light_n he_o that_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v drink_v be_v force_v to_o keep_v private_a and_o be_v ashamed_a to_o show_v his_o face_n but_o now_o it_o be_v grow_v so_o common_a and_o usual_a that_o many_o hardly_o think_v it_o a_o sin_n at_o most_o a_o very_a small_a one_o but_o what_o then_o do_v the_o commonness_n of_o a_o sin_n extenuate_v it_o and_o make_v it_o less_o no_o certain_o it_o be_v rather_o a_o aggravation_n of_o it_o show_v the_o great_a decrease_n of_o piety_n and_o godliness_n and_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o wickedness_n profaneness_n and_o debauchery_n it_o be_v the_o commonness_n of_o a_o sin_n that_o make_v it_o cry_v so_o loud_o for_o vengeance_n have_v there_o be_v but_o ten_o righteous_a person_n in_o sodom_n god_n will_v have_v spare_v it_o and_o have_v there_o be_v but_o ten_o guilty_a of_o those_o great_a sin_n it_o be_v probable_a he_o will_v not_o have_v destroy_v it_o it_o be_v because_o those_o great_a sin_n be_v grow_v so_o common_a that_o god_n say_v that_o they_o be_v very_o grievous_a and_o the_o cry_n of_o they_o be_v come_v up_o before_o he_o gen._n 18.20_o when_o great_a and_o notorious_a sin_n do_v universal_o and_o general_o prevail_v in_o a_o nation_n and_o little_a or_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o they_o and_o few_o be_v concern_v about_o they_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o the_o measure_n of_o its_o sin_n be_v full_a and_o that_o it_o be_v ripe_a for_o vengeance_n as_o when_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v its_o way_n and_o the_o earth_n be_v fill_v with_o violence_n it_o be_v time_n for_o the_o flood_n to_o come_v and_o sweep_v they_o away_o gen._n 6.11_o thus_o when_o dolatry_n and_o lewdness_n be_v grow_v so_o rife_o among_o the_o canaanite_n as_o that_o there_o be_v hardly_o one_o to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o that_o be_v not_o guilty_a their_o land_n be_v no_o long_o able_a to_o bear_v the_o burden_n of_o their_o wickedness_n but_o be_v force_v they_o to_o spew_v out_o and_o god_n charge_v the_o israelite_n that_o they_o shall_v take_v heed_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o tolerate_v any_o of_o they_o such_o as_o idolatry_n uncleanness_n or_o the_o like_a lest_o if_o they_o shall_v become_v customary_a the_o same_o land_n shall_v cast_v they_o out_o too_o levit._n 18.28_o be_v lie_v the_o small_a a_o sin_n or_o the_o more_o excusable_a in_o the_o cretan_n because_o it_o be_v universal_a no_o rather_o it_o be_v much_o the_o great_a for_o which_o cause_n st._n paul_n strict_o charge_v titus_n that_o he_o shall_v rebuke_v they_o sharp_o tit._n 1.13_o we_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o follow_v a_o multitude_n to_o do_v evil_a exod._n 22.3_o for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o more_o common_a a_o sin_n be_v the_o great_a and_o more_o heinous_a it_o be_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n again_o to_o make_v swear_v a_o mark_n and_o token_n of_o gentility_n be_v the_o great_a abuse_n and_o high_a affront_n can_v be_v put_v upon_o the_o gentry_n gentility_n be_v design_v as_o the_o reward_n of_o virtue_n and_o all_o civilise_v nation_n do_v ever_o just_o expect_v that_o the_o gentry_n shall_v raise_v themselves_o to_o a_o high_a pitch_n than_o the_o commonalty_n and_o signalise_v themselves_o by_o worthy_a and_o virtuous_a action_n if_o swear_v be_v a_o gentile_a accomplishment_n gentility_n will_v soon_o become_v ridiculous_a and_o contemptible_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o sober_a man_n and_o such_o gentleman_n how_o much_o soever_o they_o may_v be_v fear_v will_v never_o be_v love_v or_o esteem_v by_o any_o yea_o they_o be_v the_o very_a scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o rabble_n and_o if_o to_o be_v able_a to_o mouth_n a_o oath_n graceful_o as_o some_o speak_v shall_v be_v think_v a_o gentile_a qualification_n to_o swear_v like_o a_o gentleman_n will_v soon_o become_v as_o common_a and_o scandalous_a a_o proverb_n as_o to_o be_v as_o drink_v as_o a_o beggar_n how_o rhetorical_o such_o graceful_a oath_n may_v sound_v in_o some_o man_n ear_n or_o what_o trope_n or_o figure_n they_o may_v fancy_v in_o they_o i_o know_v not_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o swear_v be_v none_o of_o that_o salt_n with_o which_o â—t_a paul_n will_v