Motives to holy living, or, Heads for meditation divided into consideratins, counsels, duties : together with some forms of devotion in litanies, collects, doxologies, &c.

§. 31.

17. Restrai∣ning your li∣berty, with Resolutions, and Vows.

1. Restraining hurtful liberty, with resolutions, obliga∣tions, vows, to the forbearance of such a vice, of such a temptation; performance of such a duty, or counsel, at such hours, on such occasions, &c. For by this we attain to some resemblance of the good Angels, when binding up our former dangerous freedome we for the future necessitate our selves to do well. And this dedicating and consecra∣ting of such our service to God with a Vow, and the greater firmness and resolution of mind wherewith such duty is performed; the offering of the tree it self as well as the fruit; the will it self, and the freedome wherewith God hath en∣dowed it, as well as its action: this internal voluntarily contracted necessity of well doing doth, as the Schoolmen observe, set a much higher value on such action, and render it of a far greater merit and worth with God. As also the same Vows do more strongly fortify the mind against fu∣ture temptations, whilst it suffers not that to re-enter so easily again into deliberation, which it hath already put out of its power; and our former lusts, or also Satan, despair∣ing as it were now to be heard, makes no more assaults.

But these Vows or Resolutions at first are to be made only for a short time; and so that with some tolerable penalty you may redeem your former liberty, by obliging your self only either to do such an Act, or suffer such a Mortifi∣cation.

So often fast a meal; say so many Prayers; give so much Alms; &c. Which Penances if you do indispensably exact of your self when relaxing good Resolves, you will won∣der to see, how small a forfeiture many times breaks-of the custome of a fault, from which neither Hell could af∣fright, nor Heaven allure. But at the first take heed of making any absolute and perpetual engagement for per∣forming things that are of more perfection, least Satan tempt you beyond your power of resistance, when as you have not as yet gotten a perfect command over your will, nor sate down first (as our Lord adviseth you, Luk. 14.28. &c.) to consult your strength whether you have forces enough to conquer your Enemy, and materials enough to finish your Building; and least you thus render the doing of that a sin to you, which before was innocent at least; and, by your soaring higher than your weak wings will yet carry you, you fall below your former Station, and inherit a Curse from our Lord instead of a Blessing: Let not thine heart be hasty (saith the wise-man, Eccl. 5.2.4, 5.) to utter any thing before God [i. e. by way of promise in mat∣ters not of necessary Duty.] For God hath no pleasure in fools, and thou must pay that which thou hast vowed: [There∣fore] better it is, that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Which in the first verse he calls a Sacrifice of Fools. But a Vow releasable, toties, quoties, upon a forfeiture, especially for new beginners in a course of Piety, cures all this.