promise
to man, however, though God may be acknowledged in it, is not strictly a
promise to Him. But by the appending of an oath, God is at once appealed
to as a witness and judge, and as a party to a covenant between the
juror and himself; and an obligation to God, as well as an engagement to
men, is explicitly constituted. Were it not so, how could the addition
of the oath by the juror increase the security given in the simple
promise, and the Lord be called to judge him according to the truth or
falsehood of what he might swear?[44] Under one aspect, the engagement
with men entered into by swearing to the truth of an assertion, is
different from the relation to God into which by swearing the juror is
brought. Viewed as a covenant among men, God is not properly a party to
it, but a witness. But those who require the oath being possessed of
power deputed to them from above, the same engagement may be also
considered as a covenant made with God by him who swears. The engagement
viewed in the former light, appears as affording the matter of a
covenant between the juror and Him by whom he swears; but, contemplated
in the latter, stands forth as one made with God, through the
instrumentality of his servants. The oath is sworn to himself; but He,
and those whom he hath vested with office, will demand the fulfilment of
it.

When the oath usually represented as promissory is sworn, a covenant
with God is thereby made. When such an oath is sworn to confirm a vow to
God, made not before men, most manifestly a covenant with Him is
constituted; but no less is a covenant with Him entered into when such
an oath is given to men. By this species of oath is generally understood
that which is used in reference to obligation to be fulfilled in the
more or less distant future. It has been shown, that even the oath given
to confirm an assertion, belongs to this class. Accordingly, all kinds
of oaths are generally promissory. But while both species may not be
implemented in some cases till the far distant future, some of an
assertory nature may be performed at the time when they are sworn.
Evidence has been given, that the latter kind of oaths, viewed as
promissory, brings under an engagement to God. That both do so, even
when taken by men, moreover farther appears. A vow is essentially a
promise made to God, but to none other; and the fulfilment of the vow is
required, at least in virtue of the making of it.[45] But not less does
God req