II. Quest. How must a man take an oath, when by just occasion he is called to swear? Ans. To this question the Prophet Jeremiah answereth, chap. 4. 2. Thou shalt swear the Lord liveth, in truth, in judgement, 1and in righteousness: where three virtues are required in an holy manner of swearing. First, truth, and that respecteth two things, as2 well the matter whereto we swear, for God may not be brought for a witness to a lie; as also the mind of him that sweareth: for his oath must be according to his mind, without fraud or deceit, and with intent3 to perform that truly which he promises thereupon. Secondly, Justice or righteousness, which also respecteth two things; first, the thing sworn to, that must be just and lawful and according to Gods word: secondly, the conscience of the swearer: for a man must not swear for a trifle, though the thing be true, but either by the authority of the Magistrate, or upon some necessary cause of his lawful calling: and against this virtue do those sin, that swear usually in their common talk, though the thing be true: for trifles and light matters are not a just cause of an oath. Thirdly, judgement as well of the4 oath, as of his own person: for the oath; he that sweareth rightly, ought to know the nature of an oath, and be able to judge of the matter whereabout he sweareth, and also discern rightly of the persons before whom, of time, place, and other circumstances. And for his own person, a man that sweareth, ought to see in his conscience that he is fit to take an oath, and thereby to worship and glorify God: for he that sweareth ought to have his heart smitten with fear and awe ⟨p. 159⟩towards God, as in all other parts of his worship: Deut. 10. 20. the fear of God, and swearing by his name, are joined together: and a profane man that hath no fear of God in his heart ought not to swear. And thus much of Christs general Answer, to their false interpretation.
II. Quest. How must a man take an oath, when by iust occasion he is called to sweare? Ans. To this question the Prophet Ieremie answereth, chap. 4. 2. Thou shalt sweare the Lord liueth, in truth, in iudgement, 1and in righteousnes: where three vertues are required in an holy manner of swearing. First, truth, and that respecteth two things, as2 well the matter whereto we sweare, for God may not be brought for a witnesse to a lie; as also the minde of him that sweareth: for his oath must be according to his minde, without fraud or deceit, and with intent3 to performe that truly which he promises thereupon. Secondly, Iustice or righteousnes, which also respecteth two things; first, the thing sworne to, that must be iust and lawfull and according to Gods word: secondly, the conscience of the swearer: for a man must not sweare for a trifle, though the thing be true, but either by the authoritie of the Magistrate, or vpon some necessarie cause of his lawfull calling: and against this vertue doe those sinne, that sweare vsually in their common talke, though the thing be true: for trifles and light matters are not a iust cause of an oath. Thirdly, iudgement as well of the4 oath, as of his owne person: for the oath; he that sweareth rightly, ought to know the nature of an oath, and be able to iudge of the matter whereabout he sweareth, and also discerne rightly of the persons before whome, of time, place, and other circumstances. And for his owne person, a man that sweareth, ought to see in his conscience that he is fit to take an oath, and thereby to worship and glorifie God: for he that sweareth ought to haue his heart smitten with feare and awe ⟨p. 159⟩towards God, as in all other parts of his worship: Deut. 10. 20. the feare of God, and swearing by his name, are ioyned together: and a prophane man that hath no feare of God in his heart ought not to sweare. And thus much of Christs general Answer, to their false interpretation.
- 13. Virtues in an oath.3. Vertues in an oath.
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