t66 CHRISTIAN MORALITY, &r. [SCAM. xxrr. presence of God, and his holy angels, by foolish ex- cuses, and saying; It was a mistake; lest God, being angry and offendedat thy broken vows, should bring a curse upon thee and thy affairs." There is most abun- dant experience of the folly and danger of needless vows in the church of Rome. In the case of promises made to others, and public solemn resolutions, be not too frequent in making of them. See that the reason of things, the providence of God, and the circumstances of life, seem to call you to it before you engage, that so you may better maintain your faithfulness, and turn your words into deeds. Why should you make chains to bind yourself, without neces- sity or reason ? Why should you promise to do this, or to go thither, in a thoughtless or trifling way, and let your tongue put needless bonds and fetters on your hands and feet for time to come ?? My son, if thou art surety for a stranger, or if thou make a bargain without discretion, or multiply promises without prudence, thoú art snared with the words of thy mouth. There are some persons who "are very free of their promises upon all occasions, and often indulge this man- ner- of speaking, I am resolved to do such a thing to- day, or I will certainly go to such a place to-Morrow, &c." Whereas sometimes they find the thing impracti- cable, sometimes it is inconsistent with their other du- ties of life, sometimes it lays them under great difficul- ties and inconveniences to fulfil such appointments, and often they forget them too, and só disappoint their friends. Before you tie yourselves by your solemn resolves and engagements, ask your hearts, Is it possible to be done, Is it lawful? Is it convenient? Is it proper? Is it consistent with other promises? Is the thing which I would promise due to my neighbour upon principles of honour, virtue, gratitude, religion ? Is it necessaryat all, and is it necessary at this time ? Methinks I would have no promise made, but what should be kept; and therefore I would set all these guards around my lips: Experience of human affairs will teach us the use of these prudential rules, if we cannot learn them without it. A watchful caution in all siich sort of language, as lays us under any engagements to future practices, is of
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