The rule and exercises of holy living. In which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every vertue, and the remedies against every vice, and considerations serving to the resisting all temptations. Together with prayers containing the whole duty of a Christian, and the parts of devotion fitted to all occasions, and furnish'd for all necessities.

Cautions for making vowes.

16. A vow to God is an act of prayer, and a great degree and instance of opportunity, & an increase of duty by some new uncomman∣ded instance, or some more eminent degree of duty, or frequency of action, or earnestnesse of spirit in the same. And because it hath plea∣sed God in all Ages of the World to admit of entercourse with his servants in the matter of vows, it is not ill advice, that we make vows to God in such cases in which we have great need, or great danger. But let it be done ac∣cording to these rules, and by these cautions.

1. That the matter of the vow be lawful. 2. That it be useful in order to Religion or

charity. 3. That it be grave, not trifling and impertinent, but great in our proportion of duty towards the blessing. 4. That it be in an uncommanded instance, that is, that it be of something, or in some manner, or in some degree to which formerly wee were not ob∣liged, or which wee might have omitted without sinne. 5. That it bee done with prudence, that is, that it be safe in all the circumstances of person, lest we beg a bles∣sing and fall into a snare. 6. That every vow of a new action bee also accompanied with a new degree and enforcement of our essential and unalterable duty: such as was Iacobs vow; that (besides the payment of a tithe) God should be his God: that so hee might strengthen his duty to him first in es∣sentials and precepts; and then in additio∣nals and accidentals. For it is but an ill Tree that spends more in leaves and suck∣ers and gummes, then in fruit: and that thank∣fulnesse and Religion is best, that first se∣cures duty, and then enlarges in counsels. Therefore let every great prayer and great need, and great danger draw us to GOD, neerer by the approach of a pious purpose to live more strictly, and let every mercy of GOD answering that prayer produce a real performance of it. 7. Let not young begin∣ners in Religion enlarge their hearts and streighten their liberty by vowes of long con∣tinuance: nor (indeed) any one else with∣out a great experience of himself, and of all accidental dangers. Vowes of single actions are safest,* 1.1 and proportionable to those sin∣gle blessings ever begg'd in such cases of

sudden and transient importunities. 8. Let no action which is matter of question and di∣spute in Religion,* 1.2 ever become the matter of a vow. He vowes foolishly that promi∣ses to God to live and dye in such an opi∣nion, in an article not necessary, not cer∣tain; or that upon confidence of his present guide, bindes himself for ever to the professi∣on of what he may afterwards more reasonably contradict, or may finde not to be useful, or not profitable; but of some danger, or of no necessity.

If we observe the former rules we shall pray piously and effectually; but because even this duty hath in it some especial temptati∣ons, it is necessary that we be armed by speci∣al remedies against them. The dangers are. 1. Wandring thoughts. 2. Tediousnesse of spirit. Against the first these advices are pro∣fitable.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A••gustum an••ulum non g••sta: Dixit Py∣••hag: id e••••, vitae genus liberum sectare, nec vinculo temetipsum obst••inge: P••ut••rch:
• * 1.2

  Sic Nova∣tus novi∣tio•• suo•• compuli•• ad iur••••dum. ne unquam ad Catho∣licos Epi∣scopos ••••∣dirent: Euseb▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 ••cclihill: