of_o perjury_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o chester_n april_n the_o 4_o the_o 1682._o by_o john_n allen_n m._n a._n fellow_n of_o trinity_n college_n in_o cambridge_n and_o chaplain_n to_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o chester_n totius_fw-la injustitiae_fw-la nulla_fw-la capitalior_fw-la est_fw-la quam_fw-la eorum_fw-la qui_fw-la tùm_fw-la cùm_fw-la maximè_fw-la fallunt_fw-la id_fw-la agunt_fw-la ut_fw-la viri_fw-la boni_fw-la esse_fw-la videantur_fw-la tully_n de_fw-fr offic._n lib._n 1._o london_n print_v for_o benj._n take_v at_o the_o ship_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o george_n atkinson_n bookseller_n in_o chester_n 1682._o to_o the_o right_n worshipful_a sir_n robert_n leycester_n baronet_n foreman_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o worthy_a and_o loyal_a gentleman_n of_o the_o grand_a jury_n for_o the_o assize_n late_o hold_v at_o chester_n gentleman_n the_o preach_v of_o this_o sermon_n be_v undertake_v at_o the_o request_n of_o the_o high_a sheriff_n a_o honest_a truehearted_n and_o loyal_a gentleman_n a_o ancient_n and_o faithful_a servant_n to_o his_o majesty_n but_o the_o print_n of_o it_o be_v extort_a by_o your_o importunity_n you_o have_v thrust_v i_o into_o the_o world_n perfect_o against_o my_o humour_n and_o inclination_n and_o you_o have_v thereby_o expose_v i_o to_o the_o exception_n and_o censure_n of_o this_o captious_a age_n of_o peevish_a ill-natured_a and_o ill-affected_a person_n to_o you_o therefore_o i_o flee_v for_o shelter_v your_o protection_n i_o claim_v on_o your_o judgement_n i_o have_v rely_v you_o be_v bind_v in_o honour_n and_o justice_n to_o excuse_v the_o fault_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n to_o justify_v the_o doctrine_n and_o to_o abhor_v the_o perjury_n herein_o mention_v i_o have_v some_o encouragement_n to_o hope_n that_o the_o sermon_n will_v please_v the_o honest_a the_o faithful_a and_o the_o loyal_a because_o it_o please_v you_o who_o be_v eminent_o such_o that_o it_o may_v be_v in_o some_o degree_n useful_a and_o seasonable_a for_o these_o time_n because_o you_o think_v so_o and_o if_o it_o chance_v to_o be_v carp_v and_o cavel_v at_o by_o the_o factious_a and_o the_o seditious_a by_o false_a witness_n and_o corrupt_a juror_n by_o the_o old_a covenanter_n or_o new_a associator_n as_o be_v peculiar_o level_v against_o their_o design_n and_o practice_n yet_o however_o we_o need_v not_o fear_n we_o have_v this_o advantage_n upon_o they_o that_o whoever_o rail_v or_o even_o mutter_v against_o we_o do_v thereby_o confess_v their_o own_o guilt_n and_o so_o their_o credit_n be_v crack_v and_o their_o testimony_n become_v invalid_a their_o tongue_n be_v no_o slander_n their_o ill-word_n be_v no_o disparagement_n no_o more_o than_o their_o good_a one_o can_v be_v a_o commendation_n my_o design_n in_o preach_v and_o you_o in_o publish_v this_o discourse_n i_o dare_v confident_o say_v be_v both_o the_o same_o to_o convince_v the_o guilty_a and_o make_v they_o true_o sensible_a of_o their_o sin_n and_o danger_n in_o order_n to_o their_o repentance_n and_o to_o fix_v and_o '_o establish_v the_o slippery_a and_o waver_a temper_n of_o those_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v draw_v in_o by_o great_a example_n or_o specious_a pretence_n or_o the_o prospect_n of_o temporal_a advantage_n that_o our_o joint_a endeavour_n may_v prove_v by_o god_n blessing_n useful_a and_o instrumental_a to_o these_o great_a and_o good_a end_n shall_v be_v the_o hearty_a prayer_n of_o gentleman_n your_o most_o obedient_a and_o most_o humble_a servant_n john_n allen._n of_o perjury_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o chester_n april_n the_o 4_o the_o 1682._o leviticus_n xix_o 12._o and_o you_o shall_v not_o swear_v by_o my_o name_n false_o i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o these_o word_n as_o a_o subject_a both_o suitable_a to_o this_o solemn_a occasion_n and_o seasonable_a for_o