In Vows. First, When they are of1 things not in our power, whereby the vow of perpetual single life appeareth to be unlawful: for as our Saviour saith, cAll are not capable of this, but they only to whom it is given. Secondly, When we vow things too base to offer unto God; as if a Rich man, to obtain some great mercy at Gods hands, would vow to give somewhat not worth the speaking of, unto the poor. This Solomon wisheth us to take heed of, when in the matter of Vows he maketh the fear and reverence of God, in not doing any thing unworthy of his Majesty, one great and special point, Eccles. 5. 6, 3. Thirdly, when we vow such things, as are not indifferent to do or to leave undone: for as to bring the ⟨p. 165⟩hire of a Whore, or the price of a Dog into the House of God for a Vow, were to profane his Service, Deut. 23. 18. So to vow that in token of a rare and extraordinary zeal, which without vow we are bound to do, is rather to dally with God, then to offer any special service to him. This is plainly taught, Deut. 23. 24. when it is said, If thou vow not at all, it shall not be sin unto thee: but the sin is, in not performing our Vow, when we have vowed it. And if we take a view of all the Vows of Gods Children, we shall find them all for the most part (according unto this rule) of things which otherwise without offence they might have left undone. Such was that of dDAVID, I will not go unto the Tent of mine House, nor climb up my Bed-stead, nor suffer sleep in mine eyes, nor slumber in my eye-lids, till I find out a place for JEHOVAH, &c. an habitation for the mighty God of JACOB. And that of ANNA, eIf indeed looking to the affliction of thine Hand-maid, thou wilt remember me, and not forget thine Hand-maid, but give unto thine Hand-maid a man-child, then will I give him to JEHOVAH all the days of his life, and no Razor shall come upon his head. Such also was fJacobs Vow, If JEHOVAH God will be with me, and keep me in this journey which I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothes to put on, so that I come again to my fathers house in safety; and finally, if JEHOVAH will be my God; Then (there beginneth the Vow) shall this Stone, which I have set up as a Pillar, be the House of God.
In Vowes. First, When they are of1 things not in our power, whereby the vow of perpetuall single life appeareth to be vnlawful: for as our Sauiour saith, cAll are not capable of this, but they onely to whome it is giuen. Secondly, When wee vow things too base to offer vnto God; as if a Rich man, to obtayne some great mercie at Gods hands, would vow to giue somewhat not worth the speaking of, vnto the poore. This Salomon wisheth vs to take heed of, when in the matter of Vowes hee maketh the feare and reuerence of God, in not doing any thing vnworthy of his Maiestie, one great and speciall point, Eccles. 5. 6, 3. Thirdly, when we vow such things, as are not indifferēt to do or to leaue vndone: for as to bring the ⟨p. 165⟩hire of a Whore, or the price of a Dogge into the House of God for a Ʋow, were to prophane his Seruice, Deut. 23. 18. So to vow that in token of a rare and extraordinarie zeale, which without vow wee are bound to doe, is rather to dally with God, then to offer any speciall seruice to him. This is plainly taught, Deut. 23. 24. when it is said, If thou vow not at all, it shall not be sinne vnto thee: but the sinne is, in not performing our Vow, when wee haue vowed it. And if wee take a view of all the Vowes of Gods Children, wee shall find them all for the most part (according vnto this rule) of things which otherwise without offence they might haue left vndone. Such was that of dDAVID, I will not goe vnto the Tent of mine House, nor climbe vp my Bed-stead, nor suffer sleepe in mine eyes, nor slumber in my eye-lids, till I find out a place for IEHOVAH, &c. an habitation for the mightie God of IACOB. And that of ANNA, eIf indeed looking to the affliction of thine Hand-mayde, thou wilt remember mee, and not forget thine Hand-mayde, but giue vnto thine Hand-mayde a man-childe, then will I giue him to IEHOVAH all the dayes of his life, and no Razor shall come vpon his head. Such also was fIacobs Vow, If IEHOVAH God will be with me, and keepe mee in this iourney which I goe, and will giue mee bread to eate, and clothes to put on, so that I come againe to my fathers house in safetie; and finally, if IEHOVAH will be my God; Then (there beginneth the Vow) shall this Stone, which I haue set vp as a Piller, be the House of God.
- 1The Papists, which teach vows of things not in our own power, as perpetual single life.The Papists, which teach vows of things not in our own power, as perpetuall single life.
- cMat. 19. 11.
- dPs. 132. 3, 4, 5
- e1. Sam. 1. 11.
- fGen. 28. 20, 21, 22.
