danger_n of_o bedlam_n for_o suppose_v a_o man_n be_v to_o make_v a_o promise_n to_o his_o friend_n of_o that_o kind_n which_o ordinary_o happen_v in_o our_o conversation_n as_o that_o he_o will_v give_v he_o a_o visit_n or_o a_o meeting_n where_o he_o shall_v appoint_v but_o for_o the_o present_n will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o go_v till_o he_o have_v get_v a_o hundred_o of_o his_o neighbour_n together_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o promise_n what_o a_o ridiculous_a fancy_n will_v this_o be_v and_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v ordinary_o do_v thus_o he_o be_v likely_a enough_o to_o be_v beg_v if_o any_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v get_v by_o it_o for_o nothing_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o ordinary_a assurance_n of_o a_o man_n word_n be_v sufficient_a for_o these_o matter_n and_o will_v either_o pass_v for_o they_o or_o he_o have_v as_o good_a be_v banish_v out_o of_o human_a society_n or_o send_v to_o some_o other_o place_n at_o least_o where_o be_v not_o so_o well_o know_v he_o may_v be_v the_o better_o trust_v but_o it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o when_o the_o sun_n shine_v that_o he_o that_o will_v not_o make_v such_o a_o promise_n under_o a_o oath_n nor_o let_v his_o word_n go_v without_o calling_n god_n to_o witness_v it_o by_o invoke_v his_o justice_n and_o vengeance_n if_o he_o falsify_v for_o that_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o a_o oath_n he_o do_v real_o ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o to_o confirm_v his_o promise_n than_o if_o he_o have_v summon_v town_n and_o country_n together_o than_o if_o he_o have_v get_v all_o mankind_n nay_o and_o all_o the_o angel_n in_o heaven_n together_o to_o be_v witness_n between_o he_o and_o his_o neighbour_n can_v there_o ready_o be_v a_o more_o ridiculous_a vanity_n think_v of_o than_o this_o to_o give_v away_o the_o best_a security_n i_o can_v afford_v of_o my_o fidelity_n upon_o every_o trifle_n i_o wish_v all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o this_o sin_n will_v so_o endeavour_v after_o a_o ordinary_a reputation_n among_o man_n as_o to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o for_o the_o future_a thus_o have_v i_o show_v what_o those_o evil_a principle_n be_v from_o whence_o swear_v in_o ordinary_a conversation_n proceed_v it_o come_v of_o irreverence_n towards_o god_n carelessness_n of_o be_v forswear_v immodesty_n and_o arrogance_n lightness_n and_o vanity_n of_o spirit_n that_o be_v to_o say_v if_o a_o man_n have_v either_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n or_o a_o detestation_n of_o perjury_n or_o modesty_n and_o good_a manner_n or_o any_o sobriety_n and_o seriousness_n any_o one_o of_o these_o thing_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v he_o from_o use_v needless_a oath_n and_o therefore_o the_o common_a swearer_n be_v destitute_a of_o they_o all_o and_o consequent_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o foul_a immorality_n which_o grow_v out_o of_o a_o complexion_n of_o all_o those_o evil_a principle_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o these_o good_a and_o virtuous_a disposition_n i_o be_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o examine_v the_o pretence_n that_o be_v only_o possible_a to_o be_v allege_v in_o the_o excuse_n or_o for_o the_o mitigation_n of_o this_o crime_n and_o if_o i_o can_v show_v that_o evil_a be_v imply_v in_o these_o also_o the_o conclusion_n will_v yet_o be_v more_o evident_a that_o whatsoever_o in_o our_o ordinary_a conversation_n be_v beyond_o affirmation_n and_o denial_n come_v of_o evil_a i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o any_o excuse_n will_v be_v hear_v for_o that_o man_n who_o go_v on_o in_o any_o know_a sin_n much_o less_o in_o his_o behalf_n who_o live_v in_o the_o violation_n of_o so_o plain_a and_o easy_a a_o law_n as_o this_o which_o forbid_v common_a swear_v but_o because_o there_o be_v many_o give_v to_o this_o