# The Views Of The Ancient Waldenses Against The Swearing Of Oaths. · Page 1 of 2 [Previous page: THE VIEWS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES AGAINST WAR.](/en/stories/mm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-war/part-2/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: THE VIEWS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES AGAINST THE SWEARING OF OATHS.](/en/stories/mm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-the-swearing-of-oaths/part-2/) In regard to this point the Waldenses were of the same opinion with us, teaching that the fathers of the Old Testament were permitted, when necessity required it, to swear an oath, in or by the name of the Lord; but that for Christians it is quite unlawful, according to the teaching of our Savior, who says: “Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all.” Matt. 5:33,34. In the first book of the first part of the History of the Waldenses, written by Jean Paul Perrin Lionnoys, and translated by J. M. V., chap. 3, page 6, col. 1, the following point, among others, is adduced as an accusation against the Waldenses: “The sixth (tenet) which they (the Waldenses) maintained, was, that men should not swear on any account.” From Albert de Capit. and Reiner. Also, P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 534, col. 2, page 535, col. 1. How the compiler of these things seeks to explain said matter, we here pass over, as this is not the proper place to speak of it. But when necessary, we shall consider it our duty to give an account of it. Far more pertinent and important, however, is that which is recorded in Bapt. Hist., page 624, where it is stated that in regard to the swearing of oaths they believed thus: “Art. 9. That every oath is a mortal sin; saying: Swear not at all; but let your communication be, Yea, that is yea; Nay, that is nay.” Extracted from an old book of parchment, ascribed to Reinerius. Also, A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 432, col. 4. In the articles ascribed by G. Prateolus and G. Reginaldus to the Waldenses, as having constituted their faith, mention is made of their views in regard to the swearing of oaths, concerning which, the eighteenth article contains the following: “They (the Waldenses) say that all manner of swearing is unlawful for Christians, so that it is nowhere lawful to swear, not even before the judge, when he constrains one thereto, to testify to the truth.” A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 434, col. 1. Elench. Haeres. Calv. Turcism., lib. 2, cap. 5. It is true, Mellinus, after the manner of the Calvinists, of whom he was a leader, endeavors to explain, as it were, this article of the Waldenses, as though thereby they did not prohibit all swearing of oaths, but only frivolous swearing. His words are these: “The eighteenth article has reference only to unjust and perjurious swearing, as said author owns, (he means the author who charges them with those articles) saying: ‘The occasion which led them into this belief, was the fact that they so often and continually heard the people swear for trifling reasons, and because thereby one easily falls into perjury.’ ” But hear what he further says, as he adds a jeering comparison, saying, “That the heretics, who never swear, are like the devil, of whom we do not read that he ever swore.” Page 434, col. 3. I pray thee, beloved reader, see now, by what author Mellinus seeks to establish his case. It is true, he first quotes this author when presenting the articles of the Waldenses, and this for the reason that the latter has presented them in such a manner that they in every part militate against the Roman church; but now, seeing that said author has presented the article respecting the swearing of oaths (in which the Waldenses deny all swearing) in such a way that it militates against the Calvinistic church, he begins, in order to make the matter doubtful, and to deprive the Waldenses of the article relative to non-swearing, to quote from said author again, and this, in mocking and impious language. But, becoming more discreet, he commences to extol that which is expressed in the eighteenth article, 272 relative to the swearing of the Waldenses, above the manner of the papists, saying: “But they (the Waldenses) who have learned from Christ, ‘Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil’ (Matt. 5:37), will judge, that the papists, among whom the practice of daily swearing so frivolously is in vogue, are more like that Evil One, that is, the devil, than the Waldenses, who guarding against lying and swearing, and in their daily conversation, are wont to say only, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; as this same writer acknowledges in regard to them. They guard against back-biting, foul words, lying, and swearing, and, as another inquisitor has said: They are prudent in their words, avoid all lying and swearing; also, they teach to avoid all lying, back-biting, and swearing.” A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 434, col. 3, from Frehed. Hist. Bohem., page 232. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_272) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: THE VIEWS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES AGAINST WAR.](/en/stories/mm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-war/part-2/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: THE VIEWS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES AGAINST THE SWEARING OF OATHS.](/en/stories/mm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-the-swearing-of-oaths/part-2/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-the-swearing-of-oaths/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+The+Views+Of+The+Ancient+Waldenses+Against+The+Swearing+Of+Oaths.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+2&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AThe+Views+Of+The+Ancient+Waldenses+Against+The+Swearing+Of+Oaths.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+2%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-the-swearing-of-oaths%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-the-views-of-the-ancient-waldenses-against-the-swearing-of-oaths%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+12th+century+%28source+section%29%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)