1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers. ( Romans 13:1-4 )

2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called there unto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace, 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. ( 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 82:3, 4; Luke 3:14 )

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; 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. ( Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 )

Article 23 of Lawful Oaths and Vows, Section 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly called God to witness what He sweareth, and to judge Him according to the truth, or falseness thereof. Section 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.

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, so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters ought to be taken. Section 3, whosoever taketh 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 knoweth to be truth. For that by rash, false, and vain oaths to the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns. Section 4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mental reservation.

Section 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 but popish monastic vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty 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.