sin_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o excuse_v themselves_o present_o when_o they_o be_v admonish_v and_o to_o ask_v your_o pardon_n if_o you_o seem_v to_o be_v offend_v and_o grieve_v and_o then_o think_v that_o they_o have_v give_v you_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n as_o they_o hope_v they_o have_v do_v the_o like_a to_o god_n by_o confess_v that_o true_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o swear_v in_o this_o fashion_n and_o god_n forgive_v they_o for_o it_o but_o yet_o they_o go_v on_o still_o to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n one_o will_v think_v there_o be_v some_o notable_a temptation_n to_o this_o sin_n which_o will_v go_v very_o far_o to_o extenuate_v the_o guilt_n of_o it_o and_o which_o render_v the_o avoid_n of_o it_o so_o very_o difficult_a that_o all_o the_o regard_n which_o can_v reasonable_o be_v expect_v to_o be_v give_v to_o that_o law_n of_o god_n which_o forbid_v it_o be_v to_o confess_v our_o fault_n and_o cry_v god_n mercy_n every_o time_n we_o commit_v it_o and_o that_o a_o good-natured_a man_n ought_v to_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v with_o the_o acknowledgement_n i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o this_o be_v a_o sin_n which_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o a_o excuse_n as_o much_o as_o any_o i_o shall_v now_o show_v that_o there_o be_v none_o less_o capable_a of_o a_o excuse_n by_o examine_v what_o be_v usual_o pretend_v for_o it_o i_o never_o hear_v that_o any_o swearer_n ever_o fancy_v his_o oath_n to_o be_v for_o his_o health_n or_o his_o wealth_n that_o they_o prolong_v his_o life_n or_o increase_v his_o estate_n that_o they_o give_v the_o wine_n a_o brisk_a flavour_n or_o bring_v the_o gamester_n any_o good_a luck_n that_o they_o ease_v he_o of_o his_o pain_n or_o set_v off_o his_o pleasure_n i_o suppose_v you_o be_v all_o sensible_a that_o these_o pretence_n will_v be_v very_o ridiculous_a and_o true_o they_o be_v not_o much_o better_a that_o follow_v as_o first_o of_o all_o that_o they_o be_v a_o ornament_n to_o a_o man_n discourse_n that_o they_o set_v off_o his_o language_n and_o if_o they_o be_v well_o place_v they_o make_v a_o sentence_n run_v the_o better_a i_o shall_v have_v be_v ashamed_a to_o mention_v this_o excuse_n but_o that_o they_o say_v it_o go_v a_o great_a way_n with_o some_o people_n now_o this_o very_a excuse_n betray_v fantasticalness_n and_o pride_n and_o come_v of_o a_o foolish_a affectation_n to_o be_v count_v a_o wit_n which_o every_o body_n almost_o know_v to_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o mean_a and_o degenerate_a spirit_n the_o reason_n why_o at_o any_o time_n oath_n and_o profane_a talk_n be_v affect_v for_o this_o purpose_n be_v because_o they_o be_v sometime_o observe_v to_o surprise_v the_o hearer_n which_o make_v the_o profane_a person_n conceit_n that_o his_o wit_n be_v acknowledge_v when_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v only_o the_o extravagance_n and_o boldness_n of_o his_o talk_n that_o be_v wonder_v at_o folly_n that_o be_v something_o out_o of_o the_o road_n be_v more_o common_o apt_a to_o provoke_v laughter_n than_o a_o surprisal_n that_o be_v true_o ingenious_a and_o therefore_o for_o a_o man_n to_o have_v a_o opinion_n of_o himself_o mere_o because_o he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o company_n stare_v upon_o he_o arise_v from_o nothing_o but_o a_o mixture_n of_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n as_o to_o this_o particular_a matter_n of_o swear_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o a_o oath_n signify_v only_o to_o the_o affirm_v or_o deny_v of_o what_o be_v say_v but_o add_v nothing_o to_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o sense_n or_o to_o the_o stile_n wherein_o it_o be_v express_v it_o may_v startle_v a_o modest_a man_n but_o it_o can_v please_v any_o wise_a man_n because_o it_o neither_o mend_v the_o matter_n nor_o help_v the_o phrase_n but_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o