ordinary_a communication_n to_o swear_v express_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o lawful_a to_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n as_o by_o heaven_n and_o earth_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o our_o saviour_n meaning_n be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v you_o think_v you_o may_v swear_v in_o common_a conversation_n provide_v you_o do_v not_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v without_o oath_n of_o any_o kind_n you_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o swear_v by_o heaven_n or_o by_o earth_n because_o god_n be_v virtual_o invoke_v in_o every_o oath_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v our_o saviour_n meaning_n i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o our_o saviour_n shall_v only_o forbid_v they_o to_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n and_o not_o much_o rather_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n such_o oath_n be_v sure_o of_o all_o other_o most_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o be_v the_o most_o direct_a abuse_n and_o profanation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n second_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a to_o the_o explain_v of_o this_o prohibition_n that_o there_o be_v the_o like_a general_a expression_n in_o other_o jewish_a author_n concern_v this_o very_a matter_n which_o yet_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v thus_o limit_v maimonides_n from_o the_o ancient_a rabbi_n give_v this_o rule_n that_o it_o be_v best_a not_o to_o swear_v at_o all_o and_o philo_n use_v almost_o the_o same_o word_n and_o rabbi_n jonathan_n come_v very_o near_o our_o saviour_n expression_n when_o he_o say_v the_o just_a man_n will_v not_o swear_v at_o all_o not_o so_o much_o as_o by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o god_n nor_o by_o his_o attribute_n nor_o by_o his_o work_n as_o by_o heaven_n or_o the_o angel_n or_o the_o law_n now_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o these_o learned_a jew_n shall_v condemn_v oath_n in_o all_o case_n when_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n do_v in_o many_o case_n express_o require_v they_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o voluntary_a oath_n in_o ordinary_a conversation_n and_o that_o the_o jew_n mean_v this_o by_o not_o swear_v at_o all_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o a_o passage_n in_o josephus_n who_o say_v that_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o essenes_n forbid_v their_o disciple_n to_o swear_v at_o all_o and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o who_o be_v admit_v into_o that_o sect_n take_v a_o oath_n to_o observe_v the_o law_n and_o rule_n of_o it_o so_o that_o they_o who_o forbid_v to_o swear_v at_o all_o allow_v of_o oath_n impose_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o superior_n three_o which_o will_v peremptory_o decide_v this_o matter_n this_o prohibition_n of_o our_o saviour_n can_v be_v understand_v to_o forbid_v all_o oath_n without_o a_o plain_a contradiction_n to_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o even_o of_o our_o lord_n himself_o origen_n and_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o christian_n refuse_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n genius_n not_o because_o it_o be_v a_o oath_n but_o because_o they_o think_v it_o to_o be_v idolatrous_a but_o the_o same_o tertullian_n say_v that_o the_o christian_n be_v willing_a to_o swear_v per_fw-la salutem_fw-la imperatoris_fw-la by_o the_o health_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o emperor_n athanasius_n be_v accuse_v to_o constantius_n purge_v himself_o by_o oath_n and_o desire_v that_o his_o accuser_n may_v be_v put_v to_o his_o oath_n sub_fw-la attestatione_n veritatis_fw-la by_o call_v the_o truth_n to_o witness_v by_o which_o form_n say_v he_o we_o christian_n be_v wont_a to_o swear_v but_o which_o be_v more_o than_o this_o st._n paul_n upon_o weighty_a occasion_n do_v several_a time_n in_o his_o epistle_n call_v god_n to_o witness_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v which_o be_v the_o very_a formality_n of_o a_o oath_n god_n be_v my_o witness_n rom._n 1._o 9_o as_o god_n be_v true_a our_o