a_o christian_a may_v swear_v vain_o and_o rash_o forbid_v by_o a_o spontaneous_a and_o occasional_a easiness_n either_o promise_a or_o assert_v although_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n and_o by_o the_o true_a god_n but_o without_o reverence_n to_o god_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o so_o little_a yea_o no_o importance_n or_o difficulty_n as_o neither_o deserve_v nor_o need_n nor_o require_v a_o oath_n to_o this_o we_o all_o agree_v with_o the_o quaker_n christ_n word_n condemn_v all_o such_o profane_a and_o trivial_a swear_n much_o more_o if_o it_o be_v in_o fraud_n and_o falsity_n which_o make_v such_o oath_n as_o the_o coin_n of_o a_o usurper_n which_o be_v false_a metal_n and_o stamp_n too_o a_o complicate_v sin_n and_o one_o of_o the_o strong_a chain_n of_o darkness_n which_o the_o devil_n and_o a_o man_n own_o lust_n hamper_v the_o soul_n withal_o 2._o not_o be_v it_o any_o question_n whether_o christian_n may_v swear_v in_o any_o case_n by_o any_o creature_n as_o such_o creature_n not_o 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whether_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o swear_v false_o by_o they_o all_o agree_v that_o though_o the_o oath_n be_v rash_a as_o by_o a_o creature_n yet_o it_o bind_v in_o thing_n lawful_a no_o less_o at_o least_o to_o truth_n and_o justice_n then_o any_o simple_a promise_n and_o it_o may_v be_v something_o more_o here_o that_o be_v true_a fieri_fw-la non_fw-la debuit_fw-la factum_fw-la valet_fw-la like_a bastard_n they_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v beget_v but_o they_o must_v be_v keep_v unless_o the_o matter_n be_v sinful_a as_o herod_n oath_n be_v which_o behead_v john_n baptist_n mat._n 14._o 9_o 4._o but_o the_o question_n be_v christian_n whether_o those_o word_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n do_v utter_o forbid_v all_o swear_v in_o any_o case_n whatsoever_o to_o all_o christian_n so_o that_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o swear_v as_o in_o private_a so_o in_o public_a transaction_n or_o any_o court_n of_o judicature_n be_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o oath_n 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dispensation_n so_o feed_v on_o the_o rind_n or_o shell_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o gnaw_v the_o bone_n of_o the_o bare_a word_n that_o they_o never_o come_v at_o the_o kernel_n and_o marrow_n or_o true_a meaning_n of_o they_o on_o the_o other_o side_n i_o do_v deny_v forbid_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o my_o own_o conscience_n and_o the_o consentient_a sense_n of_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n yea_o of_o all_o christian_a and_o reform_a church_n of_o any_o renown_n that_o all_o swear_n be_v forbid_v by_o those_o word_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o that_o our_o saviour_n word_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v with_o such_o a_o limit_a sense_n and_o strict_a interpretation_n as_o suit_v to_o his_o scope_n and_o design_n which_o be_v to_o rectify_v popular_a error_n and_o remove_v common_a abuse_n in_o swear_v but_o not_o whole_o to_o forbid_v the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o a_o religious_a and_o lawful_a way_n and_o because_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a in_o order_n to_o my_o 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subjection_n in_o some_o case_n i_o will_v not_o seek_v to_o oppress_v or_o confound_v the_o quaker_n with_o the_o show_n of_o many_o reason_n as_o if_o i_o will_v carry_v the_o cause_n by_o number_n and_o not_o by_o weight_n but_o content_v myself_o with_o those_o few_o which_o be_v most_o pregnant_a plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o they_o 1._o reason_n christ_n from_o the_o occasion_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n word_n and_o the_o scope_n or_o end_n of_o they_o to_o which_o his_o own_o instance_n by_o way_n of_o