that_o shall_v go_v for_o wit_n which_o the_o very_o base_a of_o the_o people_n can_v make_v use_n of_o with_o as_o much_o freedom_n and_o discretion_n and_o with_o as_o good_a a_o grace_n as_o a_o man_n of_o the_o best_a quality_n and_o breed_n can_v do_v for_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v nothing_o require_v to_o this_o kind_n of_o pleasantness_n but_o to_o get_v one_o forehead_n furnish_v with_o impudence_n which_o if_o the_o mean_a peasant_n be_v capable_a of_o he_o be_v then_o qualify_v for_o a_o good_a companion_n mere_o by_o have_v a_o memory_n large_a enough_o to_o take_v in_o half_a a_o dozen_o oath_n and_o a_o tongue_n in_o his_o head_n to_o use_v they_o as_o occasion_n serve_v which_o experience_n show_v may_v be_v do_v without_o any_o natural_a sagacity_n or_o rule_n of_o art_n 2._o it_o be_v sometime_o pretend_a by_o common_a swearer_n though_o i_o think_v but_o rare_o that_o man_n will_v not_o believe_v they_o without_o a_o oath_n and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o confess_v they_o have_v be_v so_o notorious_o give_v to_o lie_v that_o no_o body_n dare_v trust_v they_o upon_o their_o bare_a word_n for_o a_o man_n that_o be_v know_v to_o make_v conscience_n of_o speak_v the_o truth_n find_v
the_o religion_n of_o a_o oath_n a_o discourse_n prove_v the_o danger_n and_o immorality_n of_o rash_a and_o profane_a swear_v by_o the_o late_a reverend_n and_o judicious_a dr._n claggett_n reprint_v on_o occasion_n of_o the_o parliament_n address_n to_o his_o majesty_n to_o issue_n out_o his_o proclamation_n against_o immorality_n etc._n etc._n london_n print_v for_o will._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1700._o the_o religion_n of_o a_o oath_n etc._n etc._n matth_n v._o 34_o 35_o 36_o 37._o but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n for_o it_o be_v god_n throne_n nor_o by_o the_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v his_o footstool_n neither_o by_o jerusalem_n for_o it_o be_v the_o city_n of_o the_o great_a king_n neither_o shall_v thou_o swear_v by_o thy_o head_n because_o thou_o can_v not_o make_v one_o hair_n white_a or_o black_a but_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v more_o than_o this_o come_v of_o evil_a that_o religion_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o a_o sense_n of_o his_o authority_n be_v principle_n suppose_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v from_o hence_o evident_a that_o in_o great_a part_n the_o process_n of_o our_o court_n depend_v upon_o testimony_n give_v under_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n for_o though_o the_o use_n of_o a_o oath_n there_o be_v require_v by_o humane_a authority_n yet_o the_o peculiar_a obligation_n it_o lay_v upon_o we_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n be_v antecedent_n to_o all_o humane_a law_n be_v found_v original_o upon_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n wherefore_o though_o a_o oath_n in_o respect_n of_o some_o use_n and_o end_n of_o it_o may_v be_v a_o civil_a act_n yet_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o reason_n whereby_o it_o oblige_v it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v high_o conducible_a to_o the_o end_n of_o civil_a government_n to_o maintain_v a_o sense_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o particular_o it_o must_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o make_v they_o observe_v those_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v plain_o design_v to_o secure_v the_o reverence_n which_o be_v due_a to_o a_o oath_n and_o to_o keep_v man_n at_o a_o wide_a distance_n from_o the_o danger_n of_o perjury_n such_o be_v that_o law_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o i_o have_v read_v to_o you_o which_o therefore_o do_v not_o tend_v more_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n than_o to_o the_o common_a good_a of_o mankind_n and_o this_o no_o man_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o who_o consider_v what_o a_o vast_a