word_n be_v not_o yea_o and_o nay_o 2_o cor._n 1._o 18._o and_o v_o 23._o i_o call_v god_n for_o a_o record_n upon_o my_o soul_n before_o god_n i_o lie_v not_o gal._n 1._o 20._o god_n be_v my_o record_n philip._n 1._o 8._o god_n be_v my_o witness_n 1_o thess._n 2._o 5._o these_o be_v all_o unquestionable_a oath_n which_o we_o can_v imagine_v st._n paul_n will_v have_v use_v have_v they_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o our_o saviour_n law_n and_o whereas_o some_o defend_v this_o upon_o account_n of_o his_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n i_o can_v possible_o see_v how_o this_o mend_v the_o matter_n for_o sure_o it_o be_v very_o inconvenient_a to_o say_v that_o they_o who_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o precept_n of_o christ_n to_o other_o do_v themselves_o break_v they_o by_o inspiration_n but_o i_o go_v yet_o far_o and_o shall_v urge_v a_o example_n beyond_o all_o exception_n our_o saviour_n himself_o who_o sure_o will_v not_o be_v the_o first_o example_n of_o break_v his_o own_o law_n do_v not_o refuse_v to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n be_v call_v thereto_o at_o his_o trial_n so_o we_o find_v matth._n 26._o 63._o the_o high_a priest_n say_v unto_o he_o i_o adjure_v thou_o by_o the_o live_a god_n that_o thou_o tell_v we_o whether_o thou_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o be_v he_o require_v he_o to_o answer_v this_o question_n upon_o oath_n for_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o form_n of_o give_v a_o oath_n to_o witness_n and_o other_o be_v not_o by_o tender_v a_o formal_a oath_n to_o they_o as_o the_o custom_n be_v among_o we_o but_o by_o adjure_v they_o that_o be_v require_v they_o to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o levit._n 5._o 1._o if_o a_o man_n hear_v the_o voice_n of_o swear_v and_o be_v a_o witness_n whether_o he_o have_v see_v or_o know_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n if_o he_o do_v not_o utter_v it_o than_o he_o shall_v bear_v his_o iniquity_n if_o he_o have_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o swear_v that_o be_v if_o be_v adjure_v or_o demand_v to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n concern_v what_o he_o have_v see_v or_o hear_v he_o do_v not_o utter_v the_o truth_n he_o be_v perjure_v now_o to_o this_o adjuration_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n our_o saviour_n answer_v thou_o have_v say_v which_o word_n be_v not_o a_o avoid_v to_o answer_v as_o some_o have_v think_v but_o a_o direct_a answer_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v it_o be_v as_o thou_o say_v it_o be_v even_o so_o i_o be_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o upon_o this_o answer_n the_o high_a priest_n say_v he_o have_v speak_v blasphemy_n but_o to_o put_v the_o matter_n beyond_o all_o doubt_n st._n mark_n tell_v we_o mark_v 14._o 61._o that_o he_o be_v ask_v by_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v thou_o the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o bless_a he_o answer_v i_o be_o so_o that_o unless_o we_o will_v interpret_v our_o saviour_n doctrine_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o practice_n we_o can_v understand_v he_o to_o forbid_v all_o oath_n and_o consequent_o they_o be_v not_o unlawful_a i_o have_v be_v the_o long_o upon_o this_o that_o i_o may_v give_v clear_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o receive_v it_o as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n in_o use_n among_o we_o in_o the_o take_n of_o oath_n it_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v always_o matter_n of_o liberty_n and_o several_a nation_n have_v use_v several_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n in_o their_o oath_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o grecian_n to_o swear_v lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o altar_n quod_fw-la sanctissimum_fw-la jusjurandum_fw-la est_fw-la habitum_fw-la say_v 〈◊〉_d gellius_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o sacred_a form_n of_o swear_v the_o roman_n be_v wont_n jupiter_fw-la lapidem_fw-la jurare_fw-la that_o be_v he_o that_o swear_v by_o jupiter_n hold_v a_o flintstone_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o fling_v it_o violent_o from_o he_o