The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience

It will be said; He that admits of an oath by an Idol, doth communicate in the sin of him that sweareth. Ans. In case of necessity, a man may admit of such an oath, without sin. A poor man, being in extreme want, borroweth of an usurer upon interest. It is sin to the usurer to take it; but it is not so in the poor man, who is compelled by the usurer to give interest: Thus the poor man doth use well the iniquity of the usurer: So it is in an oath; A Godly man may well use, and take benefit by the wicked oaths of Idolaters, so far forth as they shall serve for the ratifying, and confirming of lawful covenants.

It will be said; He that admits of an oathe by an Idoll, doth communicate in the sinne of him that sweareth. Ans. In case of necessitie, a man may admitte of such an oath, without sinne. A poore man, beeing in extreame want, borroweth of an vsurer vpon interest. It is sinne to the vsurer to take it; but it is not so in the poore man, who is compelled by the vsurer to giue interest: Thus the poore man doth vse well the iniquitio of the vsurer: So it is in an oath; A Godly man may well vse, and take benefite by the wicked oathes of Idolaters, so farre forth as they shall serue for the ratifying, and confirming of lawfull couenants.

II. Case. If a man take an oath, and afterward endure hurt or damage by it, whether is he then bound to keep his oath or no?

II. Case. If a man take an oathe, and afterward endure hurt or dammage by it, whether is he then bound to keepe his oath or no?

Ans. If the loss he but temporary and private, (the oath being made of a thing lawful) it must be endured. For David reckoneth it among the properties of a good man, That he sweareth, and changeth not, though it be to his hurt,