1For our parts, let us so wisely avoid their detestable excess in making vows to whom they ought not, as we fall not into a careless neglect of the duty, by making no vows 2at all. It is a fools part so far to fly from one extreme as to fall into another. As occasion is offered, and as we find any need, let us among other evidences of that respect which we owe and bear unto God, give this, of vowing and voluntarily binding our selves to do that which we see meet and behoofull to be done for the honour of his name, and our well pleasing of him. Especially if we have just ⟨p. 189⟩cause to suspect our selves, that if we be left loose and at liberty, we shall (through the temptations whereunto we are subject, or through our own indisposition and backwardness to the duties which in our judgements we conceive to be most behoofull) fail to perform them. In such cases to bind our selves by a sacred vow to a bounden duty, as it testifieth a wise jealousy and holy fear that we have of the proneness of our flesh to start back from good intentions, and motions of the Spirit, so it manifesteth our true and earnest desire of doing that which we are persuaded will be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord: yea so true and earnest a desire, as we will not have it left to our liberty to do it, or not to do it: least any thing might fall out to alter our mind. Zealous Martyrs, upon a settled resolution not to start in show from that profession which they are about to seal with their blood, being jealous of their weak flesh, and sensibleness of pain, have desired to be fast bound to the stake. A sacred vow is as an iron gin to a tender and good conscience. cBy it the will is unmoveably set and fastened upon that which is good: which questionless is a very commendable resolution. dThe Philosopher through that light of natural reason whereunto by diligent study and experimental observance he had attained, discerned the equity hereof. He that so bindeth himself to that which he knoweth to be pleasing and acceptable unto God, as he will not leave a show of liberty to his unruly flesh to start from it, thereby fortifieth himself against the temptations of Satan, and frailties of his weak and wavering flesh. In which respect he ethat hath so tied himself, hath no cause to repent himself thereof:
1For our parts, let us so wisely avoid their detestable excesse in making vowes to whom they ought not, as we fall not into a carelesse neglect of the duty, by making no vowes 2at all. It is a fooles part so farre to fly from one extreme as to fall into another. As occasion is offered, and as we find any need, let us among other evidences of that respect which we owe and beare unto God, give this, of vowing and voluntarily binding our selves to doe that which we see meet and behoofull to be done for the honour of his name, and our well pleasing of him. Especially if wee have just ⟨p. 189⟩cause to suspect our selves, that if we be left loose and at liberty, we shall (thorow the temptations whereunto we are subject, or thorow our owne indisposition and backwardnesse to the duties which in our judgements we conceive to be most behoofull) faile to performe them. In such cases to bind our selves by a sacred vow to a bounden duty, as it testifieth a wise jealousie and holy feare that we have of the pronesse of our flesh to start backe from good intentions, and motions of the Spirit, so it manifesteth our true and earnest desire of doing that which we are perswaded wilbe pleasing and acceptable to the Lord: yea so true and earnest a desire, as we will not have it left to our liberty to doe it, or not to doe it: least any thing might fall out to alter our mind. Zealous Martyrs, upon a setled resolution not to start in shew from that profession which they are about to seale with their bloud, being jealous of their weake flesh, and sensiblenesse of paine, have desired to bee fast bound to the stake. A sacred vow is as an iron gin to a tender and good conscience. cBy it the will is unmoveably set and fastned upon that which is good: which questionlesse is a very commendable resolution. dThe Philosopher thorow that light of naturall reason whereunto by diligent study and experimentall observance hee had attained, discerned the equity hereof. Hee that so bindeth himselfe to that which hee knoweth to be pleasing and acceptable unto God, as he will not leave a shew of liberty to his unruly flesh to start from it, thereby fortifieth himselfe against the temptations of Satan, and frailties of his weake and wavering flesh. In which respect he ethat hath so tied himselfe, hath no cause to repent himselfe thereof:
- 1Exhortation to vow.
- 2Dumb vitant stulti vitia, in contraria currunt. Hor. Sat. 2. l. 1.Dum vitant stulti vitia, in contraria currunt. Hor. Sat. 2. l. 1.
- cPer votum immobiliter voluntas firmatur in bonum. Thom. Sum. 2. 2: q. 88 art. 6.
- d[Greek or Hebrew]. Arist Hill▪ l. 2. c. 4.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Arist Hil▪ l. 2. c. 4.
- eNon te vovisse paniteat, immo gaude jam tibi sic non licere, quod cum tuo detrimento licuisset. Aug Epist. 45. ad Arment.Non te vovisse paniteat, immo gaude iam tibi sic non licere, quod cum tuo detrimento licuisset. Aug Epist. 45. ad Arment.
