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

138 OalhJ~
ha~ brought about a general inadvertency to the obli.
gation of oaths, which, both in a religic·us and political
view, is much to be lamented; and it merits
public con~ideration, whether the requiring of oaths
cn so many frivolous occasions, especiaiJy in the custom;,
and in the qualification for petty offices, has
any other eifect, than to make them cheap in the
mip.ds of the people. A pound of tea cannot travel
re~ularly from the ship to the consumer, without
costing half a Gozen oaths at the least; and the same
security for the due discharge of th~ir office, namely,
that of an oath is required fron, a church-warden
and an arch-bishop, fr()m a petty constable and the
chief justice of England. Let the law continue its
own ~Clnctions, if they be thought requisite; hIlt let it
spare the solemnity of an Oath. And where, frOID the
want of something better to depend upon, it is necessary
to accept ID£n's o,,-n word or own account, let
it annex to prevarication penalties proportioned to
the public mischief of the offence.
II.
nijUati~n is the same. It is "the calling upon God
to witness, i. c. to tak£. :lotice of what we say; and it
is inyoking his vengeance, or renoundng hi~. favour,
But whateverJ:>e thE form of an oath, the Sig4
if what we say be false, or what we promise be not
performed. "
III. Quakers and lforaviaJls ref'lse to swear UpOIl
- any occasion; founding their scruples concerning the
lawfu/11£JJ of oaths upon our Saviour's prohibition,
Alalth. v. S4. " I say unto you, s\vear not ar aii.';;
The answer which we give to this objecti('n can.
not be understood, without first stating the whole
passage, "Ye have heard that it hath bren said by
them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself: but
shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say
unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it
is God's throrle; nor by the earth, t·or it is his footstool;
neither by JerUla/em, for it is the city of the