“Most of these, I am afraid, look upon their oaths as _things of course_, and little to be regarded. But can there be any thing in the world more sacred than an _oath_? Is it not a solemn appeal to God for your sincerity? And is not that very appeal an acknowledgment, that he will surely punish falshood? Nay farther, Is it not _a calling down_ the vengeance of God upon yourselves if you are false? Do you not, by laying your hand upon the gospel, declare, that _you hope for no salvation by Christ_, if you perform not what you then promise, or, if what you then affirm, is not true? And do not the words, _So help me God_, sufficiently prove, that the intention of your oath is so? And that if you swear false, you are to expect no mercy from God, either in this world, or the next? And do you not _personally_ and expresly give your consent to this heavy curse, by _kissing the book_? How then dare any of you to venture to play with so awful an engagement? Is it that you think the oath of a _grand jury-man_, or _parish-officer_,” (of a _captain_, an _officer of the customs_, or a _voter_ in elections) “is not as sacred and binding as that of an _evidence at the bar_? What is it can make the difference? Both of them are equally appeals to God, and imprecations of his vengeance upon _wilful perjury_.” 14. If there be then a God that is not mocked, what a weight of sin lies on this nation? And sin of no common dye; for perjury has always been accounted one of the deepest stain. And how will any one attempt to excuse this? By adding blasphemy thereto? So indeed some have done; saying, like those of old, _Tush, thou_ God _carest not for it. The Lord seeth_ (i. e. regardeth) _us not. The Lord hath forsaken the earth._ He has left _second causes_ to take their course, and man _in the hand of his own counsel_.