An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

First, For Swearing. The word here translated Swearing, it is of [Greek or Hebrew] and signifies Maledicere, Execrare; and likewise P•rjurare. It signifies these three things, to Curse, and to be Perjured, and to Swear. Any of these three this word importeth. And likewise it signifies sometimes to howl out, Ejulare, ¹Joel 1.8. Lament like a Virgin girded with sackcloth &c. It is the same word, Lament, or howl out. So that the same word that signifies cursing and swearing and forswearing, signifies to howl and cry, for God hath a time to make cursers and swearers and forswearers to howl and cry out. An Oath is a sacred thing, a part of Gods worship, and therefore the abusing of this is a dreadful sin; Especially if it be abused to swear to that which is false.² Paulus Phagius in his Comment upon Genesis, 42. saith it is reported of the Egyptians, that if any man did but swear by the life of the King and did not perform his Oath, that man was to die, and n• gold or any thing in the world could redeem hi• life, so did Heathens hate that sin of perjury. Yea we have found others that have not had much Religion in them, yet have extremely hated the sin of ordinary swearing. I have read of Lewis the 9. of France, that he punished that sin by searing the lips of swearers with an hot Iron which Law being executed upon a Citizen of Paris, some said it was two cruel, which he hearing of, gave this answer, I would to God saith he, that with searing mine own lips with an hot Iron, I could banish out of my Realm all abuse of Oaths. He could be willing to sea• ⟨p. 41⟩his own lips that he might banish the abuse of swearing. Chrysostom in some 16. Homilies together if not more,³ whatsoever his text was he always concluded against swearing, as being such a vile and notorious sin: And amongst other things because some pleaded custom, he putteth them upon this, saith he, if you would but punish it thus, that if there were an oath sworn in your house, he that swore should but abstain but from one meals meat; that that servant or that child that swore an oath should not dine that day, that would do somewhat, yet saith he, the command of God will not do so much as that. Divers other expressions I might name, but I must hasten. That place