A Body of Practical Divinity

VII. We take Gods Name in vain, when we swear by his Name. Many seldom name God's Name but in Oaths; for this Sin the Land Mourns, Mat. 5.34. Swear not at all; that is, Rashly and Sinfully, so as to take Gods Name in vain; not but that in some cases it is lawful to take an Oath before a Magistrate, Deut. 6.13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and Swear by his Name, Heb. 6.16. An Oath for Confirmation, is an end of all strife. But when Christ saith, Swear not at all; he forbids such a Swearing as takes Gods Name in vain. There is a Three-fold Swearing forbidden.

1. Vain Swearing, when Men in their ordinary Discourse let fly Oaths. Some will go to excuse their Swearing. It is a course Wool that will take no Dye, and a bad Sin indeed that hath no Excuse.

Excuse 1. I swear little trifling Oaths, as Faith, or by the Mass. Resp. The Devil hath Two false Glasses which he sets before Mens Eyes, the one is a little Glass, in which the Sin appears so small, that it can hardly be seen; this Glass the Devil sets before Mens Eyes when they are going to commit Sin; the other is a great Multiplying Glass, wherein Sin appears so big that it cannot be forgiven: The Devil sets this before Mens Eyes when they have sinned. Thou that sayest, Sin is small, when God shall open the Eye of thy Conscience, then thou wilt see it great, and be ready to despair. But to answer this Plea, thou sayest, they are but small Oaths; but Christ forbids Vain Oaths, Swear not at all: If God will reckon with us for Idle Words, shall not Idle Oaths be put in the Account Book?