Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

74 ST. MATTHEW.
gage that which is not ours without the master's
consent. To make any imprecation against our-
selves, with relation to heaven, the earth, or sacred
things, of which God has given us the use, is to dis-
pose of ourselves, of the gifts of God, and of his
creatures, without the leave, and against the will, of
the sovereign Master. God manifests his glory in
heaven, as upon his throne; he imprints the footsteps
of his divine perfections upon every thing on earth,
as upon his footstool; and shows, that his holiness
and his grace reign in his temple, as in the place of
his residence, and in his palace. Let it be one of
our most constant and ordinary cares, to seek and
honour God in all his works.
" 36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, be-
cause thou canst not make one hair white or black."
How dares man presume to dispose of his person,
his time, and his goods, contrary to the command
and appointment of God, since he is not able so
much as to change the colour of one single hair?
" 37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea;
Nay, nay : for whatsoever is more than these cometh
of evil."
Simplicity is most commonly to be found with
truth. Let us be sure not to use an oath for the
sake of little temporal interests: this is to abuse religion,
and to make God subservient to mammon.
The abuse of an oath proceeds, either from the dis-
trust of him who requires it, or from the wickedness
of him of whom it is required, or from lightness, or
irreverence. Wisdom, probity, and religion, would
remedy all. Nothing is more contrary to the Spirit
of God, and to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, than to
render oaths common in the church; because it multi-