A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors…A short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours…

Thus one evil draweth to him an other. But in all this, the Lord Jesus meaneth nothing of lawful oaths, which were permitted by the law: but only doeth reprehend and correct that unlawful liberty of swearing, which the people, being evil instructed by evil teachers, did use: first thinking that it was none oath to take the name of God in directly: and than after made no matter of perjuries, esteeming also these vain and light as nothing.

Thus one euyll draweth to hym an other. But in al thys, the Lorde Iesus meaneth nothynge of lawefull othes, whyche were permitted by the law: but onely doeth reprehend and correcte that vnlawefull libertye of swerynge, whyche the people, beyng euyll instructed by euyll teachers, dyd vse: fyrst thincking that it was none othe to take the name of God in directlie: and thā after made no matter of periuries, esteminge also these vayne and lyghte as nothynge.

☞ Now that I have sufficiently overthrown all the foundations, upon which the Anabaptists, going about to condemn all oaths without any distinction or exception, do lean: it resteth now, that by good reasons and testimonies of the scripture, I do show how a Christian may lawfully swear without offending God. Here I protest again that thing which I have said before: that is, that I intend not to unbridle the world, to induce it to abuse the name of God, in making oaths at pleasure and rashly. I know that that vice is to common: and therefore we ought rather to study to repress it, than to augment it. I know also that it is no small fault, to take the name of God in vain, and therefore that we ought so much the more to travel by all means to let such an evil. But how? To condemn that which is good, when we would take a way the abuse, is no good way to proceed. Wherefore, when I say that it is lawful in a certain case for a ⟨image 45⟩Christian to swear, I would every man should think that I mean of the right use, which is joined with the fear and reverence of the name of God, & that no man take occasion of my words to make vain, superfluous, or vicious oaths. To define the matter more plainly: when I say that a Christen man may swear without offence, first I mean when it behoveth to give testimony unto the trueth. Secondly if the thing do require it: the which consideration ought to have respect unto the honour of God & love of our neighbour. That is to say if it be expedient and profitable to swear, as well for God's honour, as to conserve charity amongest us. Thirdly that necessity do require it: that is to say, that it be needful to use such a confirmation. Fourthly that the deliberation and intent of him that sweareth be such. Finally that it be done in fear & reverence with a desire to sanctify the name of god. In such a case, and none otherwise, I say that the use of swearing is permitted to Christen men. If any bragger do abuse it: it shall be to his condemnation.