The lawfulness, and obligation of oaths a sermon preach'd at the assises held at Kingston upon Thames, July 21, 1681 / by John Tillotson ...
         Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             The lawfulness, and obligation of oaths a sermon preach'd at the assises held at Kingston upon Thames, July 21, 1681 / by John Tillotson ...
             Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
          
           [4], 36 p.
           
             Printed for Brabazon Aylmer ..., and William Rogers ...,
             London :
             1681.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Hebrews VI, 16 -- Sermons.
           Oaths -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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             The
             Lawfulness
          
           ,
           AND
           
             Obligation
             of
             Oaths
          
           .
        
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           at
           the
           ASSISES
           Held
           at
           KINGSTON
           upon
           
             THAMES
             ,
             July
          
           21.
           1681.
           
        
         
           By
           
             JOHN
             TILLOTSON
          
           D.
           D.
           Dean
           of
           Canterbury
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           MAJESTY
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           over
           against
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
          
           in
           Cornhill
           :
           And
           
             William
             Rogers
          
           at
           the
           Sun
           ,
           over
           against
           St.
           
           Dunstan's
           Church
           in
           Fleet-street
           ,
           1681.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Worshipfull
           and
           my
           Honoured
           Friend
           JOSEPH
           REEVE
           
             Esq
          
           High
           Sheriff
           of
           the
           County
           of
           SURREY
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           WHen
           I
           had
           perform'd
           the
           Service
           which
           you
           were
           pleas'd
           to
           call
           me
           to
           in
           the
           preaching
           of
           this
           Sermon
           ,
           I
           had
           no
           thoughts
           of
           making
           it
           more
           publique
           .
           And
           yet
           in
           this
           also
           I
           was
           the
           more
           easily
           induced
           to
           comply
           with
           your
           desire
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           suitableness
           of
           the
           Argument
           to
           the
           Age
           in
           which
           we
           live
           :
           Wherein
           as
           men
           have
           run
           into
           the
           wildest
           extremities
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           so
           particularly
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           Oaths
           ;
           some
           making
           conscience
           of
           taking
           any
           Oath
           at
           all
           ,
           and
           too
           many
           none
           at
           all
           of
           breaking
           them
           .
        
         
         
           To
           convince
           the
           great
           mistake
           of
           the
           one
           extreme
           ,
           and
           to
           check
           the
           growing
           evil
           and
           mischief
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           is
           the
           chief
           design
           of
           this
           Discourse
           .
           To
           which
           I
           shall
           be
           very
           glad
           if
           by
           God's
           blessing
           it
           may
           prove
           any
           wise
           serviceable
           .
           I
           am
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
          
           Your
           very
           faithfull
           and
           humble
           Servant
           
             JOHN
             TILLOTSON
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           Lawfulness
           ,
           AND
           Obligation
           of
           Oaths
           .
        
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           at
           the
           Assises
           held
           at
           Kingston
           upon
           Thames
           ,
           
             July
             21.
             1681.
             
          
        
         
           
             Heb.
             vi
             .
             16.
             
          
           
             And
             an
             Oath
             for
             confirmation
             is
             to
             them
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           necessity
           of
           Religion
           to
           the
           support
           of
           humane
           Society
           in
           nothing
           appears
           more
           evidently
           than
           in
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           obligation
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           necessary
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           peace
           and
           justice
           among
           
           men
           ,
           depends
           wholly
           upon
           the
           sense
           and
           belief
           of
           a
           Deity
           .
           For
           no
           reason
           can
           be
           imagined
           why
           any
           man
           that
           doth
           not
           believe
           a
           God
           ,
           should
           make
           the
           least
           conscience
           of
           an
           Oath
           ;
           which
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           solemn
           appeal
           to
           God
           as
           a
           witness
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           we
           say
           .
           So
           that
           whoever
           promotes
           Atheism
           and
           Infidelity
           doth
           the
           most
           destructive
           thing
           imaginable
           to
           humane
           Society
           ,
           because
           he
           takes
           away
           the
           reverence
           and
           obligation
           of
           Oaths
           :
           And
           whenever
           that
           is
           generally
           cast
           off
           ,
           humane
           Society
           must
           disband
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           run
           into
           disorder
           .
           The
           just
           sense
           whereof
           made
           David
           cry
           out
           to
           God
           with
           so
           much
           earnestness
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           World
           had
           been
           cracking
           ,
           and
           the
           frame
           of
           it
           ready
           to
           break
           in
           pieces
           ,
           
             Psal.
             12.
             
             Help
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             for
             the
             righteous
             man
             ceaseth
             ,
             and
             the
             faithfull
             fail
             from
             among
             the
             children
             of
             men
             :
          
           Intimating
           ,
           That
           when
           Faith
           fails
           from
           among
           men
           ,
           nothing
           but
           a
           particular
           and
           immediate
           interposition
           of
           the
           Divine
           providence
           can
           preserve
           the
           World
           from
           falling
           into
           confusion
           .
           And
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           gives
           this
           as
           a
           sign
           of
           the
           end
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           approaching
           dissolution
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           when
           faith
           and
           truth
           shall
           hardly
           be
           found
           among
           men
           ,
           
             Luke
             18.
             8.
             
             When
             the
             Son
             of
             
             man
             comes
             ,
             shall
             he
             find
             Faith
             on
             the
             earth
             ?
          
           This
           state
           of
           things
           doth
           loudly
           call
           for
           his
           coming
           to
           destroy
           the
           World
           ,
           which
           is
           even
           ready
           to
           dissolve
           and
           fall
           in
           pieces
           of
           it self
           ,
           when
           these
           Bands
           and
           Pillars
           of
           humane
           Society
           do
           break
           and
           fail
           .
           And
           surely
           never
           in
           any
           Age
           was
           this
           Sign
           of
           the
           coming
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           man
           more
           glaring
           and
           terrible
           than
           in
           this
           degenerate
           Age
           wherein
           we
           live
           ,
           when
           almost
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           seem
           to
           have
           broke
           loose
           from
           all
           obligations
           to
           faith
           and
           truth
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           I
           do
           not
           know
           any
           Argument
           more
           proper
           and
           usefull
           to
           be
           treated
           of
           upon
           this
           Occasion
           than
           of
           the
           Nature
           and
           Obligation
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           utmost
           security
           that
           one
           man
           can
           give
           to
           another
           ,
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           he
           saies
           ;
           the
           strongest
           tye
           of
           fidelity
           ,
           the
           surest
           ground
           of
           Judicial
           proceedings
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           firm
           and
           sacred
           bond
           that
           can
           be
           laid
           upon
           all
           that
           are
           concerned
           in
           the
           administration
           of
           publick
           Justice
           ;
           upon
           Judge
           ,
           and
           Jury
           ,
           and
           Witnesses
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           this
           reason
           I
           have
           pitched
           upon
           these
           Words
           ;
           In
           which
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           to
           us
           the
           great
           use
           and
           necessity
           of
           Oaths
           among
           men
           ;
           
             An
             Oath
             for
             confirmation
             is
             to
             them
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
          
           He
           had
           said
           before
           ,
           that
           
           for
           our
           greater
           assurance
           and
           comfort
           God
           hath
           confirmed
           his
           promises
           to
           us
           by
           an
           Oath
           ;
           condescending
           herein
           to
           deal
           with
           us
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           ,
           when
           they
           would
           give
           credit
           to
           a
           doubtfull
           matter
           ,
           confirm
           what
           they
           say
           by
           an
           Oath
           .
           And
           generally
           when
           any
           doubt
           or
           controversie
           ariseth
           between
           Parties
           concerning
           a
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           one
           side
           affirming
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           denying
           ,
           an
           end
           is
           put
           to
           this
           contest
           by
           an
           Oath
           ;
           
             An
             Oath
             for
             confirmation
             being
             to
             them
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             :
             An
             Oath
             for
             confirmation
             ,
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           for
           the
           greater
           assurance
           and
           establishment
           of
           a
           thing
           :
           Not
           ,
           that
           an
           Oath
           is
           alwaies
           a
           certain
           and
           infallible
           decision
           of
           things
           according
           to
           truth
           and
           right
           ;
           but
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           the
           utmost
           credit
           that
           we
           can
           give
           to
           any
           thing
           ,
           and
           the
           last
           resort
           of
           truth
           and
           confidence
           among
           men
           :
           After
           this
           we
           can
           go
           no
           farther
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           Religion
           of
           an
           Oath
           will
           not
           oblige
           men
           to
           speak
           truth
           ,
           nothing
           will.
           This
           is
           the
           utmost
           security
           that
           men
           can
           give
           ,
           and
           must
           therefore
           be
           the
           final
           decision
           of
           all
           contests
           ;
           
             An
             Oath
             for
             confirmation
             is
             to
             them
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           from
           this
           assertion
           of
           the
           Apostle
           concerning
           the
           great
           use
           and
           end
           of
           Oaths
           among
           men
           ,
           I
           shall
           take
           occasion
           ,
        
         
         
           1.
           
           To
           consider
           the
           nature
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           and
           the
           kinds
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           shew
           the
           great
           use
           and
           even
           necessity
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           in
           many
           cases
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           vindicate
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           them
           ,
           where
           they
           are
           necessary
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           To
           shew
           the
           sacred
           obligation
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
           I
           shall
           be
           as
           brief
           in
           these
           as
           the
           just
           handling
           of
           them
           will
           bear
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           nature
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           and
           the
           kinds
           of
           it
           .
           An
           Oath
           is
           
             an
             invocation
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             an
             appeal
             to
             him
             as
             a
             witness
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             what
             we
             say
             .
          
           So
           that
           an
           Oath
           is
           a
           sacred
           thing
           ,
           as
           being
           an
           act
           of
           Religion
           and
           an
           invocation
           of
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           :
           And
           this
           ,
           whether
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           be
           expresly
           mentioned
           in
           it
           or
           not
           .
           If
           a
           man
           only
           say
           ,
           
             I
             swear
          
           ,
           or
           
             I
             take
             my
             Oath
          
           ,
           that
           a
           thing
           is
           ,
           or
           is
           not
           ,
           so
           ,
           or
           so
           ;
           or
           that
           I
           will
           ,
           or
           will
           not
           ,
           do
           such
           a
           thing
           :
           Or
           if
           a
           man
           
             answer
             upon
             his
             Oath
          
           ,
           being
           adjured
           and
           required
           so
           to
           do
           :
           Or
           if
           a
           man
           
             swear
             by
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             by
             Earth
             ,
          
           or
           by
           any
           other
           thing
           that
           hath
           relation
           to
           God
           ;
           in
           all
           these
           cases
           a
           man
           doth
           virtually
           call
           God
           to
           witness
           ;
           and
           in
           so
           doing
           ,
           he
           doth
           by
           consequence
           invoke
           him
           as
           a
           Judge
           and
           an
           Avenger
           ,
           in
           case
           what
           he
           swears
           be
           not
           true
           .
           And
           if
           this
           be
           exprest
           ,
           the
           oath
           is
           a
           formall
           Imprecation
           ;
           
           but
           whether
           it
           be
           ,
           or
           not
           ,
           a
           curse
           upon
           our selves
           is
           always
           implyed
           in
           case
           of
           perjury
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           two
           sorts
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           Assertory
           ,
           and
           Promissory
           .
           An
           assertory
           oath
           is
           when
           a
           man
           affirms
           or
           denies
           upon
           oath
           a
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           past
           ,
           or
           present
           :
           when
           he
           swears
           that
           a
           thing
           was
           ,
           or
           is
           so
           ,
           or
           not
           so
           .
           A
           promissory
           oath
           is
           a
           promise
           confirmed
           by
           an
           oath
           ,
           which
           always
           respects
           something
           that
           is
           future
           :
           And
           if
           the
           promise
           be
           made
           directly
           and
           immediately
           to
           God
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           call'd
           a
           Vow
           ;
           if
           to
           men
           ,
           an
           Oath
           .
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
        
         
           II.
           Thing
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           shew
           the
           great
           use
           and
           even
           necessity
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           in
           many
           cases
           :
           Which
           is
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           humane
           Society
           can
           very
           hardly
           ,
           if
           at
           all
           ,
           subsist
           long
           without
           them
           .
           Government
           would
           many
           times
           be
           very
           insecure
           :
           And
           for
           the
           faithfull
           discharge
           of
           Offices
           of
           great
           trust
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           welfare
           of
           the
           Publick
           is
           nearly
           concerned
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           to
           find
           any
           security
           equall
           to
           that
           of
           an
           Oath
           ;
           because
           the
           obligation
           of
           that
           reacheth
           to
           the
           most
           secret
           and
           hidden
           practices
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           takes
           hold
           of
           them
           in
           many
           cases
           where
           the
           penalty
           of
           no
           humane
           Law
           can
           have
           any
           awe
           or
           force
           upon
           them
           :
           And
           especially
           ,
           it
           is
           (
           as
           the
           
             Civil
             
             Law
          
           expresseth
           it
           )
           
             maximum
             expediendarum
             litium
             remedium
          
           ,
           the
           best
           means
           of
           ending
           controversies
           :
           And
           where
           mens
           estates
           or
           lives
           are
           concerned
           ,
           no
           evidence
           but
           what
           is
           assured
           by
           an
           Oath
           will
           be
           thought
           sufficient
           to
           decide
           the
           matter
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           give
           full
           and
           generall
           satisfaction
           to
           mankind
           .
           For
           in
           matters
           of
           so
           great
           concernment
           ,
           when
           men
           have
           all
           the
           assurance
           that
           can
           be
           had
           ,
           and
           not
           till
           then
           ,
           they
           are
           contented
           to
           sit
           down
           and
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           it
           .
           And
           among
           all
           Nations
           an
           Oath
           hath
           always
           been
           thought
           the
           onely
           permptory
           and
           satisfactory
           way
           of
           deciding
           such
           controversies
           .
        
         
           III.
           The
           third
           thing
           I
           proposed
           ,
           was
           to
           vindicate
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           where
           they
           are
           necessary
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           very
           strong
           inducement
           to
           believe
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           unavoidable
           condition
           of
           humane
           affairs
           hath
           made
           them
           so
           necessary
           .
           The
           Apostle
           takes
           it
           for
           granted
           that
           an
           Oath
           is
           not
           only
           of
           great
           use
           in
           humane
           affairs
           ,
           but
           in
           many
           cases
           of
           great
           necessity
           ,
           to
           confirm
           a
           doubtful
           thing
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           controversies
           ,
           which
           cannot
           otherwise
           be
           decided
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           the
           Parties
           contending
           ;
           
             An
             oath
             for
             confirmation
             is
             to
             them
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           hardly
           imaginable
           that
           God
           should
           not
           have
           
           left
           that
           lawfull
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           evidently
           necessary
           to
           the
           peace
           and
           security
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           there
           is
           a
           Sect
           ,
           sprung
           up
           in
           our
           memory
           ,
           which
           hath
           called
           in
           question
           the
           lawfullness
           of
           all
           Oaths
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           mischief
           and
           disturbance
           of
           humane
           Society
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           search
           this
           matter
           to
           the
           bottom
           ,
           and
           to
           manifest
           how
           unreasonable
           and
           groundless
           this
           Opinion
           is
           .
           And
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           I
           shall
        
         
           First
           ,
           prove
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           Oaths
           from
           the
           authority
           of
           this
           Text
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           reasons
           plainly
           contained
           ,
           or
           strongly
           implied
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           shall
           shew
           the
           weakness
           and
           insufficiency
           of
           the
           grounds
           of
           the
           contrary
           Opinion
           ;
           whether
           from
           reason
           ,
           or
           from
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           last
           they
           principally
           rely
           upon
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           could
           be
           made
           out
           from
           thence
           would
           determine
           the
           case
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           shall
           prove
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           Oaths
           from
           the
           authority
           of
           this
           Text
           ,
           and
           the
           reasons
           plainly
           contained
           ,
           or
           strongly
           implyed
           in
           it
           .
           Because
           the
           Apostle
           doth
           not
           only
           speak
           of
           the
           use
           of
           Oaths
           among
           men
           without
           any
           manner
           of
           censure
           and
           reproof
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           commendable
           custome
           and
           practice
           ,
           and
           in
           many
           cases
           necessary
           ,
           for
           the
           confirmation
           of
           doubtfull
           
           matters
           ,
           and
           in
           order
           to
           the
           finall
           decision
           of
           Controversies
           and
           Differences
           among
           men
           .
           For
        
         
           First
           .
           He
           speakes
           of
           it
           as
           the
           generall
           practice
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           to
           confirm
           things
           by
           an
           oath
           in
           order
           to
           the
           ending
           of
           differences
           .
           And
           indeed
           there
           is
           nothing
           that
           hath
           more
           universally
           obtained
           in
           all
           Ages
           and
           Nations
           of
           the
           World
           :
           than
           which
           there
           is
           not
           a
           more
           certain
           indication
           that
           a
           thing
           is
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           and
           the
           best
           Reason
           of
           Mankind
           .
           And
           that
           this
           was
           no
           degenerate
           practice
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           like
           that
           of
           Idolatry
           ,
           is
           from
           hence
           evident
           ;
           that
           when
           God
           separated
           a
           People
           to
           himself
           ,
           it
           was
           practised
           among
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           holy
           Patriarchs
           ,
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Isaac
          
           ,
           and
           Jacob
           ;
           and
           was
           afterwards
           not
           only
           allowed
           ,
           but
           in
           many
           Cases
           commanded
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ;
           which
           had
           it
           been
           a
           thing
           evil
           in
           it self
           and
           forbidden
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           been
           done
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           .
           Another
           undeniable
           Argument
           from
           the
           Text
           of
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           Oaths
           is
           ,
           that
           God
           himself
           ,
           in
           condescension
           to
           the
           Custome
           of
           men
           who
           use
           to
           confirm
           and
           give
           credit
           to
           what
           they
           say
           by
           an
           Oath
           ,
           is
           represented
           by
           the
           Apostle
           as
           confirming
           his
           promise
           to
           us
           by
           an
           oath
           ,
           vers
           .
           13.
           