the_o time_n the_o time_n be_v notorious_o pester_v disturb_v and_o endanger_v by_o the_o variety_n and_o frequency_n of_o perjury_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n the_o occasion_n may_v seem_v to_o require_v a_o serious_a and_o plain_a discourse_n that_o by_o god_n blessing_n may_v prove_v serviceable_a and_o useful_a to_o advise_v and_o admonish_v all_o that_o be_v concern_v so_o to_o discharge_v their_o duty_n to_o god_n to_o their_o king_n and_o country_n that_o not_o the_o least_o blemish_n or_o tincture_n of_o this_o sin_n may_v defile_v their_o conscience_n or_o disparage_v their_o proceed_n i_o have_v intend_v to_o have_v give_v a_o account_n by_o way_n of_o preface_n of_o the_o nature_n kind_n end_v or_o vsefulness_n lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n together_o with_o the_o most_o usual_a form_n and_o ceremony_n of_o solemn_a swear_v ancient_a and_o modern_a but_o be_o force_v to_o wave_v all_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o largeness_n and_o copiousness_n of_o my_o subject_n my_o design_n be_v to_o discourse_v of_o the_o sin_n of_o perjury_n and_o to_o give_v you_o a_o full_a account_n of_o it_o in_o this_o method_n 1._o i_o shall_v show_v what_o perjury_n be_v and_o how_o many_o way_n it_o be_v commit_v 2._o the_o heinousness_n and_o aggravation_n of_o it_o 3._o what_o be_v the_o usual_a occasion_n of_o inducement_n and_o temptation_n to_o this_o sin_n 4_o and_o last_o the_o punishment_n of_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man._n 1._o perjury_n as_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o be_v a_o swear_v by_o god_n name_n false_o as_o philo_n describe_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o calling_n god_n to_o witness_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o lie_n and_o be_v commit_v these_o several_a way_n 1._o when_o man_n do_v assert_v and_o testify_v upon_o oath_n a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a when_o they_o swear_v that_o they_o see_v or_o hear_v such_o or_o such_o thing_n do_v or_o speak_v which_o their_o own_o conscience_n tell_v they_o they_o do_v not_o 2._o when_o man_n do_v assert_v and_o testify_v upon_o oath_n a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o they_o be_v not_o full_o assure_v nay_o though_o the_o thing_n shall_v be_v true_a yet_o be_v it_o be_v more_o than_o they_o know_v they_o be_v however_o guilty_a of_o perjury_n because_o they_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v and_o appeal_v to_o he_o for_o the_o attestation_n of_o that_o as_o certain_o true_a which_o for_o aught_o they_o know_v may_v be_v utter_o false_a to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v that_o when_o man_n declare_v upon_o oath_n this_o or_o that_o to_o be_v their_o judgement_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o mind_n which_o real_o be_v not_o so_o or_o which_o be_v ground_v on_o bare_a suspicion_n or_o fond_a wish_n or_o which_o proceed_v not_o from_o full_a conviction_n but_o from_o partial_a and_o by-respect_n this_o be_v also_o perjury_n so_o then_o if_o witness_n swear_v to_o testify_v the_o truth_n the_o whole_a truth_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n do_v depose_v falsity_n do_v conceal_v and_o suppress_v the_o most_o material_a evidence_n do_v improve_v and_o enlarge_v their_o testimony_n with_o the_o addition_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o invention_n they_o be_v plain_o perjure_v so_o likewise_o when_o man_n swear_v to_o inquire_v and_o inform_v the_o court_n of_o justice_n do_v not_o find_v bill_n according_a to_o fair_a full_a and_o legal_a evidence_n against_o some_o sort_n of_o person_n out_o of_o love_n fear_v favour_n and_o affection_n or_o hope_v of_o reward_n or_o do_v find_v they_o against_o other_o out_o of_o envy_n hatred_n malice_n etc._n etc._n if_o man_n from_o the_o forenamed_a motive_n do_v acquit_v the_o guilty_a or_o condemn_v the_o innocent_a this_o be_v perjury_n in_o the_o