The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

Now it follows to be spoken of an oath: and first, we must know that it is a duty & service of God when we have a lawful calling & just warrant to take an oath, so it be done aright, as rash swearing is a sinful thing, so reverent swearing is an holy thing, and one may sin as well in omitting this when it is lawfully required, as in committing the other which is forbidden. So Deut. 6. 13. and 10. 20. Thou shalt fear the Lord, and serve him and swear in his name. In both which places god plainly commands it, as a service of him to swear by him, when one hath a warrantable and just cause to take an oath. Therefore their error must be condemned, that would altogether root out the use of oaths as unlawful, and being called thereto refuse it, because they say they would not take gods name in vain; nay, now they do take Gods name in vain, in refusing to swear by it reverently, and upon good ground & allowance, they might even as well refuse to hear, and read, and pray, as to swear, being thus called thereunto. Likewise it serves for our instruction, that when the case stands so, as that an oath is required at our hands, by those which have authority, and when we have a sufficient warrant, then we should willingly and cheerfully do it, and that with a mind to glorify God, and an expectation of a blessing upon this, as upon hearing and reading, because it is an ordinance of God, as well as they be: and it is a fault, when men coming to this, do not propose the glory of God unto themselves, or look for any reward for this duty, but only look to the civill ends, to set agreement, and make all things right, and such like, not thinking that this is a matter of highly honouring God, nor looking to his name, nor to his promise of given good success and blessing to all his ordinances. Many will hope to speed better, for a good prayer, as in deed they shall, which never hope that god will look any whit, the more favourably upon ⟨p. 58⟩them, for a lawful and a just oath, but if God will punish vain swearers, he will reward good swearing, and those that use it aright, as a curse is denounced against the foolish and idle abusing of it, so the reverent and conscionable use of it, must have a promise of blessing annexed to it also.

Now it followes to be spoken of an oath: and first, we must know that it is a dutie & seruice of God when we haue a lawfull calling & just warrant to take an oath, so it be done aright, as rash swearing is a sinnefull thing, so reuerent swearing is an holy thing, and one may sinne as well in omitting this when it is lawfully required, as in committing the other which is forbidden. So