explication_n of_o his_o meaning_n do_v best_a direct_v we_o both_o as_o to_o what_o he_o forbid_v and_o enjoin_v to_o some_o of_o which_o the_o quaker_n themselves_o do_v consent_n 2._o reason_n from_o the_o moral_a and_o religious_a nature_n end_n and_o use_v of_o oath_n which_o god_n have_v institute_v and_o approve_v without_o any_o repeal_n by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n 3._o reason_n from_o other_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o 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scripture_n then_o to_o take_v they_o abrupt_o and_o absolute_o when_o they_o have_v a_o relative_a comparative_a or_o limit_a sense_n in_o the_o aim_n and_o purpose_n of_o the_o speaker_n our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o this_o divine_a sermon_n on_o the_o mount_n of_o which_o saint_n matthew_n give_v we_o so_o large_a a_o account_n make_v it_o his_o main_a aim_n and_o scope_n thing_n first_o to_o set_v forth_o those_o spiritual_a heavenly_a and_o eternal_a blessing_n which_o beyond_o those_o sensible_a earthly_a and_o temporary_a one_o which_o be_v so_o much_o of_o old_a set_v before_o the_o jew_n to_o invite_v they_o to_o obedience_n of_o god_n law_n be_v now_o to_o be_v chief_o regard_v by_o christian_n as_o their_o peculiar_a comfort_n hope_n and_o reward_n under_o the_o gospel_n
not_o your_o garment_n joel_n 2._o 13._o who_o have_v require_v these_o thing_n at_o your_o hand_n isa_n 1._o 11_o 12_o 13._o viz._n in_o this_o hypocritical_a fashion_n limit_v these_o seem_a negative_n be_v not_o absolute_o but_o comparative_o speak_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o love_n or_o care_n or_o fear_v reverence_n and_o duty_n as_o be_v due_a to_o god_n great_a command_n and_o chief_a design_n which_o must_v be_v the_o main_a bias_n of_o man_n affection_n and_o obediential_a action_n as_o most_o intent_n to_o morality_n and_o not_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o empty_a formality_n so_o in_o ironical_a assenting_n or_o seem_a concession_n which_o be_v the_o sharp_a prohibition_n and_o reproach_n as_o 31._o fill_v you_o up_o then_o the_o measure_n of_o your_o father_n he_o that_o be_v filthy_a let_v he_o be_v filthy_a still_o 11._o and_o he_o that_o be_v unjust_a be_v unjust_a still_o these_o be_v not_o speak_v in_o a_o flat_a and_o plain_a way_n but_o in_o such_o a_o dialect_n and_o emphasis_n of_o familiar_a oratory_n as_o the_o time_n and_o country_n do_v well_o understand_v to_o signify_v other_o than_o the_o word_n sound_v either_o more_o or_o less_o and_o it_o have_v be_v a_o very_a ridiculous_a childishness_n to_o have_v urge_v the_o letter_n in_o its_o syllabical_a appearance_n and_o against_o its_o rational_a meaning_n which_o as_o s._n austin_n long_o ago_o observe_v must_v never_o be_v so_o put_v upon_o the_o bias_n of_o the_o bare_a word_n as_o to_o sway_v or_o swerve_v they_o contrary_a to_o that_o divine_a verity_n morality_n and_o sanctity_n which_o shine_v most_o clear_o in_o other_o place_n and_o who_o light_n must_v be_v bring_v to_o enlighten_v those_o that_o be_v more_o involve_v and_o obscure_v by_o reason_n of_o some_o proper_a phrase_n or_o idiotism_n of_o express_v thing_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n in_o those_o time_n else_o many_o thing_n speak_v even_o of_o god_n and_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o holy_a man_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n as_o see_v hear_v smell_a be_v injure_v angry_a and_o repent_v etc._n etc._n will_v be_v as_o blasphemy_n and_o irreconcilable_a as_o both_o jewish_a rabbin_n and_o christian_a doctor_n observe_v to_o his_o essential_a attribute_n and_o immutable_a perfection_n nabucihn_n here_o the_o word_n look_v to_o the_o appearance_n as_o when_o angel_n be_v call_v young_a man_n mark_v 16._o 5._o joh._n 20._o 12._o luk._n 24._o 4._o but_o the_o sense_n must_v look_v to_o the_o essence_n and_o reality_n man_n will_v make_v as_o mad_a work_n of_o scripture_n