Reason 2. God swearetb, as for tlie confirmation of his grace in Christ, and to show the certainty of our privileges in Christ, so for the commendation and excellency of them. An oath is not lawful but iu weighty matters ; it must be taken in judgment, as well as in right- eousness and truth, Jer. iv. 2. In judgment, that is, considerately, upon weighty occasions. It is a profaning the name of God, and of such a solemn ordinance and part of worship, to make an oath to lacquey upon trifles, and upon every small matter ; it must be in matters of weighty concernment. There is a severe penalty and sanction annexed to the taking of God's name in vain, either rashly or falsely : ' The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' So whatever is established by God's oath must needs be great and excellent. Certainly God would not swear but in weighty matters ; therefore one of his aims was that we might the more regard our privileges in Christ. The apostle proveth the excellency of Chiist's priesthood by the oath where- with it was ratified : Heb. vii. 20, 21, ' And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest ; for those priests Avei'e made without an oath, but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware, and will not repent,' &c. He alludes to Ps. ex. 4, where God is brought in, saying to Christ, ' The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent. Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck.' Such administra- tions as are confirmed with an oath have upon them a seal and mark of special excellency. The Lord foresaw that as we were apt to dis- believe the gospel, so also to despise it ; and therefore, to shame us for our neglect as well as our unbelief, to awaken our attention and quicken our speed and earnest pursuit, the Lord swears ; his word should be regarded, much more his oath. When we are busy about the world ; and neglect the great salvation, we put a scorn upon God, as if the things he hath confirmed by oath were not worth the looking after. When we prefer worldly comforts as more certain, oh ! what an injury is this to the oath of God ! We read of the sure mercies of David, but you are all for lying vanities. We are naturally for the comforts that are before us, and look upon it as a riddle to grow rich in promises and to live by faith. Are uncertain riches more to be trusted, and a better refuge and sanctuary for your souls than God's oath ? It is a sign you slight his confirmation and commendation, and so count him false and foolish in all the things he proposeth to you. God forbid, sny you, that we should be guilty of such a blasphemy. You do it not in word,'but this is the necessary interpretation of your actions. If a man should offer you a good bargain upon very easy terms, that would bring you a thousand pounds profit, and should confirm it by oath, though you did not tell him that he did deceive you with words, yet if you go away never heeding it, but should run after smaller matters which you purchase with great hazard, would not this argue you counted him but false and foolish ; or the thing not worth the taking and looking after ? So when God hath pawned his oath, that his grace and immutable counsel for salvation belonged to you if you would but take sanctuary in Christ, do you not count him false and foolish in the proposal when you run after carnal satisfactions, which are purchased with the loss of your souls ?
SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. IS. 303
SERMON II.
Tliat hy tico immutoMe things, in whicJi it vxis impossible for God to lie, &c. — Heb. vi. 18.
II. The advantages we have by God's oath. What greater assurance can we have ?
1. Consider the sacredness of an oath in general. You know among all nations an oath is accounted a sacred and most solemn way of engagement among the sons of men. The apostle saith it is Trepa? dvTiXojia<; the end of strife: Heb. vi, 16, *An oath for confirma- tion is to men an end of all strife.' When men solemnly call God to witness, though the matter were never so doubtful and controverted before, when they take an oath we have no more to say, but believe every honest man upon his oath. The heathens have spoken much of an oath. One saith, this is the final assurance ; we are bound up, and contented when men swear, Anothef that it is the highest faith that men can expect. We owe so much to humanity. All nations by the light of nature have found out this remedy and way to end differences. So among the Jews ; if there were a strife between Israelite and Israelite, Exod. xxii. 11, ' Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, and he shall accept thereof.' There was no more stir to be about the matter. Perjured persons are the scorn of men, and they have for- feited the privilege of humanity. Well, then, if the oath of man be so sacred and valuable, how much more is the oath of God ! It is impos- sible for God to lie. He can do all things which argue power, but nothing which argueth impotency and weakness, for this were to deny himself.