influence_n the_o use_n of_o a_o oath_n have_v upon_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n this_o be_v that_o whereby_o we_o come_v to_o conside_fw-la in_o one_o another_o about_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n to_o our_o life_n this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v so_o often_o necessary_a to_o secure_v our_o property_n to_o save_v we_o from_o wrong_n and_o to_o make_v even_o our_o enemy_n to_o do_v we_o right_o it_o be_v this_o which_o all_o process_n in_o court_n of_o judicature_n be_v govern_v by_o which_o be_v suppose_v to_o all_o administration_n of_o justice_n and_o give_v a_o end_n to_o all_o controversy_n about_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o will_v be_v no_o otherways_o decide_v it_o be_v this_o which_o must_v either_o direct_v or_o misguide_v the_o wise_a magistrate_n and_o make_v their_o sentence_n itself_o either_o right_a or_o wrong_n and_o by_o which_o we_o be_v either_o strong_o guard_v against_o injury_n or_o almost_o inevitable_o expose_v to_o it_o of_o how_o great_a consequence_n therefore_o must_v it_o be_v to_o the_o good_a of_o all_o man_n to_o have_v the_o reverence_n of_o a_o oath_n secure_v and_o to_o make_v every_o man_n tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o perjury_n since_o the_o world_n can_v be_v well-governed_a nor_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n go_v forward_o without_o the_o use_n of_o oath_n and_o yet_o we_o have_v better_o be_v without_o they_o in_o as_o many_o case_n as_o there_o be_v wherein_o man_n be_v not_o afraid_a to_o be_v forswear_v and_o yet_o alas_o it_o be_v the_o daily_a complaint_n of_o our_o age_n that_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o oath_n be_v almost_o banish_v out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o although_o it_o be_v real_o a_o thousand_o time_n more_o dreadful_a to_o profane_v the_o name_n of_o god_n by_o call_v he_o to_o be_v a_o witness_n to_o our_o lie_n than_o it_o will_v be_v to_o play_v before_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o cannon_n while_o it_o be_v fire_v yet_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v the_o report_n which_o be_v sometime_o make_v from_o court_n of_o judicature_n there_o be_v very_o few_o peasant_n so_o pusillanimous_a but_o they_o be_v hardy_a enough_o to_o swear_v to_o any_o thing_n and_o with_o equal_a confidence_n to_o contradict_v one_o another_o in_o the_o plain_a matter_n and_o when_o under_o a_o equal_a obligation_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n by_o the_o invocation_n of_o the_o dreadful_a name_n of_o god_n now_o if_o we_o will_v inquire_v how_o the_o sacredness_n of_o a_o oath_n be_v grow_v into_o such_o contempt_n i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o the_o common_a and_o frequent_a use_n of_o swear_v in_o our_o ordinary_a conversation_n will_v be_v find_v at_o least_o accessary_a to_o that_o dishonour_n which_o be_v do_v to_o god_n and_o that_o mischief_n to_o man_n by_o the_o so_o frequent_a perjury_n of_o our_o age._n oath_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a with_o we_o that_o man_n have_v forget_v the_o nature_n and_o true_a use_n of_o they_o and_o be_v not_o sensible_a that_o they_o call_v the_o divine_a vengeance_n upon_o themselves_o if_o their_o testimony_n be_v not_o exact_o true_a they_o have_v be_v prostitute_v to_o the_o mean_a service_n and_o profane_v by_o common_a use_n and_o then_o no_o wonder_n if_o the_o sacred_a obligation_n peculiar_a to_o they_o be_v forget_v when_o they_o be_v use_v in_o those_o special_a case_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v reserve_v therefore_o if_o we_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o recover_v the_o fear_n of_o a_o oath_n among_o our_o countryman_n we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o do_v it_o by_o mean_n contrary_a to_o those_o whereby_o it_o have_v be_v so_o general_o lose_v that_o be_v by_o abstain_v ourselves_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o by_o dissuade_v