juror_n in_o god_n account_n in_o his_o sight_n according_a to_o his_o law_n though_o possible_o the_o law_n of_o the_o realm_n may_v take_v no_o cognizance_n or_o hold_v of_o they_o these_o thing_n i_o mention_v and_o desire_n all_o that_o be_v or_o may_v be_v concern_v to_o consider_v serious_o and_o to_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o danger_n and_o that_o because_o such_o miscarriage_n do_v happen_v sometime_o to_o the_o scandal_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o reproach_n of_o our_o nation_n to_o the_o obstruction_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o perversion_n of_o our_o good_a law_n and_o because_o man_n passion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o interest_n do_v so_o frequent_o tincture_n their_o judgement_n and_o bias_n their_o will_n that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n for_o some_o man_n to_o be_v witness_n and_o not_o be_v party_n too_o they_o be_v insensible_o and_o yet_o powerful_o suborn_v to_o give_v in_o their_o evidence_n with_o more_o or_o less_o weight_n according_a to_o their_o inclination_n or_o aversion_n to_o a_o person_n to_o a_o party_n or_o a_o cause_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o juror_n also_o may_v be_v in_o danger_n
the_o promise_n he_o disregard_v all_o the_o curse_n contain_v in_o that_o holy_a volume_n other_o sort_n of_o sinner_n be_v general_o more_o modest_a and_o shamefaced_a use_v more_o respect_n and_o good_a manner_n to_o their_o maker_n even_o when_o they_o offend_v he_o they_o have_v common_o a_o awe_n and_o concern_v upon_o they_o and_o strive_v though_o in_o vain_a to_o conceal_v themselves_o from_o his_o all-seeing_a eye_n and_o to_o cover_v their_o sin_n with_o secrecy_n or_o darkness_n or_o at_o least_o to_o put_v off_o the_o thought_n of_o god_n presence_n and_o stifle_v the_o fear_n of_o his_o power_n and_o justice_n but_o the_o perjurer_n be_v rude_a and_o insolent_a be_v loud_a and_o clamorous_a aspice_fw-la quantâ_fw-la voice_fw-la neget_fw-la quae_fw-la sit_fw-la ficti_fw-la constantia_fw-la vultûs_fw-la 13._o juvenal_n sat._n 13._o he_o have_v case_v his_o countenance_n with_o impudence_n and_o hypocrisy_n he_o fear_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n he_o swear_v with_o courage_n and_o a_o loud_a voice_n he_o stare_v god_n in_o the_o face_n he_o call_v upon_o he_o to_o look_v on_o to_o hearken_v and_o be_v a_o witness_n how_o cunning_o and_o secure_o he_o can_v abuse_v and_o profane_v his_o name_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o lie_n he_o challenge_v god_n to_o come_v forth_o and_o engage_v and_o be_v bind_v with_o he_o for_o what_o he_o never_o intend_v or_o will_v take_v no_o care_n to_o perform_v can_v there_o be_v a_o sin_n more_o impudent_a and_o heinous_a than_o this_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o reconcile_v this_o with_o so_o much_o as_o the_o show_n and_o pretence_n of_o religion_n can_v those_o man_n that_o affront_v their_o god_n and_o profane_v his_o name_n at_o this_o rate_n persuade_v themselves_o or_o any_o body_n else_o that_o they_o have_v any_o the_o low_a degree_n of_o love_n or_o fear_v or_o trust_v in_o god_n or_o any_o of_o the_o christian_a grace_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o those_o man_n fallacitèr_fw-la epist_n 154._o sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la dubitatione_n minus_fw-la malum_fw-la est_fw-la per_fw-la deum_fw-la falsum_fw-la jurare_fw-la veraciter_fw-la quam_fw-la per_fw-la doum_n verum_fw-la fallacitèr_fw-la for_o all_o their_o pretence_n and_o noise_n to_o be_v hearty_o zealous_a against_o popery_n and_o idolatry_n who_o make_v no_o scruple_n of_o perjury_n it_o be_v not_o if_o s._n austin_n tell_v we_o true_a that_o without_o all_o doubt_n it_o be_v a_o less_o sin_n to_o swear_v true_o by_o a_o false_a god_n than_o to_o swear_v false_o by_o the_o true_a one._n and_o so_o make_v perjury_n a_o more_o heinous_a crime_n than_o idolatry_n itself_o