with_o these_o word_n si_fw-la sciens_fw-la fallo_fw-la ita_fw-la me_fw-it jupiter_n bonis_fw-la omnibus_fw-la ejiciat_fw-la ut_fw-la ego_fw-la hunc_fw-la lapidem_fw-la if_o i_o know_o falsify_v god_n so_o throw_v i_o out_o of_o all_o my_o possession_n as_o i_o do_v this_o stone_n in_o scripture_n there_o be_v two_o ceremony_n mention_v of_o swear_v one_o of_o put_v the_o hand_n under_o the_o thigh_n of_o he_o to_o who_o the_o oath_n be_v make_v thus_o eliezer_n swear_v to_o abraham_n gen._n 24._o and_o joseph_n to_o jacob_n gen._n 47._o the_o other_o be_v by_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n to_o heaven_n thus_o abraham_n express_v the_o manner_n of_o a_o oath_n gen._n 14._o 22._o i_o have_v lift_v up_o my_o hand_n to_o the_o most_o high_a god_n and_o thus_o god_n condescend_v
the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o by_o john_n tillotson_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o canterbury_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n over_o against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1681._o to_o the_o right_n worshipful_a and_o my_o honour_a friend_n joseph_n reeve_n esq_n high_a sheriff_n of_o the_o county_n of_o surrey_z sir_n when_o i_o have_v perform_v the_o service_n which_o you_o be_v please_v to_o call_v i_o to_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o this_o sermon_n i_o have_v no_o thought_n of_o make_v it_o more_o public_a and_o yet_o in_o this_o also_o i_o be_v the_o more_o easy_o induce_v to_o comply_v with_o your_o desire_n because_o of_o the_o suitableness_n of_o the_o argument_n to_o the_o age_n in_o which_o we_o live_v wherein_o as_o man_n have_v run_v into_o the_o wild_a extremity_n in_o other_o thing_n so_o particular_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o oath_n some_o make_v conscience_n of_o take_v any_o oath_n at_o all_o and_o too_o many_o none_o at_o all_o of_o break_v they_o to_o convince_v the_o great_a mistake_n of_o the_o one_o extreme_a and_o to_o check_v the_o grow_a evil_a and_o mischief_n of_o the_o other_o be_v the_o chief_a design_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a if_o by_o god_n blessing_n it_o may_v prove_v any_o wise_a serviceable_a i_o be_o sir_n your_o very_a faithful_a and_o humble_a servant_n john_n tillotson_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o heb._n vi_fw-la 16._o and_o a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o support_n of_o humane_a society_n in_o nothing_o appear_v more_o evident_o than_o in_o this_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o peace_n and_o justice_n among_o man_n depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o sense_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o any_o man_n that_o do_v not_o believe_v a_o god_n shall_v make_v the_o least_o conscience_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v so_o that_o whoever_o promote_v atheism_n and_o infidelity_n do_v the_o most_o destructive_a thing_n imaginable_a to_o humane_a society_n because_o he_o take_v away_o the_o reverence_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n and_o whenever_o that_o be_v general_o cast_v off_o humane_a society_n must_v disband_v and_o all_o thing_n run_v into_o disorder_n the_o just_a sense_n whereof_o make_v david_n cry_v out_o to_o god_n with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n as_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v crack_v and_o the_o frame_n of_o it_o ready_a to_o break_v in_o piece_n psal._n 12._o help_v lord_n for_o the_o righteous_a man_n cease_v and_o the_o faithful_a fail_n from_o among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n intimate_v that_o when_o faith_n fail_v from_o among_o man_n nothing_o but_o a_o particular_a and_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n can_v preserve_v the_o world_n from_o fall_v into_o confusion_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n give_v this_o as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o approach_a dissolution_n of_o all_o thing_n when_o faith_n and_o truth_n shall_v hardly_o be_v find_v among_o man_n luke_n 18._o 8._o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n this_o state_n of_o thing_n do_v loud_o call_v for_o his_o come_n to_o destroy_v the_o world_n which_o be_v even_o ready_a to_o