27G APPENDIX. 



PRINCIPLE VII. 



If the Politician find reason to impose Oaths, let them he 

 of such ambiguity y as may furnish with a sense obliging 

 to the design, and yet so soft, as the people may not feel 

 the snare. 



It appears, by sad experience, that in pro- 

 pounding of oaths, requiring promises, and 

 other solemn ties, there have been multitudes 

 induced to bind themselves upon some secret, 

 loose, and mental reservation ; which they have 

 framed to themselves as disalvo in case of breach; 

 so apt we are, in affairs of greatest importance, 

 to advise more with corrupt wit, than sound 

 conscience. 



In the catalogue of self-delusions, you may 

 possibly find these : 



1 . We are ready to interpret the words too 

 kindly, especially if they be ambiguous ; and it 

 is hard to find terms so positive, but that they 

 may be eluded indeed, or seem to us to be so, 

 if we be disposed. 



2. Some are invited to illicit promises, quia 

 illicit, because they know them to be invalid. 



3. Some are frightened into these bonds, by 

 threats, and losses, and temporal concernments, 

 and then they please themselves that they swear 

 by duress, and so are disengaged. 



