Oath, or Covenant-breakers, not to be trusted. [ 1226]
THe Lawes divine and human,* 1.1 have left no such bond of assurance, to tie and fasten one to another, as that of an Oath or Covenant, which are to be ta∣ken in sincerity, and kept inviolably: But seeing the deprivation of our nature hath perverted these Lawes, and abused this lawfull act, by equivocations, and mentall reservations, making it like a Gipsies knot, fait or loose at their pleasure; or like a Tragedian buskin,* 1.2 equally fitting each foot. The Law of State prescribes us this remedy, to trust no man of noted falshood and duplicity, but upon good caution; and good reason too: For he that hath passed the bounds of modesty, and made no Religion of Oath or Covenant, for his proper advantage, never after makes scru∣ple in his cauteriate conscience, to offend in like sort, as often as like occasion shall be offered.