Vertes 8,9,e c. the Epi file to the Romanes. 17 S IL. That it is lawful( to fweare in private matters, fo we obferve thefe con- ditions. Firft, that the matter bee true and knowne to us fo to bee. Secondly, that God onely becalled upon,as a wit - neffe of the truth. Thirdly,that the mat- ter bee of weight and importance, not flight and triviall. Fourthly,that there be inch neceffity, that without it we cannot be beleeved, it being a thing ve- ry requifite for the good of others, that credit fhould bee given to our words, as it did very much behoove the Ro- manes to thinke well of Paul whom they had never feene, and to beleeve him. From hence, are taxed three forts of men : Fit*, filch as are common fwea- rers upon every light occafion, as pro - phane worldlings do. Secondly, for inch as refufe to take an Oath before a ruler, for the Ceremony of killing the Booke, or laying theirhand upon it( as theBrownifis doe) which is a meere cir- cumftance, and a very indifferent thing, being voide both of fuperftition and fcandall, like unto the gellure ofthe an- gell in the Revelation,litting up his hand when hee did fweare: which cuftome is ufed in Æthiopia unto this day, when they take an Oath : as Abrahams fervant put his hand under his Mailers thigh, when hee did fweare, Gen.24.9. Third- ly,fuch asare too fcrupulous of an Oath, when there is juft caufe to take it : as the Anabaptifts, who deny unto the Chrf- ftians,lawfull rife of Magifirates, Lawes, and Oathes, contrary to there evident Teftimonies ofScripture:as Deut.t 3,10, 12. Pfal. I lo.5.Gen.21.29. and 31.35. I,Sam.2.4.23,2 Car,lLzLGal.t.z.Efay 19.58. and 43.23. betides many other. Ti M. Of what Spirit loth Paul fßeakeee when be faith (whom lferve in my fpirit ?) tell art alfa how God will be ferved ,wherein his ferviceconfr fir, andfor what reafons tree are to performe fernier to Us Ma,j1e fly ? S I L. This Particle [My] fheweth, that he fpeakes not of God his Spirit,but of his owne fpirit,and fervent affeaion, 2 Tim. 1.3. and it teacheth us in what manner God is to bee ferved (i. Religi- oufly worfhipped)not in (hew& often- tation; not in hypocriliie;not coldly and perfunctorily , not conftrainedly, and byconipullon;not in body only, but in foule álfo,with Readinefle, 2. Cheerc- fulneffe, 3. Sincerity,4. Fervency . and innocency of heart; for thefe are things wherein Gods fervice confifteth. Hisin- ternall worfhip ftandeth in Faith,hope, Love of God,feare of his name, Conti - dence,Peace, Joy in the holy Ghofl,pa- tience in fuffering,and obedience in do- ing his will ; Prayer for his proteuttioti and benefits,and thankfuineffe of heart, for his mercies of all forts. His external] fervice, is placed in publike prayer, rea- ding and hearing his word with reve- rence and attention, communicating in the holy Wyfteries, pray fes, tinging of Pfalmes &c. All which parts of his fee- vice, we are bound to performe upon thefe reafons. Firft, becaufe we are crea- ted of God, out ofnothing. Secondly, becaufe by the blood of his Sonne, we were redeemed out ofhell. Thirdly,out of many dangers of body and foul,we have been preferved.Fourthly,with ma- ny and manifold good things,we have been all our life long, plentifully and gracioutly bleffed.Fiftly, God bath gi- ven us both commandement by his au- thority,& freedom with happy liberty, that we may ferve him. And laftly,pro- mifeth to us not only felicity on earth, but in heaven, fo we will ferve him: for godlineffe hath the promifes both of this life, and ofthat which is to come. TI M. For whom weft wepray? S I L. For others, as well as for our fclves ; efpecially for the Paftor, and the people one for another. T1 M. What things hinder Prayer S I L. Foure things : fr1l, our unwor- thineffe compared with Gods Majefty fecondly, our infufficiency to pray, be- ing deftitute of meetneffe and gilts therein:thirdly, hardneffe of the worke, beeing one ofthe harden workes of a Chriftian: fourthly,opinion.; that God will heare us without asking, and that prayer isneedleff'e .This hindreth fome. T1 M. What things binder perfeverance in Prayer? S I L. Deferring the profit and fruite of our prayers, fo long as men waxe C3 weary
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