confirm_v it_o not_o by_o a_o great_a indeed_o as_o we_o do_v because_o there_o be_v no_o great_a but_o by_o himself_o gen._n xxii_o 16._o by_o myself_o have_v i_o swear_v say_v the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o this_o abraham_n do_v believe_v the_o promise_n and_o so_o ought_v we_o also_o now_o from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v we_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o christian_n to_o use_v a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n in_o solemn_a case_n we_o see_v that_o god_n do_v take_v a_o oath_n and_o if_o oath_n be_v evil_a in_o themselves_o it_o be_v certain_a god_n will_v not_o swear_v 895._o since_o he_o can_v neither_o do_v nor_o be_v tempt_v to_o do_v evil_a james_n i._n 13._o yea_o his_o swear_v certain_o prove_v it_o be_v good_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o his_o oath_n be_v design_v to_o comply_v with_o humane_a custom_n as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n on_o a_o great_a and_o just_a occasion_n by_o this_o imitation_n and_o design_n god_n have_v ratify_v and_o approve_v our_o solemn_a use_n of_o oath_n in_o decide_v difference_n this_o one_o act_n of_o his_o declare_v it_o lawful_a to_o swear_v in_o all_o such_o case_n beside_o the_o apostle_n here_o relate_v the_o use_n of_o oath_n in_o judgement_n suppose_v it_o universal_o practise_v by_o gentile_n jew_n and_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n for_o he_o say_v not_o you_o hebrew_n swear_v or_o you_o before_o your_o conversion_n do_v swear_v but_o man_n very_o swear_v etc._n etc._n that_o be_v all_o man_n do_v it_o now_o nor_o do_v he_o on_o this_o occasion_n give_v any_o intimation_n either_o of_o his_o dislike_n of_o this_o general_a custom_n or_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o the_o christian_n so_o to_o do_v wherefore_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o his_o record_v this_o usage_n without_o make_v any_o exception_n to_o it_o and_o his_o justify_n it_o from_o the_o example_n of_o god_n himself_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v allow_v and_o approve_v this_o use_n of_o oath_n but_o our_o obstinate_a adversary_n without_o consider_v how_o to_o answer_v these_o argument_n will_v present_o object_v that_o christ_n say_v swear_v not_o at_o all_o math._n v._o 34._o and_o s._n james_n add_v above_o all_o thing_n my_o brethren_n swear_v not_o jam._n v._o 12._o as_o also_o that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n as_o well_o heathen_n as_o christian_n seem_v by_o some_o pick_v sentence_n to_o forbid_v all_o use_n of_o oath_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v reply_v that_o since_o it_o be_v impious_a to_o suppose_v those_o scripture_n can_v contradict_v this_o text_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o some_o other_o kind_n of_o swear_v be_v there_o forbid_a and_o not_o that_o which_o be_v commend_v here_o and_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a to_o unprejudiced_a man_n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v speak_v of_o no_o other_o oath_n but_o those_o use_v in_o common_a discourse_n for_o the_o next_o word_n be_v but_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o ver_fw-la 37._o which_o show_v he_o be_v treat_v only_o of_o oath_n in_o our_o ordinary_a communication_n which_o may_v be_v whole_o prevent_v if_o in_o our_o common_a talk_n we_o bare_o affirm_v thing_n by_o a_o plain_a yea_o or_o yes_o or_o bare_o deny_v they_o by_o a_o plain_a nay_o or_o no_o and_o the_o instance_n he_o give_v of_o swear_v by_o heaven_n by_o earth_n by_o jerusalem_n and_o by_o their_o head_n ver_fw-la 34_o 35_o 36._o be_v all_o of_o that_o sort_n of_o oath_n which_o the_o jew_n use_v in_o their_o usual_a discourse_n and_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o use_v in_o judgement_n where_o they_o only_o swear_v by_o the_o live_a god_n math._n xxvi_o 63._o indeed_o the_o pharisee_n to_o take_v the_o jew_n