as_o hog_n will_v do_v with_o garden_n and_o field_n when_o in_o stead_n of_o orderly_o plough_v and_o sow_v that_o we_o may_v reap_v a_o fair_a and_o fruitful_a harvest_n we_o inordinate_o and_o rash_o root_v up_o all_o thing_n by_o a_o confuse_a rudeness_n which_o end_v either_o in_o barrenness_n or_o in_o brier_n and_o thorn_n endless_a jangle_n and_o perplexity_n what_o long_a and_o sad_a contention_n have_v the_o papist_n make_v in_o the_o western_a church_n the_o last_o 300._o year_n letter_n by_o rigid_o urge_v those_o word_n of_o consecration_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n to_o a_o literal_a severity_n make_v the_o bread_n after_o consecration_n so_o much_o christ_n body_n substantial_o and_o not_o sacramental_o which_o all_o good_a christian_n believe_v that_o there_o remain_v no_o more_o natural_a substance_n of_o the_o bread_n but_o only_o under_o the_o accident_n of_o bread_n the_o sole_a and_o entire_a substance_n of_o christ_n body_n the_o same_o which_o be_v at_o once_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o every_o place_n where_o this_o sacrament_n be_v celebrate_v yea_o in_o every_o crumb_n of_o it_o by_o which_o superseraphick_n opinion_n faith_n must_v not_o only_o forsake_v the_o sense_n and_o look_v above_o they_o but_o flat_o deny_v and_o contradict_v they_o in_o every_o verdict_n which_o they_o give_v of_o their_o proper_a object_n according_a to_o experience_n and_o right_a reason_n which_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o creator_n light_n to_o mankind_n and_o all_o this_o by_o a_o magisterial_a novel_a and_o seraphic_a severity_n beyond_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v impose_v by_o press_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d rigid_a letter_n of_o the_o word_n in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n and_o allow_v no_o metonymy_n or_o symbolical_a speak_n which_o be_v so_o frequent_a in_o scripture-mystery_n and_o sacred_a correspondency_n between_o the_o sign_n and_o thing_n signify_v as_o the_o lamb_n be_v call_v the_o passeover_n and_o christ_n our_o passeover_n and_o the_o rock_n vine_n dove_n etc._n etc._n while_o yet_o in_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o same_o sacrament_n they_o be_v force_v to_o subdue_v and_o soften_v the_o word_n to_o their_o due_a sense_n by_o such_o metonymue_n and_o trope_n as_o must_v make_v the_o cup_n to_o signify_v or_o mean_v the_o wine_n and_o the_o cup_n or_o wine_n to_o signify_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o christ_n blood_n certain_o as_o in_o such_o expression_n which_o christ_n there_o use_v and_o which_o we_o read_v in_o other_o scripture_n of_o parallel_a sense_n to_o set_v forth_o divine_a mystery_n by_o their_o adapt_v sign_n and_o symbol_n or_o emblem_n and_o seal_n there_o must_v be_v believe_v something_o more_o sublime_a in_o they_o then_o the_o narrowness_n of_o the_o word_n or_o perhaps_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n in_o this_o world_n can_v full_o comprehend_v so_o to_o be_v sure_a nothing_o be_v by_o scripture_n impose_v upon_o we_o to_o be_v believe_v which_o be_v flat_o contradictive_a to_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o suffrage_n of_o all_o our_o sense_n and_o to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o here_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n must_v be_v measure_v by_o semblable_a place_n and_o like_a expression_n which_o be_v not_o want_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o be_v not_o so_o wrest_v by_o any_o christian_n that_o be_v master_n of_o sense_n reason_n and_o true_a religion_n who_o do_v not_o cease_v by_o believe_v to_o be_v rational_a creature_n or_o to_o be_v man_n by_o be_v christian_n if_o the_o quaker_n will_v fair_o admit_v such_o caution_n and_o limitation_n as_o they_o do_v to_o other_o place_n in_o the_o interpret_n these_o scripture_n which_o they_o chief_o allege_v to_o justify_v their_o denial_n of_o all_o swear_v