A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

The second special thing here required, is lawful vows, whereby we cheerfully promise unto God some thing which may be acceptable unto him, either because we have already found him gracious and good unto us, which moveth us to do this duty out of love and thankfulness, or because we expect his mercy and goodness for some benefit to be received, or punishment to be avoided or removed; out of our faith and hope grounded upon Gods promises. Unto which vows, that they may be lawful and acceptable unto God, there are two things required, namely, that we make them lawfully, and truly to perform them. Unto the making of a lawful vow is required, First, that it be performed as a religious ¹act to God and none other. Secondly, that it be done after a religious and holy manner. 1. In truth, with a sincere and cheerful heart. 2. In ²righteousness, unto which is required, in respect of the person, that he have power in himself to vow that thing, or have the consent of his governors. Secondly, that the thing vowed, be lawful and acceptable unto God, as being good and commanded, or of an indifferent nature, but in respect of us, good and profitable, and therefore to be used, or hurtful and inconvenient and therefore to be avoided. Thirdly, that we vow in judgement, whereby we discern that our vow is in the former respects lawful, and very profitable either for the advancing of Gods glory or our own good. The last thing required, is, that we make it to a right end, as