off_o from_o the_o wicked_a custom_n of_o ordinary_a swear_v by_o god_n name_n do_v allow_v they_o in_o their_o common-talk_a to_o swear_v by_o these_o lesser_a thing_n persuade_v they_o there_o be_v little_a danger_n in_o they_o and_o no_o great_a obligation_n by_o they_o math._n xxiii_o 16_o etc._n etc._n but_o jesus_n reprove_v this_o false_a gloss_n of_o the_o three_o commandment_n declare_v that_o in_o our_o communication_n one_o with_o another_o we_o must_v not_o swear_v at_o all_o neither_o by_o god_n nor_o the_o creature_n for_o in_o our_o usual_a discourse_n a_o bare_a yes_o or_o no_o be_v enough_o and_o whatever_o be_v more_o come_v from_o either_o the_o evil_a custom_n of_o the_o speaker_n or_o the_o evil_a and_o jealous_a temper_n of_o the_o hearer_n and_o s._n james_n only_o repeat_v and_o apply_v his_o master_n word_n warn_v the_o christian_n to_o take_v great_a heed_n they_o do_v not_o use_v that_o liberty_n give_v they_o by_o the_o jewish_a false_a teacher_n to_o swear_v in_o their_o usual_a talk_n by_o heaven_n or_o by_o earth_n or_o any_o other_o oath_n but_o to_o be_v sure_a always_o to_o affirm_v what_o be_v to_o be_v affirm_v by_o a_o plain_a yea_o and_o deny_v what_o be_v to_o be_v deny_v by_o a_o single_a nay_o lest_o they_o fall_v under_o god_n condemnation_n for_o profane_v his_o name_n verse_n or_o as_o some_o of_o the_o best_a copy_n read_v lest_o by_o a_o common_a careless_a use_n of_o oath_n they_o fall_v into_o that_o accurse_a hypocrisy_n of_o bind_v rash_a and_o false_a word_n with_o oath_n as_o customary_a swearer_n use_v to_o do_v this_o be_v all_o can_v be_v fair_o infer_v from_o these_o two_o place_n and_o therefore_o we_o conclude_v they_o forbid_v only_o common_a swear_v and_o not_o that_o religious_a and_o solemn_a swear_v in_o judgement_n which_o this_o apostle_n here_o approve_v and_o commend_v and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a christian_n abundant_o assure_v we_o it_o be_v never_o believe_v that_o solemn_a oath_n on_o great_a occasion_n be_v forbid_v in_o the_o gospel_n this_o apostle_n s_o paul_n who_o certain_o know_v his_o master_n mind_n say_v s._n augustine_n do_v swear_v 1._o for_o his_o say_n in_o weighty_a case_n god_n be_v my_o witness_n rom._n i._n 9_o and_o behold_v before_o god_n i_o lie_v not_o galat._n i._n 20._o be_v as_o plain_a oath_n in_o that_o father_n opinion_n as_o can_v be_v speak_v and_o though_o the_o primitive_a christian_n refuse_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n genius_n or_o by_o any_o of_o the_o daemon_n since_o thereby_o they_o have_v acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v god_n yet_o tertullian_n say_v express_o but_o we_o also_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n safety_n 28._o that_o be_v by_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o christian_n be_v soldier_n under_o heathen_a emperor_n and_o yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v list_v without_o take_v a_o oath_n which_o be_v give_v to_o the_o soldier_n still_o even_o when_o the_o emperor_n be_v become_v christian_n only_o with_o some_o alteration_n in_o the_o form_n for_o than_o they_o swear_v by_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o emperor_n which_o next_o to_o god_n be_v to_o be_v love_v and_o honour_v of_o all_o 370._o and_o optatus_n who_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n say_v god_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v name_v by_o man_n in_o swear_v to_o consirm_v the_o truth_n 58._o a_o ancient_a and_o genuine_a synodical_a epistle_n write_v from_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n about_o alexandria_n an._n 339._o declare_v that_o the_o christian_a people_n there_o bind_v these_o bishop_n by_o oath_n to_o choose_v athanasius_n for_o their_o pastor_n 403._o and_o mention_n eusebius_n of_o nicomedia_n accuse_v the_o say_a athanasius_n and_o swear_v to_o the_o accusation_n 404._o and_o the_o same_o holy_a confessor_n athanasius_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o