The Institution of Christian Religion

Now when we understand that it is the Lords will that there be in our oaths a worship of his name: so much the more diligent heed is to be taken, that in stead of worshipping they do not contain dishonour, contempt or abasement of it. For it is no small dishonour, when perjury is committed in swearing by him, wherefore it is called in the law,¹ Profanation. For what is left to the Lord when he is spoiled of his truth? he shall then cease to be God. But truly he is spoiled thereof, when he is made an affirmer and approver of falsehood.² Wherefore, when Joshua minded to drive Alchan to confess the truth, he said: My Son, give glory to the Lord of Israel. meaning thereby, that the Lord is grievously dishonoured if a man swear falsely by him. And no marvel. For we do as much as in us lieth, in a manner, to stain his holy name with a lye. And that this manner of speech was used among the Jews so oft as any was called to take an oath, appeareth by the like protestation, that the Pharisees use in the Gospel of John.³ To this heedfulness the forms of oaths that are used in the Scriptures do instruct us: The Lord liveth, The Lord do these things unto me, and add these things, The Lord be witness upon my soul. Which do prove, that we can not call God for witness of our sayings, but that we also wish him to take vengeance of our perjury, if we speak deceitfully.

Nowe when we vnderstande that it is the Lordes will that there be in our othes a worshippe of his name: so muche the more diligent hede is to be taken, that in stede of worshippyng they doe not conteine dishonour, contempt or abacement of it. For it is no small dishonour, when periurie is committed in swearyng by him, wherefore it is called in the lawe,¹ Profanation. For what is lefte to the Lorde when he is spoyled of his truthe? he shall then ceasse to be God. But truely he is spoyled thereof, when he is made an affirmer and approuer of falshod.² Wherefore, when Iosua minded to dryue Alchan to confesse the truthe, he sayd: My Sonne, geue glorie to the Lord of Israell. meanyng thereby, that the Lorde is greuously dishonored yf a manne sweare falsly by hym. And no maruell. For we doe as much as in vs lieth, in a manner, to stayne his holy name with a lye. And that this manner of speache was vsed amonge the Iewes so ofte as any was called to take an othe, appereth by the like protestation, that the Pharisees vse in the Gospell of Iohn.