character. More fully than any other exercise, his perfections and
administration it contemplates, and in a manner all-important shows
forth his praise.

The oath is a solemn appeal to God, invoked as witness, that some
statement made is true. The declaration may be an assertion concerning
fact, or a promise. No creature, besides the being that gives the oath,
may know certainly whether the statement be true or false; but God
always knows, and he is called upon in this, as knowing the truth. In
every case in which it is used, whether in secret or in public, it is
the most complete evidence that can be afforded of the sincerity of
those who swear; and in public, it is the highest satisfaction
concerning any averment that men could demand. It is used to give the
weight of God's testimony to show that a given statement is made in
truth.

In the swearing of a lawful oath, a covenant with God is made by the
party that swears. Whatever be the nature of the responsibility
connected with the act engaged in by whomsoever, it cannot be doubted
that an unregenerate person cannot be accepted in it; but a true
Christian in making oath lawfully, will be approved before God. To swear
in suitable circumstances is the duty of all; but it is the privilege of
those only who are in covenant with God. When the oath is given to
confirm an assertion, it is sworn in confirmation of a covenant with
God. First, when used, not in giving evidence before men, but in
religious exercises strictly personal, the oath is never sworn but to
confirm truth. An assertion made before God in giving adherence to
truth, is an acquiescence in it, and being uttered in accordance with
the requirement that truth be spoken, and implying an engagement to
abide by it, is a solemn declaration of obligation to God. The Covenant
of Grace presented under some aspect is thus agreed to; a covenant is
made, and the swearing of the oath is its ratification. In these words,
Israel were invited to take hold on God's Covenant. "If thou wilt
return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me; and if thou wilt put
away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not
remove."[43] And the oath prescribed for them on returning was
explicitly an averment of truth. "Thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in
truth, in judgment, and in righteousness." Likewise, to swear at any
time devotionally, "the Lord liveth," is most solemnly to acquiesce in
the injunctions to believe upon him w