The 1689 London Baptist Confession Of Faith; Read by Eric Kahure

Chapter 25: Of Marriage

PARAGRAPH 1

Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.1

1 Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5–6

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate

PARAGRAPH 3

Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience’ sake;4 and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.5

4 Rom. 13:5–7; 1 Pet. 2:17
5 1 Tim. 2:1–2

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate

PARAGRAPH 2

It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace,2 according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions.3

2 2 Sam. 23:3; Ps. 82:3–4
3 Luke 3:14

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate

PARAGRAPH 1

God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.1

1 Rom. 13:1–4

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

PARAGRAPH 5

A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness;8 but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,9 professed poverty,10 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.11

8 Ps. 76:11; Gen. 28:20–22
9 1 Cor. 7:2,9
10 Eph. 4:28
11 Matt. 19:1

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

PARAGRAPH 4

An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.7

7 Ps. 24:4

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

PARAGRAPH 3

Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.6

6 Lev. 19:12; Jer. 23:10

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

PARAGRAPH 2

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;3 yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God;4 so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.5

3 Matt. 5:34,37; James 5:12
4 Heb. 6:16; 2 Cor. 1:23
5 Neh. 13:25

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

PARAGRAPH 1

A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.2

1 Exod. 20:7; Deut. 10:20; Jer. 4:2
2 2 Chron. 6:22–23

Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

PARAGRAPH 8

The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe a holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations,30 but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.31

30 Isa. 58:13; Neh. 13:15–22
31 Matt. 12:1–13