A96226:143
The humble advice of the Assembly of Divines, now
The humble advice of the Assembly of Divines, now by authority of Parliament sitting at Westminster, concerning a confession of faith, presented by them lately to both houses of Parliament. A certain number of copies are ordered to be printed only for the use of the members of both houses and of the Assembly of Divines, to the end that they may advise thereupon.
London: printed for Company of Stationers, 1646
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows.
CHAP. XXII. Of lawful Oathes 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.
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 falshood of what he sweareth.
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. 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.
III. 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 any thing 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 any thing that is good and just, being imposed by lawful Authority.