Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate

1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.

( Romans 13:1-4 )

2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called there unto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament wage war upon just and necessary occasions.

( 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 82:3, 4; Luke 3:14 )

3. Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

( Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 )

Chapter 24

Civil Government

1. God, the supreme Lord and King of the whole world, has ordained civil authorities to be under him and over the people, for his own glory and the public good.  For this purpose he has armed them with the power of the sword, to defend and encourage those who do good and to punish evildoers.¹

¹Romans 13:1-4.

2. Christians may lawfully accept and carry out the duties of public office when called to do so.  In performing their office they must especially maintain justice and peace,² according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom or other political entity.  To carry out these duties they are authorized now under the New Testament to wage war in just and necessary situations.³

²2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 82:3, 4. ³Luke 3:14.

3. Civil authorities are established by God for the purposes given.  So we should submit in the Lord to them in everything lawful that they require, not only for fear of punishment but also for the sake of conscience.⁴  We ought to make requests and prayers for kings and everyone in authority, so that under their rule we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.⁵

⁴Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:17. ⁵1 Timothy 2:1, 2.

 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.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

1. The light of nature shews that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.

( Jeremiah 10:7; Mark 12:33; Deuteronomy 12:32; Exodus 20:4-6 )

2. Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creatures; and since the fall, not without a mediator, nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone.

( Matthew 4:9, 10; John 6:23; Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:25; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5 )

3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.

( Psalms 95:1-7; Psalms 65:2; John 14:13, 14; Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14; 1 Corinthians 14:16, 17 )

4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.

( 1 Timothy 2:1, 2; 2 Samuel 7:29; 2 Samuel 12:21-23; 1 John 5:16 )

5. The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord; as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord's supper, are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.

( 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 8:18; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12; Exodus 15:1-19, Psalms 107 )

6. Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is now under the gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calleth thereunto.

( John 4:21; Malachi 1:11; 1 Timothy 2:8; Acts 10:2; Matthew 6:11; Psalms 55:17; Matthew 6:6; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42 )

7. As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of time, by God's appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's day: and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.

( Exodus 20:8; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10 )

8. The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations, but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.

( Isaiah 58:13; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Matthew 12:1-13 )

Chapter 22

Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

1. The light of nature shows that there is a God who has lordship and sovereignty over all.  He is just and good and does good to everyone.  Therefore, he should be feared, loved, praised, called on, trusted in, and served—with all the heart and all the soul and all the strength.¹  But the acceptable way to worship the true God is instituted by him,² and it is delimited by his own revealed will.  Thus, he may not be worshipped according to human imagination or inventions or the suggestions of Satan, nor through any visible representations, nor in any other way that is not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.³

¹Jeremiah 10:7; Mark 12:33. ²Deuteronomy 12:32. ³Exodus 20:4-6.

2. Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to him alone⁴—not to angels, saints, or any other creatures.⁵  Since the fall, worship is not to be given without a mediator⁶ nor through any mediation other than that of Christ alone.⁷

⁴Matthew 4:9, 10; John 6:23; Matthew 28:19. ⁵Romans 1:25; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10. ⁶John 14:6. ⁷1 Timothy 2:5.

3. Prayer with thanksgiving is one part of natural worship and so is required by God of everyone.⁸ But to be acceptable, it must be made in the name of the Son,⁹ by the help of the Spirit,¹⁰ according to his will.¹¹  It must be accompanied by understanding, reverence, humility, fervor, faith, love, and perseverance.  Prayer with others must be in a language that is understood.¹²

⁸Psalms 95:1-7; 65:2. ⁹John 14:13, 14. ¹⁰Romans 8:26. ¹¹1 John 5:14. ¹²1 Corinthians 14:16, 17.

4. Prayer is to be made for lawful things and for all kinds of people who are alive now or will live later.¹³  But prayer should not be made for the dead¹⁴ nor for those known to have sinned the sin that leads to death.¹⁵

¹³1 Timothy 2:1, 2; 2 Samuel 7:29. ¹⁴2 Samuel 12:21-23. ¹⁵1 John 5:16.

5.  The elements of religious worship of God include reading the Scriptures,¹⁶ preaching and hearing the Word of God,¹⁷ teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord,¹⁸ as well as the administration of baptism¹⁹ and the Lord's supper.²⁰  They must be performed out of obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear.  Also, solemn humiliation with fasting,²¹ and thanksgiving on special occasions, should be observed in a holy and religious manner.²²

¹⁶1 Timothy 4:13. ¹⁷2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 8:18. ¹⁸Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19. ¹⁹Matthew 28:19, 20. ²⁰1 Corinthians 11:26. ²¹Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12. ²²Exodus 15:1-19, Psalms 107.

6.  Under the gospel, neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship is now restricted to or made more acceptable by the place where it is done or toward which it is directed.  Instead, God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth²³—daily²⁴ in each family²⁵ and privately by each individual.²⁶  Also, more solemn worship is to be performed in public assemblies, and these must not be carelessly or deliberately neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calls us to them.²⁷

²³John 4:21; Malachi 1:11; 1 Timothy 2:8. ²⁴Matthew 6:11; Psalms 55:17. ²⁵Acts 10:2. ²⁶Matthew 6:6. ²⁷Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42.

7. It is the law of nature that in general a portion of time specified by God should be set apart for the worship of God.  So by his Word, in a positive-moral and perpetual commandment that obligates everyone in every age, he has specifically appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy to him.²⁸  From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ the appointed day was the last day of the week.  After the resurrection of Christ it was changed to the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's Day.²⁹   This day is to be kept to the end of the age as the Christian Sabbath, since the observance of the last day of the week has been abolished.

²⁸Exodus 20:8. ²⁹1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10.

8. The Sabbath is kept holy to the Lord when people have first prepared their hearts appropriately and arranged their everyday affairs in advance.  Then they observe a holy rest all day from their own works, words and thoughts about their secular employment and recreation.³⁰  Not only that, but they also fill the whole time with public and private acts of worship and the duties of necessity and mercy.³¹

³⁰Isaiah 58:13; Nehemiah 13:15-22. ³¹Matthew 12:1-13.