We see what it is to swear. Now we come to show, how far forth1 Christ forbiddeth swearing, in these words; Swear not at all. The Anabaptists gather hence that all swearing is forbidden, and so did some aHeretics in the primitive Church; yea and bsome of the ancient Fathers (that otherwaies deserved well of the Church) thought that the Lord in the old Testament did only permit swearing, as he did some other things that were evil, which he approved not, and that now Christ did quite take away the same. But this opinion is false and erroneous: for swearing is ccommanded as a part of Gods worship: now if Christ should here forbid it, he should be against himself, condemning that which himself approved. Again, the Apostle Paul used it, as is plain to be seen in the most of his Epistles: and Heb. 6. 16. An oath for confirmation, is called the ordinance of God, for the ending of all 5strife. Others (as the Papists) say, that Christ here sets down a counsel of perfection, not forbidding all swearing, but rather wishing that men could so live in faith, love, and truth, that there should be no use of an oath. But this can not be true: for Christs words are not persuasive, but prohibitory, expressly forbidding swearing. And yet we must know, that Christs meaning is not here to forbid all swearing simply, but all swearing after the Jewish manner and custom; that is, in common talk and communication, as is plain in the last words of this answer, when he saith, Let your communication be yea, yea. For this is a Rule to be observed in the interpretation of Scripture, that things generally spoken, must particularly be understood, according to the circumstances of the present matter in hand: as when Paul saith, dhe became all things to all men, if it should be taken generally, we might say, that with blasphemers he became a blasphemer, &c. but that speech must be restrained to the use of things indifferent, in all which he yielded to the weakness of all, that he might win some: and so here, Swear not at all, must be restrained to the Jewish custom, which was to swear by the name of God in their common talk, and by other creatures, both which Christ doth utterly forbid.
We see what it is to sweare. Now we come to shew, how farre forth1 Christ forbiddeth swearing, in these words; Sweare not at all. The Anabaptists gather hence that all swearing is forbidden, and so did some aHeretikes in the primitiue Church; yea and bsome of the auncient Fathers (that otherwaies deserued well of the Church) thought that the Lord in the olde Testament did onely permit swearing, as he did some other things that were euill, which he approoued not, and that now Christ did quite take away the same. But this opinion is false and erronious: for swearing is ccommanded as a part of Gods worship: now if Christ should here forbid it, he should be against himselfe, condemning that which himselfe approoued. Againe, the Apostle Paul vsed it, as is plaine to be seene in the most of his Epistles: and Heb. 6. 16. An oath for confirmation, is called the ordinance of God, for the ending of all 5strife. Others (as the Papists) say, that Christ here sets down a counsell of perfection, not forbidding all swearing, but rather wishing that men could so liue in faith, loue, and truth, that there should be no vse of an oath. But this can not be true: for Christs wordes are not perswasiue, but prohibitorie, expressely forbidding swearing. And yet we must know, that Christs meaning is not here to forbid all swearing simply, but all swearing after the Iewish manner and custome; that is, in common talke and communication, as is plaine in the last words of this answer, when he saith, Let your communication be yea, yea. For this is a Rule to be obserued in the interpretation of Scripture, that things generally spoken, must particularly be vnderstood, according to the circumstances of the present matter in hand: as when Paul saith, dhe became all things to all men, if it should be taken generally, we might say, that with blasphemers he became a blasphemer, &c. but that speach must be restrained to the vse of things indifferent, in all which he yeilded to the weaknes of all, that he might winne some: and so here, Sweare not at all, must be restrained to the Iewish custome, which was to sweare by the name of God in their common talke, and by other creatures, both which Christ doth vtterly forbid.
- 1How far Christ forbids swearing.How farre Christ forbids swearing.
- aPelagians & Waldenses.
- bHierome, Theophyl. Chrysost. in Matth. 5.
- cDeut. 10. 20.
- 5Sixth. Senens. biblioth. Sanct. l. 6. a• no•. 26.Sixt. Senens. biblioth. Sanct. l. 6. a• no•. 26.
- d1. Co•. 9. 22.