and_o restrain_v other_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v from_o that_o familiar_a and_o fashionable_a swear_v which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a reproach_n of_o our_o age_n to_o which_o end_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v the_o meaning_n and_o reason_n of_o these_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o in_o they_o i_o shall_v consider_v 1._o the_o law_n itself_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o but_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o 2._o the_o sanction_n and_o reason_n of_o this_o law_n viz._n 1._o the_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o 2._o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v more_o than_o this_o come_v of_o evil_a in_o the_o law_n itself_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o prohibition_n and_o the_o precept_n 1._o the_o prohibition_n which_o contain_v 1._o a_o general_a rule_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o 2._o some_o particular_a instance_n whereto_o the_o rule_n extend_v neither_o by_o heaven_n nor_o by_o earth_n nor_o by_o jerusalem_n nor_o by_o thy_o head_n 3._o the_o reason_n why_o the_o rule_n extend_v to_o these_o instance_n not_o by_o heaven_n for_o it_o be_v god_n throne_n not_o by_o the_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v his_o footstool_n not_o by_o jerusalem_n for_o it_o be_v the_o city_n of_o the_o great_a king_n not_o by_o thy_o head_n for_o thou_o can_v not_o make_v one_o hair_n white_a or_o black_a let_v we_o begin_v with_o the_o general_a rule_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o from_o which_o word_n the_o anabaptist_n and_o quaker_n have_v contend_v that_o a_o oath_n or_o a_o appeal_n to_o god_n that_o what_o we_o say_v be_v true_a be_v in_o no_o case_n lawful_a i_o shall_v here_o show_v the_o contrary_a and_o prove_v that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o rule_n be_v this_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o swear_v in_o our_o common_a and_o daily_a conversation_n with_o man_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v 1._o by_o compare_v the_o prohibition_n with_o the_o precept_n 2._o with_o the_o particular_a instance_n whereunto_o the_o prohibition_n extend_v 1._o with_o the_o precept_n but_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o i._n e._n let_v this_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o your_o ordinary_a discourse_n bare_o to_o affirm_v or_o deny_v or_o if_o need_v be_v sometime_o with_o vehemence_n which_o perhaps_o be_v intimate_v by_o the_o repetition_n of_o yea_o and_o nay_o now_o it_o be_v plain_a if_o
this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o precept_n that_o the_o prohibition_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o case_n which_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o common_a and_o ordinary_a conversation_n of_o man_n such_o as_o the_o decide_n of_o controversy_n for_o the_o security_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n the_o assure_v of_o fidelity_n to_o the_o government_n and_o the_o ratify_n of_o league_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v case_n proper_o except_v from_o this_o rule_n of_o a_o usual_a and_o ordinary_a communication_n with_o each_o other_o because_o they_o be_v no_o part_n thereof_o but_o i_o confess_v i_o do_v not_o lay_v the_o stress_n of_o the_o proof_n upon_o this_o argument_n only_o but_o on_o this_o together_o with_o the_o second_o which_o be_v found_v upon_o compare_v the_o general_a rule_n with_o the_o particular_a instance_n whereby_o the_o use_n of_o it_o be_v explain_v neither_o by_o heaven_n for_o it_o be_v god_n throne_n etc._n etc._n our_o saviour_n design_n in_o these_o word_n can_v be_v better_a understand_v than_o by_o consider_v what_o those_o corrupt_a principle_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o swear_v be_v which_o have_v creep_v in_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o first_o as_o their_o own_o