and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o madness_n in_o we_o to_o cry_v up_o and_o magnify_v and_o take_v those_o for_o our_o example_n and_o leader_n and_o the_o guide_n of_o our_o conscience_n and_o practice_n that_o have_v forswear_v themselves_o over_o and_o over_o that_o be_v never_o true_a to_o any_o government_n that_o never_o be_v or_o never_o will_v be_v faithful_a to_o this._n oh_o my_o soul_n come_v not_o thou_o into_o their_o secret_n have_v thou_o nothing_o to_o do_v with_o those_o wicked_a man_n that_o will_v never_o be_v oblige_v to_o speak_v truth_n or_o perform_v their_o promise_n 2._o perjury_n be_v not_o only_o a_o impious_a and_o impudent_a affront_n to_o god_n but_o be_v also_o most_o injurious_a and_o mischievous_a to_o 1._o man_n to_o our_o neighbour_n and_o that_o first_o in_o his_o private_a capacity_n in_o all_o his_o concern_v of_o what_o kind_n soever_o though_o never_o so_o dear_a unto_o he_o his_o life_n his_o liberty_n his_o reputation_n his_o estate_n be_v all_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o perjurer_n 35.11_o psal_n 35.11_o and_o though_o they_o lie_v to_o his_o charge_n thing_n that_o he_o know_v not_o as_o david_n speak_v though_o they_o invent_v and_o forge_v groundless_a accusation_n against_o the_o most_o perfect_a innocence_n yet_o if_o they_o prove_v and_o attest_v they_o upon_o oath_n if_o they_o call_v on_o god_n to_o confirm_v their_o lie_a evidence_n there_o be_v usual_o no_o sense_n no_o shelter_n against_o their_o malice_n and_o treachery_n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d themist_n orat._n 1._o we_o can_v guard_v ourselves_o in_o most_o case_n against_o open_a violence_n we_o can_v preserve_v our_o good_n from_o thief_n and_o robber_n we_o may_v find_v general_o some_o guard_n and_o shelter_v against_o other_o injury_n but_o perjury_n be_v a_o arrow_n that_o fly_v in_o darkness_n it_o be_v a_o surprise_n a_o stab_n it_o destroy_v we_o by_o mining_n or_o ambuscade_n it_o take_v away_o all_o our_o armour_n the_o armour_n of_o innocence_n in_o which_o we_o trust_v it_o cut_v off_o our_o retreat_n it_o leave_v we_o naked_a and_o unable_a to_o stand_v and_o defend_v ourselves_o against_o its_o secret_a violence_n 2._o perjury_n be_v injurious_a to_o conversation_n and_o commerce_n all_o our_o deal_n and_o trade_n and_o contract_n and_o friendship_n be_v ground_v upon_o and_o manage_v by_o the_o faith_n and_o assurance_n that_o we_o give_v and_o take_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o purpose_n express_v by_o our_o word_n and_o in_o great_a concern_v confirm_v by_o our_o oath_n this_o tie_n and_o compact_n we_o together_o make_v we_o useful_a and_o helpful_a and_o serviceable_a to_o each_o other_o this_o create_v and_o preserve_v love_n and_o kindness_n and_o mutual_a affection_n and_o endearment_n and_o the_o intercourse_n and_o circulation_n of_o good_a turn_n and_o benefit_n but_o if_o after_o all_o this_o man_n shall_v assume_v a_o liberty_n to_o deceive_v and_o impose_v upon_o their_o correspondent_o to_o deny_v their_o own_o word_n and_o to_o break_v their_o promise_n what_o must_v this_o come_v to_o how_o shall_v any_o man_n know_v who_o to_o trust_v who_o to_o employ_v or_o who_o to_o speak_v to_o if_o this_o shall_v prevail_v all_o society_n must_v be_v dissolve_v every_o man_n must_v set_v up_o for_o himself_o and_o fall_v into_o mr._n hobbs_n state_n of_o nature_n and_o proclaim_v war_n against_o all_o mankind_n beside_o 3._o but_o then_o further_o as_o to_o government_n and_o the_o consequent_n of_o it_o peace_n and_o order_n and_o just_a liberty_n there_o be_v nothing_o but_o perjury_n can_v destroy_v it_o and_o deprive_v we_o of_o they_o nothing_o but_o perjury_n can_v carry_v on_o faction_n and_o begin_v a_o rebellion_n nothing_o but_o the_o high_a profanation_n of_o god_n name_n can_v ruin_v the_o monarchy_n all_o that_o be_v entrust_v in_o any_o office_n or_o employment_n either_o civil_a military_a or_o sacred_a have_v give_v