The forms of an oath are different among different denominations of
Christians. The Roman Catholics of the Continent swear by raising the hand;
the Scotch Presbyterians follow the same practice. The Protestants of the
Church of England are sworn on the Gospels; so also are the Irish Roman
Catholics. The Quakers reject every form of oath, and confine themselves to
a simple affirmation. Upon these points I beg leave to submit the following
Queries.
1. What form of judicial oath was first sanctioned by the professors of
Christianity as a body? It is stated in Haydn's _Dictionary of Dates_, that
"oaths were taken on the Gospels so early as A.D. 528." How were they taken
before then?
2. Did the practice of swearing on the Gospels prevail in England before
the Reformation? If not, at what period was it introduced?
3. When was that form of oath first adopted by the Irish; and was its
adoption a voluntary proceeding on their part, or enforced by legislative
enactment?
4. Was the practice of raising the hand in use in Scotland before the
Reformation?
5. At what period was the latter form adopted by the Continental
Christians, in lieu of the more solemn oath on the Gospels?
6. Are there now, or have there been at any former period, any forms of
judicial oath in use among Christians, other than the forms above
mentioned?