161 Augustin is somewhat perplexed about the meaning, but decides the injunction to be directed against the abuse of the oath, not to forbid it wholly. The Anabaptists, Mennonites, and Quakers understand the precept to forbid all oaths, even in the civil court. To this, Christ's precept ultimately looks. All unnecessary appeals to God, as well as careless and profane swearing, are forbidden, as coming either from bad passions within or a want of reverence. There is no more striking proof of the existence of evil than the prevalence of the foolish, low, useless habit of swearing.
Men use their protestations because they are distrustful one of another.
163 Gen. iii. 164 Pro fide et societate . 173 Acts xxii. 175 Acts xxiii. 176 Interpreted by modern commentators usually of temporary forgetfulness, or, what is much better, failure to recognise through infirmity of vision.