A65285:2099
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Excuse 2. But I swear to the Truth. See how this Harlot-Sin would paint it self with an Excuse. Resp. 1. Though it be true, yet if it be a Rash Oath, 'tis Sinful. Besides 2. He that swears commonly, it cannot be avoided but sometimes he may swear more than is true; as where much Water runs, some Gravel or Mud will pass along with the Water; so where there is much Swearing, some Lies will run along with the Oaths.
Excuse 3. But I shall not be believed, unless I seal up my Word with an Oath. Resp. 1. A Man that is Honest, will be believed without an Oath, his bare Word carries Authority with it, and is as good as Letters Testimonial. 2. I answer, He who swears, the more he swears, the less others will believe him: Juras credit minus, Thou art a Swearer. Another thinks an Oath weighs very light with thee, thou carest not what thou swearest; and the more thou swearest, the less he believes thee: He will trust thy Bond, but not thy Oath.
Excuse 3. But I shall not be believed, unless I seal up my Word with an Oath. Resp. 1. A Man that is Honest, will be believed without an Oath, his bare Word carries Authority with it, and is as good as Letters Testimonial. 2. I answer, He who swears, the more he swears, the less others will believe him: Iuras credit minus, Thou art a Swearer. Another thinks an Oath weighs very light with thee, thou carest not what thou swearest; and the more thou swearest, the less he believes thee: He will trust thy Bond, but not thy Oath.
Excuse 4. But it is a Custom of Swearing I have gotten, and I hope God will forgive me. Resp. Though among Men, custom Carries it, and is pleadable in Law, yet it is not so in the case of Sin; Custom here is no Plea. Thou hast got an habit of Swearing, and canst not leave it, is this an Excuse? Is a thing well done, because it is commonly done? This is so far from being an Excuse, that it is an Aggravation of Sin. As if one that had been accused for Killing a Man, should plead with the Judge to spare him, because it was his Custom to Murder; this is an Aggravation of the Offence, so it is here: Therefore all Excuses for this Sin of Vain-Swearing are taken away. Dare not to live in this Sin, it is a taking Gods Name in vain.