Chapter 24: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

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;^a and to judge him according to the Truth, or Falseness thereof.^b

1. a. Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 10:20; Jeremiah 4:2

   Exodus 20:7

   Deuteronomy 10:20

   Jeremiah 4:2

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. 2 Chronicles 6:22–23

   2 Chronicles 6:22–23

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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,^a and ending all Strife, an Oath is warranted by the Word of God; so a lawful Oath being imposed,^b by lawful Authority, in such Matters, ought to be taken.^c

1. a. Matthew 5:34, 37; James 5:12

   Matthew 5:34; Matthew 5:37

   James 5:12

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Hebrews 6:16; 2 Corinthians 1:23

   Hebrews 6:16

   2 Corinthians 1:23

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. Nehemiah 13:25

   Nehemiah 13:25

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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.^a

1. a. Leviticus 19:12; Jeremiah 23:10

   Leviticus 19:12

   Jeremiah 23:10

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common Sense of the Words, without Equivocation, or mental Reservation.^a

1. a. Psalm 24:4

   Psalm 24:4

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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,^a of perpetual single Life, professed^b Poverty, and regular Obedience, are so far from being Degrees of higher Perfection, that they are superstitious,^c and sinful Snares, in which no Christian may intangle himself.^d

1. a. Psalm 76:11; Genesis 28:20–22

   Psalm 76:11

   Genesis 28:20–22

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9

   1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:9

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. Ephesians 4:28

   Ephesians 4:28

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. Matthew 19:11

   Matthew 19:11

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible