A01981:1323
The saints sacrifice
The saints sacrifice: or, a commentary on the CXVI. Psalm Which is, a gratulatory psalm, for deliverance from deadly distress. By William Gouge, D.D.The saints sacrifice: or, a commentarie on the CXVI. Psalme Which is, a gratulatory psalme, for deliverance from deadly distresse. By William Gouge, D.D.
London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1632
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Section 91: §. 91. Of paying vows to God.Section 91: §. 91. Of paying vowes to God.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This direction of renewing vows is to be applied to vows of necessary and bounden duties. But if vows made be of such circumstances as are not necessary, yet very difficult, and cannot easily be performed, and much trouble and 1entangle the conscience, then, they being through weakness broken, the wisest and safest course is earnestly to crave pardon (as we heard before) for that which is past, and to take heed of the like folly, in ensnaring our selves for the time to come. If a thing be preposterously done, rashness is rather to be redressed then the promise performed.
This direction of renewing vowes is to be applied to vowes of necessary and bounden duties. But if vowes made be of such circumstances as are not necessary, yet very difficult, and cannot easily be performed, and much trouble and 1entangle the conscience, then, they being thorow weakenesse broken, the wisest and safest course is earnestly to crave pardon (as we heard before) for that which is past, and to take heed of the like folly, in ensnaring our selves for the time to come. If a thing be preposterously done, rashnesse is rather to be redressed then the promise performed.
- 1Si praeproperè sa ct•• fuerit, magis est corrigenda •emeritus, quam persolvenda promissio. Aug. Epist. 45. ad Arment.
3 When thou art tempted to a sin, bring that sin to the touchstone of thy vows, and try whether it be not against them. This trial will be a means to make thee think of thy vows, and to be more careful in keeping them, and in resisting temptations against them. When the Rechabites 1