Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And there needs no inquisition or long trial of the matter: for every man hath his own witness in that behalf. Howe so ever the case stand let us learn to use such modesty in this respect, as God commandeth that we swear not without cause nor unrequired.

And there needes no inquisition or long trial of the matter: for euerie man hath his owne witnesse in that behalfe. Howe so euer the case stande let vs learne to vse such modestie in this respect, as God commaundeth that we sweare not without cause nor vnrequired.

Howbeit to make this matter the easier to be understood, many do bear themselves in hand that when they swear by their faith, it is not §40material. Indeed the most part of them swear by nothing at all: for they have no more faith than dogs: they have neither conscience nor Religion. But yet shall not the name of Faith fail therefore to be esteemed afore God: for he setteth much store by it, and counteth it as a holy thing, which cannot nor ought not to be so unhallowed, except we will needs make our selves guilty, and run in danger of the threat that is uttered here, as we see. Now then let us mark §50well that it is not enough for us to have forborne to swear expressly By God: but also that if a man swear by his faith, or use any confirmation wherein there is any mark of Gods majesty: his name is unhallowed in so doing. And what shall then become of such as not only use false oaths to countenance their matters withal, and swear at all adventure and as it were in scorn and mockery: but do also spite God with horrible blasphemies, so as they spare §60neither flesh, blood, nor death nor any thing else? Are such men to be held as only guilty of simple abusing of Gods name? No: but as guilty of the heinousest villainy that can be done. Behold our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory, abased himself for a time, as sayeth S. Paul. Now if there were no more but this,¹