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 )