Madan on Article XXXIX: Of a Christian man's Oath

Dt a Christian Man’s Dath.

A S we confess that vain and rash Swearing :s

forbidden Christian Men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apo/?le : So toe judge that the Christian Religion * doth nit prohibit, but that a Man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a Cause of Faith and Charity, ja it be done according 10 the 3 Prophat’s Teaching, in Fustice, Fudgment, and Truth, |

Matt. v. 34, &c. I fay unto you, Swear not at all; neither by Heaven, for it is Gop’s Throne: Nor by Ferusalem, for it is the City of the great King : Neither shalt thou swear by thy Head, because thou canst not make one Hair white or black: But let your Communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of Evil. James v. 12. Above all Things, my Brethren, swear not, neither by the Heaven, nor by the Earth, nor by any other Oath: But let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into Condemnation. £xod. XX, 7, Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy Gop in vain; for the Lord wall not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name Ta vain.

• Deut, vi. 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy Gop, and serve Him, and shalt swear by his

2 Name.

Name. 1 Sam. Xxiv. 21. Swear now therefore unto me, by the Lord, and that thou wilt not cut off my Seed after me, and that thou wilt not de- ftroy my Name out of my Father’s House : And David (ware unto Saul, Feb. yi. 15. For Men verily swear by the greater, and an Oath for Con- ’ Armation, is to them an End of all Strife.

3 Fer. iv. 2. And thou shalt swear the Lord liveth, in Truth, in Judgment, and in Righte- #ufncss,

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