God to witness that we speak the truth, or that we will keep our promise.
We call God also to witness when we swear by Heaven, by the Holy Cross, or by the Gospel, etc. ' Whosoever shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by Him that dwelleth in it; and he that sweareth by Heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by Him that sitteth thereon' (Matt, xxiii. 21, 22).
8. Is it ever lawful to take an oath?
Yes; it is lawful and even obligatory when we are called upon to do so by competent authority in the interests of justice, as is the case of witnesses in a legal trial.
9. Are we bound to keep a lawful oath?
Yes; it is a grievous sin not to fulfil a lawful oath, if we are able to do so.
10. How do we sin by swearing?
We sin by swearing, 1. When we swear falsely or in doubt; 2. When we swear, or induce others to swear, without necessity; 3. When we swear to do what is evil, or to omit what is good.
'Thou shalt swear in truth, and in judgment, and in justice' (Jer. iv. 2).
11. What means swearing falsely, or in doubt?
It means, 1. To assert with an oath that something is true, though we know that it is untrue, or do not know whether it is true or not; 3. To promise with an oath something which we do not intend to perform.
12. What are we to think of perjury or a false oath?
Perjury, especially in a court of justice, is one of the greatest crimes; because he who commits it, 1. Mocks God's Omniscience, Sanctity, and Justice; 2. Destroys the last means of preserving truth and faith among men; and 3. Almost solemnly renounces God, and calls down His vengeance upon himself.
'And the Lord said to me: This flying volume which thou seest is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the earth; for every one that sweareth shall be judged by it. I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of Hosts, and it shall come to the house
