PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

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Olllhs. 137
.£.. mongst the Greekr and Rfi1!Ulns, the form varied
\\,ith the subject and occasion of the oatil. In pri­
\~3.te contracts 2 the parties t()t)k hold of each other's
hand, whilst they SWOlee to the perforIDCb~ce; or tbey
touched the alter of the god, by whose divinity tbr:y
s\\-orc. Upoa more solemn occasiop.s it was the custom
to day a victim; and the beast h?ing struck df!'llJ1l,
with certain ceremonies and inv0CC2ti~Jns, gave bi.-rth
to the expres~ions "T fWf" ~ ftrire paci!Lm; and to our
English phrase, translated from th~~, of" striking a
1.1argain. "
'l~he fonns of oaths in Christian countries are also
,-ery ditTerent; but in no country in the world, I believe,
worse contrived, either to convey the meaning,
or impress the obligation of an oath, than in our
0\\'11.
The juror \\"ith us, after repeating the promise,
or affirmatiDn, which the oath is intended to
confirm, adds, "so help me God ;" or lDore fre.,
quently the sub:;tance of the oath is repeated to the
juror, by the officer or magistrate who administers it,
adding in the