whatever_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o my_o sense_n of_o they_o nor_o shall_v i_o grudge_v to_o give_v they_o this_o second_o commendation_n for_o their_o due_a regard_n to_o scripture_n as_o the_o sure_a and_o sufficient_a rule_n of_o a_o christian_n action_n for_o the_o main_a and_o substance_n of_o they_o but_o these_o scripture_n must_v be_v due_o examine_v exact_o weigh_v and_o apt_o reduce_v to_o that_o standard_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v most_o constant_a and_o clear_a in_o both_o moral_n &_o fiducials_n three_o oath_n yea_o i_o shall_v add_v a_o three_o commendation_n of_o these_o quaker_n who_o shall_v rise_v in_o judgement_n at_o the_o last_o day_n against_o many_o of_o those_o that_o speak_v much_o against_o they_o for_o this_o that_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v so_o great_a a_o fear_n of_o a_o oath_n that_o out_o of_o a_o jealousy_n of_o swear_v amiss_o they_o will_v not_o swear_v at_o all_o 2._o although_o they_o be_v superstitious_a in_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o fear_n which_o i_o shall_v prove_v to_o be_v not_o just_o ground_v on_o the_o word_n they_o allege_v yet_o no_o good_a man_n can_v blame_v they_o to_o have_v as_o god_n command_v 17._o a_o just_a abhorrence_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o profane_a easy_a trivial_a familiar_a false_a and_o inconsiderate_a swear_v for_o which_o the_o land_n mourn_v jer._n 23._o 10._o which_o so_o dispose_v man_n as_o saint_n austin_n say_v to_o false_a swear_v and_o gross_a perjury_n labimur_fw-la which_o be_v sin_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n nor_o can_v indeed_o much_o credit_n be_v give_v any_o more_o than_o to_o a_o liar_n to_o any_o man_n that_o swear_v never_o so_o solemn_o and_o in_o judicature_n who_o be_v a_o common_a swearer_n facilis_fw-la and_o have_v no_o reverence_n either_o of_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n or_o the_o sacredness_n of_o a_o oath_n i_o former_o observe_v the_o great_a dread_n and_o just_a horror_n of_o all_o swear_v 11._o even_o that_o which_o the_o law_n require_v wherewith_o the_o poor_a quaker_n may_v easy_o be_v scare_v and_o possess_v in_o those_o barbarous_a time_n of_o their_o first_o breed_n when_o so_o many_o lawful_a 19_o oath_n be_v despise_v and_o impudent_o violate_v nay_o when_o perjury_n and_o rebellion_n be_v adopt_v to_o the_o family_n of_o religion_n and_o vote_v for_o reformation_n when_o man_n be_v grow_v so_o preposterous_o zealous_a for_o god_n that_o they_o will_v both_o lie_v and_o forswear_v to_o advance_v his_o interest_n
contradiction_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n of_o old_a or_o as_o now_o become_v evil_a and_o unlawful_a because_o absolute_o forbid_v by_o a_o positive_a evangelical_n command_v without_o any_o moral_a reason_n either_o allege_v or_o imaginable_a from_o any_o nature_n of_o sin_n which_o false_a gloss_n of_o christ_n word_n can_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o other_o principle_n place_n and_o example_n evident_a and_o authoritative_a in_o the_o gospel_n or_o with_o that_o express_a and_o signal_n oracle_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v a_o salvo_fw-la for_o all_o that_o be_v moral_o good_a that_o he_o come_v not_o to_o destroy_v any_o part_n or_o tittle_n of_o the_o law_n which_o have_v any_o moral_a internal_a and_o eternal_a holiness_n in_o it_o as_o be_v therefore_o express_v in_o his_o reveal_v will_n or_o word_n because_o it_o be_v conform_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n nature_n and_o essence_n which_o all_o reasonable_a creature_n ought_v ever_o to_o fear_v reverence_n adore_v and_o admire_v above_o all_o thing_n as_o those_o do_v who_o by_o religious_a swear_n give_v glory_n to_o god_n as_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o all_o man_n and_o thing_n as_o the_o searcher_n of_o all_o heart_n and_o as_o the_o infallible_a dispenser_n of_o justice_n