MODEHN POLICY. 277 



4. Some are oath-proof; I mean, there are 

 such sear-souled men, as will swear ;?ro and con. 



5. Some have learned from the civilians, that 

 though we swear to a thing not materially un- 

 lawful, yet, if it impedes a greater moral good, 

 it becomes void.* 



6. Some take liberty to swear, because they 

 judge the person to whom they swear incapable 

 of an oath: as Cicero defends the breach of 

 oath to a thief, from perjury ; and Brutus, to a 

 tyrant : as it is in Appian,t ' The Romans esteem 

 it an honest perjury, to violate their faith with 

 tyrants.' 



The first sort of these falls most properly 

 under the notice and practice of our politician; 

 though he may also use the last, but at different 

 times. 



It is not difficult for him to cast his desire 

 into such soft glib expression, as will down with 

 most : yea, with many that would absolutely 

 disavow the same thing in rough language. If 

 he be unskilled in this black art, I commend 

 him to the pedagogy of the Delphic devil. 



Now it is most certain, there is no other tie 

 of such security, and establishment, to a person 

 that hath ravished greatness, and acquired it by 



* Grot, de jur. belli, 245. 



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