have_v we_o season_v our_o speech_n to_o make_v it_o savoury_a and_o please_a to_o sober_a and_o good_a man_n solomon_n tell_v we_o pro._n 14.9_o fool_n make_v a_o mook_n at_o sin_n but_o what_o egregious_a fool_n be_v they_o that_o think_v it_o a_o grace_n and_o ornament_n what_o grace_n what_o ornament_n can_v that_o be_v in_o which_o the_o mean_a beggar_n and_o the_o very_a fool_n that_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v can_v come_v up_o equal_a with_o they_o in_o brief_a as_o swearer_n be_v the_o most_o nonsensical_a among_o man_n so_o all_o the_o excuse_n they_o can_v make_v for_o it_o be_v idle_a silly_a and_o impertinent_a it_o be_v a_o sin_n by_o which_o no_o man_n can_v gain_v any_o thing_n beside_o everlasting_a damnation_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o prohibition_n why_o christian_n shall_v above_o all_o thing_n abstain_v from_o swear_v viz._n lest_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o condemnation_n the_o reason_n why_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n look_v upon_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v chief_o external_a and_o consequent_o why_o they_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o avoid_v the_o outward_a act_n of_o murder_n adultery_n theft_n and_o false_a witness_n but_o make_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o anger_n envy_n or_o malice_n especial_o towards_o enemy_n or_o of_o lust_n or_o covetousness_n be_v because_o they_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o punishment_n appoint_v for_o these_o latter_a by_o the_o judicial_a law_n they_o account_v the_o ten_o commandment_n to_o be_v a_o guard_n or_o fence_v of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o second_o table_n by_o way_n of_o advice_n or_o counsel_n rather_o than_o proper_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o they_o think_v that_o if_o a_o person_n do_v keep_v himself_o from_o do_v actual_o any_o hurt_n or_o injury_n to_o his_o neighbour_n he_o do_v not_o violate_v that_o law_n though_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o sin_n of_o malice_n lust_n and_o covetousness_n in_o his_o heart_n and_o desire_n or_o if_o they_o be_v sin_n they_o esteem_v they_o too_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a to_o deserve_v punishment_n because_o god_n have_v not_o express_o threaten_v any_o punishment_n to_o they_o and_o so_o in_o like_a manner_n here_o they_o observe_v that_o though_o there_o be_v the_o severe_a punishment_n denounce_v in_o the_o law_n and_o by_o the_o prophet_n against_o perjury_n or_o false_a swear_v yet_o there_o be_v none_o against_o rash_a vain_a swear_v they_o think_v it_o but_o a_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a sin_n or_o rather_o no_o sin_n at_o all_o especial_o when_o they_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n indeed_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v that_o awful_a veneration_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n that_o they_o very_o seldom_o swear_v by_o it_o but_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o weight_n and_o concern_v and_o as_o a_o solemn_a confirmation_n of_o some_o great_a and_o important_a truth_n according_a to_o that_o jer._n 4.2_o thou_o shall_v swear_v the_o lord_n live_v in_o truth_n in_o judgement_n and_o righteousness_n yea_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o eccles._n 23.9_o that_o the_o wise_a and_o devout_a among_o the_o jew_n do_v very_o much_o condemn_v rash_a and_o vain_a swear_n or_o take_v god_n name_n in_o vain_a as_o very_o dangerous_a and_o inconvenient_a if_o not_o absolute_o sinful_a and_o wicked_a in_o and_o of_o its_o self_n where_o the_o son_n of_o sirach_n advise_v thus_o accustom_v not_o thyself_o to_o swear_v neither_o use_n thyself_o to_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a one_o for_o as_o a_o servant_n that_o be_v continual_o beat_a shall_v not_o be_v without_o the_o blue_a mark_n so_o he_o that_o swear_v and_o name_v god_n continual_o shall_v not_o be_v faultless_a yea_o so_o distasteful_a and_o odious_a be_v common_a swear_v to_o the_o wise_a and_o religious_a that_o the_o same_o person_n say_v chap._n 27.14_o the_o discourse_n of_o fool_n be_v irksome_a and_o their_o speech_n be_v the_o wantonness_n of_o sin_n the_o talk_n of_o he_o that_o swear_v much_o make_v their_o hair_n stand_v upright_o and_o their_o brawl_n make_v one_o stop_v his_o ear_n as_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n therefore_o displease_v to_o god_n so_o it_o be_v odious_a to_o good_a man_n '_o though_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v there_o be_v any_o bodily_a punishment_n or_o pecuniary_a mulct_n annex_v to_o it_o by_o the_o judicial_a law_n but_o as_o our_o saviour_n show_v mat._n 5.20_o that_o not_o only_a murder_n but_o rash_a anger_n and_o approbrious_a word_n and_o whatever_o else_o proceed_v from_o malice_n or_o envy_n be_v prohibit_v by_o god_n law_n and_o '_o tho_o
