reproves such Practices, both commending and commanding the contrary;
as _Isa._ iii. how severely doth the Prophet reprove the Daughters
of _Israel_ for their _tinkling Ornaments_, their _Cauls_, and their
_round Tires_, their _Chains_ and _Bracelets_, &c. and yet is it not
strange to see Christians allow themselves in these Things, from whom
a more strict and exemplary Conversation is required? Christ desires
us not to be _anxious_ about our Clothing, _Matt._ vi. 25. and to shew
the Vanity of such as glory in the Splendor of their Clothing, tells
them, _That even _Solomon_, in all his Glory, was not to be compared
to the Lily of the Field, which To-day is, and To-morrow is cast into
the Oven_. But surely they make small Reckoning of Christ’s Words and
Doctrine that are so curious in their Clothing, and so industrious to
deck themselves, and so earnest to justify it, and so enraged when
they are reproved for it. The Apostle _Paul_ is very positive in this
Respect, 1 _Tim._ ii. 9, 10. _I will therefore in like Manner also
that Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel, with Shamefacedness
and Sobriety, and not with broidered Hair, or Gold, or Pearls, or
costly Array, but (which becometh Women professing Godliness) with good
Works_. To the same Purpose saith _Peter_, 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4. _Whose
Adorning let it not be that outward Adorning of plaiting the Hair,
and wearing of Gold, or of putting on of Apparel; but _let it be_
the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not corruptible, even
the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit_, &c. Here both the Apostles
do very positively and expresly assert two Things. _First_, That the
_Adorning of Christian Women_ (of whom it is particularly spoken, I
judge, because this Sex is most naturally inclined to that Vanity, and
that it seems that _Christian Men_ in those Days deserved not in this
Respect so much to be reproved) ought not to be outward, nor consist
in the Apparel. [Sidenote: _Plaiting the Hair_, &c.] _Secondly_, That
they ought not to use the _Plaiting of the Hair_, or _Ornaments_,
&c. which was at that Time the Custom of the Nations. But is it not
strange, That such as make the Scripture their Rule, and pretend they
are guided by it, should not only be so generally in the Use of these
Things, which the Scripture so plainly condemns, but also should
attempt to justify themselves in so doing? For the Apostles not only
commend the Forbearance of these Things, as an Attainment commendable
in Christians, but condemn the Use of them as unlawful; and yet may it
not seem more strange, That in Contradiction to the Apostle’s Doctrine,
as if they had resolved to slight their Testimony, they should condemn
those that out of Conscience apply themselves seriously to follow it,
as if in so doing they were _singular_, _proud_, or _superstitious_?
This certainly betokens a sad _Apostasy_ in those that will be
accounted Christians, that they are so offended with those who love to
follow Christ and his Apostles, in denying of, and departing from, the
lying Vanities of this perishing World; and so doth much evidence their
Affinity with those who _hate to be reproved_, and _neither will enter
themselves, nor suffer those that would_.
