ordinary_a communication_n to_o swear_v express_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o lawful_a to_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n as_o by_o heaven_n and_o earth_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o our_o saviour_n meaning_n be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v you_o think_v you_o may_v swear_v in_o common_a conversation_n provide_v you_o do_v not_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o let_v your_o communication_n be_v without_o oath_n of_o any_o kind_n you_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o swear_v by_o heaven_n or_o by_o earth_n because_o god_n be_v virtual_o invoke_v in_o every_o oath_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v our_o saviour_n meaning_n i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o our_o saviour_n shall_v only_o forbid_v they_o to_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n and_o not_o much_o rather_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n such_o oath_n be_v sure_o of_o all_o other_o most_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o be_v the_o most_o direct_a abuse_n and_o profanation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n second_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a to_o the_o explain_v of_o this_o prohibition_n that_o there_o be_v the_o like_a general_a expression_n in_o other_o jewish_a author_n concern_v this_o very_a matter_n which_o yet_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v thus_o limit_v maimonides_n from_o the_o ancient_a rabbi_n give_v this_o rule_n that_o it_o be_v best_a not_o to_o swear_v at_o all_o and_o philo_n use_v almost_o the_o same_o word_n and_o rabbi_n jonathan_n come_v very_o near_o our_o saviour_n expression_n when_o he_o say_v the_o just_a man_n will_v not_o swear_v at_o all_o not_o so_o much_o as_o by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o god_n nor_o by_o his_o attribute_n nor_o by_o his_o work_n as_o by_o heaven_n or_o the_o angel_n or_o the_o law_n now_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o these_o learned_a jew_n shall_v condemn_v oath_n in_o all_o case_n when_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n do_v in_o many_o case_n express_o require_v they_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o voluntary_a oath_n in_o ordinary_a conversation_n and_o that_o the_o jew_n mean_v this_o by_o not_o swear_v at_o all_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o a_o passage_n in_o josephus_n who_o say_v that_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o essenes_n forbid_v their_o disciple_n to_o swear_v at_o all_o and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o who_o be_v admit_v into_o that_o sect_n take_v a_o oath_n to_o observe_v the_o law_n and_o rule_n of_o it_o so_o that_o they_o who_o forbid_v to_o swear_v at_o all_o allow_v of_o oath_n impose_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o superior_n three_o which_o will_v peremptory_o decide_v this_o matter_n this_o prohibition_n of_o our_o saviour_n can_v be_v understand_v to_o forbid_v all_o oath_n without_o a_o plain_a contradiction_n to_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o even_o of_o our_o lord_n himself_o origen_n and_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o christian_n refuse_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n genius_n not_o because_o it_o be_v a_o oath_n but_o because_o they_o think_v it_o to_o be_v idolatrous_a but_o the_o same_o tertullian_n say_v that_o the_o christian_n be_v willing_a to_o swear_v per_fw-la salutem_fw-la imperatoris_fw-la by_o the_o health_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o emperor_n athanasius_n be_v accuse_v to_o constantius_n purge_v himself_o by_o oath_n and_o desire_v that_o his_o accuser_n may_v be_v put_v to_o his_o oath_n sub_fw-la attestatione_n veritatis_fw-la by_o call_v the_o truth_n to_o witness_v by_o which_o form_n say_v he_o we_o christian_n be_v wont_a to_o swear_v but_o which_o be_v more_o than_o this_o st._n paul_n upon_o weighty_a occasion_n do_v several_a time_n in_o his_o epistle_n call_v god_n to_o witness_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v which_o be_v the_o very_a formality_n of_o a_o oath_n god_n be_v my_o witness_n rom._n 1._o 9_o as_o god_n be_v true_a our_o word_n be_v not_o yea_o and_o nay_o 2_o cor._n 1._o 18._o and_o v_o 23._o i_o call_v god_n for_o a_o record_n upon_o my_o soul_n before_o god_n i_o lie_v not_o gal._n 1._o 20._o god_n be_v my_o record_n philip._n 1._o 8._o god_n be_v my_o witness_n 1_o thess._n 2._o 5._o these_o be_v all_o unquestionable_a oath_n which_o we_o can_v imagine_v st._n paul_n will_v have_v use_v have_v they_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o our_o saviour_n law_n and_o whereas_o some_o defend_v this_o upon_o account_n of_o his_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n i_o can_v possible_o see_v how_o this_o mend_v the_o matter_n for_o sure_o it_o be_v very_o inconvenient_a to_o say_v that_o they_o who_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o precept_n of_o christ_n to_o other_o do_v themselves_o break_v they_o by_o inspiration_n but_o i_o go_v yet_o far_o and_o shall_v urge_v a_o example_n beyond_o all_o exception_n our_o saviour_n himself_o who_o sure_o will_v not_o be_v the_o first_o example_n of_o break_v his_o own_o law_n do_v not_o refuse_v to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n be_v call_v thereto_o at_o his_o trial_n so_o we_o find_v matth._n 26._o 63._o the_o high_a priest_n say_v unto_o he_o i_o adjure_v thou_o by_o the_o live_a god_n that_o thou_o tell_v we_o whether_o thou_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o be_v he_o require_v he_o to_o answer_v this_o question_n upon_o oath_n for_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o form_n of_o give_v a_o oath_n to_o witness_n and_o other_o be_v not_o by_o tender_v a_o formal_a oath_n to_o they_o as_o the_o custom_n be_v among_o we_o but_o by_o adjure_v they_o that_o be_v require_v they_o to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o levit._n 5._o 1._o if_o a_o man_n hear_v the_o voice_n of_o swear_v and_o be_v a_o witness_n whether_o he_o have_v see_v or_o know_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n if_o he_o do_v not_o utter_v it_o than_o he_o shall_v bear_v his_o iniquity_n if_o he_o have_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o swear_v that_o be_v if_o be_v adjure_v or_o demand_v to_o answer_v upon_o oath_n concern_v what_o he_o have_v see_v or_o hear_v he_o do_v not_o utter_v the_o truth_n he_o be_v perjure_v now_o to_o this_o adjuration_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n our_o saviour_n answer_v thou_o have_v say_v which_o word_n be_v not_o a_o avoid_v to_o answer_v as_o some_o have_v think_v but_o a_o direct_a answer_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v it_o be_v as_o thou_o say_v it_o be_v even_o so_o i_o be_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o upon_o this_o answer_n the_o high_a priest_n say_v he_o have_v speak_v blasphemy_n but_o to_o put_v the_o matter_n beyond_o all_o doubt_n st._n mark_n tell_v we_o mark_v 14._o 61._o that_o he_o be_v ask_v by_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v thou_o the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o bless_a he_o answer_v i_o be_o so_o that_o unless_o we_o will_v interpret_v our_o saviour_n doctrine_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o practice_n we_o can_v understand_v he_o to_o forbid_v all_o oath_n and_o consequent_o they_o be_v not_o unlawful_a i_o have_v be_v the_o long_o upon_o this_o that_o i_o may_v give_v clear_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o receive_v it_o as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n in_o use_n among_o we_o in_o the_o take_n of_o oath_n it_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v always_o matter_n of_o liberty_n and_o several_a nation_n have_v use_v several_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n in_o their_o oath_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o grecian_n to_o swear_v lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o altar_n quod_fw-la sanctissimum_fw-la jusjurandum_fw-la est_fw-la habitum_fw-la say_v 〈◊〉_d gellius_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o sacred_a form_n of_o swear_v the_o roman_n be_v wont_n jupiter_fw-la lapidem_fw-la jurare_fw-la that_o be_v he_o that_o swear_v by_o jupiter_n hold_v a_o flintstone_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o fling_v it_o violent_o from_o he_o with_o these_o word_n si_fw-la sciens_fw-la fallo_fw-la ita_fw-la me_fw-it jupiter_n bonis_fw-la omnibus_fw-la ejiciat_fw-la ut_fw-la ego_fw-la hunc_fw-la lapidem_fw-la if_o i_o know_o falsify_v god_n so_o throw_v i_o out_o of_o all_o my_o possession_n as_o i_o do_v this_o stone_n in_o scripture_n there_o be_v two_o ceremony_n mention_v of_o swear_v one_o of_o put_v the_o hand_n under_o the_o thigh_n of_o he_o to_o who_o the_o oath_n be_v make_v thus_o eliezer_n swear_v to_o abraham_n gen._n 24._o and_o joseph_n to_o jacob_n gen._n 47._o the_o other_o be_v by_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n to_o heaven_n thus_o abraham_n express_v the_o manner_n of_o a_o oath_n gen._n 14._o 22._o i_o have_v lift_v up_o my_o hand_n to_o the_o most_o high_a god_n and_o thus_o god_n condescend_v