the_o best_a assurance_n to_o the_o prince_n that_o a_o promise_n can_v make_v and_o a_o oath_n can_v bind_v that_o they_o will_v bear_v faith_n and_o true_a allegiance_n to_o his_o majesty_n his_o heir_n and_o successor_n and_o he_o and_o they_o will_v defend_v to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o their_o power_n against_o all_o conspiracy_n and_o attempt_n whatsoever_o that_o shall_v be_v make_v against_o he_o or_o their_o person_n their_o crown_n and_o dignity_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o these_o sacred_a bond_n must_v be_v break_v in_o sunder_o upon_o every_o shame_n and_o hold_v we_o no_o long_o than_o some_o man_n please_v then_o certain_o do_v we_o incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o a_o most_o heinous_a and_o grievous_a sin_n or_o rather_o a_o mass_n and_o heap_n of_o horrid_a crime_n we_o not_o only_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n but_o also_o become_v most_o treacherous_a and_o ungrateful_a to_o the_o prince_n that_o rely_v and_o depend_v upon_o our_o fidelity_n that_o have_v oblige_v we_o all_o by_o the_o general_a influence_n of_o his_o most_o gracious_a and_o benign_a government_n and_o many_o of_o the_o most_o factious_a and_o dangerous_a temper_n among_o we_o with_o particular_a signal_n and_o undeserved_a favour_n if_o we_o break_v our_o faith_n and_o renounce_v our_o oath_n than_o we_o know_v what_o must_v be_v the_o consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o perjury_n we_o shall_v have_v new_a oath_n iron_n shackle_n clape_v upon_o our_o conscience_n war_n and_o confusion_n sedition_n and_o rebellion_n and_o if_o these_o prosper_v then_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o monarchy_n and_o of_o the_o church_n the_o slavery_n of_o our_o country_n tyranny_n and_o arbitrary_a power_n exercise_v upon_o we_o by_o the_o worst_a of_o our_o fellow_n subject_n this_o shall_v be_v our_o portion_n and_o the_o due_a reward_n of_o our_o perfidiousness_n 4._o and_o last_o perjury_n be_v injurious_a to_o public_a justice_n for_o since_o a_o oath_n be_v the_o main_a ground_n of_o all_o proceed_n in_o order_n to_o decide_v controversy_n be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o great_a assurance_n that_o a_o man_n can_v give_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o testimony_n the_o last_o result_n the_o high_a and_o utmost_a appeal_n that_o we_o can_v make_v and_o be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n 6.16_o heb._n 6.16_o as_o
the_o apostle_n speak_v since_o oath_n be_v of_o constant_a use_n in_o judiciary_n cause_n whether_o criminal_a or_o civil_a and_o the_o best_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o determine_v of_o right_n and_o wrong_n to_o give_v every_o man_n his_o due_a to_o clear_v the_o innocent_a and_o discover_v the_o guilty_a it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o perjury_n utter_o defeat_v all_o these_o great_a and_o useful_a end_n and_o make_v the_o law_n itself_o the_o instrument_n of_o injustice_n perjury_n in_o the_o witness_n misguide_v and_o mis-leads_a the_o court_n destroy_v man_n right_n countenance_n and_o confirm_v the_o wrongful_a claim_n and_o pretension_n of_o knave_n and_o forger_n and_o lay_v on_o groundless_a accusation_n on_o the_o most_o honest_a and_o innocent_a and_o perjury_n in_o the_o jury_n can_v fetch_v off_o and_o rescue_v the_o most_o dangerous_a criminal_n from_o fair_a and_o legal_a trial_n or_o acquit_v the_o guilty_a in_o spite_n of_o evidence_n so_o that_o if_o this_o impudent_a and_o mischievous_a sin_n shall_v obtain_v still_o for_o the_o future_a as_o it_o have_v do_v for_o some_o late_a year_n shall_v gain_v ground_n universal_o as_o it_o have_v in_o some_o particular_a place_n our_o law_n will_v be_v clear_o insignificant_a or_o rather_o base_o pervert_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o nation_n obstruct_v the_o innocent_a destroy_v and_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n