304 -cantSTÍAN MORAL1Tt. carry your judgment beyond the truth of things, and then it will soon awaken your tongue to an extravagance of, language, even beyond the present irregular judgment of the mind. I persuaded youthere to beware of blind and fiery zeal, and more especially in matters of small importance, lest you should be tempted to tell lies for a pretended defence of the truth. The pious frauds, as they are called, or the religions cheats that have been practised in christendom in all ages, have brought much dishonour to the gospel of Christ. The second part of truth is faithfulness, to our vows, promi- ses, and solemn resolutions. This is aconformity of our deeds tó our words, as the former was a conformity of our words to our thoughts. And I come now to lay down some rules how we may secure our faithfulness, and maintain our conscience and conver- sation free from guilt or blamein this respect also. I. Be very cautious in all the promises, vows and obliga- tions, under which you lay yourself. Use a pious prudence in this matter, and it will be more easy to you to perform them. Do not multiply needless bonds upon your souls. The more care you take before you utter any thing withyour lips, you will be more secure of fulfillingwhat your lips-pronounce. In the case' of vows; there is no inconvenience of solemn engagements to God to do what his lawbath made your duty before. And this was the custom of the primitive christians, as Pliny, a heathen, acquaints us, that they made vows, and swore in their secretmeet- ings, not to commit murder,' or theft, or adultery; or- indulge vicious courses. It is good to remind ourselves of what God re- quires, and establish all our obligationsto the general practice of holiness. But you had needbe well advised before you make vows in matters that are indifferent; for many times this has exposed persons to greater snares and difficulties. Theyhave hoped to restrain theviolence of natural appetites by means of their own devising ; and thus they have been tempted to be unfaithful to God himself. Theword of God gives us this advice ; Ec. v. 5, 6. Better it is that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vowand not pay. Sujjér not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sink neither say thou before the angel, it was an error. Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy theworks of Mine own hands? That is, " Do not hastily engage thyself in vows, such as the weakness of flesh -and blood will not suffer thee to' perform : Nor think of being absolved from thy own obligations in the presence of God, and his holy angels, by foolish excuses, and saying; It was a mistake ; lest God, being angry and offended at thy broken vows, should bring a curse upon thee and ,thy affairs." There is most abundant experience of the folly and danger of needless vows in the church of Rome.
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