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23.4 24.1
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1689 23.5 Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
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Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Section 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.

See also in WCF: 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5, 22.6, 22.7 Compare: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Psalms 76:11
[11] Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,
Genesis 28:20-22
[20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, [21] so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, [22] and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
1 Corinthians 7:2, 9
[2] But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [9] But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Ephesians 4:28
[28] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Matthew 19:11
[11] But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.
See also in WCF
22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7
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Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

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23.4 24.1

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

The lawfulness and right taking of oaths and vows

Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Section 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 sweareth; and to judge him according to the Truth or falseness thereof.

Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Section 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.

Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Section 23.3

Whosoever taketh an Oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duely 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 mournes.

Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Section 23.4

An Oath is to be taken in the plain, and common sense of the words; without equivocation, or mental reservation.

Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Section 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.