the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o by_o john_n tillotson_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o canterbury_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n over_o against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1681._o to_o the_o right_n worshipful_a and_o my_o honour_a friend_n joseph_n reeve_n esq_n high_a sheriff_n of_o the_o county_n of_o surrey_z sir_n when_o i_o have_v perform_v the_o service_n which_o you_o be_v please_v to_o call_v i_o to_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o this_o sermon_n i_o have_v no_o thought_n of_o make_v it_o more_o public_a and_o yet_o in_o this_o also_o i_o be_v the_o more_o easy_o induce_v to_o comply_v with_o your_o desire_n because_o of_o the_o suitableness_n of_o the_o argument_n to_o the_o age_n in_o which_o we_o live_v wherein_o as_o man_n have_v run_v into_o the_o wild_a extremity_n in_o other_o thing_n so_o particular_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o oath_n some_o make_v conscience_n of_o take_v any_o oath_n at_o all_o and_o too_o many_o none_o at_o all_o of_o break_v they_o to_o convince_v the_o great_a mistake_n of_o the_o one_o extreme_a and_o to_o check_v the_o grow_a evil_a and_o mischief_n of_o the_o other_o be_v the_o chief_a design_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a if_o by_o god_n blessing_n it_o may_v prove_v any_o wise_a serviceable_a i_o be_o sir_n your_o very_a faithful_a and_o humble_a servant_n john_n tillotson_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o heb._n vi_fw-la 16._o and_o a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o support_n of_o humane_a society_n in_o nothing_o appear_v more_o evident_o than_o in_o this_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o peace_n and_o justice_n among_o man_n depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o sense_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o any_o man_n that_o do_v not_o believe_v a_o god_n shall_v make_v the_o least_o conscience_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v so_o that_o whoever_o promote_v atheism_n and_o infidelity_n do_v the_o most_o destructive_a thing_n imaginable_a to_o humane_a society_n because_o he_o take_v away_o the_o reverence_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n and_o whenever_o that_o be_v general_o cast_v off_o humane_a society_n must_v disband_v and_o all_o thing_n run_v into_o disorder_n the_o just_a sense_n whereof_o make_v david_n cry_v out_o to_o god_n with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n as_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v crack_v and_o the_o frame_n of_o it_o ready_a to_o break_v in_o piece_n psal._n 12._o help_v lord_n for_o the_o righteous_a man_n cease_v and_o the_o faithful_a fail_n from_o among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n intimate_v that_o when_o faith_n fail_v from_o among_o man_n nothing_o but_o a_o particular_a and_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n can_v preserve_v the_o world_n from_o fall_v into_o confusion_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n give_v this_o as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o approach_a dissolution_n of_o all_o thing_n when_o faith_n and_o truth_n shall_v hardly_o be_v find_v among_o man_n luke_n 18._o 8._o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n this_o state_n of_o thing_n do_v loud_o call_v for_o his_o come_n to_o destroy_v the_o world_n which_o be_v even_o ready_a to_o dissolve_v and_o fall_v in_o piece_n of_o itself_o when_o these_o band_n and_o pillar_n of_o humane_a society_n do_v break_v and_o fail_v and_o sure_o never_o in_o any_o age_n be_v this_o sign_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n more_o glare_a and_o terrible_a than_o in_o this_o degenerate_a age_n wherein_o we_o live_v when_o almost_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n seem_v to_o have_v break_v loose_a from_o all_o obligation_n to_o faith_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o argument_n more_o proper_a and_o useful_a to_o be_v treat_v of_o upon_o this_o occasion_n than_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v the_o utmost_a security_n that_o one_o man_n can_v give_v to_o another_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v the_o strong_a tie_n of_o fidelity_n the_o sure_a ground_n of_o judicial_a proceed_n and_o the_o most_o firm_a and_o sacred_a bond_n that_o can_v be_v lay_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o public_a justice_n upon_o judge_n and_o jury_n and_o witness_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o these_o word_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n declare_v to_o we_o the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o oath_n among_o man_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n he_o have_v say_v before_o that_o for_o our_o great_a assurance_n and_o comfort_n god_n have_v confirm_v his_o promise_n to_o we_o by_o a_o oath_n condescend_v herein_o to_o deal_v with_o we_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n who_o when_o they_o will_v give_v credit_n to_o a_o doubtful_a matter_n confirm_v