the_o emperor_n clear_v himself_o by_o a_o oath_n from_o those_o slander_n 674._o theophronius_n a_o christian_a bishop_n begin_v his_o confession_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n an._n 341._o with_o a_o solemn_a oath_n 416._o synesius_n likewise_o a_o primitive_a bishop_n be_v choose_v arbitrator_n in_o a_o certain_a controversy_n make_v one_o of_o the_o party_n who_o be_v of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n bind_v his_o promise_n by_o a_o oath_n 213._o s._n hierom_n relate_v the_o solemn_a oath_n wherewith_o john_n patriarch_n of_o jerusalem_n 259._o and_o ruffinus_n 323._o do_v confirm_v their_o assertion_n and_o though_o both_o these_o be_v his_o adversary_n and_o he_o bitter_o inveigh_v against_o they_o for_o small_a crime_n yet_o he_o blame_v they_o not_o for_o swear_v and_o he_o also_o observe_v that_o s._n augustine_n swear_v to_o confirm_v a_o assertion_n yet_o never_o check_v he_o for_o it_o though_o he_o be_v then_o angry_a with_o he_o 541._o a_o whole_a council_n of_o bishop_n judge_v sabatius_n unworthy_a of_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n make_v he_o swear_v never_o to_o accept_v it_o 694._o and_o the_o
the_o nature_n and_o usefulness_n of_o solemn_a judicial_a swear_v with_o the_o impiety_n and_o mischief_n of_o vain_a and_o false-swearing_a in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v july_n 14_o the_o 1681._o in_o the_o cathedral_n church_n of_o s._n peter_n in_o york_z at_o the_o assize_n for_o that_o county_n by_o tho._n comber_n d._n d._n prebendary_a of_o york_z and_o thou_o shall_v swear_v the_o lord_n live_v in_o truth_n in_o judgement_n and_o in_o righteousness_n jerem._n iu._n 2._o london_n print_v by_o s._n roycroft_n for_o robert_n clavell_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o richard_n lambert_n bookseller_n in_o york_n 1682._o hebrew_n vi_o 16._o for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a 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 as_o almighty_a god_n be_v the_o creator_n so_o he_o be_v also_o the_o governor_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o have_v a_o unquestionable_a right_n to_o rule_v over_o every_o creature_n he_o be_v the_o maker_n and_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n 25._o and_o though_o he_o do_v not_o exercise_v this_o power_n immediate_o because_o mortal_a man_n can_v suffer_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o dazzle_a and_o illustrious_a presence_n yet_o he_o ordain_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v his_o vicegerent_n there_o be_v no_o power_n but_o of_o god_n the_o power_n that_o be_v be_v ordain_v of_o god_n 1._o and_o he_o expect_v we_o shall_v be_v subject_a to_o they_o for_o his_o and_o for_o conscience_n sake_n 13._o since_o their_o authority_n be_v of_o divine_a original_a which_o the_o scripture_n intimate_v in_o call_v judge_n by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n 4._o a_o title_n common_o give_v they_o by_o the_o jew_n as_o also_o in_o declare_v they_o judge_v not_o for_o man_n but_o for_o the_o lord_n 6._o whence_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n bring_v in_o almighty_a god_n thus_o speak_v to_o the_o judge_n i_o have_v give_v you_o my_o honour_n my_o commission_n and_o my_o name_n therefore_o do_v you_o judge_v as_o i_o myself_o will_v do_v 142._o yea_o it_o be_v law_n 12._o and_o custom_n 2048._o both_o of_o old_a in_o this_o nation_n as_o our_o own_o best_a author_n inform_v we_o to_o place_v the_o venerable_a book_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o justice_n as_o a_o emblem_n that_o they_o judge_v by_o his_o authority_n but_o there_o be_v no_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a original_a of_o humane_a judicature_n than_o the_o solemn_a use_n of_o oath_n there_o which_o be_v a_o plain_a recognise_a god_n as_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o all_o and_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o