author_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v general_o hold_v among_o they_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o light_n and_o trivial_a case_n but_o they_o believe_v it_o be_v no_o sin_n to_o swear_v upon_o any_o occasion_n by_o a_o creature_n that_o be_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o god_n favour_n and_o providence_n as_o by_o heaven_n or_o by_o the_o earth_n or_o by_o jerusalem_n or_o by_o their_o head_n which_o be_v the_o instance_n here_o note_v by_o our_o saviour_n second_o some_o of_o they_o and_o particular_o the_o pharisees_n teach_v that_o the_o gild_n of_o perjury_n be_v not_o incur_v when_o a_o falsehood_n be_v attest_v by_o these_o kind_n of_o oath_n except_v only_o in_o the_o case_n of_o swear_v by_o the_o gold_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o gift_n upon_o the_o altar_n by_o which_o oath_n they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v bind_v as_o we_o find_v mat._n 23._o i.e._n either_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n or_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o false-swearing_a hence_o i_o say_v that_o our_o saviour_n word_n swear_v not_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n be_v speak_v to_o person_n who_o well_o enough_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o their_o countryman_n in_o this_o matter_n can_v not_o reasonable_o be_v think_v to_o have_v any_o other_o meaning_n than_o this_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n of_o god_n in_o any_o of_o those_o case_n wherein_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o swear_v by_o the_o almighty_a himself_o i.e._n in_o their_o usual_a communication_n with_o one_o another_o for_o it_o seem_v the_o jew_n themselves_o be_v not_o arrive_v to_o that_o insolence_n which_o it_o be_v so_o dreadful_a to_o think_v that_o christian_n nowadays_o shall_v not_o scruple_n of_o profane_v the_o name_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n by_o call_v he_o at_o every_o turn_n to_o be_v witness_n of_o their_o talk_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n find_v it_o needless_a to_o forbid_v they_o swear_v by_o his_o name_n for_o they_o already_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v a_o impious_a thing_n but_o he_o tell_v they_o they_o must_v neither_o swear_v by_o heaven_n nor_o by_o any_o thing_n else_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v you_o have_v be_v allow_v to_o liberty_n of_o swear_v as_o oft_o as_o you_o please_v provide_v you_o do_v not_o use_v the_o name_n of_o god_n himself_o it_o be_v ordinary_a with_o you_o to_o swear_v by_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o by_o the_o temple_n and_o your_o life_n and_o soul_n and_o that_o in_o those_o case_n wherein_o you_o right_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v a_o profane_a rudeness_n to_o invoke_v the_o majesty_n of_o god_n direct_o but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o you_o shall_v not_o henceforth_o take_v the_o liberty_n of_o use_v any_o kind_n of_o oath_n in_o those_o case_n wherein_o you_o be_v not_o to_o appeal_v to_o god_n himself_o but_o upon_o all_o these_o occasion_n whatever_o you_o assert_v or_o whatever_o you_o promise_v use_v the_o simplicity_n and_o plainness_n of_o some_o affirmation_n or_o denial_n and_o thus_o our_o saviour_n restrain_v the_o licentiousness_n of_o those_o common_a swearer_n that_o think_v they_o may_v safe_o swear_v by_o heaven_n and_o use_v the_o like_a oath_n at_o any_o time_n and_o upon_o any_o occasion_n and_o withal_o correct_v that_o abuse_n which_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o pharisee_n have_v bring_v into_o this_o practice_n viz._n that_o man_n be_v not_o liable_a to_o the_o guilt_n of_o perjury_n by_o such_o oath_n as_o these_o be_v which_o i_o shall_v more_o distinct_o show_v under_o the_o three_o head_n the_o meaning_n then_o of_o our_o saviour_n prohibition_n be_v not_o this_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a at_o any_o time_n to_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o