28. It is also written,
“But I say unto you, Swear not at all.” But the Apostle himself
has used oaths in his Epistles.2342
And so he shows how that is to be
taken which is said, “I say unto you,
Swear not at all:” that
is, lest by swearing one come to a facility in swearing, from
facility to a
custom, and so from a
custom there be a downfall into
perjury. And therefore he is not found to have sworn except in
writing, where there is more wary forethought, and no precipitate
tongue withal. And this indeed came of
evil, as it is said,
“Whatever is more than these is of
evil:”
2343
not however from
evil of his own,
but from the
evil of
infirmity which was in them, in whom he even
in this way endeavored to
work faith. For that he used an
oath in
speaking, while not writing, I know not that any Scripture has
related concerning him. And yet the
Lord says, “
Swear not at
all:” for He hath not granted license thereof to persons writing.
Howbeit, because to pronounce
Paul guilty of violating the
commandment, especially in
Epistles written and sent forth for the
spiritual life and
salvation of the
nations, were an impiety, we
must understand that word which is set down, “At all,” to be
set down for this purpose, that as much as in thee lies, thou
affect not, love not, nor as though it were for a good thing, with
any delight desire, an oath.
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