of revenge, or by open resistance to become the occasion of loss of life
to others. And, secondly, on the example of Jesus Christ, and of the
apostles and primitive Christians, all of whom patiently submitted to
the pains and penalties inflicted upon them by the governments of their
respective times for the exercise of their religion.




CHAP. II.

_Oaths--Quakers conceive it unlawful for Christians to take an
oath--their sufferings on this account--Consider oaths as
unnecessary--as having an immoral tendency, which even the Heathens
allowed--and as having been forbidden by Jesus Christ--Explanation of
the scriptural passages cited on this occasion--Christianity not so
perfect with the lawfulness of oaths as without it--Other reasons taken
from considerations relative to the ancient oath "by the name of God"_


A second tenet, which the Quakers hold, is, that it is unlawful for
Christians to take a civil oath.

Many and grievous were the sufferings of the Quakers, in the early part
of their history, on account of their refusing to swear before the civil
magistrate. They were insulted, fined, and imprisoned. Some of the
judges too indulged a rancour against them on this account, unworthy of
their high office, which prescribed justice impartially to all. For when
they could not convict them of the offences laid to their charge, they
administered to them the oath of allegiance, knowing that they would not