protect_v and_o encourage_v our_o term_n and_o our_o court_n may_v be_v adjourn_v to_o the_o great_a day_n of_o judgement_n and_o the_o lawyer_n become_v as_o useless_a and_o contemptible_a as_o the_o clergy_n that_o be_v the_o second_o 3._o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o three_o to_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o or_o temptation_n to_o this_o sin_n and_o this_o point_n be_v set_v proper_o in_o this_o place_n that_o if_o we_o look_v back_o to_o the_o last_o general_n and_o consider_v what_o a_o great_a and_o heinous_a sin_n this_o be_v and_o look_v forward_o to_o the_o four_o head_n and_o observe_v what_o be_v the_o punishment_n denounce_v against_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n we_o may_v with_o just_a reason_n be_v induce_v and_o persuade_v to_o reject_v the_o temptation_n and_o cut_v off_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v sad_o strange_a and_o a_o matter_n of_o wonder_n and_o horror_n that_o man_n profess_v religion_n with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o noise_n that_o so_o many_o scrupulous_a precise_a and_o true_a protestant_n false_o so_o call_v shall_v make_v so_o light_a so_o little_a or_o nothing_o of_o this_o great_a and_o heavy_a sin_n shall_v swallow_v perjury_n without_o strain_n or_o chew_v shall_v have_v recourse_n to_o they_o frequent_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n as_o to_o their_o guard_n and_o castle_n as_o to_o their_o artillery_n and_o arm_n offensive_a and_o defensive_a it_o be_v not_o presumable_a that_o man_n of_o any_o honesty_n or_o religion_n will_v make_v so_o bold_a with_o god_n and_o be_v so_o mischievous_a to_o mankind_n and_o human_a society_n as_o i_o have_v show_v these_o false-swearer_n be_v and_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o perjury_n to_o a_o conscience_n true_o tender_a will_v appear_v ghastly_a and_o frightful_a it_o be_v not_o for_o a_o novice_n to_o pretend_v to_o this_o hellish_a accomplishment_n a_o man_n must_v be_v mould_v and_o model_v by_o previous_a qualification_n and_o disposition_n or_o pervert_v and_o debauch_v with_o erroneous_a and_o corrupt_a principle_n or_o at_o least_o drive_v and_o hurry_v on_o by_o powerful_a example_n or_o violent_a passion_n or_o importunate_a lust_n before_o he_o can_v arrive_v to_o this_o height_n of_o impudence_n and_o villainy_n it_o need_v not_o cost_v we_o much_o trouble_n or_o time_n to_o inquire_v how_o and_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o so_o many_o do_v venture_v upon_o this_o dreadful_a sin_n for_o if_o you_o consider_v how_o many_o several_a way_n perjury_n be_v commit_v and_o take_v notice_n also_o of_o those_o that_o be_v scandalous_o guilty_a of_o it_o i_o dare_v assure_v that_o you_o will_v clear_o perceive_v it_o to_o proceed_v from_o some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o atheism_n a_o deny_v of_o god_n and_o providence_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o plausible_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o a_o good_a plea_n and_o excuse_v for_o perjury_n if_o atheism_n itself_o be_v rational_a a_o atheist_n shall_v he_o swear_v false_o every_o hour_n upon_o every_o occasion_n will_v do_v like_o a_o atheist_n and_o act_v consistent_o to_o his_o principle_n for_o what_o shall_v hinder_v he_o from_o comply_v with_o our_o form_n and_o custom_n of_o calling_n god_n to_o witness_v when_o it_o be_v for_o his_o advantage_n he_o know_v of_o no_o god_n to_o come_v at_o his_o call_n to_o look_v on_o and_o be_v a_o witness_n of_o his_o word_n and_o the_o searcher_n of_o his_o heart_n he_o believe_v no_o judgement_n to_o come_v no_o future_a state_n the_o unquenchable_a fire_n the_o never-dying_a worm_n be_v dream_n and_o fable_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o priest_n and_o politician_n to_o keep_v the_o people_n in_o awe_n according_a to_o his_o wise_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v ever_o ready_a to_o