killed the body, hath power to caſt both into Hell, Matth. 10. 28, 29. and therefore are we made a gazing ſtock to the World now, and have as little love from the world, as our fore-fathers had in dayes paſt, marvelling not why the world hateth us, ſeeing it hated him who is the Prince of Life, and condemned him to death as a Blaſphemer and a Deceiver, before it hated us, Luke 5. 21. Matth. 27. 63. for the Servant is not greater then his Lord; and it was the chief Prieſts that was the chief Murtherers of him, for they ſtirred up the Rulers to do it, Luke 23. 13. which happily otherwiſe they would have dreaded; and ſo brought Innocent Blood upon their heads, and upon their Poſterity for ever.

And who is it now that ſtirrs up the Rulers againſt his Appearance? Is it not the chief Prieſts, who both are, and ever were the greateſt Enemies that he and his people had upon the Earth? who knows, that if people ſhould ceaſe from man, and follow Chriſt, and learn of him, down goes their Merchandize by which they maintain their Pride and Pomp, for the preſerving of which they will cry up any thing that will promote their trade, as hath been manifeſt in England within theſe late years; but God hath ſhaken his hand at their diſhoneſt gain, and is bringing contempt and miſery upon them, Ezek. 22. 12, 13. and they will become a by-word to many in Ages to come; and the Arm of Fleſh which they have ſo long truſted in ſhall wither before them; and the Lord will more and more gather his Sheep from their mouthes, that they ſhall not alwayes prey upon them, Ezek. 34. 10. the Mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it; and all their rage and madneſs ſhall but heap Coals of fire upon their own heads; for they have over-paſſed the deeds of the wicked in Drunkenneſs, Swearing, Whoring, Lying Couzening, Cheating, Pride, Luxury, Wantonneſs, Covetouſneſs which is Idolatry, a Generation of Vipers, ſtinging, and moſt grievouſly perſecuting all who will not put into their mouthes; I might fill a Volumn of their multiplied iniquities, which ever were the certain tokens, and fore-runners of deſolation and deſtruction, and the people thorow their evil example are overwhelmed in all manner of debauchery and uncleanneſs, even drinking in iniquity as the Ox doth water: Oh, was ever Sodom or Nineveh ſo over-grown with iniquity, as England now is? what will be the end of all theſe Abominations under which this Land mourns? Oh, that my head were as water, and mine eyes a Fountain to tears, that I might thorowly bemoan the Calamity of this people; for all fleſh hath corrupted his way before the Lord, their thoughts are the thoughts of vanity, and their works the works of iniquity, deſtruction and miſery is in their wayes, and the way of peace they know not, Rom. 3. 16, 17. Oh, repent, repent, and amend your wayes, for the Kingdom of God is at hand, Matth. 4. 17. the Sword of the Almighty is drawn, it is fitted and furbiſhed for a mighty ſlaughter, and it ſhall wound the hairy ſcalp of every one that goeth in iniquity, Plalm 68. 21. Oh, therefore, return, return unto the Lord while he is near, and ſeek his face while he may be found; for he willeth not the death of a Sinner; therefore, if ye periſh, your deſtruction is of your ſelves.