dissolve_v and_o fall_v in_o piece_n of_o itself_o when_o these_o band_n and_o pillar_n of_o humane_a society_n do_v break_v and_o fail_v and_o sure_o never_o in_o any_o age_n be_v this_o sign_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n more_o glare_a and_o terrible_a than_o in_o this_o degenerate_a age_n wherein_o we_o live_v when_o almost_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n seem_v to_o have_v break_v loose_a from_o all_o obligation_n to_o faith_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o argument_n more_o proper_a and_o useful_a to_o be_v treat_v of_o upon_o this_o occasion_n than_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v the_o utmost_a security_n that_o one_o man_n can_v give_v to_o another_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v the_o strong_a tie_n of_o fidelity_n the_o sure_a ground_n of_o judicial_a proceed_n and_o the_o most_o firm_a and_o sacred_a bond_n that_o can_v be_v lay_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o public_a justice_n upon_o judge_n and_o jury_n and_o witness_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o these_o word_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n declare_v to_o we_o the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o oath_n among_o man_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n he_o have_v say_v before_o that_o for_o our_o great_a assurance_n and_o comfort_n god_n have_v confirm_v his_o promise_n to_o we_o by_o a_o oath_n condescend_v herein_o to_o deal_v with_o we_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n who_o when_o they_o will_v give_v credit_n to_o a_o doubtful_a matter_n confirm_v what_o they_o say_v by_o a_o oath_n and_o general_o when_o any_o doubt_n or_o controversy_n arise_v between_o party_n concern_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n one_o side_n affirm_v and_o the_o other_o deny_v a_o end_n be_v put_v to_o this_o contest_v by_o a_o oath_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o great_a assurance_n and_o establishment_n of_o a_o thing_n not_o that_o a_o oath_n be_v always_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a decision_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o truth_n and_o right_n but_o that_o this_o be_v the_o utmost_a credit_n that_o we_o can_v give_v to_o any_o thing_n and_o the_o last_o resort_n of_o truth_n and_o confidence_n among_o man_n after_o this_o we_o can_v go_v no_o far_o for_o if_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o oath_n will_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o speak_v truth_n nothing_o will_n this_o be_v the_o utmost_a security_n that_o man_n can_v give_v and_o must_v therefore_o be_v the_o final_a decision_n of_o all_o contest_v a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n now_o from_o this_o assertion_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o great_a use_n and_o end_n of_o oath_n among_o man_n i_o shall_v take_v occasion_n 1._o to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o 2._o to_o show_v the_o great_a use_n and_o even_a necessity_n of_o oath_n in_o many_o case_n 3._o to_o vindicate_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o they_o where_o they_o be_v necessary_a 4._o to_o show_v the_o sacred_a obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n i_o shall_v be_v as_o brief_a in_o these_o as_o the_o just_a handle_n of_o they_o will_v bear_v 1._o for_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o invocation_n of_o god_n or_o a_o appeal_n to_o he_o as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v so_o that_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n as_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n and_o a_o invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o this_o whether_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v express_o mention_v in_o it_o or_o not_o if_o a_o man_n only_o say_v i_o swear_v or_o i_o take_v my_o oath_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v not_o so_o or_o so_o or_o that_o i_o will_v or_o will_v not_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o if_o a_o man_n answer_n upon_o his_o oath_n be_v adjure_v and_o require_v so_o to_o do_v or_o if_o a_o man_n swear_v by_o heaven_n or_o by_o earth_n or_o by_o any_o other_o thing_n that_o have_v relation_n to_o god_n in_o all_o these_o case_n a_o man_n do_v virtual_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v and_o in_o so_o do_v he_o do_v by_o consequence_n invoke_v he_o as_o a_o judge_n and_o a_o avenger_n in_o case_n what_o he_o swear_v be_v not_o true_a and_o if_o this_o be_v express_v the_o oath_n be_v a_o formal_a imprecation_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o a_o curse_n upon_o ourselves_o be_v always_o employ_v in_o case_n of_o perjury_n there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o oath_n assertory_n and_o promissory_a a_o assertory_n oath_n be_v when_o a_o
