§. Sect. 3 Of the sancti∣fying Gods name by ma∣king and per∣forming our vowes.
The second speciall thing here required, is lawfull vowes, whereby we cheerefully promise vnto God some thing which may be acceptable vnto him, either because we haue already found him gracious and good vnto vs, which moueth vs to doe this duty out of loue and thankefulnesse, or because we expect his mercy and goodnesse for some benefit to be recei∣ued, or punishment to be auoided or remoued; out of our faith and hope grounded vpon Gods promises. Vnto which vowes, that they may bee lawfull and acceptable vnto God, there are two things required, namely, that we make them lawfully, and truly to performe them. Vnto the ma∣king of a lawfull vowe is required, First, that it be performed as a religious * 1.1 act to God and none other. Secondly, that it bee done after a religious and holy manner. 1. In truth, with a sincere and cheerefull heart. 2. In * 1.2 righteousnesse, vnto which is required, in respect of the person, that hee haue power in himselfe to vow that thing, or haue the consent of his go∣uernours. Secondly, that the thing vowed, be lawfull and acceptable vn∣to God, as being good and commanded, or of an indifferent nature, but in respect of vs, good and profitable, and therefore to be vsed, or hurtfull and inconuenient and therefore to be auoided. Thirdly, that we vowe in iudgement, whereby we discerne that our vowe is in the former respects lawfull, and very profitable either for the aduancing of Gods glory or our owne good. The last thing required, is, that we make it to a right end, as * 1.3 namely, to the glory of God, the good of our neighbours, and our owne benefit; for the exercising of our temperance and sobriety, or the renew∣ing * 1.4 and furthering of our repentance, or for the strengthening of our * 1.5 faith, and our good purposes and resolutions about the performance of good duties. In respect of performance of our vowes, there is required, * 1.6 that it be done at the time appointed, and without delay, and also with∣out any diminution or abatement in quantity or quality, of that which we haue vowed. Especially our care must bee of performing our common vowe in baptisme, in renouncing all our spirituall enemies, and in con∣secrating our selues wholy vnto Gods seruice, in performing vnto him the duties of holinesse, righteousnesse, and sobriety all the daies of our liues.