Chapter XXIIIOf Lawful Oaths and Vows

A lawful Oath is a part of religious worship,^a wherein the person swearing in Truth, Righteousness, and Judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth;^b and to judge him according to the Truth or falseness thereof.

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^c abhorred; yet as in matter of weight and moment for confirmation of truth,^d and ending all strife, an Oath is warranted by the Word of God; so a lawful Oath being imposed,^e by lawful Authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.

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^f Lord is provoked, and for them this Land mournes.

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

A Vow which is not to be made to any Creature, but to God alone,^h is to be made and performed with all Religious care, and faithfulness: But Popish Monastical Vows,ⁱ of perpetual single life, professed^k poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious,^l and sinful snares, in which no Christian may intangle himself.