this sense many understand them. If we take them in the former sense, it relates to the source of such ex- pressions ; and if in the latter sense, it refers rather to their tendency : since Satan instigates men to swear, in order that he may accomphsh by that means his own malevolent designs. Both senses being equally good and proper, we shall include both.
Our Lord then prohibits oaths, because they are evil,
1. In their source — [Whence do they spring? Frequently from an undue vehemence of temper. Those who are irascible, almost always are intemperate in their expressions. They will swear, if not by God, yet by their life, their soul, their faith ; or they will pledge their honour, which yet is God's, as much as their " head" is God's. In short, whether they affirm or deny, they will, directly or indirectly, make God a party in their cause. If reproved for this, they will urge their passion as an excuse ; but this is to urge one sin as an excuse for another : and, if we grant that hasty expressions originate in hasty tempers, they are on that very account exceeding criminal. They " come of evil," and are for that very reason to be condemned.
But they arise also from low thoughts of the iinportance of truth. A person duly sensible of the sacredness of truth will not hastily convey an idea that his simple assertions are un- worthy of credit : he will be cautious what he affirms : and, having affirmed any thing, he will expect his word to be taken as much as his oath. If unreasonable persons require more, he will rather leave the confirmation of his word to olher testimony, than admit, by unnecessary oaths or protestations, the existence of an intention to deceive. In direct opposition to such a character is he, who wantonly transgresses the com- mandment in our text : he proves by that very act, that he has no such high sense of honour, no such value for truth, no such disposition to maintain his character for veracity. What then must that habit be, which so degrades every one that yields to it; or rather, I should say, which marks him so destitute of the noblest attributes of man ?
We may further add, that all violations of this command- ment proceed from a disregard of God, and of every thing belonging to him. Who that had a reverence for the Divine Majesty, would dare to profane his name, and to appeal to him on every trivial occasion ? People, when they take God's name in vain, account it sufficient to say, " I did not think of it:" but what excuse is that? -It says, in fact, ' I have no reverence for God : he has forbidden such levity ; but I have no fear of offending him : he is present when I profane his