15. Of the Swearing of Oaths

Concerning the Swearing of Oaths, we believe and confess that the Lord Christ has set it aside and forbidden it to His disciples, that they should not swear at all, but that yes should be yes, and no, no; from which we understand that all oaths, high and low, are forbidden, and that instead of them we are to confirm all our promises and obligations, indeed, all our declarations and testimonies about any matter, only with our word yes in that which is yes, and with no in that which is no; yet that we must always, in all matters, and with everyone, hold to it, keep it, follow it, and fulfill it, as though we had confirmed it with a solemn oath. And if we do this, we trust that no one, not even the magistracy itself, will have just reason to lay a greater burden on our mind and conscience. Matthew 5, verses 34 and 35; James 5, verse 12; Second Corinthians 1, verse 17.