Politeuphuia VVits common wealth.

Of Oath.

Defi. Oath is a perswasion or calling of God to witnesse that our assertions are iust, true, and honest; and of oathes some be lawfull, some vnlawfull: the lawfull oath is that which is taken before authoritie; the oath vnlawfull, is that which vainely and without occasion is vttered.

THat oath is vnlawfull, vvhich is made a∣gainst dutie.

The oath which is honest, is a proofe of fi∣delitie, the violation whereof is impietie.

An oath is the foundation of iustice, & the truth of incertaintie.

It is better neuer to take God to witnesse, then to forsweare him in mockery. Lactan.

Nothing more then our credite, bindeth vs to performe, that which our necessity force∣eth vs to promise.

Oathes doe not credite men, but men theyr oathes. Sopho.

He that deceiueth his enemy vvith oathes, giues a sufficient testimonie that hee feares him.

It becommeth a man to keepe inuiolate the oath which hee maketh to his aduersarie, al∣though mishap cause him to yeeld vnto it.

Through neglect in our oathes keeping, we fill our soules full of lying.

If the pledge for iustice be disloyall, there is no trust in theyr oathes.

The greatest fault that can be in a Prince, is periurie.

Gods oath is the confirmation of hys pro∣mise. August.

The bare word of a Prince, ought to stand as an oath in lawe, and his faith as firme as an Oracle.

To sweare & forsweare, is a vice so hatefull, that slaues themselues iudge it worthy of pu∣nishment. Perian.

Hee is vnwise that putteth any confidence in the promise of a common swearer.

Hee that accustometh his mouth to manie

oathes, procureth vnto himselfe many pla∣gues for a punishment. Sigism.

As it is not necessary to credite the oath of an infidell, so it is not lawfull for a Christian to breake his vowe, although it bee made to a Sarazine.

From oathes & periurie, issues treason, that most pernicious plague of kingdomes and Common-weales.

Traytors bewitcht with periurie, feare not to betray themselues, so they may betray o∣thers.

Periuries are pursued euer vvith vnhappie effects, contrarie to the platformes of the faythlesse.

Hee that layeth his fayth in pawne▪ bindeth his safetie, his honour, and his soule also.

VVhere fayth is taken from oathes, ••ustice is ruind, loue vvounded, and societie con∣founded.

God in his iustice chastens periurie, euen from the cradle to the graue.

Fauour gotten by periurie, is honor wonne by infamie.

Sinne is punished with repentance, but per∣iurie with damnation. Quintil.

Vertue is neuer in the mouth where lauish oathes are resident.

Scarsitie of oathes is a most blessed barren∣nesse.

The oathes vttered in furie, in calmes are repented with teares.

VVicked mens oathes are written in water. Stobaeus.

Hee that hath beene often deceiued vvith oathes, will not rashly hazarde himselfe on protestation: and hee vvhich is wise by hys owne folly, is vnhappily made wise.

Fayth giues no honour to any oath, yet oathes broken, dishonour fayth.

To maintaine oathes, is to subborne blas∣phemie.

Fayth is the deuotion of the soule, and the redemption of the same. Ierom.

VVise men thinke more then they speake, and to sweare is the least part of their know∣ledge.

Solon tantam morum probitatem inesse homi∣nibus oportere dicebat, vt non opus esset ligare iuramento.

Lycurgus eatenus amicis et familiaribus auxi∣liandum esse dicebat, vt interim periurium non admitteretur.