Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…

What may be the reason that the Lord should swear? Is it not enough for him to threaten? Surely in regard of himself, and his own divine properties it is enough. God doth not swear, because he needs credit. Every word of God is true and faithful: and it is as an oath. For, God is not faithful by reason of his oath, but by reason of God, his oath is true and stable. For, he is able to make good every word that cometh out of his mouth; all in heaven and earth cannot hinder the execution thereof: and in this kind when by his word his truth is engaged, he will without failing do what he is able to do. The reason therefore of Gods oath resteth on man, who is prone to make sleight account of Gods word, who hath a stiff neck, an hard heart, an obstinate spirit. Wherefore to terrify him the more, the Lord by oath bindeth himself to take vengeance. As on the contrary, Because we are wont to believe more steadfastly that which is confirmed by an oath, that our faith should not waver, God is said to swear. So as the Lord in tender respect to the weakness of his children, who ⟨p. 334⟩by reason of the flesh in them, are prone to make question of Gods promises, doth bind them with his oath, (as he did to ^lNoah, to ^mAbraham, to the ⁿother Patriarchs, to ^oDavid, and to other Saints) so by reason of the wickeds incredulous disposition, God binds his threatenings with his oath.

What may be the reason that the Lord should sweare? Is it not enough for him to threaten? Surely in regard of himselfe, and his owne divine properties it is enough. God doth not sweare, because he needs credit. Every word of God is true and faithfull: and it is as an oth. For, God is not faithfull by reason of his oth, but by reason of God, his oth is true and stable. For, he is able to make good every word that cometh out of his mouth; al in heaven and earth cannot hinder the execution therof: and in this kind when by his word his truth is engaged, he wil without failing do what he is able to do. The reason therefore of Gods oath resteth on man, who is prone to make sleight account of Gods word, who hath a stiffe necke, an hard heart, an obstinate spirit. Wherefore to terrifie him the more, the Lord by oath bindeth himself to take vengeance. As on the contrary, Because we are wont to believe more stedfastly that which is confirmed by an oath, that our faith should not waver, God is said to sweare. So as the Lord in tender respect to the weaknesse of his children, who