Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined to Baal-peor. Num. 25: 1, 2--4, 5. ARTICLE TWENTY-SIXTH. OF swearing of oaths, we believe and ac"knowledge, That under the Old Testament dispensation, the people were permitted, in different ways, to swear by the name of the LORD, as, by lifting up the hand unto the LORD, (Gen. 14: 22.) or by putting the hand under the thigh, as Abraham's servant, (24: 2.) and Joseph.. (47: 29.) And thus they swear in diverse ways, so that by reason of the falsehood, and deceitfulness of the human heart, many abuses crept in; insomuch that they swore by the heaven, by the earth, by Jerusalem, by their head, by the temple, by the gold of the temple, by the altar and by the gift upon the altar. (Matth. 23: 16--22.) Therefore, Christ Jesus, the only Lawgiver, who came from God, as sent by him, a righteous Branch to execute judgment and justice in the earth, (Jer. 23: 5.) has abolished, abrogated and prohibited these oaths which were permitted, and by the falsehood of man were so much corrupted and perverted; and has directed and taught his hearers and followers to confirm the truth by YEA and NAY. Moreover we find, that the holy apostles of Christ, as obsequious sheep to their great Shepherd, followed herein the doctrine of Christ: therefore it is incumbent upon all faithful believers, to adhere to the doctrine of Christ and the practice of his apostles, and dutifully to follow this precept and example, by putting away lying, and speaking every man truth with his neighbour, (Eph. 4: 25.) and by confirming the truth at all times, both openly before the government, and privately, by saying yea to that which is yea; and nay to that which is nay, without adding thereto. And in so doing they are to show that they are obedient followers of Christ and his apostles, by using these little words, which of themselves are indeed small, but in their signification are to them of great weight and importance, inasmuch as they thereby declare the whole truth inviolably. Of the abrogation of the oaths as used by them of old time, and how Christ has commanded to use yea and nay in their stead, read:-Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of a great King: Neither shalt thou swear by thy head; because thou canst not make one hair white or black.' But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Matth. 5: 33--37.---Whoso therefore, shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23: 20--22. But above all things, my brethren, swear not; neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into comdemnation. James 5: 12. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus, and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Cor. 1: 17-20. ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVENTH. OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND Or the public administration of civil government, or the higher powers, we believe and acknowledge, That government is an Ordinance and institution of God, a power ordained by him to promote and establish good policy, rules and laws among nations, in lands and in cities; and to be a terror to the evil, and à praise to the good: and that thereby civility, morality, peace and concord be supported in the world; and without which, the world that lieth in wickedness could not subsist. It is therefore the unbounded duty of all faithful believers, to be subject to the higher powers, not only for fear of punishment, but rather for conscience sake, and to submit to those who have the rule over them, with due respect and reverence, as good subjects to obey them in all the ordinances and laws of man and render to all their dues; tax custom and toll with a ready mind and without murmuring and repining; also with humility of heart, to make supplication, prayer, and intercession for all that are in authority, and thus implore God for the prosperity, welfare and happiness of the land, the community, and the place of their residence. And should it be, that such believers were, for the word of God, persecuted by the government, so as to forfeit their property, or to suffer death, they are not allowed to calumniate, slander or defame, or with weapons of war, to oppose or resist; but, by faith to look up to God, to whom vengeance belongeth, and seek comfort of him and eternal blessedness beyond the grave. And in case the government will, from Christian principles, allow freedom of conscience in all points, to believers, so that they may worship God in their religious ordinances, according to their faith and the voice of conscience; they should be the more gratefully, submissive and obedient. But if the government will pervert and misapply the power which is imposed on, and given it of God, and which extends only to the management, regulation and adjustment of bodily and temporal things, and things of a secular nature; and will interfere with the offices of Christ and with his kingdom, which is of a spiritual nature, and wherein alone is the power over the souls of men; and thus will attempt to be lords over God's heritage, by compelling its subjects to do things contrary to the word and will of God: it is then that the faithful believers must not obey and follow laws and commands of men contrary to the will of God, but must obey God rather than man; for Christ is set, by his Father, far above all principalities and power, might, and dominion, (Eph. 1: 21.) and is the Head of his church, and whom alone we must obey in all spiritual things, and things which concern the faith and the voice of conscience. And, as the kingdom of Christ is a spiritual |