what_o they_o say_v by_o a_o oath_n and_o general_o when_o any_o doubt_n or_o controversy_n arise_v between_o party_n concern_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n one_o side_n affirm_v and_o the_o other_o deny_v a_o end_n be_v put_v to_o this_o contest_v by_o a_o oath_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o great_a assurance_n and_o establishment_n of_o a_o thing_n not_o that_o a_o oath_n be_v always_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a decision_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o truth_n and_o right_n but_o that_o this_o be_v the_o utmost_a credit_n that_o we_o can_v give_v to_o any_o thing_n and_o the_o last_o resort_n of_o truth_n and_o confidence_n among_o man_n after_o this_o we_o can_v go_v no_o far_o for_o if_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o oath_n will_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o speak_v truth_n nothing_o will_n this_o be_v the_o utmost_a security_n that_o man_n can_v give_v and_o must_v therefore_o be_v the_o final_a decision_n of_o all_o contest_v a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n now_o from_o this_o assertion_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o great_a use_n and_o end_n of_o oath_n among_o man_n i_o shall_v take_v occasion_n 1._o to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o 2._o to_o show_v the_o great_a use_n and_o even_a necessity_n of_o oath_n in_o many_o case_n 3._o to_o vindicate_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o they_o where_o they_o be_v necessary_a 4._o to_o show_v the_o sacred_a obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n i_o shall_v be_v as_o brief_a in_o these_o as_o the_o just_a handle_n of_o they_o will_v bear_v 1._o for_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o invocation_n of_o god_n or_o a_o appeal_n to_o he_o as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v so_o that_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n as_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n and_o a_o invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o this_o whether_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v express_o mention_v in_o it_o or_o not_o if_o a_o man_n only_o say_v i_o swear_v or_o i_o take_v my_o oath_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v not_o so_o or_o so_o or_o that_o i_o will_v or_o will_v not_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o if_o a_o man_n answer_n upon_o his_o oath_n be_v adjure_v and_o require_v so_o to_o do_v or_o if_o a_o man_n swear_v by_o heaven_n or_o by_o earth_n or_o by_o any_o other_o thing_n that_o have_v relation_n to_o god_n in_o all_o these_o case_n a_o man_n do_v virtual_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v and_o in_o so_o do_v he_o do_v by_o consequence_n invoke_v he_o as_o a_o judge_n and_o a_o avenger_n in_o case_n what_o he_o swear_v be_v not_o true_a and_o if_o this_o be_v express_v the_o oath_n be_v a_o formal_a imprecation_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o a_o curse_n upon_o ourselves_o be_v always_o employ_v in_o case_n of_o perjury_n there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o oath_n assertory_n and_o promissory_a a_o assertory_n oath_n be_v when_o a_o
to_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n express_v himself_o deut._n 32._o 40._o if_o i_o lift_v up_o my_o hand_n to_o heaven_n and_o swear_v in_o allusion_n to_o this_o custom_n the_o psalmist_n describe_v the_o perjure_a person_n psal._n 144._o 8._o who_o mouth_n speak_v vanity_n and_o who_o right_a hand_n be_v a_o right_a hand_n of_o falsehood_n and_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o scripture_n that_o either_o of_o these_o ceremony_n be_v prescribe_v and_o appoint_v by_o god_n but_o voluntary_o institute_v and_o take_v up_o by_o man_n and_o thus_o among_o we_o the_o ceremony_n of_o swear_v be_v by_o lay_v the_o hand_n on_o the_o holy_a gospel_n and_o kiss_v the_o book_n which_o be_v both_o very_a solemn_a and_o significant_a and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o this_o solemn_a kind_n of_o oath_n be_v call_v a_o corporal_a oath_n and_o be_v ancient_o so_o call_v because_o the_o sign_n or_o ceremony_n of_o it_o be_v perform_v by_o some_o part_n of_o the_o body_n and_o this_o solemnity_n be_v a_o aggravation_n of_o the_o perjury_n because_o it_o make_v it_o both_o more_o deliberate_a and_o more_o scandalous_a i_o shall_v speak_v but_o brief_o to_o the_o iv._o and_o last_o particular_a viz._n the_o sacred_a obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n because_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v to_o god_n i_o say_v from_o who_o pierce_v and_o all-seeing_a eye_n from_o who_o perfect_a and_o infinite_a knowledge_n nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v hide_v