Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

Now for because we have already ¹spoken hitherto of vowed sacrifices, we must here consequently borrow leave for a digression to say somewhat of their usual vows. For vows belong to the Jewish Ceremonies. Of the making, performing, and redeeming of vows there is a large discourse in the law of God, but especially in the 27. of Leviticus. To vow, is to promise any thing with an oath solemnly, either for our own or an others welfare. And therefore a vow was an action referred to God alone, and that too in an holy and a lawful thing. But in vows there was a difference: because vowed things were divided into four kinds. For some times they vowed men, sometimes they vowed other living things, sometimes houses, and sometimes lands or other immovable substance. Again there was a difference in men according to their ages, and after their ages they might be redeemed. for clean living creatures there was no redemption permitted at all. It was free either to leave their houses to the use of the ministry, or else to redeem them with such a sum as the priest should value them at. In lands redemption was sometimes admitted & sometimes not admitted. And in the 30. Chapter of the book of Numbers there is a precise commandment given touching the votaries, when their vows are of force, and when of small effect. Where it is diligently beaten into their heads, that vows lawfully made to God are not to be called back again, but strictly kept & throughly performed. Rash or unlawful vows the Lord did never like off, nor receive.

Now forbecause we haue already ¹spoken hetherto of vowed sacrifices, we must heere consequently borrowe leaue for a digression to say somewhat of their vsuall vowes. For vowes belonge to the Iewishe Ceremonies. Of the making, performing, and redéeming of vowes there is a large discourse in the lawe of God, but especially in the 27. of Leuiticus. To vowe, is to promise any thing with an othe solemnly, either for our owne or an others welfare. And therefore a vowe was an action referred to God alone, and that too in an holy and a lawfull thing. But in vowes there was a difference: because vowed thinges were diuided into foure kindes. For some times they vowed men, sometimes they vowed other liuing things, sometunes houses, and somtimes lands or other immoueable substance. Againe there was a difference in men according to their ages, and after their ages they mighte bee redéemed. for cleane liuing creatures there was no redemption permitted at all. It was frée either to leaue their houses to the vse of the ministerie, or else to redéeme them with such a summe as the priest should value them at. In landes redemption was sometimes admitted & sometimes not admitted. And in the 30. Chapiter of the booke of Numbers there is a precise commandement giuen touching the votories, when their vowes are of force, and when of smal effecte. Where it is diligently beaten into their heads, that vowes lawfully made to God are not to be called back againe, but streightly kept & throughle performed. Rashe or vnlawfull vowes the Lord did neuer like off, nor receiue.