           
             When
             God
             made
             the
             promise
             to
             Abraham
             ,
             because
             he
             could
             swear
             by
             none
             greater
             ,
             he
             
             swears
             by
             himself
             .
             For
             men
             verily
             swear
             by
             the
             greater
             ;
             and
             an
             oath
             for
             confirmation
             is
             to
             them
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
             Wherein
             God
             ,
             willing
             more
             abundantly
             to
             shew
             unto
             the
             heirs
             of
             promise
             the
             immutability
             of
             his
             counsell
             ,
             confirmed
             it
             by
             an
             oath
             :
          
           which
           he
           certainly
           would
           not
           have
           done
           ,
           had
           an
           oath
           been
           unlawfull
           in
           it self
           .
           For
           that
           had
           been
           to
           comply
           with
           men
           in
           an
           evil
           practice
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           own
           example
           to
           give
           countenance
           to
           it
           in
           the
           highest
           manner
           :
           But
           though
           God
           condescend
           to
           represent
           himself
           to
           us
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           men
           ,
           he
           never
           do's
           it
           in
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           in
           it's
           own
           nature
           evil
           and
           sinfull
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           .
           From
           the
           great
           Usefullness
           of
           Oaths
           in
           humane
           affaires
           ,
           to
           give
           credit
           and
           confirmation
           to
           our
           word
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           Contestations
           .
           Now
           that
           which
           serves
           to
           such
           excellent
           purposes
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           convenient
           for
           humane
           society
           ,
           and
           for
           mutual
           security
           and
           confidence
           among
           men
           ,
           ought
           not
           easily
           to
           be
           presumed
           unlawfull
           ,
           till
           it
           be
           plainly
           proved
           to
           be
           so
           .
           And
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           nature
           of
           an
           oath
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           belonging
           to
           it
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           that
           hath
           the
           least
           appearance
           of
           evil
           in
           it
           .
           There
           is
           surely
           no
           evil
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           an
           act
           of
           religion
           ;
           nor
           as
           it
           is
           an
           Appeal
           to
           God
           
           as
           a
           witness
           and
           avenger
           in
           case
           we
           swear
           falsly
           ;
           nor
           as
           it
           is
           a
           confirmation
           of
           a
           doubtfull
           matter
           ;
           nor
           as
           it
           puts
           an
           end
           to
           strife
           and
           controversy
           .
           And
           these
           are
           all
           the
           essential
           ingredients
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           and
           the
           ends
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           they
           are
           all
           so
           good
           ,
           that
           they
           rather
           commend
           it
           ,
           than
           give
           the
           least
           colour
           of
           ground
           to
           condemn
           it
           .
           I
           proceed
           in
           the
        
         
           2d
           .
           Place
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           weakness
           and
           insufficiency
           of
           the
           grounds
           of
           the
           contrary
           opinion
           ;
           whether
           from
           Reason
           ,
           or
           from
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           from
           Reason
           .
           They
           say
           the
           necessity
           of
           an
           Oath
           is
           occasioned
           by
           the
           want
           of
           truth
           and
           fidelity
           among
           men
           .
           And
           that
           every
           man
           ought
           to
           demean
           himself
           with
           that
           faithfulness
           and
           integrity
           as
           may
           give
           credit
           and
           confirmation
           to
           his
           word
           ;
           and
           then
           Oaths
           will
           be
           needless
           .
           This
           pretence
           will
           be
           fully
           answered
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           1st
           .
           That
           in
           matters
           of
           great
           importance
           no
           other
           obligation
           ,
           besides
           that
           of
           an
           oath
           ,
           hath
           been
           thought
           sufficient
           amongst
           the
           best
           and
           wisest
           of
           men
           to
           assert
           their
           fidelity
           to
           one
           another
           .
           
             Even
             the
             best
             men
          
           (
           to
           use
           the
           words
           of
           a
           great
           Author
           )
           
             have
             not
             trusted
             the
             best
             men
             without
             it
             .
          
           As
           we
           see
           in
           very
           remarkable
           instances
           ,
           where
           Oaths
           have
           pass'd
           between
           those
           who
           
           might
           be
           thought
           to
           have
           the
           greatest
           confidence
           in
           one
           another
           :
           As
           between
           Abraham
           and
           his
           old
           faithfull
           servant
           Eliezer
           ,
           concerning
           the
           choice
           of
           a
           Wise
           for
           his
           Son
           :
           Between
           Father
           and
           Son
           ,
           Jacob
           and
           Joseph
           ,
           concerning
           the
           buriall
           of
           his
           Father
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           :
           Between
           two
           of
           the
           dearest
           and
           most
           intimate
           Friends
           ,
           David
           and
           Jonathan
           ,
           to
           assure
           their
           friendship
           to
           one
           another
           ;
           and
           it
           had
           its
           effect
           long
           after
           
           Jonathan's
           death
           in
           the
           saving
           of
           Mephibosheth
           ,
           when
           reason
           of
           State
           and
           the
           security
           of
           his
           Throne
           seem'd
           to
           move
           David
           strongly
           to
           the
           contrary
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           expresly
           said
           2
           
             Sam.
             21.
          
           7.
           that
           David
           spared
           Mephibosheth
           ,
           Jonathan's
           
             Son
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             oath
             of
             the
             Lord
             that
             was
             between
             them
          
           ;
           implying
           ,
           that
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           his
           Oath
           ,
           other
           considerations
           might
           probably
           have
           prevail'd
           with
           him
           to
           have
           permitted
           him
           to
           have
           been
           cut
           off
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           
           Saul's
           Children
           .
        
         
           2dly
           .
           This
           Reason
           ,
           which
           is
           alledged
           against
           Oaths
           among
           men
           ,
           is
           much
           stronger
           against
           God's
           confirming
           his
           promises
           to
           us
           by
           an
           Oath
           .
           For
           he
           who
           is
           Truth
           it self
           is
           surely
           of
           all
           other
           most
           to
           be
           credited
           upon
           his
           bare
           word
           ,
           and
           his
           oath
           needless
           to
           give
           confirmation
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           yet
           he
           condescends
           to
           add
           his
           oath
           to
           his
           
           word
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           reason
           is
           evidently
           of
           no
           force
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           from
           Scripture
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           seems
           altogether
           to
           forbid
           swearing
           in
           any
           case
           ,
           
             Matth.
             5.
             33
             ,
             34.
             
             Ye
             have
             heard
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             said
             to
             them
             of
             old
             time
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             forswear
             thy self
             :
             but
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             swear
             not
             at
             all
             ;
             neither
             by
             heaven
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           
             But
             let
             your
             communication
             be
             yea
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             nay
             ,
             nay
             ;
             for
             whatsoever
             is
             more
             than
             these
             cometh
             of
             evil
             .
          
           And
           this
           Law
           St.
           James
           recites
           ,
           
             chap.
             5.
             ver
          
           .
           12.
           as
           that
           which
           Christians
           ought
           to
           have
           a
           very
           particular
           and
           principal
           regard
           to
           ;
           
             above
             all
             things
             my
             Brethren
             swear
             not
             :
          
           And
           he
           makes
           the
           breach
           of
           this
           Law
           a
           damning
           sin
           ,
           
             least
             ye
             fall
             into
             Condemnation
          
           .
           But
           the
           Authority
           of
           our
           Saviour
           alone
           is
           sufficient
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           only
           consider
           that
           Text.
           
        
         
           And
           ,
           because
           here
           lyes
           the
           main
           strength
           of
           this
           opinion
           of
           the
           unlawfulness
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           fit
           that
           this
           Text
           be
           fully
           consider'd
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           be
           made
           very
           evident
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           not
           our
           Saviour's
           meaning
           by
           this
           prohibition
           wholly
           to
           forbid
           the
           use
           of
           Oaths
           .
        
         
           But
           before
           I
           enter
           upon
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           will
           readily
           grant
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           scarce
           any
           Errour
           whatsoever
           that
           hath
           a
           more
           plausible
           colour
           from
           Scripture
           ,
           than
           this
           ;
           which
           makes
           the
           case
           
           of
           those
           who
           are
           seduced
           into
           it
           the
           more
           pityable
           :
           But
           then
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           consider'd
           ,
           how
           much
           this
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           unlawfulness
           of
           oaths
           reflects
           upon
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           since
           it
           is
           so
           evidently
           prejudiciall
           both
           to
           humane
           Society
           in
           generall
           ,
           and
           particularly
           to
           those
           persons
           that
           entertain
           it
           :
           neither
           of
           which
           ought
           rashly
           to
           be
           supposed
           and
           taken
           for
           granted
           ,
           concerning
           any
           Law
           delivered
           by
           our
           Saviour
           :
           Because
           upon
           these
           terms
           it
           will
           be
           very
           hard
           for
           us
           to
           vindicate
           the
           divine
           wisdom
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           the
           Reasonableness
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           Of
           the
           inconvenience
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           to
           humane
           Society
           ,
           I
           have
           spoken
           already
           .
           But
           besides
           this
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           prejudicial
           to
           them
           that
           believe
           it
           .
           It
           renders
           them
           suspected
           to
           Government
           ,
           and
           in
           many
           cases
           incapable
           of
           the
           common
           ,
           benefits
           of
           Justice
           and
           other
           priviledges
           of
           humane
           Society
           ,
           and
           exposeth
           them
           to
           great
           penalties
           ,
           as
           the
           constitution
           of
           all
           Laws
           and
           Governments
           at
           present
           is
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           not
           easy
           to
           imagine
           how
           they
           should
           be
           otherwise
           .
           And
           which
           is
           very
           considerable
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           it
           sets
           those
           who
           refuse
           Oaths
           upon
           very
           unequall
           terms
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           if
           where
           the
           estates
           and
           lives
           of
           men
           are
           equally
           concern'd
           ,
           their
           bare
           testimonies
           shall
           be
           admitted
           without
           an
           