§. VIII. [Sidenote: Sports, _&c. inconsistent with the Gospel._]
_Fourthly_, Let us consider the Use of _Games_, _Sports_, _Comedies_,
and other such Things, commonly and indifferently used by all the
several Sorts of Christians, under the Notion of _Divertisement_
and _Recreation_, and see whether these Things can consist with the
_Seriousness_, _Gravity_, and _Godly Fear_, which the Gospel calls
for. Let us but view and look over the Notions of them that call
themselves Christians, whether _Papists_ or _Protestants_, and see if
generally there be any Difference, save in mere Name and Profession,
from the _Heathen_? Doth not the same _Folly_, the same _Vanity_,
the same _Abuse_ of _precious_ and _irrevocable Time_ abound? The
same _Gaming_, _Sporting_, _Playing_, and from thence _Quarrelling_,
_Fighting_, _Swearing_, _Ranting_, _Revelling_? Now how can these
Things be remedied, so long as the _Preachers_ and _Professors_, and
those who are the _Leaders_ of the People, do allow these Things, and
account them not inconsistent with the Profession of Christianity? And
it is strange to see that these Things are tolerated every where; the
Inquisition lays no Hold on them, neither at _Rome_, nor in _Spain_,
where in their _Masquerades_ all Manner of _Obscenity_, _Folly_, yea,
and _Atheism_ is generally practised in the Face of the World, to the
great Scandal of the _Christian Name_: But if any Man reprove them in
these Things, and forsake their Superstitions, and come seriously to
_serve God_, and _worship him in the Spirit_, he becomes their Prey,
and is immediately exposed to cruel Sufferings. Doth this bear any
Relation to Christianity? Do these Things look any Thing like the
Churches of the Primitive Christians? Surely not at all. I shall first
cite some few _Scripture Testimonies_, being very positive Precepts to
Christians, and then see whether such as obey them can admit of these
forementioned Things. The Apostle commands us, That _whether we eat or
drink, or whatever we do, we do it all to the Glory of God_. [Sidenote:
_By Sports and Games God is not glorified._] But I judge none will
be so impudent as to affirm, That in the Use of these _Sports_ and
_Games_ God is glorified: If any should so say, They would declare they
neither knew God nor his Glory. And Experience abundantly proves, That
in the Practice of these Things Men mind nothing less than the _Glory
of God_, and nothing more than the Satisfaction of their own _carnal
Lusts_, _Wills_, and _Appetites_. The Apostle desires us, 1 _Cor._
vii. 29. 31. _Because the Time is short, that they that buy should be
as though they possessed not; and they that use this World, as not
abusing it_, &c. But how can they be found in the Obedience of this
Precept that plead for the Use of these _Games_ and _Sports_, who, it
seems, think the Time so long, that they cannot find Occasion enough
to employ it, neither in taking Care for their Souls, nor yet in the
necessary Care for their Bodies; but invent these _Games_ and _Sports_
to pass it away, as if they wanted other Work to serve God in, or be
useful to the Creation? The Apostle _Peter_ desires us, _To pass the
Time of our Sojourning here in Fear_, 1 Pet. i. 17. But will any say,
That such as use _Dancing_ and _Comedies_, _Carding_ and _Dicing_, do
so much as mind this Precept in the Use of these Things? Where there
is nothing to be seen but _Lightness_ and _Vanity_, _Wantonness_
and _Obscenity_, contrived to draw Men from the _Fear_ of God, and
therefore no Doubt calculated for the Service of the Devil. There is
no Duty more frequently commanded, nor more incumbent upon Christians,
than the _Fear of the Lord_, to _stand in Awe before him_, to _walk
as in his Presence_; but if such as use these Games and Sports will
speak from their Consciences, they can, I doubt not, experimentally
declare, That this _Fear_ is forgotten in their Gaming: And if God by
his _Light_ secretly touch them, or mind them of the _Vanity_ of their
Way, they strive to shut it out, and use their Gaming as an Engine to
put away from them that troublesome Guest; and thus _make merry over
the Just One, whom they have slain and crucified in themselves_. But
further, if Christ’s Reasoning be to be heeded, who saith, _Matt._ xii.