swear_v by_o any_o creature_n in_o any_o case_n wherein_o it_o will_v be_v so_o to_o appeal_v direct_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n himself_o 2._o as_o to_o those_o instance_n by_o which_o the_o general_a rule_n be_v explain_v it_o be_v observable_a 1._o that_o swear_v by_o any_o of_o the_o creature_n be_v forbid_v not_o only_o by_o heaven_n and_o earth_n which_o with_o the_o rest_n be_v particular_o mention_v by_o our_o saviour_n because_o these_o form_n of_o swear_v be_v most_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n 2._o we_o be_v to_o note_v that_o our_o saviour_n call_v it_o swear_v to_o use_v these_o form_n of_o speech_n in_o attest_v what_o we_o say_v they_o be_v not_o so_o many_o word_n lose_v as_o we_o may_v be_v incline_v to_o think_v but_o we_o bring_v upon_o ourselves_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n by_o the_o use_n of_o they_o as_o shall_v present_o appear_v if_o indeed_o any_o way_n of_o speak_v have_v obtain_v among_o we_o which_o look_v like_o swear_v but_o be_v not_o be_v altogether_o unapt_a to_o excite_v any_o thought_n of_o divine_a justice_n i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o they_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o too_o because_o sure_o the_o prohibition_n of_o swear_v at_o all_o exclude_v not_o only_o all_o real_a but_o all_o break_a apish_a and_o insignificant_a oath_n but_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o one_o will_v think_v that_o a_o small_a measure_n of_o sobriety_n and_o wisdom_n shall_v keep_v a_o man_n from_o debase_v and_o vilify_a the_o acknowledge_v form_n of_o speak_v that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o oath_n by_o apply_v they_o to_o such_o senseless_a sound_n as_o make_v they_o to_o signify_v nothing_o it_o be_v a_o good_a rule_n which_o a_o wise_a man_n have_v give_v that_o all_o form_n beside_o those_o wherein_o there_o be_v a_o immediate_a appeal_n to_o god_n be_v better_o avoid_v when_o there_o be_v need_n of_o swear_v and_o when_o there_o be_v no_o need_n we_o shall_v not_o swear_v at_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n nor_o by_o any_o thing_n else_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v 3._o the_o reason_n why_o the_o prohibition_n extend_v to_o these_o instance_n and_o the_o like_a not_o by_o heaven_n for_o it_o be_v god_n throne_n and_o he_o that_o swear_v by_o heaven_n swear_v by_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n and_o he_o that_o sit_v thereon_o matth._n 23._o not_o by_o the_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v his_o footstool_n it_o be_v a_o remarkable_a subject_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o to_o swear_v hereby_o be_v in_o effect_n all_o one_o as_o to_o appeal_v to_o god_n that_o uphold_v it_o by_o his_o power_n not_o by_o jerusalem_n nor_o any_o holy_a place_n that_o have_v a_o peculiar_a relation_n to_o god_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n nor_o by_o thy_o head_n for_o thou_o can_v not_o make_v one_o hair_n white_a or_o black_a i._n e._n thou_o have_v no_o power_n over_o thy_o life_n and_o be_v so_o unable_a to_o subsist_v independent_o upon_o god_n that_o thou_o can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o alter_v the_o colour_n of_o thy_o hair_n now_o since_o thy_o head_n thy_o life_n and_o safety_n depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a providence_n to_o swear_v by_o thy_o head_n and_o by_o thy_o life_n and_o consequent_o by_o thy_o hope_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n be_v indeed_o to_o swear_v by_o he_o upon_o who_o thou_o depende_v for_o thy_o life_n and_o who_o only_o have_v all_o power_n to_o save_v and_o to_o destroy_v so_o that_o the_o general_a reason_n why_o these_o oath_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v be_v because_o they_o be_v equivalent_a to_o formal_a swear_v by_o the_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o pharisee_n bring_v a_o equal_a obligation_n upon_o he_o that_o use_v they_o with_o