EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 181 ment. God, "because he could. swear by no greater, sware by himself." God does this by express affirma- tion that he has so sworn by himself, which was the form of the first solemn oath of God, "By myself have I sworn, saith. the Lord." Gen. 22 : 16. The meaning of which is, "I have taken it upon myself, as I an God ; or let me not be so if I perform not this thing." " The Lord of hosts hath sworn by himself." Jer. '51 : 14. God also .does this by the especial interposition of some such property of his nature as is suited to give credit and confirmation to the word spoken -; as of his holi- ness, "I have sworn by my holiness." Psalm 89 : 35. So also Amos, 4: 2. Sometimes by his life r "As .I live," saith the Lord. In the Hebrew, "I live," saith God, it shall be so. And sometimes by his name, Jer. 44 2-6. God, as it were, engages the honor and glory of the properties of his nature for the certain accomplish- ment of the things mentioned. This is evident from the manner of the expression, as in Psalm 89 :'35. " Once have I- sworn by my holiness that I will not he unto David.' 2. The end or design of his oath. God -cloth not give it to make his word or prdmise steadfast, but to give assurance and security to us of their accomplishment. Every word of God is sure and certain troth itself, be- cause it is his; and he might justly require of us the belief of it, without any further attestation: But yet, knowing what great objections Satan and our own un- believing hearts will raise against his promises, at ]east as to our own interest in them, to confirm our minds, and to take away all pretence of unbelief, he interposes his oath in this matter.. What can remain of distrust in such a easel If there be a matter in doubt between men, and an oath be interposed in the confirmation of what is called in question, it is to them, as the apostle tells us, an end of all - strife. Heb. 6 16.
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