35, 36. That _the good Man, out of the good Treasure of the Heart,
bringeth forth good Things; and an evil Man, out of the evil Treasure,
bringeth forth evil Things_, and that _of every idle Word we shall
give an Account in the Day of Judgment_, it may be easily gathered
from what _Treasure_ these Inventions come; and it may be easily
proved, that it is from the _Evil_, and not the _Good_. [Sidenote:
Comedies _a studied Complex of idle lying Words._] How many _idle
Words_ do they necessarily produce? Yea, what are _Comedies_ but a
_studied Complex of idle and lying Words_? Let Men that believe their
_Souls_ are _immortal_, and that there will be a _Day of Judgment_,
in which these Words of Christ will be accomplished, answer me, how
all these will make Account in that _great_ and _terrible Day_, of all
these _idle Words_ that are necessarily made use of about _Dancing_,
_Gaming_, _Carding_, and _Comedies acting_? And yet how is it that by
Christians not condemning these Things, but allowing of them, many
that are accounted _Christians_ take up their whole Time in them, yea,
make it their Trade and Employment? Such as the _Dancing-masters_ and
_Comedians_, &c. whose Hellish Conversations do sufficiently declare
what Master they serve, and to what End these Things contribute. And it
cannot be denied, as being obviously manifest by Experience, That such
as are Masters of these Occupations, and are most delighted in them, if
they be not open _Atheists_ and _Profligates_, are such at best as make
Religion or the Care of their Souls their least Business. Now if these
Things were discountenanced by _Christians_, as inconsistent with their
Profession, it would remove these Things; for these Wretches would be
necessitated then to betake themselves to some honest Livelihood, if
they were not fed and upholden by these. And as hereby a great Scandal
and Stumbling-block would be removed from off the _Christian Name_,
so also would that in Part be taken out of the Way which provokes the
Lord to with-hold his _Blessing_, and by Occasion of which Things the
Minds of many remain chained in _Darkness_, and drowned in _Lust_,
_Sensuality_, and _worldly Pleasures_, without any Sense of God’s Fear,
or their own Soul’s Salvation. Many of those called _Fathers of the
Church_, and other serious Persons, have signified their Regret for
these Things, and their Desires they might be remedied; of whom many
Citations might be alleged, which for Brevity’s Sake I have omitted.
§. IX. [Sidenote: _Object._] But they object, _That Men’s Spirits could
not subsist, if they were always intent upon serious and spiritual
Matters, and that therefore there is Need of some Divertisement to
recreate the Mind a little, whereby it being refreshed, is able with
great Vigour to apply itself to these Things_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_; Though all this were granted, it
would no Ways militate against us, neither plead the Use of these
Things, which we would have wholly laid aside. For that Men should
be always in the same Intentiveness of Mind, we do not plead, knowing
how impossible it is, so long as we are clothed with this Tabernacle
of Clay. But this will not allow us at any Time so to recede from the
Remembrance of God, and of our Souls chief Concern, as not still to
retain a certain Sense of his _Fear_; [Sidenote: _The Fear of God the
best Recreation in the World._] which cannot be so much as rationally
supposed to be in the Use of these Things which we condemn. Now the
necessary Occasions in which all are involved, in order to the Care
and Sustentation of the outward Man, are a Relaxation of the Mind from
the more serious Duties; and those are performed in the Blessing, as
the Mind is so leavened with the Love of God, and the Sense of his
Presence, that even in doing these Things the Soul carrieth with it
that _Divine Influence_ and _Spiritual Habit_, whereby though these
Acts, as of _eating_, _drinking_, _sleeping_, _working_, be upon the
Matter one with what the Wicked do, yet they are done in another
Spirit; and in doing of them we please the Lord, serve him, and
answer our End in the Creation, and so feel and are sensible of his
_Blessing_: Whereas the Wicked and Profane, being not come to this
Place, are in whatsoever they do _cursed_, and their _Ploughing_ as
well as _Praying_ is _Sin_. Now if any will plead, that for Relaxation
of Mind, there may be a Liberty allowed beyond these Things, which
are of absolute Need to the Sustenance of the outward Man, I shall
not much contend against it; provided these Things be not such as
are wholly superfluous, or in their proper Nature and Tendency lead
the Mind into _Lust_, _Vanity_, and _Wantonness_, as being chiefly
contrived and framed for that End, or generally experienced to produce
these Effects, or being the common Engines of such as are so minded to
feed one another therein, and to propagate their Wickedness, to the
imprisoning of others; seeing there are other innocent Divertisements
which may sufficiently serve for Relaxation of the Mind, [Sidenote:
_Lawful Divertisements._] such as for _Friends to visit one another_;
_to hear or read History_; _to speak soberly of the present or past
Transactions_; _to follow after Gardening_; _to use Geometrical and
Mathematical Experiments_, and such other Things of this Nature. In
all which Things we are not to forget God, _in whom we both live, and
are moved_, Acts xvii. 28. as not to have always some _secret Reserve_
to him, and Sense of his Fear and Presence; which also frequently
exerts itself in the Midst of these Things by some short Aspiration and
Breathings. And that this may neither seem _strange_ nor _troublesome_,
I shall clear it by one manifest Instance, answerable to the Experience
of all Men. It will not be denied but that Men ought to be more in
the Love of God than of any other Thing; for we ought to _love God
above all Things_. Now it is plain, that Men that are taken with Love,
whether it be of Women, or of any other Thing, if it hath taken a deep
Place in the Heart, and possess the Mind, it will be hard for the Man
so in Love to drive out of his Mind the Person or Thing so loved; yea,
in his eating, drinking, and sleeping, his Mind will always have a
Tendency that Way; and in Business or Recreations, however intent he be
in it, there will but a very short Time be permitted to pass, but the
Mind will let some Ejaculation forth towards its Beloved. [Sidenote:
_The Love towards its Beloved shuns its Offence._] And albeit such
a One must be conversant in those Things that the Care of this Body
and such like Things call for; yet will he avoid as Death itself to
do those Things that may offend the Party so beloved, or cross his
Design in obtaining the Thing so earnestly desired: Though there may
be some small Use in them, the great Design, which is chiefly in his
Eye, will so balance him, that he will easily look over and dispense
with such petty Necessities, rather than endanger the Loss of the
Greater by them. Now that Men ought to be thus _in Love with God_, and
the _Life to come_, none will deny; and the Thing is apparent from
these Scriptures, _Mat._ vi. 20. _But lay up for yourselves Treasures
in Heaven._ Col. iii. 2. _Set your Affection on Things above_, &c.
And that this hath been the Experience and Attainment of some, the
Scripture also declares, _Psalm_ lxiii. 1. 8. 2 _Cor._ v. 4.
[Sidenote: _Sports and Plays draw Men from the Fear of God._] And
again, That these _Games_, _Sports_, _Plays_, _Dancing_, _Comedies_,
&c. do naturally tend to draw Men from _God’s Fear_, to make them
forget _Heaven_, _Death_, and _Judgment_, to foster _Lust_, _Vanity_,
and _Wantonness_, and therefore are most _loved_, as well as _used_, by
such Kind of Persons, Experience abundantly shews, and the most serious
and conscientious among all will scarcely deny; which if it be so, the
Application is easy.
§. X. _Fifthly_, The Use of _Swearing_ is to be considered, which is
so frequently practised almost among all Christians; not only _profane
Oaths_ among the _Profane_, in their common Discourses, whereby the
_Most HOLY NAME of GOD_ is in a horrible Manner daily blasphemed;
but also _solemn Oaths_, with those that have some Shew of _Piety_,
whereof the most Part do defend _Swearing_ before the Magistrate with
so great Zeal, that not only they are ready themselves to do it upon
every Occasion, but also have stirred up the Magistrates to persecute
those, who, out of Obedience to _Christ_, their Lord and Master, judge
it unlawful to _swear_; upon which Account not a Few have suffered
Imprisonment, and the Spoiling of their Goods.
[Sidenote: _All Swearing is forbidden--_] But considering these clear
Words of our Saviour, _Matt._ v. 33, 34. _Again, ye have heard that it
hath been said by them of old Time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself but
shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oaths. But I say unto you, SWEAR NOT
AT ALL, neither by Heaven, _&c._ But let your Communication be yea,
yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of Evil._ As
also the Words of the Apostle _James_ v. 12. _But above all Things, my
Brethren, swear not, neither by Heaven, neither by the Earth, neither
by any other Oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, lest
ye fall into Condemnation._ I say, considering these clear Words, it
is admirable how any one that professeth the _Name of Christ_ can
pronounce any _Oath_ with a quiet Conscience, far less to persecute
other Christians, that dare not _swear_, because of their Master
_Christ_’s Authority. For did any one purpose seriously, and in the
most rigid Manner, to forbid any Thing comprehended under any General,
can they use a more full and general Prohibition, and that without
any Exception? I think not. For Christ, _First_, proposeth it to us
negatively, _Swear not at all, neither by Heaven, not by the Earth, nor
by _Jerusalem_, nor by thy Head_, &c. And again, _Swear not by Heaven,
nor by Earth, nor by any other Oath_. _Secondly_, He presseth it
affirmatively, _But let your Communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay;
for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of Evil._ And saith _James_,
_Lest ye fall into Condemnation_.
[Sidenote: _Without Exception._] Which Words both all and every one of
them do make such a full Prohibition, and so free of all Exception,
that it is strange how Men that boast the Scripture is the _Rule_ of
their _Faith_ and _Life_, can counterfeit any Exception! Certainly
_Reason_ ought to teach every one, that it is not lawful to make void
a general Prohibition coming from God by such Opposition, unless the
Exception be as clearly and evidently expressed as the Prohibition:
Neither is it enough to endeavour to confirm it by Consequences and
Probabilities, which are obscure and uncertain, and not sufficient
to bring Quiet to the _Conscience_. For if they say, That there is
therefore an Exception and Limitation in the Words, because there
are found Exceptions in the other general Prohibition of this _Fifth
Chapter_, as in the forbidding of _Divorcement_, where Christ saith,
_It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his Wife, let him give
her a Writing of Divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall
put away his Wife, saving for the Cause of Fornication, causeth her to
commit Adultery_; if, I say, they plead this, they not only labour in
vain, but also fight against themselves, because they can produce no
Exception of this general Command of _not Swearing_, expressed by God
to any under the _New Covenant_, after _Christ_ gave this Prohibition
so clear as that which is made in the Prohibition itself. [Sidenote:
_Also Oaths before a Magistrate._] Moreover, if _Christ_ would have
excepted _Oaths_ made before Magistrates, certainly he had then
expressed, adding, _Except in Judgment, before the Magistrate_, or
the like; as he did in that of _Divorcement_ by these Words, _Saving
for the Cause of Fornication_: Which being so, it is not lawful for
us to _except_ or _distinguish_, or, which is all one, _make void_
this general Prohibition of Christ; it would be far less agreeable
to _Christian Holiness_ to bring upon our Heads the Crimes of so
many _Oaths_, which by Reason of this Corruption and Exception are so
frequent among Christians.
[Sidenote: _The Concurrence of the ancient Fathers therein._] Neither
is it to be omitted that without Doubt the most _learned Doctors_ of
each Sect know, That these fore-mentioned Words were understood by the
_ancient Fathers_ of the _first three hundred Years_ after Christ to be
a Prohibition of all Sorts of _Oaths_. It is not then without Reason
that we wonder that the _Popish Doctors_ and _Priests_ bind themselves
by an _Oath_ to interpret the _Holy Scriptures_ according to the
universal Exposition of the _Holy Fathers_; who nevertheless understood
those controverted Texts quite contrary to what these _modern Doctors_
do. And from thence also do clearly appear the Vanity and foolish
Certainty (so to speak) of _Popish Traditions_; for if by the Writings
of the _Fathers_, so called, the Faith of the Church of those Ages may
be demonstrated, it is clear they have departed from the Faith of the
Church of the _first three Ages_ in the Point of _Swearing_. Moreover,
because not only _Papists_, but also _Lutherans_ and _Calvinists_,
and some others, do restrict the Words of _Christ_ and _James_, I
think it needful to make manifest the vain Foundation upon which that
Presumption in this Matter is built.
§. XI. [Sidenote: Object.] _First_, They object, _That Christ only
forbids those Oaths that are made by Creatures, and Things created_;
and they prove it thence, because he numbers some of these Things.
Secondly, _All rash and vain Oaths in familiar Discourses; because he
saith, Let your Communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay_.
[Sidenote: _Answ. 1._] To which I _answer_, _First_, That the _Law_ did
forbid all _Oaths_ made by the Creatures, as also all vain and rash
_Oaths_ in our common Discourses, commanding, That Men should only
_swear_ by the Name of God, and that neither falsely nor rashly; for
that is to take his Name in vain.