give_v we_o the_o full_a account_n of_o it_o for_o you_o be_v not_o come_v unto_o the_o mount_n that_o may_v be_v touch_v and_o that_o burn_v with_o fire_n nor_o unto_o blackness_n and_o darkness_n and_o tempest_n and_o the_o sound_n of_o a_o trumpet_n and_o the_o voice_n of_o word_n which_o voice_n they_o that_o hear_v entreat_v that_o the_o word_n shall_v not_o be_v speak_v to_o they_o any_o more_o and_o v._n 21._o so_o terrible_a be_v the_o sight_n that_o moses_n say_v i_o exceed_o fear_v and_o quake_v which_o request_n of_o the_o israelite_n do_v plain_o imply_v that_o they_o well_o understand_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n do_v proclaim_v his_o law_n after_o so_o dreadful_a and_o terrible_a a_o manner_n be_v that_o they_o may_v receive_v they_o with_o the_o great_a reverence_n and_o observe_v they_o with_o the_o great_a diligence_n which_o therefore_o they_o promise_v to_o do_v upon_o the_o mere_a intimation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o moses_n and_o as_o god_n cause_v his_o law_n to_o be_v promulgate_v after_o so_o solemn_a a_o manner_n that_o it_o may_v make_v the_o great_a impression_n upon_o they_o so_o do_v he_o also_o confirm_v and_o ratify_v it_o with_o the_o great_a sanction_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n i._n e._n as_o he_o do_v promise_v the_o great_a blessing_n to_o encourage_v they_o to_o obedience_n so_o he_o denounce_v the_o severe_a curse_n judgement_n and_o penalty_n against_o such_o cee_v from_o vanity_n or_o lightness_n of_o mind_n and_o want_v of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o religion_n from_o fraud_n and_o hypocrisy_n in_o the_o swearer_n or_o the_o incredulity_n and_o distrustfulness_n of_o some_o who_o will_v believe_v no_o one_o without_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o word_n be_v true_a in_o either_o sense_n which_o positive_a precept_n serve_v only_o for_o the_o illustration_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o negative_a one_o above_o all_o thing_n swear_v not_o etc._n etc._n that_o man_n may_v have_v no_o evasion_n pretence_n or_o excuse_v for_o the_o breach_n of_o it_o and_o here_o i_o must_v premise_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o forbid_v such_o oath_n as_o be_v impose_v by_o magistrate_n or_o use_v in_o matter_n of_o weight_n and_o importance_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o truth_n &_o justice_n and_o decide_v of_o controversy_n among_o man_n which_o be_v either_o assertory_n when_o a_o man_n do_v assert_v or_o deny_v that_o such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v or_o promissory_a which_o be_v a_o promise_n make_v with_o solemn_a invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n which_o if_o make_v to_o god_n be_v call_v vow_n if_o to_o man_n oath_n now_o these_o have_v not_o only_o be_v use_v in_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n but_o account_v necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o human_a society_n and_o the_o great_a security_n that_o one_o man_n can_v give_v of_o his_o truth_n and_o fidelity_n to_o another_o as_o it_o be_v say_v heb._n 6.16_o a_o oath_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o confirmation_n be_v among_o man_n a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n and_o we_o have_v several_a instance_n of_o it_o abraham_n make_v his_o servant_n swear_v concern_v the_o choose_v of_o a_o wife_n for_o his_o son_n gen._n 24.3_o jacob_n take_v a_o oath_n of_o joseph_n concern_v his_o burial_n gen._n 47.31_o as_o he_o do_v of_o the_o israelite_n chap._n 50.25_o and_o what_o a_o solemn_a oath_n do_v there_o pass_v betwixt_o david_n and_o jonathan_n 1_o sam._n 20.17_o but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o one_o to_o be_v believe_v without_o a_o oath_n certain_o