A26998:552
The Protestant religion truly stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard BaxterThe Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter
The Protestant religion truly stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Daniel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.The Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Danel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1692
Protestant Religion Truly Stated, and Justified, &c. › The Four and Fortieth accused Point.
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.
Ans. 1. Must none keep Vows but Priests and Religious People.
2. The known Doctrine of the Protestants about Oaths and Vows (which you may see in Sanderson de Juramento,) is, 1. That Antecedently it is unlawful to ensnare our selves by unnecessary Vows, of that which is out of our Power, or so mutable, that it may hereafter be made our Duty which now is not. 2. But having once Vowed, we must distinguish of the Imposing, the making of the Vow, and the Matter of it. And that, 1. Though it was by Parents, or others unlawfully imposed, 2. And by our selves, by temerity unlawfully made or sworn, 3. Yet if the Matter consideratis considerandis be necessary or lawful, the Vow must be kept: But if it be Sin that is Vowed, it must not be done. Because Man's Vows cannot abrogate or suspend Gods Laws. Can any of your Casuists deny this?
2. The known Doctrine of the Protestants about Oaths and Vows (which you may see in Sanderson de Juramento,) is, 1. That Antecedently it is unlawful to ensnare our selves by unneecssary Vows, of that which is out of our Power, or so mutable, that it may hereafter be made our Duty which now is not. 2. But having once Vowed, we must distinguish of the Imposing, the making of the Vow, and the Matter of it. And that, 1. Though it was by Parents, or others unlawfully imposed, 2. And by our selves, by temerity unlawfully made or sworn, 3. Yet if the Matter consideratis considerandis be necessary or lawful, the Vow must be kept: But if it be Sin that is Vowed, it must not be done. Because Man's Vows cannot abrogate or suspend Gods Laws. Can any of your Casuists deny this?
Therefore, if Boys or Girls Vow Chastity, and it prove that they cannot keep it without sin, the Matter becometh to them unlawful, and they must break it: As for instance: 1. If they cannot keep it without apparent hurt to their Souls by Lust. 2. Or if the Heir of the Crown, or some great Estate, Vow it, and if he