Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

¹First he that sweareth, must swear truly, that is, he must (secluding all favour and affection to the parties) have the truth only before his eyes, and for love thereof, say and speak that, which he knoweth to be truth,² and no further. The second is: he that taketh an oath, must do it with judgement, not rashly and unadvisedly, but soberly, considering what an oath is,³ The third is: he that sweareth, must swear in righteousness, that is, for the very zeal and love, which he beareth to the defence of innocency, to the maintenance of the truth, and to the righteousness of the matter or cause: all profit, disprofit, all love and favour unto the person, for friendship or kindred, laid a part. Thus an oath (if it have with it these three conditions) is a part ⟨image 45⟩of Gods glory,⁴ which we are bound by his commandment, to give unto him. For he willeth that we shall swear only by his name: not that he hath pleasure in our oaths, but like as he commanded the Jews to offer sacrifices unto him, not for any delight that he had in them, but to keep the Jews from committing of Idolatry: so he commanding us to swear by his holy name, doth not teach us, that he delighteth in swearing, but he thereby forbiddeth all men to give his glory to any creature in heaven, earth, or water. Hitherto you see,⁵ that oaths lawful, are commanded of God, used of Patriarchs and Prophets, of Christ himself, and of his Apostle Paul.⁶ Therefore Christian people must think lawful oaths, both godly and necessary. For lawful promises and covenants confirmed by by oaths, Princes and their countries are confirmed in common tranquillity and peace. By holy promises, with attestation of Gods name, we be made lively members of Christ, when we profess his Religion, receiving the sacrament of baptism. By like holy promise, the sacrament of matrimony, knitteth man and wife, in perpetual love, that they desire not to be separated, for any displeasure or adversity, that shall after happen.