           Oath
           ,
           and
           others
           shall
           be
           obliged
           to
           speak
           upon
           Oath
           :
           Nothing
           being
           more
           certain
           in
           experience
           ,
           than
           that
           many
           men
           will
           lye
           for
           their
           interest
           ,
           when
           they
           will
           not
           be
           perjured
           ;
           God
           having
           planted
           in
           the
           natural
           Consciences
           of
           men
           a
           secret
           dread
           of
           perjury
           above
           most
           other
           sins
           .
           And
           this
           inconvenience
           is
           so
           great
           ,
           as
           to
           render
           those
           who
           refuse
           oaths
           in
           all
           cases
           almost
           intolerable
           to
           humane
           Society
           .
           I
           speak
           not
           this
           either
           to
           bring
           them
           into
           trouble
           ,
           or
           to
           perswade
           them
           to
           measure
           truth
           by
           their
           interest
           :
           But
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           I
           must
           needs
           say
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           no
           Argument
           either
           of
           a
           wise
           or
           good
           man
           to
           take
           up
           any
           opinion
           ,
           especially
           such
           a
           one
           as
           is
           greatly
           to
           his
           prejudice
           upon
           slight
           grounds
           .
           And
           this
           very
           consideration
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           so
           much
           to
           their
           inconvenience
           ,
           may
           justly
           move
           them
           to
           be
           very
           carefull
           in
           the
           examination
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           premis'd
           ,
           I
           come
           now
           to
           explain
           this
           Prohibition
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           and
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           I
           desire
           these
           three
           things
           may
           be
           well
           consider'd
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           severall
           circumstances
           of
           these
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           do
           manifestly
           shew
           that
           they
           ought
           to
           be
           interpreted
           in
           a
           limited
           sense
           ,
           as
           only
           forbidding
           swearing
           in
           common
           conversation
           ;
           needless
           and
           heedless
           oaths
           (
           as
           one
           
           expresseth
           it
           )
           and
           in
           general
           ,
           all
           voluntary
           swearing
           ,
           unless
           upon
           some
           great
           and
           weighty
           cause
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           and
           the
           good
           of
           the
           souls
           of
           Men
           is
           concerned
           .
           For
           that
           in
           such
           cases
           a
           voluntary
           oath
           may
           be
           lawfull
           ,
           I
           am
           induced
           to
           believe
           from
           the
           example
           of
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           who
           useth
           it
           more
           than
           once
           upon
           such
           occasions
           ;
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           hereafter
           give
           particular
           instances
           .
        
         
           
             And
             this
             was
             the
             sense
             of
             Wise
             men
             among
             the
          
           Heathens
           ,
           
             that
             men
             should
             not
             swear
             but
             upon
             necessity
             and
             great
             occasion
             .
             Thus
          
           Eusebius
           
             the
             Philosopher
             in
          
           Stobaeus
           ,
           
             counsels
             men
          
           .
           Some
           
             (
             says
             he
          
           )
           advise
           men
           to
           be
           carefull
           to
           swear
           the
           truth
           ;
           but
           I
           advise
           principally
           that
           men
           do
           not
           easily
           swear
           at
           all
           ,
           
             that
             is
             ,
             not
             upon
             any
             slight
             ,
             but
             only
             upon
             weighty
             occasions
             :
             To
             the
             same
             purpose
          
           Epictetus
           ,
           Shun
           oaths
           wholly
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           ;
           if
           not
           ,
           however
           as
           much
           as
           thou
           canst
           :
           
             And
             so
             likewise
          
           Simplicius
           
             in
             his
          
           Comment
           
             upon
             him
          
           ,
           We
           ought
           wholly
           to
           shun
           swearing
           ,
           except
           upon
           occasions
           of
           great
           necessity
           :
           And
           Quintilian
           
             among
             the
          
           Romans
           ,
           In
           totum
           jurare
           ,
           nisi
           ubi
           necesse
           est
           ,
           gravi
           viro
           parum
           convenit
           ;
           To
           swear
           at
           all
           ,
           except
           where
           it
           is
           necessary
           ,
           do's
           not
           well
           suite
           with
           a
           wise
           man.
           
        
         
           And
           ,
           that
           this
           Prohibition
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           ought
           to
           be
           understood
           of
           oaths
           in
           ordinary
           
           conversation
           ,
           appears
           from
           the
           opposition
           which
           our
           Saviour
           makes
           ,
           
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
             ;
             but
             let
             your
             communication
             be
             yea
             ,
             yea
          
           ;
           That
           is
           ,
           in
           your
           ordinary
           commerce
           and
           affairs
           do
           not
           interpose
           oaths
           ,
           but
           say
           and
           do
           .
           And
           this
           is
           very
           much
           confirmed
           ,
           in
           that
           our
           Saviour
           do's
           not
           under
           this
           general
           Prohibition
           ,
           instance
           in
           such
           oaths
           as
           are
           expresly
           by
           the
           name
           of
           God
           :
           The
           reason
           whereof
           is
           this
           ;
           The
           Jews
           thought
           it
           unlawfull
           in
           ordinary
           communication
           to
           swear
           expresly
           by
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           lawfull
           to
           swear
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           as
           by
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           &c.
           
           So
           that
           our
           Saviour's
           meaning
           is
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           said
           ;
           You
           think
           you
           may
           swear
           in
           common
           conversation
           ,
           provided
           you
           do
           not
           swear
           by
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ;
           but
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           ,
           let
           your
           communication
           be
           without
           oaths
           of
           any
           kind
           :
           you
           shall
           not
           so
           much
           as
           swear
           by
           heaven
           or
           by
           earth
           ,
           because
           God
           is
           virtually
           invoked
           in
           every
           oath
           .
           And
           unless
           we
           suppose
           this
           to
           be
           our
           Saviour's
           meaning
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           see
           what
           good
           Reason
           can
           be
           given
           why
           our
           Saviour
           should
           only
           forbid
           them
           to
           swear
           by
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           not
           much
           rather
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ;
           such
           oaths
           being
           surely
           of
           all
           others
           most
           to
           be
           avoided
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           most
           direct
           abuse
           and
           profanation
           of
           the
           Name
           of
           God.
           
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           is
           very
           considerable
           to
           the
           explaining
           of
           this
           Prohibition
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           the
           like
           general
           expressions
           in
           other
           Jewish
           Authours
           concerning
           this
           very
           matter
           ,
           which
           yet
           must
           of
           necessity
           be
           thus
           limited
           .
           Maimonides
           ,
           from
           the
           ancient
           Rabbies
           ,
           gives
           this
           Rule
           ,
           that
           
             it
             is
             best
             not
             to
             swear
             at
             all
             .
          
           And
           Philo
           useth
           almost
           the
           same
           words
           .
           And
           
             Rabbi
             Jonathan
          
           comes
           very
           near
           our
           Saviour's
           expression
           ,
           when
           he
           says
           ,
           
             The
             just
             man
             will
             not
             swear
             at
             all
             ;
             not
             so
             much
             as
             by
             the
             common
             Names
             of
             God
             ,
             nor
             by
             his
             Attributes
             ,
             nor
             by
             his
             Works
             ,
             as
             by
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             the
             Angels
             ,
             or
             the
             Law.
          
           Now
           it
           is
           not
           imaginable
           ,
           that
           these
           learned
           Jewes
           should
           condemn
           Oaths
           in
           all
           cases
           ,
           when
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           did
           in
           many
           cases
           expresly
           require
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           they
           are
           to
           be
           understood
           of
           voluntary
           oaths
           in
           ordinary
           conversation
           .
           And
           that
           the
           Jewes
           meant
           this
           by
           not
           swearing
           at
           all
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           very
           plain
           from
           a
           passage
           in
           Josephus
           ,
           who
           says
           that
           the
           Sect
           of
           the
           Essenes
           forbad
           their
           Disciples
           to
           swear
           at
           all
           ;
           and
           yet
           he
           tells
           us
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           were
           admitted
           into
           that
           Sect
           ,
           took
           an
           oath
           to
           observe
           the
           Laws
           and
           Rules
           of
           it
           .
           So
           that
           they
           who
           forbad
           to
           swear
           at
           all
           ,
           allowed
           of
           Oaths
           imposed
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           Superiours
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           which
           will
           peremptorily
           decide
           this
           
           matter
           ,
           this
           Prohibition
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           cannot
           be
           understood
           to
           forbid
           all
           Oaths
           ,
           without
           a
           plain
           contradiction
           to
           the
           undoubted
           practice
           of
           the
           primitive
           Christians
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           even
           of
           our
           Lord
           himself
           .
           Origen
           and
           Tertullian
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Christians
           refused
           to
           swear
           by
           the
           Emperour's
           Genius
           ;
           not
           because
           it
           was
           an
           Oath
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           thought
           it
           to
           be
           Idolatrous
           :
           But
           the
           same
           Tertullian
           says
           ,
           that
           the
           Christians
           were
           willing
           to
           swear
           
             per
             salutem
             Imperatoris
             ,
             by
             the
             health
             and
             safety
             of
             the
             Emperour
             .
             Athanasius
             ,
          
           being
           accused
           to
           Constantius
           ,
           purged
           himself
           by
           oath
           ,
           and
           desired
           that
           his
           Accuser
           might
           be
           put
           to
           his
           Oath
           ,
           
             sub
             attestatione
             veritatis
             ,
             by
             calling
             the
             truth
             to
             witness
             :
          
           by
           which
           form
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             we
             Christians
             are
             wont
             to
             swear
             .
          
           But
           ,
           which
           is
           more
           than
           this
           ,
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           upon
           weighty
           occasions
           ,
           do's
           severall
           times
           in
           his
           Epistles
           call
           God
           to
           witness
           for
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           he
           says
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           very
           formality
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
           
             God
             is
             my
             witness
             ,
             Rom.
             1.
             9.
             
             As
             God
             is
             true
             ,
             our
             word
             was
             not
             yea
             and
             nay
             ,
             2
             Cor.
          
           1.
           18.
           and
           
             v.
             23.
             
             I
             call
             God
             for
             a
             record
             upon
             my
             Soul.
             Before
             God
             I
             lye
             not
             ,
             Gal.
             1.
             20.
             
             God
             is
             my
             record
             ,
             Philip.
             1.
             8.
             
