ON HOSEA XIV.- VERSES 2, 3. 77 promised their father Jonadab, and held that promise obligatory in the sight of God, " not to drink wine, nor to build house," &c. Jer. xxxv. 6, 7. because by that voluntary hardship of life they should be the better fitted to bear that captivity which was to come upon them. Or, because thereby they should the better express the condition of strangers amongst God's people, upon whose outward comforts they would not seem too much to encroach, that it might appear that they did not incorporate with them for mere secular, but for spiritual benefits. It was lawful for Paul to have received wages and rewards for his work in the gospel, as well of the churches of Achaia, as of Macedonia, and others, as he proveth, 1 Cor. ix. 4. 14. yet he seemeth upon the case of expediency, that he might cut off occasion from them that he desired occasion, and might the better promote the gospel, to bind himself by an oath (for so much those words, " the truth of Christ is in me," do impart, as the learned have observed) never to be burdensome in that kind unto those churches, 2 Cor. xi. 7--12. Lawful things, when inexpedient and oppressive, may be forborne by the bond of a covenant. [3.] Matter of thanksgiving and praises unto God, in which case it was usual to make and to pay vows. " What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me ?" saith David. " I will take the cup of salvation," as the use of the Jews was in their feasts and sacrifices of thanksgiving, Luke xxii. 17. " I will pay my vows unto the Lord." Whereby it appears that godly men when they prayed for mercies, did likewise by vows and covenants bind themselves to return tribute of praise in some particular kind or other, upon the hearing of their prayers, Psa. cxvi. 12 -14. cxxiii. 2, 3. So Jacob did, Gen. xxviii. 22. c: 3
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