so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o thought_n in_o our_o heart_n but_o he_o see_v it_o nor_o a_o word_n in_o our_o tongue_n but_o he_o discern_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o it_o whenever_o we_o swear_v we_o appeal_v to_o his_o knowledge_n and_o refer_v ourselves_o to_o his_o just_a judgement_n who_o be_v the_o powerful_a patron_n and_o protector_n of_o right_n and_o the_o almighty_a judge_n and_o avenger_n of_o all_o falsehood_n and_o 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jurejurando_fw-la arctius_fw-la esse_fw-la voluerunt_fw-la say_v tully_n our_o forefather_n have_v no_o strict_a bond_n whereby_o to_o oblige_v the_o faith_n of_o man_n to_o one_o another_o than_o that_o of_o a_o oath_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o in_o the_o comedian_n aliud_fw-la si_fw-la scirem_fw-la qui_fw-la firmare_fw-la meam_fw-la apud_fw-la vos_fw-la possem_fw-la fidem_fw-la sanctius_fw-la quam_fw-la jusjurandum_fw-la id_fw-la pollicerer_fw-la tibi_fw-la if_o i_o know_v any_o thing_n more_o sacred_a than_o a_o oath_n whereby_o to_o confirm_v to_o you_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o say_v i_o will_v make_v use_n of_o it_o i_o will_v crave_v your_o patience_n a_o little_a long_o while_o by_o way_n of_o inference_n from_o this_o discourse_n i_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o swear_v in_o common_a conversation_n upon_o trivial_a and_o needless_a occasion_n and_o the_o heinousness_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o perjury_n 1._o first_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o swear_v upon_o trivial_a and_o needless_a occasion_n in_o common_a conversation_n because_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o solemn_a thing_n and_o reserve_v for_o great_a occasion_n to_o give_v confirmation_n to_o our_o word_n in_o some_o weighty_a matter_n and_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o controversy_n which_o can_v otherwise_o be_v peremptory_o and_o satisfactory_o decide_v and_o therefore_o to_o use_v oath_n upon_o light_a occasion_n argue_v great_a profaneness_n and_o irreverence_n of_o almighty_a god_n so_o ulpian_n the_o great_a roman_a lawyer_n observe_v nonnullos_fw-la esse_fw-la faciles_fw-la ad_fw-la jurandum_fw-la contemptu_fw-la religionis_fw-la that_o man_n proneness_n to_o swear_v come_v from_o a_o contempt_n of_o religion_n than_o which_o nothing_o dispose_v man_n more_o to_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n beside_o that_o it_o do_v many_o time_n surprise_v man_n unaware_o into_o perjury_n and_o how_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o when_o man_n use_v to_o interlard_v all_o their_o careless_a talk_n with_o oath_n but_o that_o they_o must_v often_o be_v perjure_v and_o which_o be_v worse_o it_o prepare_v man_n for_o deliberate_a perjury_n for_o with_o those_o who_o be_v accustom_v to_o swear_v upon_o light_a occasion_n a_o oath_n will_v go_v off_o with_o they_o more_o roundly_o about_o weighty_a matter_n from_o a_o common_a custom_n of_o swear_v say_v hierocles_n man_n easy_o slide_v into_o perjury_n therefore_o say_v he_o if_o thou_o will_v not_o be_v perjure_v do_v not_o use_v to_o swear_v and_o this_o perhaps_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o st._n james_n when_o he_o caution_n christian_n so_o vehement_o against_o common_a swear_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o so_o some_o of_o the_o best_a ancient_a copy_n read_v it_o lest_o you_o fall_v into_o hypocrisy_n that_o be_v lest_o you_o lie_v and_o be_v perjure_v by_o use_v yourselves_o to_o rash_a and_o inconsiderate_a swear_n and_o man_n expose_v themselves_o to_o this_o danger_n to_o no_o purpose_n oath_n in_o 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excuse_n to_o man_n that_o many_o time_n they_o do_v it_o ignorant_o and_o not_o observe_v and_o know_v what_o they_o do_v for_o certain_o it_o be_v no_o extenuation_n of_o a_o fault_n that_o a_o man_n have_v get_v the_o habit_n of_o it_o so_o perfect_a that_o he_o commit_v it_o when_o he_o do_v not_o think_v of_o it_o which_o consideration_n shall_v make_v man_n oppose_v the_o beginning_n of_o this_o vice_n lest_o it_o grow_v into_o a_o habit_n very_o hard_o to_o be_v leave_v nemo_fw-la novit_fw-la nisi_fw-la qui_fw-la expertus_fw-la est_fw-la quam_fw-la sit_fw-la difficile_fw-la consuetudinem_fw-la jurandi_fw-la extinguere_fw-la say_v st._n austin_n no_o man_n know_v but_o he_o that_o have_v try_v how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o get_v rid_v of_o this_o custom_n of_o swear_v but_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a man_n may_v do_v it_o by_o resolution_n and_o great_a care_n of_o themselves_o for_o he_o that_o can_v choose_v whether_o he_o will_v speak_v or_o not_o can_v choose_v whether_o he_o 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