high_a court_n of_o heaven_n for_o though_o the_o sovereign_n of_o the_o world_n do_v communicate_v his_o authority_n to_o our_o magistrate_n yet_o his_o attribute_n of_o omniscience_n be_v incommunicable_a they_o be_v capable_a of_o represent_v his_o person_n but_o not_o able_a to_o discern_v the_o heart_n and_o thought_n of_o other_o wherefore_o since_o there_o be_v one_o part_n of_o god_n judicial_a perfection_n that_o no_o mortal_a judge_n can_v receive_v viz._n the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n thought_n a_o point_n so_o necessary_a that_o no_o infallible_a and_o certain_a judgement_n can_v be_v give_v without_o it_o therefore_o in_o all_o controversy_n where_o the_o party_n make_v contrary_a affirmation_n there_o lie_v a_o appeal_n to_o the_o great_a 〈◊〉_d and_o high_a judge_n that_o be_v to_o god_n the_o great_a of_o all_o which_o appeal_v be_v in_o order_n to_o end_v the_o strife_n and_o to_o find_v out_o which_o of_o the_o contradict_a party_n speak_v true_a be_v call_v a_o oath_n and_o here_o describe_v by_o the_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a etc._n etc._n and_o certain_o this_o use_n of_o oath_n be_v very_o sacred_a and_o most_o necessary_a be_v a_o clear_a manifestation_n of_o god_n glory_n a_o evident_a testimony_n of_o the_o divine_a original_a of_o the_o magistrate_n power_n and_o the_o great_a support_n of_o the_o administration_n of_o that_o justice_n which_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o all_o society_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o so_o ignorant_a and_o absurd_a as_o to_o deny_v they_o be_v lawful_a other_o so_o stupid_a and_o inconsiderate_a to_o take_v they_o without_o reverence_n and_o swallow_v they_o as_o common_a thing_n yea_o too_o many_o so_o impious_a to_o use_v they_o to_o gain_v credit_n to_o what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a for_o the_o redress_n of_o which_o dangerous_a error_n and_o impiety_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a seasonable_a and_o useful_a undertake_n upon_o this_o occasion_n to_o explain_v this_o piece_n of_o holy_a scripture_n for_o man_n very_o swear_v etc._n etc._n wherein_o we_o will_v first_o consider_v the_o apostle_n general_a design_n in_o this_o place_n which_o will_v prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o take_v oath_n in_o judicial_a case_n second_o we_o will_v observe_v the_o several_a particular_n contain_v in_o the_o word_n which_o represent_v to_o we_o 1._o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a 2._o the_o reason_n of_o a_o oath_n viz._n for_o confirmation_n 3._o the_o end_n and_o use_v of_o it_o in_o judgement_n to_o be_v a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n and_o since_o a_o religious_a oath_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o administration_n of_o justice_n the_o main_a hinge_n upon_o which_o all_o these_o controversy_n turn_v the_o only_a security_n that_o the_o reverend_a judge_n the_o juror_n and_o the_o witness_n do_v give_v that_o they_o will_v speak_v and_o act_v upright_o doubtless_o no_o subject_a can_v be_v more_o suitable_a or_o advantageous_a for_o this_o time_n and_o place_n which_o therefore_o we_o will_v prosecute_v in_o our_o propose_a method_n first_o we_o consider_v the_o apostle_n general_a design_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o bring_v in_o these_o word_n here_o and_o we_o may_v observe_v he_o be_v here_o persuade_v the_o hebrew_n to_o imitate_v their_o pious_a ancestor_n in_o rely_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n exhort_v they_o to_o be_v follower_n of_o they_o who_o by_o faith_n and_o patience_n inherit_v the_o promise_n v_o 12._o add_v that_o the_o promise_v itself_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v trust_v because_o it_o have_v the_o high_a and_o most_o solemn_a confirmation_n imaginable_a be_v secure_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n and_o that_o no_o common_a oath_n