al Christian, this practice doth especially
in a far higher degree misbecome him, upon considerations peculiar
to his high calling and holy profession.

Plutarch telleth us that among the Romans the flamen of Jupiter was
not permitted to swear, of which law among other reasons he assigned
this: "Because it is not handsome that he to whom divine and
greatest things are entrusted should be distrusted about small
matters." The which reason may well be applied to excuse every
Christian from it, who is a priest to the most High God, and hath
the most celestial and important matters concredited to him; in
comparison to which all other matters are very mean and
inconsiderable. The dignity of his rank should render his word
verbum honoris, passable without any further engagement. He hath
opinions of things, he hath undertaken practices inconsistent with
swearing. For he that firmly doth believe that God is ever present
with him, and auditor and witness of all his discourse; he that is
persuaded that a severe judgment shall pass on him, wherein he must
give an account for every idle word which slippeth from him, and
wherein, among other offenders, assuredly liars will be condemned to
the burning lake; he that in a great Sacrament (once most solemnly
taken, and frequently renewed) hath engaged and sworn, together with
all other divine commandments, to observe those which most expressly
do charge him to be exactly just, faithful, and veracious in all his
words and deeds; who therefore should be ready to say with David, "I
have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed to keep thy righteous
judgments," to him every word hath the force of an oath; every lie,
every breach of promise, every violation of faith doth involve
perjury: for him to swear is false heraldry, an impertinent
accumulation of one oath upon another; he of all men should disdain
to allow that his words are not perfectly credible, that his promise
is not secure, without being assured by an oath.

IX. Indeed, the practice of swearing greatly disparageth him that
useth it, and derogateth from his credit upon divers accounts.

It signifieth (if it signifieth anything) that he doth not confide
in his own reputation, and judgeth his own bare word not to deserve
credit: for why, if he taketh his word to be good, doth he back it
with asseverations? why, if he deemeth his own honesty to bear
proof, doth he cite Heaven to warrant it?