Reformed Christian Studies

Westminster Confession of Faith  (1646) Chapter XXII I. A lawful oath is part of religious worship , [1] wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calls God to witness what he asserts, or promises, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears. [2] II. 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. [3] 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. [4] 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; [5] so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters, ought to be taken. [6] III. Whosoever takes 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 : [7] neither may any man bind