             God
             is
             my
             witness
             ,
             1
             Thess.
          
           2.
           5.
           
           These
           are
           all
           unquestionable
           oaths
           ;
           which
           we
           cannot
           imagine
           St.
           Paul
           would
           have
           used
           ,
           had
           they
           been
           directly
           contrary
           
           to
           our
           Saviour's
           Law.
           And
           whereas
           some
           defend
           this
           upon
           account
           of
           his
           extraordinary
           Inspiration
           ,
           I
           cannot
           possibly
           see
           how
           this
           mends
           the
           matter
           .
           For
           surely
           it
           is
           very
           inconvenient
           to
           say
           that
           they
           who
           were
           to
           teach
           the
           Precepts
           of
           Christ
           to
           others
           ,
           did
           themselves
           break
           them
           by
           Inspiration
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           go
           yet
           farther
           ,
           and
           shall
           urge
           an
           example
           beyond
           all
           exception
           .
        
         
           Our
           Saviour
           himself
           (
           who
           surely
           would
           not
           be
           the
           first
           example
           of
           breaking
           his
           own
           Laws
           )
           did
           not
           refuse
           to
           answer
           upon
           Oath
           ,
           being
           called
           thereto
           at
           his
           Tryall
           .
           So
           we
           find
           
             Matth.
             26.
             63.
             
             The
             high
             Priest
             said
             unto
             him
             ,
             I
             adjure
             thee
             by
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             that
             thou
             tell
             us
             whether
             thou
             be
             the
             Christ
             the
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           required
           him
           to
           answer
           this
           question
           upon
           Oath
           .
           For
           among
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           the
           form
           of
           giving
           an
           oath
           to
           witnesses
           and
           others
           ,
           was
           not
           by
           tendering
           a
           formal
           oath
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           custome
           is
           among
           us
           ;
           but
           by
           adjuring
           them
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           requiring
           them
           to
           answer
           upon
           oath
           :
           As
           is
           plain
           from
           
             Levit.
             5.
             1.
             
             If
             a
             man
             hear
             the
             voice
             of
             swearing
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             witness
             whether
             he
             hath
             seen
             or
             known
             of
             such
             a
             thing
             ,
             if
             he
             do
             not
             utter
             it
             ,
             then
             he
             shall
             bear
             his
             Iniquity
             .
             If
             he
             have
             heard
             the
             voice
             of
             swearing
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           being
           adjured
           or
           demanded
           to
           answer
           upon
           oath
           ,
           concerning
           
           what
           he
           hath
           seen
           or
           heard
           ,
           he
           do
           not
           utter
           the
           truth
           ,
           he
           is
           perjured
           .
           Now
           to
           this
           adjuration
           of
           the
           high
           Priest
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           answered
           ,
           
             thou
             hast
             said
          
           :
           which
           words
           are
           not
           an
           avoiding
           to
           answer
           (
           as
           some
           have
           thought
           )
           but
           a
           direct
           answer
           ;
           as
           if
           he
           had
           said
           ,
           
             it
             is
             as
             thou
             sayest
             ;
             it
             is
             even
             so
             ,
             I
             am
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
          
           For
           upon
           this
           answer
           the
           high
           Priest
           said
           ,
           
             he
             hath
             spoken
             blasphemy
          
           .
           But
           ,
           to
           put
           the
           matter
           beyond
           all
           doubt
           ,
           St.
           Mark
           tells
           us
           ,
           Mark
           14.
           61.
           that
           he
           being
           asked
           by
           the
           high
           Priest
           ,
           
             Art
             thou
             the
             Christ
             the
             Son
             of
             the
             Blessed
             ?
             He
             answered
             ,
             I
             am
             .
          
           So
           that
           unless
           we
           will
           interpret
           our
           Saviour's
           Doctrine
           contrary
           to
           his
           own
           practice
           ,
           we
           cannot
           understand
           him
           to
           forbid
           all
           Oaths
           ;
           and
           consequently
           they
           are
           not
           unlawfull
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           been
           the
           longer
           upon
           this
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           give
           clear
           satisfaction
           in
           this
           matter
           to
           those
           that
           are
           willing
           to
           receive
           it
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Ceremonies
           in
           use
           among
           us
           in
           the
           taking
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           just
           Exception
           against
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           found
           in
           Scripture
           .
           For
           this
           was
           always
           matter
           of
           Liberty
           ;
           and
           several
           Nations
           have
           used
           several
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           in
           their
           Oaths
           .
           It
           was
           the
           custome
           of
           the
           Graecians
           ,
           to
           swear
           laying
           their
           hands
           upon
           the
           Altar
           ,
           
             quod
             sanctissimum
             jusjurandum
             est
             habitum
          
           ,
           (
           saith
           
             〈◊〉
             Gellius
             )
             
             which
             was
             looked
             upon
             as
             the
             most
             sacred
             form
             of
             Swearing
             .
          
           The
           Romans
           were
           wont
           
             Jovem
             Lapidem
             jurare
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           that
           swore
           by
           Jupiter
           held
           a
           Flint-stone
           in
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           flung
           it
           violently
           from
           him
           ,
           with
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Si
             sciens
             fallo
             ita
             me
             Jupiter
             bonis
             omnibus
             ejiciat
             ut
             ego
             hunc
             Lapidem
             ;
             If
             I
             knowingly
             falsify
             ,
             God
             so
             throw
             me
             out
             of
             all
             my
             possessions
             as
             I
             do
             this
             stone
             .
          
        
         
           In
           Scripture
           there
           are
           two
           Ceremonies
           mentioned
           of
           Swearing
           .
           One
           ,
           of
           
             putting
             the
             hand
             under
             the
             Thigh
          
           of
           him
           to
           whom
           the
           Oath
           was
           made
           .
           Thus
           Eliezer
           swore
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Gen.
          
           24.
           and
           Joseph
           to
           
             Jacob
             ,
             Gen.
          
           47.
           
           The
           other
           was
           
             by
             lifting
             up
             the
             hand
             to
             heaven
             :
          
           Thus
           Abraham
           expresseth
           the
           manner
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           
             Gen.
             14.
             22.
             
             I
             have
             lift
             up
             my
             hand
             to
             the
             most
             high
             God.
          
           And
           thus
           God
           condescending
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           men
           ,
           expresseth
           himself
           ,
           
             Deut.
             32.
             40.
             
             If
             I
             lift
             up
             my
             hand
             to
             heaven
             ,
             and
             swear
             .
          
           In
           allusion
           to
           this
           custome
           the
           Psalmist
           describes
           the
           Perjured
           person
           ,
           
             Psal.
             144.
             8.
             
             Whose
             mouth
             speaketh
             vanity
             ;
             and
             whose
             right
             hand
             is
             a
             right
             hand
             of
             falshood
             .
          
           And
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           intimation
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           either
           of
           these
           Ceremonies
           were
           prescribed
           and
           appointed
           by
           God
           ,
           but
           voluntarily
           instituted
           and
           taken
           up
           by
           men
           .
           And
           thus
           among
           us
           the
           Ceremony
           of
           Swearing
           is
           
             by
             laying
             the
             hand
             on
             the
             
             holy
             Gospel
             ,
          
           and
           
             kissing
             the
             Book
          
           ;
           which
           is
           both
           very
           solemn
           and
           significant
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           this
           solemn
           kind
           of
           Oath
           is
           called
           a
           corporall
           Oath
           ,
           and
           was
           anciently
           so
           called
           ;
           because
           the
           sign
           or
           ceremony
           of
           it
           is
           performed
           by
           some
           part
           of
           the
           Body
           .
           And
           this
           Solemnity
           is
           an
           aggravation
           of
           the
           Perjury
           ,
           because
           it
           makes
           it
           both
           more
           deliberate
           ,
           and
           more
           scandalous
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           speak
           but
           briefly
           to
           the
        
         
           IV.
           And
           last
           particular
           ,
           viz.
           the
           sacred
           obligation
           of
           an
           Oath
           :
           because
           it
           is
           a
           solemn
           appeal
           to
           God
           as
           a
           witness
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           we
           say
           :
           To
           God
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           from
           whose
           piercing
           and
           all-seeing
           eye
           ,
           from
           whose
           perfect
           and
           infinite
           knowledge
           ,
           nothing
           is
           or
           can
           be
           hid
           :
           So
           that
           there
           is
           not
           a
           thought
           in
           our
           heart
           but
           he
           sees
           it
           ,
           nor
           a
           word
           in
           our
           tongue
           but
           he
           discerns
           the
           truth
           or
           falshood
           of
           it
           .
           Whenever
           we
           swear
           ,
           we
           appeal
           to
           his
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           refer
           our selves
           to
           his
           just
           judgment
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           powerfull
           Patron
           and
           Protectour
           of
           Right
           ,
           and
           the
           Almighty
           Judge
           and
           Avenger
           of
           all
           falshood
           and
           unrighteousness
           .
           So
           that
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           for
           men
           to
           lay
           a
           more
           sacred
           and
           solemn
           obligation
           upon
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           Religion
           of
           an
           Oath
           .
           Moses
           very
           well
           expresseth
           it
           ,
           by
           
             binding
             our
             souls
             with
             a
             bond
             .
             Numb
             .
             30.
             2.
             
             If
             a
             man
             swear
             an
             oath
             ,
             to
             bind
             
             his
             soul
             with
             a
             bond
          
           ;
           intimating
           that
           he
           that
           swears
           ,
           lays
           the
           strongest
           obligation
           upon
           himself
           ,
           and
           puts
           his
           Soul
           in
           pawn
           for
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           he
           says
           .
           And
           this
           obligation
           no
           man
           can
           violate
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           utmost
           peril
           of
           the
           judgement
           and
           vengeance
           of
           God.
           For
           every
           Oath
           implies
           a
           Curse
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           in
           case
           of
           Perjury
           ,
           as
           Plutarch
           observes
           .
           And
           this
           was
           always
           the
           sense
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           concerning
           the
           obligation
           of
           Oaths
           .
           