which_o sacred_a celebration_n of_o the_o divine_a glory_n and_o majesty_n in_o solemn_a swear_v be_v no_o way_n derogate_a from_o god_n honour_n but_o high_o advance_v it_o in_o the_o world_n and_o no_o way_n injurious_a to_o our_o self_n or_o other_o but_o advantageous_a to_o justice_n truth_n charity_n and_o peace_n can_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o abolish_v or_o forbid_v by_o christ_n to_o we_o christian_n four_o divine_n have_v thus_o examine_v first_o the_o occasion_n and_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n second_o the_o moral_a nature_n of_o a_o oath_n three_o the_o evangelical_n practice_n my_o four_o and_o last_o work_n be_v to_o justify_v this_o limit_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n word_n which_o i_o have_v give_v consonant_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o the_o concurrent_a judgement_n of_o other_o church_n and_o learned_a interpreter_n both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a nor_o that_o i_o think_v any_o humane_a or_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n sway_v much_o if_o any_o thing_n with_o the_o quaker_n who_o be_v mostwhat_a stranger_n to_o all_o learning_n and_o not_o much_o to_o be_v move_v by_o any_o such_o engine_n but_o only_o to_o confute_v the_o more_o evident_o their_o singularity_n and_o pertinacy_n also_o to_o satisfy_v other_o of_o my_o countryman_n that_o this_o be_v no_o novel_a interpretation_n put_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o true_a meaning_n the_o ancient_a and_o late_a church_n may_v without_o any_o vanity_n be_v think_v to_o understand_v as_o well_o as_o any_o of_o this_o new_a generation_n and_o certain_o we_o may_v with_o more_o modesty_n appeal_v to_o and_o acquiesce_v with_o conscience_n in_o their_o judgement_n of_o place_n dark_a and_o dubious_a then_o listen_v to_o any_o man_n in_o late_a time_n who_o supercilious_o dissent_v from_o they_o all_o doubtless_o if_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v be_v a_o faithful_a preserver_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o may_v not_o be_v suspect_v to_o have_v be_v a_o unfaithful_a interpreter_n of_o they_o in_o any_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n or_o of_o morality_n and_o such_o as_o this_o of_o sober_a serious_a reverend_a and_o judicial_a swear_v the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v not_o only_o very_o cautious_a of_o swear_v rash_o vain_o false_o judgement_n but_o if_o they_o take_v any_o oath_n they_o make_v such_o conscience_n of_o keep_v it_o that_o they_o will_v soon_o die_v then_o break_v it_o wilful_o or_o base_o indeed_o in_o private_a conversation_n christian_n be_v then_o esteem_v so_o strict_a exact_a and_o cautious_a of_o their_o word_n in_o assert_v or_o promise_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o oath_n among_o they_o yea_o they_o so_o keep_v up_o the_o sanctity_n and_o credit_n of_o their_o profession_n among_o unbeliever_n that_o it_o be_v security_n enough_o in_o all_o case_n to_o say_v christian_n sum_n i_o be_o a_o christian_n if_o any_o urge_v they_o further_o to_o any_o oath_n for_o matter_n or_o manner_n or_o authority_n unlawful_a they_o repeat_v this_o as_o the_o only_a satisfaction_n they_o can_v give_v there_o need_v no_o more_o than_o the_o veracity_n of_o their_o bare_a word_n they_o think_v it_o not_o lawful_a for_o they_o in_o such_o case_n to_o swear_v be_v in_o this_o emulator_n of_o the_o joseph_n esseni_n among_o the_o jew_n of_o who_o josephus_n tell_v we_o that_o their_o word_n be_v as_o sure_a as_o a_o oath_n and_o that_o they_o avoid_v not_o only_o all_o forswear_n but_o all_o swear_n or_o that_o which_o bring_v their_o fidelity_n in_o question_n and_o lessen_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o sect._n 〈◊〉_d thus_o christian_n that_o they_o may_v not_o come_v short_a of_o the_o esseni_n among_o the_o jew_n credant_fw-la who_o will_v not_o swear_v but_o in_o judicature_n or_o of_o