god_n be_v who_o as_o he_o be_v omniscient_a and_o can_v be_v deceive_v so_o be_v he_o so_o immutable_o holy_a as_o that_o he_o cannotlye_o and_o yet_o that_o we_o may_v the_o more_o firm_o believe_v and_o embrace_v his_o promise_n he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o confirm_v they_o with_o a_o oath_n heb._n 6.17_o god_n will_v more_o abundant_o to_o show_v unto_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n the_o immutability_n of_o his_o counsel_n confirm_v it_o by_o a_o oath_n the_o apostle_n say_v v._n 13._o that_o when_o god_n make_v the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n because_o he_o can_v swear_v by_o no_o great_a he_o swear_v by_o himself_o why_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o god_n swear_v at_o all_o what_o will_v not_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a that_o great_a pattern_n and_o most_o eminent_a exemplar_n of_o faith_n he_o of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v long_o before_o the_o make_n of_o that_o promise_n that_o he_o believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v count_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n gen._n 15.6_o and_o that_o he_o stagger_v not_o at_o the_o promise_v through_o unblief_n rom._n 8.20_o but_o be_v strong_a in_o faith_n give_v glory_n to_o god_n will_v not_o he_o i_o say_v have_v take_v god_n bare_a word_n or_o do_v god_n doubt_n whether_o he_o will_v have_v believe_v he_o without_o his_o oath_n no_o certain_o it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o and_o yet_o for_o the_o great_a solemnity_n he_o confirm_v his_o promise_n with_o a_o oath_n which_o doubtless_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v have_v a_o oath_n be_v moral_o evil_a and_o unlawful_a for_o though_o god_n do_v often_o condescend_v to_o represent_v himself_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n yet_o he_o never_o do_v imitate_v or_o comply_v with_o they_o in_o any_o matter_n or_o custom_n that_o be_v in_o itself_o wicked_a and_o sinful_a indeed_o there_o be_v a_o sect_n spring_v up_o among_o we_o that_o utter_o refuse_v and_o condemn_v all_o oath_n as_o unlawful_a at_o least_o under_o the_o gospel_n reformation_n though_o the_o use_n of_o they_o may_v be_v tolerate_v under_o the_o law_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n that_o divorce_n be_v viz._n because_o of_o the_o hardness_n of_o man_n heart_n and_o in_o compliance_n with_o their_o infirmity_n and_o their_o opinion_n be_v profess_o ground_v on_o that_o precept_n of_o christ_n mat._n 5.33_o which_o seem_v indeed_o very_o much_o to_o countenance_v it_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o most_o large_a and_o comprehensive_a term_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o same_o law_n here_o enforce_v by_o st._n james_n much_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n but_o this_o as_o it_o be_v a_o very_a new_a and_o upstart_a opinion_n so_o i_o think_v it_o be_v never_o entertain_v by_o any_o one_o man_n of_o any_o considerable_a learning_n or_o understanding_n though_o i_o must_v confess_v there_o be_v scarce_o any_o error_n that_o have_v great_a colour_n or_o pretence_n to_o countenance_v it_o in_o scripture_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n so_o many_o have_v embrace_v it_o i_o shall_v not_o labour_v at_o present_a in_o confutation_n of_o it_o my_o design_n be_v not_o to_o discourse_v of_o what_o be_v not_o but_o of_o what_o be_v forbid_v in_o the_o text_n but_o only_o brief_o and_o first_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o such_o solemn_a oath_n be_v sinful_a they_o be_v always_o so_o for_o christ_n as_o he_o do_v not_o come_v to_o destroy_v the_o law_n or_o any_o part_n thereof_o so_o do_v he_o not_o proper_o make_v any_o addition_n to_o it_o only_o he_o show_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n and_o the_o true_a extent_n and_o obligation_n of_o it_o he_o give_v a_o full_a and_o better_a interpretation_n of_o it_o than_o have_v be_v former_o make_v and_o confute_v those_o false_a gloss_n and_o comment_n that_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n put_v upon_o it_o before_o christ_n come_n it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o man_n to_o avoid_v not_o only_a murder_n but_o hatred_n malice_n revenge_n envy_n yea_o and_o rash_a and_o causeless_a anger_n not_o only_o the_o act_n