A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Secondly, For the Nature of this Oath of God it consists in an express engagement of those Holy Properties whereby he is known to be God, unto the accomplishment of what he promiseth or threateneth. By his Being, his Life, his Holiness, his Power, is he known to be God; and therefore by them is he said to swear, when they are all engaged unto the fulfilling of his word.

Fourthly, There is a reason added why God thus sware by himself. It was because he had none greater whereby he might sware. And this reason is built upon this maxim; That the Nature of an Oath consisteth in the Invocation of a Superior in whose power we are. For two things we design in that Invocation of another. (1) A testimony to be given unto the Truth we assert. (2) Vengeance or Punishment of the contrary upon us. Wherefore we do ascribe two things unto him whom we invocate in an Oath. (1) An absolute Omniscience, or Infallible knowledge of the Truth or Falsehood of what we assert. (2) A Sovereign Power over us, whence we expect Protection in case of Right and Truth, or Punishment in case we deal falsely and treacherously. And this respect unto punishment is that alone which gives force and efficacy unto Oaths among mankind. There is a Principle ingrafted in the minds of men by Nature, that God is the supreme Rector, Ruler and Judge of all men and their Actions; as also that the Holiness of his Nature with his Righteousness as a Ruler and Judge, doth require that Evil and Sin be punished in them who are under his Government. Of his Omnipotent power also, to punish all sorts of Transgressors, the highest, greatest, and most exempt from humane Cognizance, there is an alike conception and presumption. According as the minds of men are actually influenced by these Principles, so are their Oaths valid and useful and no otherwise. And therefore it hath been provided that men of profligate lives, who manifest that they have no regard unto God nor his Government of the world, should not be admitted to give Testimony by Oath. And if instead of driving all sorts of persons, the worst, the vilest of men on sleight or light, or no occasions, unto swearing, none might be in any case admitted thereunto, but such as evidence in their Conversations, such a regard unto the Divine Rule and Government of the world as is required to give the least credibility unto an Oath, it would be much better with humane Society. And that in-road which Atheism hath made on the world in these latter Ages, hath weakened and brought in a laxation of all the Nerves and Bonds of Humane Society. These things belong unto the Nature of an Oath amongst men, and without them it is nothing.