any_o man_n in_o this_o pious_a severity_n especial_o in_o abstain_v from_o all_o unlawful_a swear_n do_v keep_v themselves_o from_o all_o kind_n of_o swear_v especial_o heathenish_a and_o idolatrous_a their_o profession_n and_o reputation_n be_v test_n enough_o to_o their_o word_n nor_o do_v they_o think_v any_o man_n under_o heaven_n be_v so_o worthy_a as_o christian_n to_o make_v good_a some_o of_o the_o ancient_a and_o sober_a heathen_n dictate_v in_o this_o kind_n such_o as_o be_v that_o of_o menander_n so_o to_o avoid_v evil_a swear_v as_o not_o to_o swear_v though_o in_o thing_n just_a and_o true_a and_o that_o of_o solon_n a_o good_a man_n shall_v have_v that_o credit_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v believe_v he_o the_o more_o for_o his_o swear_n it_o be_v some_o diminution_n to_o his_o reputation_n to_o be_v put_v to_o swear_v or_o to_o need_v a_o oath_n to_o gain_v credit_n diogenes_n laert._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o athenian_n will_v not_o suffer_v xenocrates_n a_o man_n of_o great_a integrity_n and_o honour_n to_o take_v his_o oath_n at_o the_o altar_n as_o a_o thing_n unworthy_a of_o his_o reputation_n nor_o do_v the_o roman_n exact_a oath_n of_o their_o chief_a priest_n indignum_fw-la credentes_fw-la viro_fw-la tanta_fw-la sanctimoniae_fw-la sine_fw-la juramento_fw-la non_fw-la credere_fw-la hence_o we_o find_v some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n dâ—mini_fw-la as_o origen_n chrysostome_n theophylact_fw-mi oecumenius_n hilary_n athanasius_n s._n jerom_n theodoret_n lactantius_n and_o other_o frequent_o inveigh_v without_o any_o limitation_n or_o reserve_v against_o christian_n swear_v as_o to_o private_a conversation_n yea_o and_o saint_n austin_n himself_o in_o his_o sermon_n on_o these_o word_n of_o christ_n advise_v to_o abstain_v from_o cesie_n and_o ordinary_a swear_v in_o case_n never_o so_o true_a and_o honest_a lest_o by_o wontedness_n of_o swear_v we_o get_v a_o proneness_n to_o swear_v even_o false_o s._n basil_n commend_v clinias_n a_o famous_a greek_a that_o he_o rather_o suffer_v a_o mulct_n of_o three_o talent_n than_o he_o will_v save_v it_o by_o swear_v to_o the_o loss_n of_o his_o honour_n which_o he_o think_v caution_n sufficient_a for_o his_o honesty_n not_o that_o saint_n austin_n hold_v it_o unlawful_a for_o a_o christian_a in_o any_o case_n of_o great_a and_o weighty_a concern_v solemn_o to_o give_v oath_n aust_n as_o a_o further_a ratification_n of_o truth_n and_o justice_n yea_o he_o assert_v it_o as_o lawful_a and_o prove_v it_o by_o those_o instance_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n swear_v or_o obtestation_n in_o his_o epistle_n which_o i_o former_o produce_v not_o as_o if_o faith_n he_o saint_n paul_n have_v forget_v or_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n but_o by_o his_o practice_n he_o show_v we_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o be_v only_o to_o forbid_v false_a and_o frivolous_a swear_n as_o the_o grave_a and_o eminent_a of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o deny_v oath_n of_o allegiance_n to_o herod_n and_o their_o governor_n as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o so_o neither_o do_v the_o christian_n 3._o however_o the_o zeal_n of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n in_o their_o sermon_n or_o homily_n to_o the_o people_n whole_o cry_v down_o all_o customary_a and_o vain_a swear_n especial_o according_a to_o the_o wont_a form_n of_o heathenish_a swear_n as_o by_o their_o god_n or_o emperor_n and_o the_o like_a so_o polycarpus_n in_o the_o first_o century_n answer_v the_o perfect_a rep._n who_o promise_v to_o dismiss_v he_o if_o he_o will_v swear_v by_o the_o fortune_n of_o cesar_n but_o he_o refuse_v affirm_v i_o be_o a_o christian_n in_o like_a manner_n basilides_n the_o martyr_n when_o the_o officer_n exact_v a_o oath_n of_o he_o reply_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o i_o be_v a_o a_o christian_n to_o swear_v so_o