A Body of Practical Divinity

3. Forswearing: This is an Heaven-daring Sin, Lev. 19.12. Ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shall ye profane my name. Perjury is a calling God to witness to a Lye. It is said of Philip of Macedon, he would Swear and Unswear, as might stand best with his Interest, Jer. 4.2. Thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in ⟨p. 299⟩Truth, in Judgment, and in Righteousness. In Righteousness, therefore it must not be an unlawful Oath: In Judgment, therefore it must not be a rash Oath: In Truth, therefore it must not be a false Oath. Among the Scythians, if a Man did Forswear himself, he was to have his Head stricken off: Because if Perjury were allowed, there would be no living in a Common-wealth, it would take away all Faith and Truth among Men. The Perjurer is in as bad a case as the Witch, for by a false Oath he binds his Soul fast to the Devil. In Forswearing, or taking a false Oath in a Court, there are many Sins linked together; Plurima peccata in uno. For besides the taking Gods name in vain, the Perjurer is a Thief, by his false Oath he robs the Innocent of his Right: He is a Perverter of Justice: He doth not only sin himself, but occasions the Jury to give a false Verdict, and the Judge to pass an unrighteous Sentence. And sure Gods Judgments will find him out. When Gods flying Roll or Curse goes over the face of the Earth, into whose House doth it enter? Into the house of him that swears falsely: And it shall consume the timber and stones of his house, Zech. 5.4. Beza relates of a Perjurer, That he had no sooner taken a false Oath, but he was immediately struck with an Apoplexy, and never sp•ke more, but died. O tremble at such horrid Impiety.

3. Forswearing: This is an Heaven-daring Sin, Lev. 19.12. Ye shall not swear by my name falsly, neither shall ye prosane my name. Perjury is a calling God to witness to a Lye. It is said of Philip of Macedon, he would Swear and Unswear, as might stand best with his Interest,