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.4 Also, whereas Sedechias, king of Jerusalem, had promised fidelity, to the king of Chaldea: afterward, when Sedechias, contrary to his oath and allegiance, did rebel against king Nabugodonosor: this Heathen King, by Gods permission, invading the land of Jewry, and besieging the city of Jerusalem, compelled the said king Sedechias to flee, and in fleeing, toke him prisoner, slew his sons before his face, and put out both his eyes, and binding him with chains, led him prisoner miserably into Babylon.
But here some menne will saie,1 for excusyng of their many othes in their daily talke, why should I not sweare, when I sweare truely▪ 2To suche men it maie be saied: that though thei sweare truely, yet in swearyng often, vnaduisedly, for trifles, without necessitie, and when thei should not sweare, thei be not without faulte, but do take Gods moste holy name in vain. Muche more vngodly and vnwise men, are thei, that abuse Gods moste holy name, not onely in biyng and sellyng of small thynges daily in al places, but also eatyng, drinkyng, plaiyng, cōmonyng, and reasonyng. As if none of these thynges mighte bee dooen, excepte in doyng of theim, the moste holy name of God be commonly vsed, and abused vainly, and vnreuerentely talked of, sworne by and forsworne, to the breakyng of Gods commaundement and procurement of his indignacion. And aswell thei vse the name of GOD in vain, that by an othe make lawfull promises of good and honeste thynges, and performe thē not, as thei, which do promise euill and vnlawfull thynges, and do performe thesame. Of such men that regard not their godly promises ⟨image 47⟩confirmed by an othe,3 but wittyngly and wilfully breaketh theim, wee do reade in holy scripture twoo notable punishementes. Firste, Iosue and the people of Israell made a league, and faithfull promise of perpetuall amitie and frendshippe with the Gabaonites: notwithstādyng, afterward in the dayes of wicked Saule, many of these Gabaonites wer murdered, contrary to thesaid faithfull promise made. Wherewith, almightie God was so sore displeased, that he sent an vniuersall famyne, vpon the whole countrey, whiche continued by the space of three yeres. And GOD would not withdrawe his punishement, vntill thesaied offence was reuenged, by the death of vii. sonnes, or next kinsmen, of kyng Saule.4 Also, whereas Sedechias, kyng of Ierusalem, had promised fidelitie, to the kyng of Chaldea: afterwarde, when Sedechias, contrary to his othe and allegeaunce, did rebell against kyng Nabugodonosor: this Heathen Kyng, by Gods permission, inuadyng the land of Iewry, and besiegyng the citee of Ierusalem, compelled thesaied kyng Sedechias to flee, and in fleyng, toke hym prisoner, slewe his sonnes before his face, and putte out bothe his iyes, and bindyng hym with cheines, led hym prisoner miserably into Babilon.
- 1Another objection.Another obieccion.
- 2An answerAn aunswere
- 3Lawful oaths and promises would be better regarded. Joshua. ix.Lawful othes and promises would be better regarded. Iosue. ix.
- 4•. Regum. xi.
