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

(3) The Direction and Precept of our Saviour, is given in direct opposition unto the corrupt Glosses and Interpretations of the Law introduced by Tradition, and made Authentic by the Authority of the Pharisees. This is evident from the express Antithesis in the words, You have heard what hath been said of old time, but I say unto you: Now these were two, (1) That there was no evil in an Oath at any time, but only in swearing falsely. This they gathered, (as they fathered their most absurd apprehensions on some pretext of Scripture) from Deut. 19. 12. Ye shall not swear by my Name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy God. From hence they concluded that Gods Name was not profaned in swearing, unless a man sware falsely, that is, forswore himself. And this also they restrained principally unto promises by Oaths, or Vows to be performed unto God, which turned to their Advantage who had the disposal of things sacred and devoted. This they judged to comprise the whole of the Prohibition in the Third Commandment, but most falsely, and unto the hazard of the Souls of men. For not only the using or interposition of the Name of God in a false matter which is Perjury, but also the using of it in vain, that is, without just cause, or reason, or call, lightly and vainly, is expressly forbidden. Herein our Saviour interposeth his Divine Interpretation, and in opposition unto the corrupt exposition of the Pharisees, declares that not only false swearing by the Name of God in Judgement or otherwise is forbidden in the Command; but also that vain interposition of the Name of God in our Communication is utterly prohibited. And it is hence evident unto me, that no man ought voluntarily to take an Oath unless the matter in controversy be undeterminable without it, and the Authority be lawful that requires it. (2) Aiming to comply with the Lusts and Corruptions of men, (as the great Artifice of all false Teachers consists in the accommodation of Doctrines to the blindness and prevalent sins of men) they had found out a way how they might swear, and swear on without the guilt of Perjury, did they swear never so falsely; And this was not to swear by the Name of God himself, which if they did and sware falsely, they were perjured, but by the Heavens, or by the Earth, or Jerusalem, or the Temple, or the Altar, or their own Heads;

(3) The Direction and Precept of our Saviour, is given in direct opposition unto the corrupt Glosses and Interpretations of the Law introduced by Tradition, and made Authentick by the Authority of the Pharisees. This is evident from the express Antithesis in the words, You have heard what hath been said of old time, but I say unto you: Now these were two, (1) That there was no evil in an Oath at any time, but only in swearing falsly. This they gathered, (as they fathered their most absurd apprehensions on some pretext of Scripture) from