SD 23.5

23.5. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

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.

Proof texts

• Isa. 19:21 — [21] And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them.
• Eccles. 5:4, 5, 6
• Ps. 61:8 — [8] So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
• Ps. 66:13, 14 — [13] I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, [14] that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Isa. 19:21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WCF 22.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. 1689 23.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 22.1 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5