swear_v and_o lie_v and_o promise_v forward_o and_o backward_o he_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o take_v or_o break_v any_o oath_n because_o he_o have_v no_o conscience_n no_o fear_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o consequent_o can_v secure_o throw_v off_o any_o obligation_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o a_o man_n be_v to_o set_v up_o the_o trade_n of_o perjury_n and_o make_v his_o fortune_n by_o it_o the_o ready_a way_n be_v to_o begin_v with_o atheism_n if_o he_o can_v once_o conquer_v that_o the_o other_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a and_o profitable_a employment_n and_o require_v no_o stock_n but_o that_o of_o impudence_n and_o invention_n and_o in_o that_o other_o sort_n of_o perjury_n the_o trade_n of_o treachery_n and_o unfaithfulness_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o that_o set_v up_o for_o faction_n and_o cut_v out_o work_n for_o rebellion_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v that_o the_o most_o atheistical_a person_n be_v common_o the_o chief_a contriver_n and_o the_o nimble_a craftsman_n these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o maintain_v monarchy_n to_o be_v no_o more_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la than_o religion_n itself_o be_v that_o know_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o paternal_a or_o patriarchal_a monarchy_n but_o seem_v to_o hold_v commonwealth_n to_o have_v be_v ab_fw-la aeterno_fw-la as_o well_o as_o the_o world_n and_o produce_v from_o the_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o statesman_n as_o the_o other_o from_o that_o of_o atom_n these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o wrangle_v loud_a against_o the_o prerogative_n of_o their_o prince_n and_o magnify_v the_o power_n of_o the_o people_n the_o great_a leviathan_n these_o dispute_n and_o deny_v the_o right_n of_o succession_n and_o make_v all_o concern_v all_o obligation_n whether_o to_o god_n or_o the_o law_n submit_v and_o bow_v to_o their_o only_a god_n and_o great_a idol_n interest_n or_o self-preservation_n 2._o lie_v and_o treachery_n and_o customary_a swear_v these_o thing_n do_v qualify_v and_o dispose_v a_o man_n to_o forswear_v himself_o upon_o any_o convenience_n or_o temptation_n because_o hereby_o man_n throw_v off_o that_o reverence_n and_o respect_n to_o religion_n that_o fear_v of_o god_n power_n and_o justice_n which_o will_v restrain_v they_o they_o have_v make_v bold_a with_o god_n name_n so_o often_o and_o by_o degree_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a with_o he_o by_o call_v upon_o he_o in_o common_a conversation_n that_o it_o be_v no_o great_a strain_n to_o conscience_n if_o they_o make_v some_o further_a use_n of_o he_o in_o their_o serious_a affair_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a moment_n by_o the_o custom_n of_o lie_v they_o have_v get_v the_o knack_n to_o deceive_v betray_v and_o abuse_v their_o neighbour_n or_o friend_n and_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o vain_a and_o wanton_a swear_v they_o have_v learn_v to_o make_v nothing_o of_o a_o oath_n put_v these_o together_o and_o that_o be_v soon_o do_v upon_o any_o occasion_n and_o then_o come_v forth_o and_o commence_v a_o complete_a and_o accomplish_a perjurer_n to_o this_o i_o may_v add_v a_o readiness_n and_o easiness_n to_o take_v new_a and_o contrary_a oath_n this_o do_v both_o argue_v and_o infer_v a_o sleight_n esteem_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o our_o former_a promise_n and_o do_v certain_o engage_v we_o in_o perjury_n for_o when_o man_n find_v themselves_o entangle_v by_o different_a and_o contradictory_n oath_n we_o may_v presume_v by_o their_o action_n that_o they_o thus_o argue_v with_o themselves_o since_o we_o have_v take_v several_a and_o cross_a oath_n it_o be_v at_o least_o in_o our_o liberty_n to_o be_v oblige_v by_o whether_o we_o please_v or_o rather_o the_o last_o ought_v to_o take_v