from_o levit._n 6._o 2._o where_o it_o be_v say_v if_o any_o one_o be_v guilty_a of_o theft_n and_o lie_v concern_v it_o or_o swear_v false_o he_o shall_v restore_v all_o that_o about_o which_o he_o have_v swear_v false_o leave_v i_o steal_v and_o take_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n my_o god_n in_o vain_a that_o be_v be_v perjure_v be_v examine_v upon_o oath_n concern_v a_o thing_n steal_v and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o thief_n and_o the_o perjure_a person_n be_v put_v together_o zech._n 5._o 4._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o a_o curse_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o house_n of_o the_o thief_n and_o of_o he_o that_o swear_v false_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o the_o whole_a intention_n of_o the_o 3d._a commandment_n be_v to_o forbid_v this_o great_a sin_n of_o perjury_n to_o deter_v man_n from_o which_o a_o severe_a threaten_n be_v there_o add_v for_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o hold_v he_o guiltless_a that_o take_v his_o name_n in_o vain_a that_o be_v he_o will_v most_o severe_o punish_v such_o a_o one_o and_o it_o be_v very_o obserauble_a that_o there_o be_v no_o threaten_v add_v to_o any_o other_o commandment_n but_o to_o this_o and_o the_o second_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o next_o to_o idolatry_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o a_o false_a god_n perjury_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a affront_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o sin_n that_o cry_v so_o loud_a to_o heaven_n and_o quicken_v the_o pace_n of_o god_n judgement_n mal._n 3._o 9_o i_o will_v come_v near_o to_o you_o in_o judgement_n and_o be_v a_o swift_a witness_n against_o the_o swearer_n for_o this_o god_n threaten_v utter_a destruction_n to_o the_o man_n and_o his_o house_n zech._n 5._o 4._o speak_v of_o the_o curse_n that_o go_v over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n god_n say_v he_o will_v bring_v it_o forth_o and_o it_o shall_v enter_v into_o the_o house_n of_o he_o that_o swear_v false_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v remain_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o house_n and_o shall_v consume_v it_o with_o the_o timber_n thereof_o and_o the_o stone_n thereof_o it_o shall_v remain_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o house_n and_o shall_v consume_v it_o this_o sin_n by_o the_o secret_a judgement_n of_o god_n undermine_v estate_n and_o family_n to_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o they_o and_o among_o the_o heathen_a it_o be_v always_o reckon_v one_o of_o the_o great_a of_o crime_n and_o which_o they_o do_v believe_v god_n do_v not_o only_o punish_v upon_o the_o guilty_a person_n himself_o but_o upon_o his_o family_n and_o posterity_n and_o many_o time_n upon_o whole_a nation_n as_o the_o prophet_n also_o tell_v we_o that_o because_o of_o oath_n the_o land_n mourn_v i_o need_v not_o use_v many_o word_n to_o aggravate_v this_o sin_n it_o be_v certain_o a_o crime_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n deliberate_a perjury_n be_v direct_o against_o a_o man_n knowledge_n so_o that_o no_o man_n can_v commit_v it_o without_o stare_v his_o conscience_n in_o the_o face_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a aggravation_n of_o any_o crime_n and_o it_o be_v equal_o a_o sin_n against_o both_o table_n be_v the_o high_a affront_n to_o god_n and_o of_o most_o injurious_a consequence_n to_o man_n it_o be_v a_o horrible_a abuse_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n a_o open_a contempt_n of_o his_o judgement_n and_o a_o insolent_a