A03519:100
Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)
Certain sermons, or homilies appointed by the kings Majesty, to be declared and read, by all persons, vicars, or curates, every Sunday in their churches, where they have cure. Anno 1547.Certayne sermons, or homelies appoynted by the kynges Maiestie, to be declared and redde, by all persones, vicars, or curates, euery Sondaye in their churches, where they haue cure. Anno 1547.
London: printed by Richard Grafton printer to his most royal Majesty, 1547London: printed by Rychard Grafton printer to his moste royall Maiestie, 1547
Title page typeset from the transcription.
¶Against swearing and perjury.¶Against swearyng and periury.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
that man which sweareth much, shall be full of sin, and the scourge of God, shall not depart from his house.
that man whiche sweareth muche, shalbee full of synne, and the scourge of God, shall not depart from his house.
But here some men will say,1 for excusing of their many oaths in their daily talk, why should I not swear, when I swear truly▪ 2To such men it may be said: that though they swear truly, yet in swearing often, unadvisedly, for trifles, without necessity, and when they should not swear, they be not without fault, but do take Gods most holy name in vain. Much more ungodly and unwise men, are they, that abuse Gods most holy name, not only in buying and selling of small things daily in all places, but also eating, drinking, playing, communing, and reasoning. As if none of these things might be done, except in doing of them, the most holy name of God be commonly used, and abused vainly, and unreverentely talked of, sworn by and forsworn, to the breaking of Gods commandment and procurement of his indignation. And aswell they use the name of GOD in vain, that by an oath make lawful promises of good and honest things, and perform them not, as they, which do promise evil and unlawful things, and do perform the same. Of such men that regard not their godly promises ⟨image 47⟩confirmed by an oath,3 but wittingly and wilfully breaketh them, we do read in holy scripture two notable punishments. First, Joshua and the people of Israel made a league, and faithful promise of perpetual amity and friendship with the Gibeonites: notwithstanding, afterward in the days of wicked Saul, many of these Gibeonites were murdered, contrary to the said faithful promise made. Wherewith, almighty God was so sore displeased, that he sent an universal famine, upon the whole country, which continued by the space of three years. And GOD would not withdraw his punishment, until the said offence was revenged, by the death of vii. sons, or next kinsmen, of king Saul.