whereof in temples before God is in effect a most sacred oath.

Hereon the decision of the greatest causes concerning the lives,
estates, and reputations of men have depended; so that, as the
Apostle saith, "an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all
strife."

Indeed, such hath the need hereof been ever apprehended, that we may
observe, in cases of great importance, no other obligation hath been
admitted for sufficient to bind the fidelity and constancy of the
most credible persons; so that even the best men hardly could trust
the best men without it. For instance,

When Abimelech would assure to himself the friendship of Abraham,
although he knew him to be a very pious and righteous person, whose
word might be as well taken as any man's, yet, for entire
satisfaction, he thus spake to him: "God is with thee in all that
thou doest: Now therefore swear unto me here by God, that thou wilt
not deal falsely with me."

Abraham, though he did much confide in the honesty of his servant
Eliezer, having entrusted him with all his estate, yet in the affair
concerning the marriage of his son he could not but thus oblige him:
"Put," saith he, "I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and I will
make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the
earth, that thou wilt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters
of the Canaanites."

Laban had good experience of Jacob's fidelity; yet that would not
satisfy, but, "The Lord," said he, "watch between me and thee, when