and the grand instrument of salvation to it; in forcing the people
to violate their cross oath, and for prevention of one, causing many
perjuries? He was therefore fain to desist, and lie under the guilt
of breaking his oaths.

And for Herod, the excellent father thus presseth the consideration
of his case: "Take," saith he, "I beseech you, the chopped off head
of St. John, and his warm blood yet trickling down; each of you bear
it home with you, and conceive that before your eyes you hear it
uttering speech, and saying, Embrace the murderer of me, an oath.
That which reproof did not, this an oath did do; that which the
tyrant's wrath could not, this the necessity of keeping an oath did
effect. For when the tyrant was reprehended publicly in the
audience of all men, he bravely did bear the rebuke; but when he had
cast himself into the necessity of oaths, then did he cut off that
blessed head."


VI. Likewise the use of rash swearing will often engage a man in
undertakings very inconvenient and detrimental to himself. A man is
bound to perform his vows to the Lord, whatever they be, whatever
damage or trouble thence may accrue to him, if they be not unlawful.
It is the law, that which is gone out of thy lips, thou shalt keep
and perform. It is the property of a good man, that he sweareth to
his own hurt, and changeth not. Wherefore 'tis the part of a sober
man to be well advised what he doth swear or vow religiously, that
he do not put himself into the inextricable strait of committing
great sin, or undergoing great inconvenience; that he do not rush
into that snare of which the wise man speaketh, "It is a snare to a
man to devour that which is holy (or, to swallow a sacred