defiance_n of_o his_o vengeance_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o man_n it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o wrong_n to_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a person_n who_o suffer_v by_o it_o but_o treason_n against_o humane_a society_n subvert_v at_o once_o the_o foundation_n of_o public_a peace_n and_o justice_n and_o the_o private_a security_n of_o every_o man_n life_n and_o fortune_n it_o be_v a_o defeat_n of_o the_o best_a and_o last_o way_n that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n can_v devise_v for_o the_o decision_n of_o doubtful_a matter_n solomon_n very_o full_o and_o elegant_o express_v the_o destructive_a nature_n of_o this_o sin_n prov._n 25._o 18._o a_o false_a witness_n against_o his_o neighbour_n be_v a_o maul_v and_o a_o sword_n and_o a_o sharp_a arrow_n intimate_v that_o among_o all_o the_o instrument_n of_o ruin_n and_o mischief_n that_o have_v be_v devise_v by_o mankind_n none_o be_v of_o more_o pernicious_a consequence_n to_o humane_a society_n than_o perjury_n and_o breach_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v a_o pestilence_n that_o usual_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o a_o secret_a stab_n and_o blow_v against_o which_o many_o time_n there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o defence_n and_o therefore_o it_o high_o concern_v those_o who_o upon_o these_o and_o the_o like_a occasion_n be_v call_v upon_o their_o oath_n whether_o as_o juror_n or_o witness_n to_o set_v god_n before_o their_o eye_n and_o to_o have_v his_o fear_n in_o their_o heart_n whenever_o they_o come_v to_o take_v a_o oath_n and_o to_o govern_v and_o discharge_v their_o conscience_n in_o this_o matter_n by_o know_v and_o approve_a rule_n and_o by_o the_o resolution_n of_o pious_a and_o wise_a man_n and_o not_o by_o the_o loose_a reason_n and_o resolution_n of_o pamphlet_n send_v abroad_o to_o serve_v the_o turn_n of_o unpeaceable_a and_o ill-minded_n man_n whether_o atheist_n or_o papist_n or_o other_o on_o purpose_n to_o debauch_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n by_o teach_v they_o to_o play_v fast_o and_o loose_a with_o oath_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a sad_a sign_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o christian_a religion_n among_o we_o to_o see_v so_o many_o who_o call_v themselves_o christian_n to_o make_v so_o little_a conscience_n of_o so_o great_a a_o sin_n as_o even_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v blush_v and_o tremble_v at_o i_o will_v conclude_v all_o with_o those_o excellent_a say_n of_o the_o son_n of_o sirach_n concern_v these_o two_o sin_n i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o of_o profane_a swear_v and_o perjury_n eccle._n 23._o 9_o 10_o etc._n etc._n accustom_v not_o thy_o mouth_n to_o swear_v neither_o use_n thyself_o to_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a one._n a_o man_n that_o use_v much_o swear_v shall_v be_v fill_v with_o iniquity_n and_o the_o plague_n shall_v never_o depart_v from_o his_o house_n if_o he_o shall_v offend_v his_o sin_n shall_v be_v upon_o he_o and_o if_o he_o acknowledge_v not_o his_o sin_n he_o make_v a_o double_a offence_n and_o if_o he_o swear_v false_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v innocent_a but_o his_o house_n shall_v be_v full_a of_o calamity_n and_o to_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o dreadful_a nature_n of_o this_o sin_n of_o perjury_n there_o be_v say_v he_o a_o word_n that_o be_v clothe_v about_o with_o death_n mean_v a_o rash_a and_o false_a oath_n there_o be_v a_o word_n that_o be_v clothe_v about_o with_o death_n god_n grant_v it_o be_v not_o find_v in_o the_o heritage_n of_o jacob_n for_o all_o such_o thing_n shall_v be_v far_o from_o the_o godly_a and_o they_o will_v not_o wallow_v in_o these_o sin_n from_o which_o god_n preserve_v all_o good_a man_n and_o make_v they_o careful_a to_o preserve_v themselves_o as_o they_o value_v the_o present_a peace_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o the_o favour_n of_o almighty_a god_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o other_o for_o his_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ._n to_o who_o etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la