Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

The Westminster Confession (1646), the Savoy Declaration (1658) and the Second London Confession (1677/1689), paragraph by paragraph. Marked: what each has that the one before it lacks.

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658)	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 22.1 A Lawful Oath is a part of Religious Worship, wherein upon just occasion, the person swearing, solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth, or promiseth; and to Judge him according to the truth, or falshood of what he sweareth.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 23.1 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 asserteth or promiseth, and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 23.1 A Lawful Oath is a part of Religious Worship, wherein the Person swearing in Truth, Righteousness, and Judgment, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth; and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 22.2 The Name of God only, is that by which men ought to sweare; and, therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence. Therefore, to swear vainly, or rashly, by that glorious and dreadfull name; or, to swear at all, by any other thing, is sinfull, and to be abhorred. Yet, as in matters of weight and moment, an Oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament, as well as under the old; so, a lawful Oath, being imposed by lawful Authoritie, in such matters ought to be taken.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 23.2 The name of God onely 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 or dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred; yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the Word of God under the New Testament, as well as under the Old; so a lawful Oath, being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 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.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 22.3 Whosoever taketh an Oath, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what hee is fully perswaded is the truth. Neither may any man bind himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just, and what he beleiveth so to be, and what hee is able, and resolved to performe. Yet is it a sin, to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just, being imposed by lawful Authority.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 23.3 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 is fully perswaded is the truth: neither may any man binde himself by Oath to any thing, but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform. Yet it is a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just, being lawfully imposed by Authority.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 23.3 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 the Truth; for that by rash, false, and vain Oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this Land mourns.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 22.4 An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation, or mental reservation. It cannot oblige to sin: but, in any thing not sinfull, being taken, it bindes to performance, although to a mans own hurt. Nor is it to be violated, although made to Hereticks, or Infidels.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 23.4 An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation: It cannot oblige to sin, but in any thing not sinful being taken it bindes to performance, although to a mans own hurt; nor is it to be violated, although made to Hereticks or infidels.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 23.4 An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sence of the Words, without equivocation, or mental reservation.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 22.5 A Vow is of the like nature with a Promissory Oath, and ought to be made with the like Religious care, and to be performed with the like faithfulness. 22.6 It is not to be made to any Creature but to God alone: and, that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of Faith, and conscience of Duty, in way of Thankfulnes for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind our selves to necessary duties; or, to other things, so far, and so long, as they may fitly conduce thereunto. 22.7 No man may Vow, to do any thing forbidden in the Word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein commanded; or which is not in his own power, and, for the performance whereof, he hath no promise of ability from God. In which respects, 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 intangle himself.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 23.5 A Vow, which is not to be made to any Creature, but God alone, is of the like nature with a promissory Oath, and ought to be made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like faithfulness. 23.6 Popish monasticall 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 intangle himself.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 23.5 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 intangle himself.