of_o adultery_n but_o all_o unchaste_a thought_n and_o lustful_a desire_n it_o be_v not_o he_o alone_o that_o make_v it_o unlawful_a for_o man_n to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n for_o every_o cause_n it_o be_v a_o sin_n from_o the_o beginning_n in_o brief_a it_o be_v no_o more_o lawful_a before_o his_o time_n than_o it_o be_v afterward_o for_o man_n to_o resist_v evil_a or_o to_o render_v evil_a for_o evil_n it_o be_v always_o their_o duty_n to_o love_v their_o enemy_n to_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v they_o etc._n etc._n though_o indeed_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o so_o well_o understand_v what_o be_v command_v or_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n until_o christ_n do_v then_o expound_v it_o to_o they_o though_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n will_v not_o receive_v his_o exposition_n and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o if_o it_o be_v now_o a_o sin_n to_o swear_v or_o take_v any_o oath_n at_o all_o under_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v so_o under_o the_o law_n and_o yet_o wâ—_n find_v it_o frequent_o use_v by_o good_a man_n and_o thaâ—_n not_o rash_o
woe_n against_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n they_o thereupon_o begin_v to_o urge_v he_o vehement_o and_o to_o provoke_v he_o to_o speak_v of_o many_o thing_n lay_v wait_n for_o he_o and_o seek_v to_o catch_v something_o out_o of_o his_o mouth_n that_o they_o may_v accuse_v he_o they_o think_v that_o he_o be_v warm_a with_o zeal_n and_o passion_n and_o they_o hope_v that_o by_o provoke_v and_o exasperate_v of_o he_o they_o may_v cause_v he_o to_o speak_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v give_v they_o matter_n of_o accusation_n and_o that_o they_o may_v entrap_v and_o entangle_v he_o in_o his_o discourse_n what_o advantage_n they_o think_v they_o have_v against_o christ_n the_o same_o satan_n real_o have_v upon_o most_o man_n when_o they_o be_v angry_a he_o take_v that_o time_n to_o tempt_v they_o to_o such_o thing_n as_o at_o other_o time_n he_o despair_v of_o persuade_v they_o to_o and_o that_o he_o have_v at_o such_o time_n especial_o a_o fit_a opportunity_n to_o provoke_v those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o least_o give_v to_o swear_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o that_o sin_n be_v evident_a from_o this_o that_o they_o allege_v their_o be_v in_o a_o passion_n to_o excuse_v or_o at_o least_o to_o extenuate_v their_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o again_o as_o for_o such_o as_o be_v very_o little_a or_o nothing_o addict_v to_o this_o sin_n and_o will_v avoid_v it_o let_v they_o careful_o avoid_v lewd_a and_o debauch_a company_n i._n e._n the_o company_n and_o society_n of_o such_o as_o customary_o use_v it_o it_o be_v a_o common_a and_o usual_a thing_n for_o person_n who_o have_v be_v civil_o and_o religious_o educate_v when_o they_o go_v abroad_o into_o the_o world_n if_o they_o fall_v into_o ill_a company_n to_o be_v soon_o corrupt_v and_o debauch_v and_o to_o learn_v those_o vice_n which_o at_o first_o they_o seem_v to_o dread_v the_o thought_n of_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o very_a common_a thing_n in_o the_o egyptian_a court_n to_o swear_v by_o the_o life_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o joseph_n himself_o when_o he_o become_v a_o courtier_n and_o associate_v with_o the_o grandee_n of_o egypt_n that_o he_o may_v be_v modish_a have_v learn_v it_o too_o gen._n 42.16_o 4._o if_o we_o will_v avoid_v this_o sin_n of_o swear_v let_v we_o not_o accustom_v ourselves_o to_o vain_a foolish_a and_o unnecessary_a asseveration_n such_o as_o faith_n and_o troth_n upon_o my_o word_n as_o i_o be_o a_o honest_a man_n and_o the_o like_a in_o which_o there_o may_v be_v more_o evil_a than_o every_o one_o do_v imagine_v and_o indeed_o our_o saviour_n seem_v to_o condemn_v such_o form_n of_o speech_n as_o well_o as_o swear_v its_o self_n mat._n 5.34_o for_o have_v say_v swear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n he_o add_v but_o let_v your_o communication_n i._n e._n your_o talk_n or_o discourse_n in_o ordinary_a conversation_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v more_o than_o these_o come_v of_o evil_a now_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o evident_a that_o such_o