Lectures on the Catechism of the Church of England; With a Discourse on Confirmation (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 Excerpt: ... by " heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, " for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for " it is the city of the great King; neither shalt " thou swear by thy head, for 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."9 That is, avoid, not only the grosser oaths, but all the silly refinements and softenings of them, which men have contrived, in hope to make them eeem innocent; for, though the name of God be not expressed, yet if it be implied, by mentioning (9) Matth. v. 34, 35, 36, 37. something relating to God, instead of himself; indeed whatever form is used to disguise it, the intent is the same, and the effect will be, bringing a sacred obligation into familiarity and contempt. Keep yourselves, therefore, throughout the whole of your common conversation, within the bounds of a plain affirmation or denial; for whatever goes beyond these, proceeds from a bad turn of mind, and will produce bad consequences. If, indeed, we be required to swear before a magistrate, or public officer, for the discovery of truth, and the doing of justice, this is, notwithstanding, lawful. For our Saviour forbids it only in our communication, our ordinary discourse; and he himself, our great pattern, answered upon oath to " the high priest, who adjured him by the f living God."1 Or, though we be not called upon by law, yet if some other weighty and extraordinary occasion should oblige us to call our Maker to witness, as St. Paul hath done, in more places than one of his Epistles; then also we may allowably do it, provided it be always with sincerity and reverence. For by oaths, thus taken, men are benefitt...