The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reverend father, M. John Calvin, compendiously…The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reuerend father, M. Iohn Caluin, compendiously…

25 Or when in using any superfluous oaths we make him vile and contemptible: Moreover if in his steed we put in our oaths the holy servants of God or some other thing, whosoever will make promise of any thing by an oath, he diligently doeth, or at leastwise seemeth to labour that the trueth which lieth hidden, should come unto light. But forasmuch as he cannot do it of himself, because he seeth no credit is given to him of the hearers, he setteth his mind in calling to record of some true witness: but here it must needs come into mind that man is a Liar, and all other things, corrupt and wicked, so that the trueth can be found in none but in god only. Hereupon it cometh to pass by good reason ye honest & godly men, so oft as need requireth, do reverently call god to witness, & count it a heinous offence to appoint any other thing in his place.

25 Or when in vsing any superfluous othes wee make him vile and contemptible: Moreouer if in his stéed we put in our othes the holy seruantes of God or some other thing, whosoeuer will make promise of any thing by an oth, he diligently doeth, or at leastwise séemeth to labour that the trueth which lieth hidden, shuld come vnto light. But forasmuch as he cānot do it of himself, bicause he séeth no credit is giuen to him of the hearers, hée setteth his minde in calling to recorde of some true witnesse: but heere it must néedes come into minde that man is a Lier, and all other things, corrupt and wicked, so that ye trueth can be found in none but in god only. Herevpō it cōmeth to passe by good reason ye honest & godly mē, so oft as néed requireth, do reuerētly call god to witnes, & coūt it a hainous offēce to appoint any other thing in his place.

26 He useth three arguments against ⟨p. 68⟩the Anabaptists which detest all oaths without exception,¹ because Christ said, Swear not at all. first because Christ cannot be contrary to his father, that he should forbid or condemn the same which his father permitteth and commandeth. Moreover by interpreting the place. There is only forbidden vain oaths: and where it is said, Swear not at all, this word All, is referred not to Swear, but to the forms of oaths: neither doth Christ in that place where he forbiddeth them to swear by heaven & earth, and Jerusalem, speak it to correct superstition, as some men falsely think, but he rather confuteth their sophistical subtlety, which thought it no fault babblingly to throw out indirect oaths, as though they spared the holy name of God with is engraven in all his benefits.