protestation_n or_o asseveration_n be_v somewhat_o more_o than_o yea_o yea_o and_o nay_o nay_o i._n e._n than_o plain_a simple_a affirmation_n or_o negation_n and_o therefore_o must_v proceed_v from_o evil_a i._n e._n from_o guilt_n and_o hypocrisy_n or_o at_o least_o from_o levity_n and_o inconsideration_n and_o they_o often_o tend_v to_o evil_a for_o which_o cause_n st._n james_n here_o will_v have_v that_o our_o yea_o shall_v be_v yea_o and_o our_o nay_o nay_o lest_o we_o shall_v fall_v into_o condemnation_n and_o perhaps_o the_o force_n of_o our_o saviour_n reason_n why_o he_o will_v not_o have_v we_o swear_v by_o heaven_n or_o earth_n by_o the_o temple_n or_o altar_n or_o the_o like_a may_v without_o strain_v reach_v this_o very_a case_n swear_v not_o by_o heaven_n say_v he_o for_o it_o be_v â—od's_n throne_n nor_o by_o the_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v his_o footstool_n i._n e._n because_o god_n himself_o be_v virtual_o invoke_v by_o every_o such_o oath_n and_o be_v not_o every_o such_o asseveration_n a_o kind_n of_o appeal_n to_o god_n and_o be_v not_o the_o design_n of_o it_o much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o a_o oath_n viz._n to_o gain_v the_o great_a credit_n to_o what_o we_o say_v though_o god_n name_n be_v not_o express_o and_o formal_o invoke_v for_o such_o asseveration_n be_v either_o idle_a and_o insignificant_a thing_n proceed_v from_o a_o foolish_a custom_n and_o habit_n of_o speak_v that_o we_o have_v get_v and_o then_o they_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n or_o they_o be_v intend_v and_o take_v as_o solemn_a confirmation_n of_o what_o we_o say_v and_o then_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v much_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o upon_o both_o account_n they_o may_v be_v sinful_a to_o be_v use_v but_o there_o can_v be_v no_o danger_n or_o inconvenience_n in_o leave_v and_o disuse_v of_o they_o but_o be_v those_o asseveration_n in_o themselves_o never_o so_o harmless_a yet_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v the_o frequent_a use_n of_o they_o have_v draw_v many_o into_o swear_v for_o even_o those_o who_o do_v once_o scruple_n the_o first_o have_v in_o a_o little_a time_n fall_v into_o the_o latter_a even_o as_o those_o that_o often_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o those_o wicked_a word_n that_o be_v of_o kin_n to_o curse_n be_v very_o easy_o draw_v into_o curse_v itself_o if_o therefore_o we_o at_o any_o time_n use_v such_o form_n of_o speech_n as_o be_v or_o be_v take_v to_o be_v asseveration_n or_o solemn_a protestation_n it_o be_v adviseable_a that_o we_o do_v it_o very_o spare_o and_o only_o in_o serious_a and_o weighty_a matter_n last_o let_v those_o that_o have_v not_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o great_a sin_n make_v their_o humble_a prayer_n and_o supplication_n to_o god_n that_o they_o may_v never_o fall_v into_o it_o and_o let_v those_o that_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o it_o implore_v his_o grace_n that_o they_o may_v avoid_v it_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v i_o say_v i_o will_v take_v heed_n to_o my_o way_n that_o i_o offend_v not_o with_o my_o tongue_n say_v david_n psal_n 39.1_o and_o it_o be_v a_o good_a and_o pious_a resolution_n and_o therefore_o he_o earnest_o beg_v the_o assistance_n of_o god_n to_o enable_v he_o to_o make_v it_o good_a psalm_n 141.3_o set_a a_o watch_n o_o lord_n before_o my_o mouâ—â—_n and_o keep_v the_o door_n of_o my_o li_n let_v we_o beseech_v he_o to_o make_v we_o sensible_a of_o the_o sinfulness_n and_o danger_n of_o rash_a and_o vain_a oath_n as_o know_v that_o if_o for_o every_o idle_a word_n we_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n much_o more_o for_o such_o sin_n as_o these_o of_o which_o whoever_o be_v guilty_a shall_v without_o serious_a repentance_n and_o great_a humiliation_n fall_v into_o the_o condemnation_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v in_o the_o â—ext_n and_o how_o light_n soever_o he_o may_v make_v of_o it_o now_o he_o will_v then_o find_v it_o a_o fearful_a thing_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o live_a god_n who_o be_v a_o consume_a â—ire_n and_o who_o have_v solemn_o declare_v that_o he_o will_v not_o hold_v he_o guiltless_a that_o take_v his_o name_n in_o vain_a nomini_fw-la tuo_fw-la da_fw-la gloriam_fw-la finis_fw-la