so; for it is no matter which of these it is that men swear about,
if it be done lightly and wickedly, and groundlesly, it is vain,
because it is a sin against the Third Commandement, which says,
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain. {32a}
For this is a vain using of that Holy and Sacred Name, and so a sin
for which, without sound Repentance, there is not, nor can be
rightly expected, forgiveness.

Atten. Then it seems, though as to the matter of fact, a man
swears truely, yet if he sweareth lightly and groundlesly, his Oath
is evil, and he by it, under sin.

Wise. Yes; a man may say, {32b} The Lord liveth, and that is true,
and yet in so saying, swear falsly; because he sweareth vainly,
needlesly, and without a ground. To swear groundedly and
necessarily, (which then a man does, when he swears as being called
thereto of God,) that is tolerated of the Word: but this was none
of Mr. Badmans swearing, and therefore that which now we are not
concerned about.

Atten. I perceive, by the Prophet, that a man may sin in swearing
to a Truth: They therefore must needs most horribly sin, that
swear to confirm their Jests and Lies; and as they think, the
better to beautifie their foolish talking.

Wise. They sin with an high hand; for they presume to imagine,
{32c} that God is as wicked as themselves, to wit, that he is an
Avoucher of Lies to be true. For, as I said before, to swear, is
to call God to witness; and to swear to a Lie, is to call God
himself, to witness that that Lie is true. This therefore must