Verse 35. Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool]
A fault so common among this people, that S. James 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause to warn the beleeving Jews of it to whom he wrote. They had taken up such a custom of swearing by the creatures, that after conversion they could not easily leave it, it is a poor plea to say, I* 1.1 have gotten a custom of swearing, and must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be born with. For who is it but the devil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saith to such, as the Iews to Pilate, Doe as thou hast ever done? The Cretians when they* 1.2 wished worst to any one, they wished that he might take delight* 1.3 in an evil 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Break off 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this ili use by repentance: and though you cannot suddenly turn the stream, yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against it, bite in thine oathes, and with bitternesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them: swear to God, as David did, thou wilt swear no more, and by degrees out∣grow this ill custom.
And should be ours. For he hath put all things under our feet, Psal. 8 6. He saith not, under our hands, but under our feet, that we might trample upon them in a holy con∣tempt, as the Church is said to tread upon the Moon; and the way of the righteous is said to be on high, to depart from hell below. It is a wonder, surely, that treading upon these minerals, gold, sil∣ver, precious stones, &c. (which are but the guts and garbage of* 1.4 the earth,) we should so admire them. God hath hid them in the* 1.5 * 1.6 bowels of the earth, and in those parts that are farthest off from the Church. Where they grow, little else grows that is ought; no more doth grace in an earthly 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But to return from whence we are 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Earth is Gods footstool. How ought we then to walke 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that we provoke not the eyes of his glory. There is an honour due even to the footstools of Princes, when they are in the throne especially. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou in the fear of the Lord all* 1.7 day long (saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉) walke in the sense of his presence, and light of his countenance. He is not very farre from any one of us,* 1.8 saith the Apostle, not so farre as the barke from the tree, or the