or vain conjecture, but upon motives of undoubted credibility Truth is a condition not less necessary, as is obvious, in a promissory than in an affirmatory oath: he who promises must be disposed to perform and fulfil his promise at the appointed time. As no conscientious man will promise to do what he considers to be a violation of the commandments, and in opposition to the will of God; so, having promised and sworn to do what is lawful, he will adhere with fidelity to the sacred and solemn engagement; unless, perhaps, change of circumstances should so alter the complexion of the case, that he could not stand to his promise without incurring the displeasure and enmity of God. That truth is necessary to a lawful oath David also declares, when, having asked who is worthy to sit in the tabernacle of the Most High, he answers: " He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not." [1]
The second condition is judgment: an oath is not to be taken rashly and inconsiderately, but after mature deliberation and calm reflection. When about to take an oath, therefore, we should first consider whether it be or be not necessary, and whether the case, if well weighed in all its circumstances, be of sufficient importance to demand an oath. Many other circumstances of time, place, &c. are also to be taken into consideration; and in taking an oath we should never be influenced by love or hatred, or any other passion, but by the nature and necessity of the case. Without this calm and dispassionate consideration, an oath must be rash and hasty; and of this character are the irreligious affirmations of those, who, on the most unimportant and trifling occasions, swear from the influence of bad habit alone. This criminal abuse is but too prevalent amongst buyers and sellers, of whom the latter, to sell at the highest price, the former to purchase at the cheapest rate, make no scruple to strengthen with an oath, their praise or dispraise of the goods in question. Judgment and prudence therefore are necessary, and hence Pope Gelasius, a pontiff of eminent piety, decreed that an oath should not be administered to children before their fourteenth year, because before that period their tender age is in competent to perceive so acutely, and to balance so accurately, the nice distinctions of things.
The third and last condition of an oath is justice; a condition which in promissory oaths demands particular attention. Hence, if a person swear to do what is unjust or unlawful, he sins by taking the oath, and adds sin to sin by executing his promise. Of this the Gospel supplies an example. Herod bound himself by oath to grant the request of Herodias, as a reward for the pleasure which she afforded him by dancing: she demanded the head of John the baptist; and Herod criminally adhered to the rash oath which he had sworn. [2] Such was also the oath taken by the Jews, who, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, bound themselves by oath not to eat, until they had shed the blood of Paul. [3]
