Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth, and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.

( Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 10:20; Jeremiah 4:2; 2 Chronicles 6:22, 23 )

2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred; yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God; so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.

( Matthew 5:34, 37; James 5:12; Hebrews 6:16; 2 Corinthians 1:23; Nehemiah 13:25 )

3. Whosoever taketh an oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knoweth to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.

( Leviticus 19:12; Jeremiah 23:10 )

4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.

( Psalms 24:4 ) (Ps. 24:4)

5. A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness; but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.

( Psalms 76:11; Genesis 28:20-22; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9; Ephesians 4:28; Matthew 19:11 )

Chapter 23

Lawful Oaths and Vows

1. A lawful oath is an element of religious worship in which a person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment solemnly calls God to witness what is sworn¹ and to judge the swearer according to the truth or falsity of it.²

¹Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 10:20; Jeremiah 4:2. ²2 Chronicles 6:22, 23.

2. People should swear by the name of God alone and only with the utmost holy fear and reverence.  Therefore to swear an empty or ill-advised oath by that glorious and awe-inspiring name, or to swear at all by anything else, is sinful and to be abhorred.³  Yet in weighty and significant matters, an oath is authorized by the Word of God to confirm truth and end all conflict.⁴  So a lawful oath should be taken when it is required by legal authority in such circumstances.⁵

³Matthew 5:34, 37; James 5:12. ⁴Hebrews 6:16; 2 Corinthians 1:23. ⁵Nehemiah 13:25.

3. Whoever takes an oath authorized by the Word of God should properly consider the seriousness of such a weighty act and to affirm nothing in it except what one knows to be truth.  For the Lord is provoked by ill-advised, false, and empty oaths, and because of them this land mourns.⁶

⁶Leviticus 19:12; Jeremiah 23:10.

4. An oath is to be expressed in the plain and ordinary meaning of the words, without any ambiguity or mental reservation.⁷

⁷Psalms 24:4.

5. A vow must not be made to any creature but to God alone.  Vows should be made and performed with the most conscientious care and faithfulness.⁸  However, popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,⁹ professed poverty,¹⁰ and obedience to monastic rules, are by no means steps to higher perfection.  Instead, they are superstitious and sinful snares in which Christians may not entangle themselves.¹¹

⁸Psalms 76:11; Genesis 28:20-22. ⁹1 Corinthians 7:2, 9. ¹⁰Ephesians 4:28. ¹¹Matthew 19:11.