Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Westminster Confession of Faith · 22.1–22.7
22.1. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth, or promiseth, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth.
Proof texts
- Deut. 10:20 — [20] You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.
- Exod. 20:7 — [7] “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
- Lev. 19:12 — [12] You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
- 2 Cor. 1:23, 2 Chron. 6:22, 23 — [23] But I call God to witness against me — it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. [23] But I call God to witness against me — it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Deut. 10:20 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections embrace the following points : Jirst, The nature of a lawful oath; secondly, 'By whose name men ought to swear; third! y, The warrantableness of taking an oath; fowthly, The manner in which an oath ought to be taken; and, fifthly. The binding obligation of an oath. 1. An oath is a solemn act of religious worship, in which the person swearing calls God to witness his sincerity in what he asserts or pi-omises, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears. When a person swears to facts past or present, this is called an assertory oath; when one swears that he will perform a certain deed or deeds in time to…
22.2. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament, as well as under the Old; so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters ought to be taken.
Proof texts
- Deut. 6:13 — [13] It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.
- Exod. 20:7 — [7] “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
- Jer. 5:7 — [7] “How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of whores.
- Matt. 5:34, 37 — [34] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, [37] Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
- James 5:12 — [12] But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
- Heb. 6:16 — [16] For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
- 2 Cor. 1:23 — [23] But I call God to witness against me — it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
- Isa. 65:16 — [16] so that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes.
- 1 Kings 8:31 — [31] “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house,
- Neh. 13:25 — [25] And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
- Ezra 10:5 — [5] Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Deut. 6:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q53 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q111 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q53 · WLC Q111 · WLC Q112 · BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5 · SC60 8.1 · IAR 6.12 · SHC 10.1 · SHC 10.2 · SD 23.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections embrace the following points : Jirst, The nature of a lawful oath; secondly, 'By whose name men ought to swear; third! y, The warrantableness of taking an oath; fowthly, The manner in which an oath ought to be taken; and, fifthly. The binding obligation of an oath. 1. An oath is a solemn act of religious worship, in which the person swearing calls God to witness his sincerity in what he asserts or pi-omises, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears. When a person swears to facts past or present, this is called an assertory oath; when one swears that he will perform a certain deed or deeds in time to…
22.3. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what he is fully persuaded is the truth. Neither may any man bind himself by oath to anything but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform. Yet is it a sin to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority.
Proof texts
- Exod. 20:7 — [7] “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
- Jer. 4:2 — [2] and if you swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”
- Gen. 24:2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 — [2] And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, [3] that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, [5] The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” [6] Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. [8] But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” [9] So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.
- Num. 5:19, 21 — [19] Then the priest shall make her take an oath, saying, ‘If no man has lain with you, and if you have not turned aside to uncleanness while you were under your husband's authority, be free from this water of bitterness that brings the curse. [21] then’ (let the priest make the woman take the oath of the curse, and say to the woman) ‘the LORD make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the LORD makes your thigh fall away and your body swell.
- Neh. 5:12 — [12] Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.
- Exod. 22:7, 8, 9, 10, 11 — [7] “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man's house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. [8] If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. [9] For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor. [10] “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, [11] an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Exod. 20:7 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q53 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q113 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q53 · WLC Q113 · BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5 · SC60 8.1 · IAR 6.12 · SHC 10.1 · SHC 10.2 · SD 23.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections embrace the following points : Jirst, The nature of a lawful oath; secondly, 'By whose name men ought to swear; third! y, The warrantableness of taking an oath; fowthly, The manner in which an oath ought to be taken; and, fifthly. The binding obligation of an oath. 1. An oath is a solemn act of religious worship, in which the person swearing calls God to witness his sincerity in what he asserts or pi-omises, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears. When a person swears to facts past or present, this is called an assertory oath; when one swears that he will perform a certain deed or deeds in time to…
22.4. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation, or mental reservation. It cannot oblige to sin: but in anything not sinful, being taken, it binds to performance, although to a man’s own hurt. Not is it to be violated, although made to heretics, or infidels.
Proof texts
- Jer. 4:2 — [2] and if you swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”
- Ps. 24:4 — [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
- 1 Sam. 25:22, 32, 33, 34 — [22] God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.” [32] And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! [33] Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! [34] For as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.”
