Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.

PIRNCIPLES CONCERNING VOWES. XXXII. (Book 32)

THE TREATISE OF VOWS IS TO BE AN∣nexed vnto the discourse concerning an oath: we are ther∣fore in this place to intreat of them: and first of all, to see what a vow is.

1 A Vow is a promise of things lawfull, and possible, made vnto God, with aduised deliberation, and to a godlie end; wherby a man bindeth himselfe to the per∣formance of some thing.

2 For whereas euerie lawefull promise must proceede, not onelie from the will, but also from the reason: it must needs be, that in vowing, not onelie the bare motion of the mind is to be present, but euen a sure deliberation, wherto a purpose of binding a mans self doth also concur. Now this assurance doth not els-where depend then vpon a good conscience, grounded vppon Gods worde, by the

which, nothing can be lightly or rashly promised.

The Ethnicks therefore in times past did, and the Pa∣pists now a daies doe, many waies offend in this point, who were, and are wont to make vowes lightlie, & with∣out any word of God: so also did IEPHTE. IVD. 11.

3 But we are to take heede, that wee vowe nothing that is vnlawfull; much more, that wee performe it not. For it is vnlawefull to promise, or to offer any thing vnto God, that displeaseth him: Next, wee are to bee carefull, that our vowes be not of light, and jesting matters: third∣ly, that they be not of thinges that are impossible for vs to performe.

4 The first sort of these vowes, are such, as wherby men doe bind themselues to commit some wickednes; of which sort, was that vowe, ACT. 23.12. And that of the mother of MICHA, IVDE. 17. The second sort is of them, which, either doe take vpon them, or deny the doing of somthing (that is indifferent in it owne nature) vppon this or that day. The third is of them, who promise those things that they are not able to performe, as they doe, who vowe per∣petuall Chastitie, which God vseth not to grant vnto all: but vnto some onely; and that often, but for a time.

5 Nowe, seeing GOD onelie is hee, vnto whome, wee owe our selues, and all that wee haue; and that he is the onelye searcher of the heart, and hath power to take punishment, of those that breake their vowes; wee justlie conclude, that our vows are to be made to him only. DEV. 23.21. PSAL. 56.12.

The Papists therfore do amisse, who vow at their plea∣sure vnto Saints that are dead.

6 Som part of the ceremonial law consisted in vows, whereby, men being mindfull of Gods blessings, did offer giftes and sacrifices vnto him in token of thankesgiuing: therefore they were commaunded in the olde lawe, but the necessitie of vowing, togeather with other Ceremo∣nies, were taken away at the comming of Christ.

7 For in the newe testament there is no commande∣ment of vowing mentioned, either in the Gospell, or in

the writings of the Apostles: seeing the whole dutie of a Christian, is contained vnder the rule of faith and cha∣ritie.

8 For the vow wherewith PAVLE bound himselfe, was done vpon consideration of the time, and other circumstā∣ces; the Apostle framing himself vnto the Iewes, that hee might win them vnto Christ. Act. 21.

9 Yet vowes are nor altogether vnprofitable vnto chri∣stians, that by such exercises they may conforme their wils vnto well doing, & restraine themselues from euill: so that the cautions aboue mentioned be obserued: for nothing is to be vowed, which maketh not for the setting forward of Gods glorie, & the profit of our neighbour. And after this sort did IACOB, Gen. 28. and the Nazarites IVD. 6. make their vowes.

10 And euen as an oath made rashlie, and concerning vnlawfull things, ought to bee anihilated: euen so a vowe that is either vnlawfull or vnpossible, ought to bee justlie accounted of no force: And therfore that common saying is not without good ground: In things that thou hast sin∣fullie promised, breake thy promise: and this in like sort, In a godles vow change thy purpose.

11 For if in couenants that are betwene man and man those promises, doe onely binde vs wherewith the partie with whome we couenant, will haue vs bound: it is an ab∣surd thing that we should be compelled to performe those things which God requireth not, but refuseth to be done.

The Papists therefore are too obstinat in the defence of their Monasticall life, abusing thereunto manie places of the Scripture. Impure also, and filthy is that PIGHIVS and CAMPEGIVS, who teach, that is bet∣ter for him who hath vowed chastity, to haue a hundred Concubines one after another, then to marry one lawe∣full wife; whereas the Apostle doth perswade them that haue not the gift of continency, that it is better to haue a lawfull wife, then to burne.

The thinges that are to bee vowed, are diuerse: for the faithfull in the olde time were wont to vow either men, 1.

SAM. 1. or beasts, LEVIT. 21. or thinges without life. 1. CHRON. 29.

Defended by CORNELIVS MARTYN, a low country man of Roxenburgh in Vltraject