neither_o not_o such_o as_o the_o poet_n feign_v the_o heathen_a god_n take_v who_o lactantius_n deride_v for_o their_o swear_n by_o the_o stygian_a lake_n a_o thing_n mean_a than_o themselves_o 11._o but_o as_o sovereign_a prince_n have_v no_o equal_a in_o their_o kingdom_n who_o witness_n can_v add_v any_o authority_n to_o their_o solemn_a act_n conclude_v they_o with_o a_o testae_fw-la meipso_fw-la and_o be_v witness_n to_o themselves_o so_o the_o king_n of_o king_n when_o he_o make_v the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n because_o he_o can_v swear_v by_o no_o great_a swear_v by_o himself_o ver._n 13_o 14_o 15._o confirm_v his_o promise_n say_v philo_n by_o a_o oath_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o swear_v by_o any_o other_o because_o there_o be_v none_o great_a nor_o better_a than_o he_o 98._o and_o lest_o any_o shall_v object_v what_o need_n be_v there_o for_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n to_o swear_v who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v make_v more_o credible_a by_o a_o oath_n as_o the_o same_o philo_z note_n that_o he_o only_o make_v a_o oath_n to_o be_v firm_a 146._o and_o as_o s._n ambrose_n speak_v he_o alone_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o they_o that_o swear_v and_o the_o avenger_n of_o they_o that_o swear_v false_o 147._o therefore_o the_o apostle_n prevent_v that_o scruple_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n by_o declare_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v not_o necessary_a with_o respect_n to_o god_n who_o make_v the_o promise_n but_o in_o compliance_n to_o man_n who_o be_v to_o receive_v it_o in_o condescension_n to_o their_o infirmity_n he_o be_v content_a to_o imitate_v humane_a custom_n and_o to_o give_v the_o same_o security_n for_o his_o own_o truth_n which_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o give_v for_o they_o for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a etc._n etc._n that_o be_v this_o be_v the_o way_n say_v our_o apostle_n by_o which_o man_n confirm_v thing_n uncertain_a this_o be_v the_o method_n they_o use_v to_o conclude_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o doubtful_a controversy_n where_o one_o affirm_v what_o the_o other_o deny_v the_o high_a and_o best_a mean_n they_o have_v to_o end_v this_o strife_n which_o otherwise_o will_v not_o cease_v be_v to_o make_v the_o party_n swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o the_o divine_a majesty_n be_v please_v to_o take_v our_o measure_n in_o transact_v his_o covenant_n with_o we_o for_o he_o swear_v to_o
moderator_n of_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n between_o the_o orthodox_n and_o the_o donatist_n solemn_o swear_v by_o the_o holy_a trinity_n he_o will_v judge_v impartial_o 648._o yea_o the_o civil_a law_n of_o arcadius_n and_o honorius_n decree_v severe_a penalty_n to_o they_o who_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o those_o agreement_n which_o they_o have_v confirm_v by_o a_o oath_n either_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n or_o by_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o emperor_n etc._n and_o in_o the_o council_n of_o toledo_n the_o prince_n adjure_v his_o bishop_n most_o solemn_o to_o determine_v upright_o 484._o by_o these_o and_o innumerable_a more_o instance_n which_o we_o have_v omit_v either_o as_o more_o common_a or_o of_o late_a date_n it_o clear_o appear_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v think_v solemn_a oath_n lawful_a and_o frequent_o use_v they_o nor_o be_v any_o oath_n forbid_v by_o the_o ancient_a canon_n but_o only_o pagan_a oath_n 270._o they_o indeed_o who_o use_v they_o be_v to_o be_v exit_fw-la communicate_v but_o none_o ever_o pretend_v that_o christian_a oath_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o gospel_n till_o the_o gross_a time_n of_o popery_n and_o than_o turgot_n and_o aldwin_n two_o fanatic_a monk_n of_o s._n cuthbert_n be_v in_o scotland_n