- Ps. 15:4 — [4] in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
- Ezek. 17:16, 18, 19 — [16] “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. [18] He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. [19] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head.
- Josh. 9:18, 19 with 2 Sam. 21:1
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Jer. 4:2 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5 · SC60 8.1 · IAR 6.12 · SHC 10.1 · SHC 10.2 · SD 23.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections embrace the following points : Jirst, The nature of a lawful oath; secondly, 'By whose name men ought to swear; third! y, The warrantableness of taking an oath; fowthly, The manner in which an oath ought to be taken; and, fifthly. The binding obligation of an oath. 1. An oath is a solemn act of religious worship, in which the person swearing calls God to witness his sincerity in what he asserts or pi-omises, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears. When a person swears to facts past or present, this is called an assertory oath; when one swears that he will perform a certain deed or deeds in time to…
22.5. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
A vow 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
- The Assembly cited Isa. 19:21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5 · SC60 8.1 · IAR 6.12 · SHC 10.1 · SHC 10.2 · SD 23.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections relate to the nature, the matter, and the obligation of a vow. A vow is a solemn promise made to God, and may be either personal or social. Although a vow is " of the like nature with a promissory oath," yet they admit of being distinguished. In an oiith, man is generally the party, and God is invoked as the witness ; in a tow, God is both the party and the witness. A vow is to be made to God alone; and, therefore, to make vows to saints departed, as Papists do, is superstitious and idolatrous. Vows ought to be entered into voluntarily, and in the exercise of faith, or in dependence upon the grace of…
22.6. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone: and that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith, and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties; or to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.
Proof texts
- Ps. 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,
- Jer. 44:25, 26 — [25] Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You and your wives have declared with your mouths, and have fulfilled it with your hands, saying, ‘We will surely perform our vows that we have made, to make offerings to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink offerings to her.’ Then confirm your vows and perform your vows! [26] Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name shall no more be invoked by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, ‘As the Lord GOD lives.’
- Deut. 23:21, 22, 23 — [21] “If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. [22] But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. [23] You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth.
- Ps. 50:14 — [14] Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
- Gen. 28:20, 21, 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 Sam. 1:11 — [11] And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
- 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.
- Ps. 132:2, 3, 4, 5 — [2] how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, [3] “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, [4] I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, [5] until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Ps. 76:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5 · SC60 8.1 · IAR 6.12 · SHC 10.1 · SHC 10.2 · SD 23.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections relate to the nature, the matter, and the obligation of a vow. A vow is a solemn promise made to God, and may be either personal or social. Although a vow is " of the like nature with a promissory oath," yet they admit of being distinguished. In an oiith, man is generally the party, and God is invoked as the witness ; in a tow, God is both the party and the witness. A vow is to be made to God alone; and, therefore, to make vows to saints departed, as Papists do, is superstitious and idolatrous. Vows ought to be entered into voluntarily, and in the exercise of faith, or in dependence upon the grace of…
22.7. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein commanded, or which is not in his own power, and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God. In which respects, 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.
Proof texts
- Acts 23:12, 14 — [12] When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. [14] They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
- Mark 6:26 — [26] And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
- Numb. 30:5, 8, 12, 13
- Matt. 19:11, 12 — [11] But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. [12] For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
- 1 Cor. 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.
- Eph. 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.
- 1 Peter 4:2 — [2] so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
- 1 Cor. 7:23 — [23] You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Acts 23:12, 14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 23.1 · 1689 23.2 · 1689 23.3 · 1689 23.4 · 1689 23.5 · SC60 8.1 · IAR 6.12 · SHC 10.1 · SHC 10.2 · SD 23.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly callett God to witness what he asserteth or proniiseth ; and to judge hiii; according to the truth or falsehood of what he .^weareth.'^ Section II. — The name of God only is tliat 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 matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections relate to the nature, the matter, and the obligation of a vow. A vow is a solemn promise made to God, and may be either personal or social. Although a vow is " of the like nature with a promissory oath," yet they admit of being distinguished. In an oiith, man is generally the party, and God is invoked as the witness ; in a tow, God is both the party and the witness. A vow is to be made to God alone; and, therefore, to make vows to saints departed, as Papists do, is superstitious and idolatrous. Vows ought to be entered into voluntarily, and in the exercise of faith, or in dependence upon the grace of…