             Nullum
             vinculum
             ad
             astringendam
             fidem
             majores
             nostri
             jurejurando
             arctius
             esse
             voluerunt
             ,
          
           saith
           
             Tully
             ;
             Our
             fore-fathers
             had
             no
             stricter
             bond
             ,
             whereby
             to
             oblige
             the
             faith
             of
             men
             to
             one
             another
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             an
             Oath
             .
          
           To
           the
           same
           purpose
           is
           that
           in
           the
           
             Comedian
             ,
             Aliud
             si
             scirem
             ,
             qui
             firmare
             meam
             apud
             vos
             possem
             fidem
             ,
             sanctius
             quàm
             jusjurandum
             ,
             id
             pollicerer
             tibi
             .
             If
             I
             knew
             any
             thing
             more
             sacred
             than
             an
             Oath
             ,
             whereby
             to
             confirm
             to
             you
             the
             truth
             of
             what
             I
             say
             ,
             I
             would
             make
             use
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           I
           will
           crave
           your
           patience
           a
           little
           longer
           ,
           whilest
           by
           way
           of
           inference
           from
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           I
           represent
           to
           you
           the
           great
           Sin
           of
           
             Swearing
             in
             common
             conversation
          
           ,
           upon
           trivial
           and
           needless
           occasions
           ;
           and
           the
           hainousness
           of
           the
           sin
           of
           Perjury
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           .
           The
           great
           sin
           of
           Swearing
           ,
           upon
           trivial
           and
           needless
           occasions
           ,
           in
           common
           conversation
           .
           
           Because
           an
           Oath
           is
           a
           solemn
           thing
           ,
           and
           reserved
           for
           great
           occasions
           ,
           to
           give
           confirmation
           to
           our
           word
           in
           some
           weighty
           matter
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           controversies
           which
           cannot
           otherwise
           be
           peremptorily
           and
           satisfactorily
           decided
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           use
           Oaths
           upon
           light
           occasions
           ,
           argues
           great
           profaneness
           and
           irreverence
           of
           Almighty
           God.
           So
           Vlpian
           the
           great
           Roman
           Lawyer
           observes
           ,
           
             Nonnullos
             esse
             faciles
             ad
             jurandum
             contemptu
             Religionis
             ,
             that
             mens
             proneness
             to
             swearing
             comes
             from
             a
             contempt
             of
             Religion
          
           ;
           than
           which
           nothing
           disposeth
           men
           more
           to
           Atheism
           and
           Infidelity
           .
           Besides
           that
           it
           doth
           many
           times
           surprize
           men
           unawares
           into
           Perjury
           :
           And
           how
           can
           it
           be
           otherwise
           ,
           when
           men
           use
           to
           interlard
           all
           their
           careless
           talk
           with
           Oaths
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           must
           often
           be
           perjur'd
           ?
           And
           which
           is
           worse
           ,
           it
           prepares
           men
           for
           deliberate
           perjury
           :
           For
           with
           those
           who
           are
           accustomed
           to
           swear
           upon
           light
           occasions
           ,
           an
           Oath
           will
           go
           off
           with
           them
           more
           roundly
           about
           weightier
           matters
           .
           
             From
             a
             common
             custome
             of
             swearing
          
           (
           saith
           
             Hierocles
             )
             men
             easily
             slide
             into
             perjury
             :
             Therefore
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             if
             thou
             wouldest
             not
             be
             perjured
             ,
             do
             not
             use
             to
             swear
             .
          
           And
           this
           perhaps
           is
           the
           meaning
           of
           St.
           James
           ,
           when
           he
           cautions
           Christians
           so
           vehemently
           against
           common
           swearing
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           (
           for
           so
           some
           of
           the
           
           best
           ancient
           Copies
           read
           it
           )
           
             least
             ye
             fall
             into
             hypocrisy
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           least
           ye
           lye
           and
           be
           perjured
           ,
           by
           using
           your selves
           to
           rash
           and
           inconsiderate
           swearing
           .
        
         
           And
           men
           expose
           themselves
           to
           this
           danger
           to
           no
           purpose
           ;
           Oaths
           in
           common
           discourse
           being
           so
           far
           from
           confirming
           a
           man's
           word
           ,
           that
           with
           wise
           men
           they
           much
           weaken
           it
           :
           For
           common
           swearing
           (
           if
           it
           have
           any
           serious
           meaning
           at
           all
           )
           argues
           in
           a
           man
           a
           perpetual
           distrust
           of
           his
           own
           reputation
           ,
           and
           is
           an
           acknowledgment
           that
           he
           thinks
           his
           bare
           word
           not
           to
           be
           worthy
           of
           credit
           .
           And
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           adorning
           and
           filling
           a
           man's
           discourse
           ,
           that
           it
           makes
           it
           look
           swolne
           and
           bloated
           ,
           and
           more
           bold
           and
           blustring
           than
           becomes
           persons
           of
           gentle
           and
           good
           breeding
           .
           Besides
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           great
           incivility
           ,
           because
           it
           highly
           offends
           and
           grates
           upon
           all
           sober
           and
           considerate
           persons
           ;
           who
           cannot
           be
           presumed
           with
           any
           manner
           of
           ease
           and
           patience
           to
           hear
           God
           affronted
           ,
           and
           his
           great
           and
           glorious
           Name
           so
           irreverently
           tost
           upon
           every
           slight
           occasion
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           no
           excuse
           to
           men
           that
           many
           times
           they
           do
           it
           ignorantly
           ,
           and
           not
           observing
           and
           knowing
           what
           they
           do
           .
           For
           certainly
           it
           is
           no
           extenuation
           of
           a
           fault
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           hath
           got
           the
           habit
           of
           it
           so
           perfect
           ,
           that
           he
           commits
           it
           when
           he
           do's
           not
           think
           of
           it
           :
           Which
           consideration
           
           should
           make
           men
           oppose
           the
           beginnings
           of
           this
           Vice
           ,
           lest
           it
           grow
           into
           a
           habit
           very
           hard
           to
           be
           left
           .
           
             Nemo
             novit
             ,
             nisi
             qui
             expertus
             est
             ,
             quàm
             sit
             difficile
             consuetudinem
             jurandi
             extinguere
             ,
          
           saith
           St.
           
             Austin
             ;
             No
             man
             knows
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             hath
             tryed
             ,
             how
             hard
             it
             is
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             this
             custome
             of
             Swearing
             :
          
           But
           yet
           it
           is
           certain
           men
           may
           do
           it
           ,
           by
           resolution
           ,
           and
           great
           care
           of
           themselves
           :
           For
           he
           that
           can
           chuse
           whether
           he
           will
           speak
           or
           not
           ,
           can
           chuse
           whether
           he
           will
           swear
           or
           not
           when
           he
           speaks
           .
           
             Major
             consuetudo
             majorem
             intentionem
             flagitat
             ;
             the
             more
             inveterate
             a
             custome
             is
             ,
             the
             greater
             care
             should
             be
             used
             to
             break
             our selves
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           In
           short
           ,
           This
           practice
           is
           so
           contrary
           to
           so
           plain
           a
           Precept
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           breach
           whereof
           we
           incurr
           so
           great
           a
           danger
           (
           as
           St.
           James
           assures
           us
           )
           that
           it
           must
           be
           a
           great
           charity
           that
           can
           find
           out
           a
           way
           to
           reconcile
           a
           common
           custome
           of
           swearing
           with
           a
           serious
           belief
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           :
           Which
           I
           would
           to
           God
           those
           who
           are
           concerned
           would
           seriously
           lay
           to
           heart
           .
           Especially
           ,
           since
           this
           Sin
           of
           all
           others
           hath
           the
           least
           of
           Temptation
           to
           it
           .
           Profit
           or
           Pleasure
           there
           is
           none
           in
           it
           ;
           nor
           any
           thing
           in
           mens
           naturall
           tempers
           to
           incite
           them
           to
           it
           .
           For
           though
           some
           men
           pour
           out
           Oaths
           so
           freely
           as
           if
           they
           came
           naturally
           from
           them
           ,
           yet
           surely
           no
           man
           is
           born
           of
           a
           swearing
           constitution
           .
        
         
         
           All
           that
           can
           be
           pretended
           for
           it
           ,
           is
           Custome
           and
           Fashion
           :
           But
           ,
           to
           shew
           that
           this
           is
           no
           Excuse
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           observable
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           particularly
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           Oaths
           and
           Perjury
           that
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           gives
           that
           caution
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             follow
             a
             multitude
             to
             do
             evil
             .
          
        
         
           And
           lastly
           ,
           it
           deserves
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           this
           sin
           is
           so
           much
           the
           greater
           because
           of
           the
           frequent
           returns
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           those
           that
           are
           accustomed
           to
           it
           .
           So
           that
           although
           it
           were
           but
           small
           in
           it self
           (
           as
           it
           is
           not
           )
           yet
           the
           frequent
           practice
           of
           this
           sin
           would
           quickly
           mount
           it
           up
           to
           a
           great
           score
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           represent
           the
           heinousness
           of
           the
           sin
           of
           Perjury
           .
           But
           before
           I
           aggravate
           this
           Crime
           ,
           it
           is
           fit
           to
           let
           men
           know
           how
           many
           ways
           they
           may
           be
           guilty
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1st
           .
           When
           a
           man
           asserts
           upon
           oath
           what
           he
           knows
           to
           be
           otherwise
           :
           Or
           promiseth
           what
           he
           does
           not
           intend
           to
           perform
           .
           In
           both
           these
           cases
           the
           very
           act
           of
           swearing
           is
           Perjury
           .
           And
           so
           likewise
           when
           a
           man
           promiseth
           upon
           oath
           to
           do
           that
           which
           it
           is
           unlawfull
           for
           him
           to
           do
           ;
           because
           this
           oath
           is
           contrary
           to
           a
           former
           obligation
           .
        
