condemnation if, when the time has passed, we have not amended this. How long time will
suffice for the purpose? I do not think that they who are very wary, and on the alert, and
watchful about their own salvation, should need more than ten days, so as to be altogether
free from the evil custom of oaths. But if after ten days we be detected swearing, let us add
a penalty due to ourselves, and let us fix upon the greatest punishment and condemnation
of the transgression; what then is this condemnation? This I do not fix upon, but will suffer
you yourselves to determine the sentence. So we arrange matters in our own case, not only
in respect of oaths but in respect of other defects, and fixing a time for ourselves, with most
grievous punishments, if at any time we have fallen into them, shall come clean to our
Master, and shall escape the fire of hell, and shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ
with boldness, to which may we all attain, by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus
Christ, with whom be glory to the Father together with the Holy Spirit for ever and ever:
Amen.
227
First Instruction.