[Sidenote: _Answ. 2_.] _Secondly_, It is most evident that Christ
forbids somewhat that was permitted under the _Law_, [Sidenote: _To
swear by God himself forbidden by Christ._] to wit, to _swear by the
Name of God_, because it was not lawful for any Man to _swear_ but by
God himself. And because he saith, _Neither by Heaven, because it is
the Throne of God_; therefore he excludes all other _Oaths_, even
those which are made by God; for he saith, Chap. xxiii. 22. _He that
shall swear by Heaven, sweareth by the Throne of God, and by him that
sitteth thereon_: Which is also to be understood of the rest.
[Sidenote: _Answ. 3._] _Lastly_, That he might put the Matter beyond
all Controversy, he adds, _Neither by any other Oath_: Therefore seeing
to _swear_ before the Magistrate by God is an _Oath_, it is here
without Doubt forbidden.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Secondly_, They object, _That by these Words Oaths
by God’s Name cannot be forbidden, because the Heavenly Father hath
commanded them; for the Father and the Son are one, which could not be,
if the Son had forbid that which the Father commanded_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_, They are indeed one, and cannot
contradict one another: [Sidenote: _Oaths under the Old Covenant_.]
Nevertheless the Father gave many Things to the Jews for a Time,
because of their Infirmity under the _Old Covenant_, which had only a
Shadow of good Things to come, not the very Substance of Things, until
Christ should come, who was the Substance, and by whose Coming all
these Things vanished, to wit, _Sabbaths_, _Circumcision_, the _Paschal
Lamb_: Men used then Sacrifices, who lived in Controversies with God,
and one with another, which all are abrogated in the Coming of the Son,
who is the Substance, Eternal Word, and Essential Oath and Amen, in
whom the _Promises of God are Yea and Amen_: Who came that Men might be
redeemed out of Strife, and might make an End of Controversy.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Thirdly_, They object, _But all Oaths are not
Ceremonies, nor any Part of the Ceremonial Law_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I answer, Except it be shewn to be an eternal,
immutable, and moral Precept, it withstands not; neither are they of
so old an Origin as _Tithes_, [Sidenote: Tithes, _&c. unlawful now._]
and the Offering of the _First Fruits_ of the Ground, which by _Abel_
and _Cain_ were offered long before the _Ceremonial Law_, or the Use
of _Oaths_; which, whatever may be alleged against it, were no Doubt
_Ceremonies_, and therefore no Doubt unlawful now to be practised.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Fourthly_, They object, _That to swear by the Name
of God is a moral Precept of continual Duration, because it is marked
with his essential and moral Worship, _Deut. vi. 13. and x. 20._ Thou
shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him alone: Thou shalt cleave to
him, and swear by his Name_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_, This proves not that it is a moral
and eternal Precept; for _Moses_ adds that to all the Precepts and
Ceremonies in several Places; as _Deut._ x. 12, 13. saying, _And now,
_Israel_, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the
Lord thy God, to walk in all his Ways, and to love him, and to serve
the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with all thy Soul; to keep the
Commandments in the Lord, and his Statutes, which I command thee this
Day?_ And _Chap._ xiv. 23. the _Fear of the Lord_ is mentioned together
with the _Tithes_. And so also _Levit._ xix. 2, 3. 6. the _Sabbaths_
and Regard to _Parents_ are mentioned with _Swearing_.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Fifthly_, They object, _That solemn Oaths, which
God commanded, cannot be here forbidden by Christ; for he saith, That
they come from Evil: But these did not come from Evil; for God never
commanded any Thing that was Evil, or came from Evil_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_, There are Things which are _Good_
because _commanded_, and _Evil_ because _forbidden_; other Things are
_commanded_ because _Good_, and _forbidden_ because _Evil_. [Sidenote:
_Oaths are Evil, because forbidden._] As _Circumcision_ and _Oaths_,
which were _Good_, when and because they were _commanded_, and in no
other Respect; and again, when and because prohibited under the Gospel,
they are _Evil_.