Article 39 of the Thirty-nine Articles says this:

“As we confess that vain and rash Swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apostle, so we judge, that Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the Prophet’s teaching, in justice, judgement, and truth.”

As often happens, the Homilies unpack a bit more what this means in practice, and flesh out the teaching of the Articles. Today’s extract from the Church of England’s official sermons, comes from the Homily against swearing and perjury. Here’s what it says:

“By lawful oaths, which Kings, Princes, Judges, and Magistrates swear, common laws are kept inviolate, justice is impartially ministered, innocent persons, orphans, widows, and the poor are defended from murderers, oppressors, and thieves, that they suffer no wrong, nor take any harm.

By lawful oaths, mutual society, amity, and good order is kept continually in all commonalties, such as boroughs, cities, towns, and villages. And by lawful oaths, malefactors are searched out, wrong doers are punished, and they who sustain wrong are restored to their rights.

Therefore, lawful swearing, which brings to us so many godly, good, and necessary commodities cannot be evil. Wherefore, when Christ so earnestly forbade swearing, it may not be so understood as though he forbade all manner of oaths: but he forbids all vain swearing and forswearing both by God, and by his creatures, as the common use of swearing, in buying, selling, and in our daily communication, to the intent that every Christian’s word should be as well regarded in such matters as if he should confirm his communication with an oath. For every Christian’s word (says St Jerome) should be so true, that it should be regarded as an oath.”