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Lawful oaths and vows 1.
A LAWFUL oath is an aspect of religious worship in which the
swearer, having God's truth, justice and righteousness in view, solemnly
calls God to witness what he swears, and to judge him according to the
truth or falsity of his words. 2.
An oath is only lawful when it is taken in the name of God, with
all holy fear and reverence. To swear vainly or rashly by that glorious
and dread name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful and to be
abhorred. God's Word sanctions the taking of an oath when weighty and
momentous matters are engaging attention, and when truth requires
confirmation and an end to strife is desired. In such circumstances it is
permissible to take a lawful oath imposed by lawful authority. 3.
Each and every person who takes an oath agreeably to the Word of
God must well consider the seriousness of such a solemn act, and be
extremely careful to assert nothing but what he knows to be truth; for by
rash, false and empty oaths the Lord is provoked, and by reason of them a
land is brought to misery. 4.
An oath is to be taken in the plain and usual sense of the words
used, without equivocation or mental reservation. 5.
Vows are to be made to God alone and not to any creature. Once made
they are to be performed scrupulously and faithfully. But monastical vows
of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, that
pertain to the church of Rome, so far from representing superior sanctity,
are merely superstitious and sinful snares in which no Christian ought to
entangle himself. [Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]
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