refuse_v to_o swear_v allegiance_n to_o king_n malcolm_n on_o pretence_n swear_v be_v forbid_v in_o the_o gospel_n 22._o though_o these_o hypocrite_n have_v swear_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o order_n before_o and_o a_o little_a after_o the_o monk_n of_o castellion_n have_v some_o scruple_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o swear_v allege_v the_o same_o text_n and_o reason_n that_o our_o modern_a sectary_n urge_v as_o may_v appear_v by_o innocent_n answer_v to_o they_o 894._o wherefore_o it_o be_v from_o popish_a enthusiast_n and_o not_o primitive_a christian_n that_o our_o delude_a quaker_n learn_v to_o refuse_v all_o swear_v but_o this_o short_a and_o clear_a account_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a christian_n may_v abundant_o satisfy_v all_o that_o be_v unprejudiced_a that_o solemn_a oath_n in_o judgement_n be_v not_o only_o very_o lawful_a but_o useful_a and_o necessary_a and_o have_v be_v use_v by_o all_o man_n of_o all_o religion_n as_o most_o sacred_a thing_n for_o man_n very_o swear_v etc._n etc._n that_o be_v all_o man_n do_v so_o and_o god_n imitate_v the_o use_n and_o s._n paul_n record_v it_o with_o approbation_n yet_o that_o man_n irreverent_a take_n and_o impious_a break_n of_o oath_n may_v not_o prejudice_v this_o useful_a institution_n nor_o be_v a_o offence_n to_o such_o as_o be_v real_o tender_a i_o shall_v pass_v from_o this_o proof_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o swear_v in_o general_a to_o consider_v the_o particular_n of_o the_o text_n wherein_o first_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n be_v imply_v in_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a whence_o it_o appear_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o appeal_n to_o a_o high_a power_n to_o one_o great_a in_o knowledge_n who_o see_v if_o we_o deceive_v and_o can_v be_v deceive_v to_o one_o great_a in_o integrity_n and_o truth_n who_o will_v not_o connive_v at_o falsehood_n nor_o respect_n person_n to_o one_o great_a in_o power_n who_o can_v as_o easy_o punish_v as_o find_v out_o perjury_n and_o cast_v the_o perjure_a wretch_n into_o hell_n fire_n wherefore_o every_o oath_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o supreme_a be_v and_o all_o that_o define_v it_o say_v it_o be_v the_o call_z god_n to_o witness_v alleg_n the_o give_v god_n for_o the_o security_n of_o our_o fidelity_n nazianz._n and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v but_o only_o when_o our_o word_n can_v be_v make_v certain_a without_o call_v in_o the_o divine_a majesty_n 18._o and_o hence_o it_o be_v make_v a_o duty_n and_o reckon_v a_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n to_o swear_v by_o the_o true_a god_n deut._n vi_fw-la 13._o and_o because_o oath_n in_o judicature_n be_v always_o make_v by_o god_n name_n therefore_o such_o a_o oath_n be_v call_v a_o oath_n of_o the_o lord_n exod._n xxii_o 11._o and_o some_o think_v solomon_n give_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n that_o name_n when_o he_o bid_v we_o obey_v the_o king_n because_o of_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n eccles_n viij_o 2._o indeed_o all_o nation_n be_v wont_a to_o swear_v by_o their_o proper_a god_n so_o that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o variety_n in_o man_n oath_n that_o be_v in_o their_o religion_n in_o the_o league_n between_o hannibal_n and_o the_o king_n of_o macedon_n they_o swear_v by_o above_o twenty_o several_a god_n of_o afric_n and_o greece_n 7._o and_o in_o a_o old_a general_n league_n among_o all_o the_o grecian_a city_n every_o place_n be_v to_o take_v their_o country_n oath_n and_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a deity_n of_o their_o own_o city_n 5._o so_o the_o heathen_a poet_n require_v the_o jew_n to_o swear_v to_o he_o by_o anchialus_n that_o be_v as_o the_o roman_n false_o pronounce_v by_o the_o live_a god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 60._o and_o the_o christian_n make_v the_o jew_n swear_v by_o the_o hebrew_n name_n of_o god_n adonai_n sebaoth_o elohim_n etc._n etc._n 119._o and_o from_o this_o belief_n that_o in_o a_o oath_n a_o man_n appeal_v to_o the_o god_n he_o worship_v spring_v the_o custom_n of_o sacrifice_v when_o man_n do_v solemn_o swear_v 54._o and_o the_o use_n of_o go_v into_o the_o temple_n and_o touch_v the_o altar_n when_o they_o take_v a_o religious_a oath_n flacco_fw-la to_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n they_o be_v in_o the_o immediate_a presence_n of_o that_o god_n by_o who_o they_o swear_v to_o which_o end_n also_o the_o gentile_n sometime_o in_o solemn_a swear_v touch_v the_o image_n of_o their_o god_n 24._o whence_o the_o papist_n the_o gross_a imitator_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n have_v derive_v their_o swear_v upon_o the_o relic_n and_o image_n of_o their_o saint_n to_o who_o they_o do_v by_o this_o act_n give_v the_o honour_n due_a to_o god_n only_o as_o for_o we_o we_o swear_v by_o no_o other_o name_n but_o only_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n lay_v our_o hand_n upon_o the_o holy_a bible_n because_o all_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o truth_n and_o the_o curse_n against_o perjury_n be_v write_v there_o devote_v ourselves_o to_o want_v all_o the_o good_a therein_o promise_v and_o to_o suffer_v all_o the_o evil_a therein_o threaten_v if_o we_o swear_v false_o and_o we_o make_v god_n himself_o the_o sole_a judge_n of_o that_o to_o who_o omniscience_n truth_n and_o omnipotence_n we_o appeal_v as_o know_v our_o heart_n and_o call_v on_o he_o as_o the_o witness_n of_o our_o truth_n so_o that_o this_o kind_n of_o swear_v be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n a_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o be_v ancient_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n itself_o 95._o and_o have_v the_o title_n of_o sacramentum_fw-la for_o there_o be_v no_o way_n in_o the_o world_n by_o which_o we_o do_v more_o honour_v the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n the_o justice_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n than_o by_o this_o high_a appeal_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o his_o honour_n which_o he_o will_v not_o give_v to_o any_o other_o nor_o can_v we_o swear_v by_o any_o creature_n without_o be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n the_o creature_n be_v our_o fellow-servant_n and_o not_o enough_o above_o we_o to_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o solemn_a oath_n for_o man_n very_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a etc._n etc._n now_o from_o this_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n we_o infer_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o oath_n be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o religious_a worship_n due_a only_o to_o god_n and_o so_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n the_o pharisee_n of_o old_a permit_v it_o out_o of_o a_o pretend_a reverence_n to_o the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o christ_n and_o s._n james_n both_o forbid_v it_o as_o for_o the_o heathen_n that_o worship_v the_o creature_n no_o wonder_n if_o they_o swear_v by_o they_o but_o it_o be_v a_o silly_a superstition_n in_o socrates_n to_o swear_v by_o any_o thing_n he_o see_v as_o a_o dog_n or_o a_o goose_n etc._n etc._n that_o so_o he_o may_v avoid_v swear_v by_o those_o he_o esteem_v god_n as_o apollonius_n make_v the_o excuse_n for_o he_o 9_o and_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o mahometan_n may_v make_v some_o apology_n for_o their_o swear_v by_o ordinary_a being_n since_o their_o great_a prophet_n swear_v in_o his_o alcoran_n by_o the_o wind_n and_o cloud_n by_o the_o star_n and_o by_o mount_n sinai_n but_o who_o can_v excuse_v christian_n for_o this_o wicked_a custom_n of_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n in_o ordinary_a discourse_n contrary_a to_o