         
           2dly
           .
           When
           a
           man
           is
           uncertain
           whether
           what
           he
           swears
           to
           be
           true
           .
           This
           likewise
           is
           Perjury
           ,
           in
           the
           act
           ;
           though
           not
           of
           the
           same
           degree
           of
           guilt
           with
           the
           former
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           not
           so
           fully
           and
           directly
           
           against
           his
           knowledge
           and
           conscience
           .
           For
           men
           ought
           to
           be
           certain
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           they
           assert
           upon
           oath
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           swear
           at
           venture
           .
           And
           therefore
           no
           man
           ought
           positively
           to
           swear
           to
           the
           truth
           of
           any
           thing
           but
           what
           he
           himself
           hath
           seen
           or
           heard
           :
           This
           being
           the
           highest
           assurance
           men
           are
           capable
           of
           in
           this
           world
           .
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           he
           is
           guilty
           of
           perjury
           in
           the
           same
           degree
           ,
           who
           promiseth
           upon
           oath
           what
           he
           is
           not
           morally
           and
           reasonably
           certain
           he
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           perform
           .
        
         
           3dly
           .
           They
           are
           likewise
           guilty
           of
           Perjury
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           use
           great
           plainness
           and
           simplicity
           in
           oaths
           ;
           but
           answer
           aequivocally
           and
           doubtfully
           ,
           or
           with
           reservation
           of
           something
           in
           their
           minds
           ,
           thinking
           thereby
           to
           salve
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           they
           say
           .
           And
           we
           all
           know
           who
           they
           are
           that
           make
           use
           of
           these
           arts
           ,
           and
           maintain
           them
           to
           be
           lawfull
           ;
           to
           the
           infinite
           scandall
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           prejudice
           of
           humane
           Society
           ,
           by
           doing
           what
           in
           them
           lyes
           to
           destroy
           all
           Faith
           and
           mutual
           Confidence
           among
           men
           .
           For
           what
           can
           be
           a
           greater
           affront
           to
           God
           ,
           than
           to
           use
           his
           Name
           to
           deceive
           men
           ?
           And
           what
           can
           more
           directly
           overthrow
           the
           great
           end
           and
           use
           of
           oaths
           ,
           which
           are
           
             for
             confirmation
          
           ,
           and
           to
           
             put
             an
             end
             to
             strife
          
           ?
           Whereas
           by
           these
           arts
           the
           thing
           is
           
           left
           in
           the
           same
           uncertainty
           it
           was
           before
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           decision
           of
           it
           .
           For
           there
           is
           hardly
           any
           form
           of
           words
           can
           be
           devised
           so
           plain
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           lyable
           to
           Equivocation
           :
           To
           be
           sure
           ,
           a
           man
           when
           he
           swears
           ,
           may
           always
           reserve
           something
           in
           his
           mind
           which
           will
           quite
           alter
           the
           sense
           of
           what
           ever
           he
           can
           say
           or
           promise
           upon
           oath
           .
           And
           this
           may
           be
           laid
           down
           for
           a
           certain
           Rule
           ,
           That
           all
           departure
           from
           the
           simplicity
           of
           an
           oath
           ,
           is
           a
           degree
           of
           Perjury
           ;
           and
           a
           man
           is
           never
           a
           whit
           the
           less
           forsworn
           ,
           because
           his
           perjury
           is
           a
           little
           finer
           and
           more
           artificiall
           than
           ordinary
           .
           And
           though
           men
           think
           by
           this
           device
           to
           save
           themselves
           harmless
           from
           the
           guilt
           of
           so
           great
           a
           Sin
           ,
           they
           do
           really
           increase
           it
           ,
           by
           adding
           to
           their
           iniquity
           the
           impudent
           folly
           of
           mocking
           God
           and
           deceiving
           themselves
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           it
           is
           pleaded
           ,
           in
           the
           favour
           of
           
             mental
             reservation
          
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           Proposition
           ,
           as
           made
           up
           of
           what
           is
           exprest
           in
           words
           and
           of
           that
           which
           is
           reserved
           in
           the
           mind
           ,
           is
           true
           ;
           For
           instance
           ,
           if
           a
           man
           being
           ask'd
           upon
           Oath
           whether
           he
           be
           a
           Priest
           ,
           shall
           answer
           he
           is
           not
           ,
           reserving
           in
           his
           mind
           that
           he
           is
           not
           a
           Priest
           of
           Bacchus
           ,
           or
           some
           such
           thing
           ,
           the
           whole
           Proposition
           is
           true
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           say
           a
           man
           may
           swear
           to
           that
           which
           is
           true
           ,
           without
           danger
           of
           perjury
           :
           This
           is
           of
           no
           force
           ,
           
           because
           ,
           though
           the
           whole
           Proposition
           be
           true
           ,
           it
           is
           deceitfull
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           that
           sincerity
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           an
           oath
           :
           And
           the
           end
           of
           an
           oath
           is
           hereby
           likewise
           defeated
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           ascertain
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           we
           say
           :
           But
           if
           a
           man
           reserve
           something
           in
           his
           mind
           which
           alters
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           he
           says
           ,
           the
           thing
           is
           still
           as
           doubtfull
           and
           uncertain
           as
           it
           was
           before
           .
           Besides
           ,
           if
           this
           be
           a
           good
           reason
           ;
           a
           man
           may
           swear
           with
           reservation
           in
           all
           cases
           ,
           because
           the
           reason
           equally
           extends
           to
           all
           cases
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Proposition
           ,
           as
           made
           up
           of
           what
           is
           express'd
           in
           words
           and
           reserv'd
           in
           the
           mind
           ,
           will
           excuse
           a
           man
           from
           Perjury
           ,
           then
           no
           man
           can
           be
           perjur'd
           that
           swears
           with
           reservation
           :
           But
           this
           the
           Casuists
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           do
           not
           allow
           ,
           but
           only
           in
           some
           particular
           cases
           ,
           as
           
             before
             an
             incompetent
             Judge
          
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ;
           for
           they
           see
           well
           enough
           that
           if
           this
           were
           allow'd
           in
           all
           cases
           ,
           it
           would
           destroy
           all
           faith
           among
           men
           .
           And
           therefore
           since
           the
           reason
           extends
           alike
           to
           all
           cases
           ,
           it
           is
           plain
           that
           it
           is
           to
           be
           allow'd
           in
           none
           .
        
         
           4thly
           .
           He
           is
           guilty
           of
           Perjury
           after
           the
           act
           ,
           who
           having
           a
           real
           intention
           when
           he
           swears
           ,
           to
           perform
           what
           he
           promiseth
           ,
           yet
           afterwards
           neglects
           to
           do
           it
           :
           Not
           for
           want
           of
           Power
           (
           for
           so
           long
           as
           that
           continues
           the
           obligation
           ceaseth
           )
           but
           
           for
           want
           of
           Will
           ,
           and
           due
           regard
           to
           his
           oath
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           Perjury
           is
           a
           most
           heinous
           Sin
           ,
           is
           evident
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           contrary
           to
           so
           plain
           and
           great
           a
           Law
           of
           God
           ;
           one
           of
           the
           ten
           Words
           or
           Precepts
           of
           the
           Moral
           Law
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             take
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             in
             vain
          
           ;
           thou
           shalt
           not
           bring
           or
           apply
           the
           name
           of
           God
           to
           a
           falshood
           :
           Or
           ,
           as
           Josephus
           renders
           it
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             adjure
             God
             to
             a
             false
             thing
             :
          
           Which
           our
           Saviour
           renders
           yet
           more
           plainly
           ,
           
             Matth.
             5.
             33.
             
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             forswear
             thy self
             .
          
           For
           he
           seems
           to
           refer
           to
           the
           third
           Commandment
           when
           he
           says
           ,
           
             Ye
             have
             heard
             that
             it
             was
             said
             to
             them
             of
             old
             time
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             forswear
             thy self
             ,
          
           as
           he
           had
           done
           before
           to
           the
           6th
           .
           and
           7th
           .
           when
           he
           says
           ,
           
             It
             was
             said
             to
             them
             of
             old
             time
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             kill
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             commit
             adultery
             .
          
           So
           that
           the
           primary
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           sole
           intention
           of
           this
           Law
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             take
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             in
             vain
             ,
          
           is
           to
           forbid
           the
           great
           sin
           of
           Perjury
           .
           And
           I
           do
           not
           remember
           that
           in
           Scripture
           the
           phrase
           of
           
             taking
             God's
             name
             in
             vain
          
           ,
           is
           used
           in
           any
           other
           sense
           .
           And
           thus
           it
           is
           certainly
           used
           ,
           
             Prov.
             30.
             9.
             
