An invective against the most wicked [and] detestable vice of swearing, newly co[m]piledAn inuectyue agenst the moost wicked [and] detestable vyce of swearing, newly co[m]piled

Finally,¹ so oft as any civil magistrate or head officer requireth an oath of us for the preservation and maintenance of the common weal or any other necessary & urgent cause we ought gladly and willingly for to swear according to this commandment of Christ, Pay that to Cesar,² which is due to Cesar. But here are they to be monished, which shall require the oath of y• subjects, that it is their duty before the other be sworn to declare the matter with ⟨image 73⟩manifest words unto them,³ that they may well perceive, that they shall not swear in vain, but for weighty and necessary matters concerning ether the glory of God or the profit of the common weal. For men ought not to be called forth to swear for every light trifle, nor yet to swear as many do, they can not tell what nor wherefore. The to much customable use of swearing, hath brought it so to pass, that as many care but little to swear, so force they not much to forswear them selves. The cause for the which men should swear, ought not only to be good, but also necessary, and so openly proved unto them, before they be brought unto their oath. This should make men to have the name of God in y• higher reverence, to take an oath with the godlier mind, and to have the office of the head rulers in y• greater ⟨p. lxxi⟩estimation. For to make men swear by compulsion, before they know the matter, whither it be good, lawful, godly, necessary or otherwise, let other men judge, that be better learned than I, whither it be agreeable to the word of GOD or not. But this dare I be bold to say, that an oath can not be taken with to much reverence & advisement, inasmuch as by it, God is called upon to be a witness in that behalf. Therefore ought men not to be compelled rashly to swear, unless by that means they provoke the vengeance of God both against them selves, and those also that cause them so unadvisedly for to swear, but to come unto their oath with great sobriety and deliberation.