lleged; and that witnesses should
apprehend themselves greatly obliged to discover the truth,
according to their conscience, in dark and doubtful cases.

That men should uprightly discharge offices serviceable to public
good, it doth behove that they be firmly engaged to perform the
trusts reposed in them.

That in affairs of very considerable importance men should deal with
one another with satisfaction of mind, and mutual confidence, they
must receive competent assurances concerning the integrity,
fidelity, and constancy each of other.

That the safety of governors may be preserved, and the obedience due
to them maintained secure from attempts to which they are liable (by
the treachery, levity, perverseness, timorousness, ambition, all
such lusts and ill humours of men), it is expedient that men should
be tied with the strictest bands of allegiance.

That controversies emergent about the interests of men should be
determined, and an end put to strife by peremptory and satisfactory
means, is plainly necessary for common quiet.

Wherefore for the public interest and benefit of human society it is
requisite that the highest obligations possible should be laid upon
the consciences of men.

And such are those of oaths, engaging them to fidelity and constancy
in all such cases, out of regard to Almighty God, as the infallible
patron of truth and right, the unavoidable chastiser of
perfidiousness and improbity.

To such purposes, therefore, oaths have ever been applied, as the
most effectual instruments of working them; not only among the
followers of true and perfect religion, but even among all those who
had any glimmering notions concerning a Divine Power and Providence;
who have deemed an oath the fastest tie of conscience, and held the
violation of it for the most detestable impiety and iniquity. So
that what Cicero saith of the Romans, that "their ancestors had no
band to constrain faith more strait than an oath," is true of all
other nations, common reason not being able to devise any engagement
more obliging than it is; it being in the nature of things [Greek],
and [Greek], the utmost assurance, the last resort of human faith,
the surest pledge that any man can yield of his trustiness. Hence
ever in transactions of highest moment this hath been used to bind
the faith of men.

Hereby nations have been wont to ratify leagues of peace and amity
between each other (which there