             Lest
             I
             be
             poor
             and
             steal
             ,
             and
             take
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             my
             God
             in
             vain
             :
             i.
             e.
          
           lest
           Poverty
           should
           tempt
           me
           to
           steal
           ,
           and
           stealth
           should
           engage
           me
           in
           Perjury
           .
           For
           among
           the
           Jewes
           an
           oath
           was
           tendered
           to
           him
           that
           was
           suspected
           of
           
           theft
           ,
           as
           appears
           from
           Levit.
           6.
           2.
           where
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             If
             any
             one
             be
             guilty
             of
             theft
             ,
             and
             lyeth
             concerning
             it
             ,
             or
             sweareth
             falsly
             ;
             he
             shall
             restore
             all
             that
             about
             which
             he
             hath
             sworn
             falsly
             .
             Left
             I
             steal
             ,
             and
             take
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             my
             God
             in
             vain
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           be
           perjured
           ,
           being
           examined
           upon
           oath
           concerning
           a
           thing
           stoln
           .
           And
           for
           this
           reason
           the
           thief
           and
           the
           perjured
           person
           are
           put
           together
           ,
           Zech.
           5.
           4.
           where
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             a
             curse
             shall
             enter
             into
             the
             house
             of
             the
             thief
             ,
             and
             of
             him
             that
             sweareth
             falsly
             by
             the
             name
             of
             God.
          
           From
           all
           which
           it
           is
           very
           probable
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           intention
           of
           the
           3d.
           Commandment
           is
           to
           forbid
           this
           great
           sin
           of
           Perjury
           .
           To
           deterr
           men
           from
           which
           ,
           a
           severe
           threatning
           is
           there
           added
           ;
           
             for
             the
             Lord
             will
             not
             hold
             him
             guiltless
             that
             taketh
             his
             name
             in
             vain
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           will
           most
           severely
           punish
           such
           a
           one
           .
           And
           't
           is
           very
           obseravble
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           threatning
           added
           to
           any
           other
           Commandment
           ,
           but
           to
           this
           and
           the
           second
           ;
           Intimating
           to
           us
           that
           next
           to
           Idolatry
           and
           the
           worship
           of
           a
           false
           God
           ,
           Perjury
           is
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           affronts
           that
           can
           be
           offered
           to
           the
           divine
           Majesty
           .
           This
           is
           one
           of
           those
           sins
           that
           cries
           so
           loud
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           quickens
           the
           pace
           of
           God's
           judgments
           ,
           
             Mal.
             3.
             9.
             
             I
             will
             come
             near
             to
             you
             in
             judgment
             ,
             and
             be
             a
             swift
             witness
             against
             the
             swearer
             .
          
           For
           this
           God
           threatens
           utter
           destruction
           to
           the
           man
           and
           his
           house
           ,
           Zech.
           5.
           4.
           speaking
           of
           the
           
             curse
             that
             goeth
             
             over
             the
             face
             of
             the
             whole
             earth
             ;
             God
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             will
             bring
             it
             forth
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             enter
             into
             the
             house
             of
             him
             that
             sweareth
             falsly
             by
             the
             name
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             shall
             remain
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             house
             ,
             and
             shall
             consume
             it
             ,
             with
             the
             timber
             thereof
             and
             the
             stones
             thereof
             .
             It
             shall
             remain
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             house
             ,
             and
             shall
             consume
             it
             .
          
           This
           sin
           by
           the
           secret
           judgment
           of
           God
           undermines
           Estates
           and
           Families
           ,
           to
           the
           utter
           ruine
           of
           them
           .
           And
           among
           the
           Heathen
           it
           was
           always
           reckoned
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           of
           Crimes
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           did
           believe
           God
           did
           not
           only
           punish
           upon
           the
           guilty
           person
           himself
           ,
           but
           upon
           his
           family
           and
           posterity
           ;
           and
           many
           times
           upon
           whole
           Nations
           ,
           as
           the
           Prophet
           also
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             because
             of
             Oaths
             the
             Land
             mourns
             .
          
        
         
           I
           need
           not
           use
           many
           words
           to
           aggravate
           this
           sin
           ;
           it
           is
           certainly
           a
           Crime
           of
           the
           highest
           nature
           .
           Deliberate
           Perjury
           being
           directly
           against
           a
           man's
           knowledge
           ,
           so
           that
           no
           man
           can
           commit
           it
           without
           staring
           his
           Conscience
           in
           the
           face
           ;
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           aggravations
           of
           any
           Crime
           .
           And
           it
           is
           equally
           a
           sin
           against
           
             both
             Tables
          
           ;
           being
           the
           highest
           affront
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           most
           injurious
           consequence
           to
           men
           .
           It
           is
           an
           horrible
           abuse
           of
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           an
           open
           contempt
           of
           his
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           an
           insolent
           defiance
           of
           his
           Vengeance
           :
           And
           in
           respect
           of
           men
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           only
           a
           wrong
           to
           this
           or
           that
           particular
           person
           who
           suffers
           by
           it
           ,
           
           but
           Treason
           against
           humane
           Society
           ;
           subverting
           at
           once
           the
           foundations
           of
           publick
           Peace
           and
           Justice
           ,
           and
           the
           private
           security
           of
           every
           man's
           life
           and
           fortune
           .
           It
           is
           a
           defeating
           of
           the
           best
           and
           last
           way
           that
           the
           wisdome
           of
           men
           could
           devise
           for
           the
           decision
           of
           doubtfull
           matters
           .
           Solomon
           very
           fully
           and
           elegantly
           expresseth
           the
           destructive
           nature
           of
           this
           sin
           ,
           
             Prov.
             25.
             18.
             
             A
             false
             witness
             against
             his
             neighbour
             ,
             is
             a
             maul
             ,
             and
             a
             sword
             ,
             and
             a
             sharp
             arrow
             :
          
           Intimating
           ,
           that
           amongst
           all
           the
           instruments
           of
           ruine
           and
           mischief
           that
           have
           been
           devised
           by
           mankind
           ,
           none
           is
           of
           more
           pernicious
           consequence
           to
           humane
           Society
           than
           Perjury
           ,
           and
           breach
           of
           Faith.
           It
           is
           
             a
             pestilence
             that
          
           usually
           
             walketh
             in
             darkness
          
           ,
           and
           a
           secret
           stab
           and
           blow
           against
           which
           many
           times
           there
           is
           no
           possibility
           of
           defence
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           it
           highly
           concerns
           those
           who
           upon
           these
           and
           the
           like
           occasions
           are
           called
           upon
           their
           Oath
           ,
           whether
           as
           Jurors
           or
           Witnesses
           ,
           to
           set
           God
           before
           their
           eyes
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           his
           fear
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           whenever
           they
           come
           to
           take
           an
           oath
           :
           And
           to
           govern
           and
           discharge
           their
           consciences
           in
           this
           matter
           by
           known
           and
           approved
           Rules
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Resolutions
           of
           pious
           and
           wise
           men
           ;
           and
           not
           by
           the
           loose
           Reasonings
           and
           Resolutions
           of
           Pamphlets
           ,
           sent
           abroad
           to
           serve
           the
           turns
           of
           unpeaceable
           and
           ill-minded
           men
           (
           whether
           Atheists
           ,
           or
           Papists
           ,
           or
           others
           )
           on
           purpose
           to
           debauch
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           by
           
           teaching
           them
           to
           play
           fast
           and
           loose
           with
           oaths
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           very
           sad
           sign
           of
           the
           decay
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           amongst
           us
           ,
           to
           see
           so
           many
           who
           call
           themselves
           Christians
           ,
           to
           make
           so
           little
           conscience
           of
           so
           great
           a
           sin
           ,
           as
           even
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           would
           blush
           and
           tremble
           at
           .
        
         
           
             I
             will
             conclude
             all
             with
             those
             excellent
          
           Sayings
           
             of
             the
             Son
             of
          
           Sirach
           
             concerning
             these
             two
             sins
             (
             I
             have
             been
             speaking
             of
             )
             of
             Profane
             Swearing
             ,
             and
             Perjury
             ,
          
           Eccle.
           23.
           9
           ,
           10
           ,
           &c.
           
           Accustome
           not
           thy
           mouth
           to
           swearing
           ;
           neither
           use
           thy self
           to
           the
           naming
           of
           the
           holy
           One.
           A
           man
           that
           useth
           much
           swearing
           shall
           be
           filled
           with
           iniquity
           ;
           and
           the
           plague
           shall
           never
           depart
           from
           his
           house
           .
           If
           he
           shall
           offend
           ,
           his
           sin
           shall
           be
           upon
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           acknowledge
           not
           his
           sin
           ,
           he
           maketh
           a
           double
           offence
           .
           And
           if
           he
           swear
           falsly
           ,
           he
           shall
           not
           be
           innocent
           ,
           but
           his
           house
           shall
           be
           full
           of
           calamities
           .
           
             And
             to
             represent
             to
             us
             the
             dreadful
             nature
             of
             this
             sin
             of
             Perjury
             ,
          
           There
           is
           
             (
             saith
             he
          
           )
           a
           word
           that
           is
           clothed
           about
           with
           death
           ,
           
             meaning
             a
             rash
             and
             false
             Oath
          
           ;
           There
           is
           a
           word
           that
           is
           clothed
           about
           with
           death
           ,
           God
           grant
           it
           be
           not
           found
           in
           the
           heritage
           of
           Jacob
           :
           For
           all
           such
           things
           shall
           be
           far
           from
           the
           godly
           ;
           and
           they
           will
           not
           wallow
           in
           these
           sins
           .
           
             From
             which
             God
             preserve
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             careful
             to
             preserve
             themselves
             ;
             as
             they
             value
             the
             present
             peace
             of
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             and
             the
             favour
             of
             Almighty
             God
             in
             this
             World
             and
             the
             other
             ,
             for
             his
             Mercies
             sake
             in
          
           Jesus
           Christ.
           To
           whom
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .