An answer, to a little book call'd Protestancy to be embrac'd or, A new and infallible method to reduce Romanists from popery to Protestancy

SECT. I. Religious Vows are allow∣able.

OUr Adversary saies, that the Gift of Con∣tinency is presupposed afore one make the Vow, so that if one find by Experience, that he has it not, he is obliged not to Vow; or if he has Vowed rashly, flattering himself he had this Gift, he is no more engaged by his former Vow, but may in this case, nay perhaps is oblig∣ed to secure himself from Sin by a Lawful Marri∣age, it being better in this conjuncture to Marry then Burne.

Answer. First, I retort the Argument thus. The Gift of conjugal Continency is equally presup∣posed to the promise made in Marriage. May then a Man or Woman who find's by Experience in a short absence, or Sickness of the other party, that they have not that Gift, think themselves free from their promise, and take another Wife or Hus∣band?

Secondly, I Answer that those Gifts are neither presupposed to the one, nor to the other, but it is presupposed that God will give those Gifts to those who ask them, or Grace to resist Temptations as

often as they humbly demand it, after they have prudently engaged themselves in either of those States of Life. God gives indeed but to whom he pleases, but we know from his Word that he re∣fuses to none who ask it as they should do, ask and it shall be given you, Matth. 7.7. God is Faith∣ful saies St. Paul, 1 Cor. 10. v. 13. he will not suf∣fer you to be tempted above that you are able.

'Tis observable saies our Adversary, that the most part that enter Religious Orders, make their Vows so young that they hardly reflect on what they are doing, many are forced by their Parents, or enter upon the account of Humane respect or interest, Iesuits renew their Vows twice a Year, but 'tis on∣ly with their Lips, not from their Heart.

Answer. First, I retort the Argument thus. Many Marry so Young (nay far Younger than 'tis allow'd to make Religious Vows) that they scarce know what they are doing; many are forc'd by their Parents, or induc'd by the condition of their Affairs. May all those at the first occasion re∣nounce their Marriages and make others?

Secondly, I Answer, that none can make the Vows of Religion afore they be full fixteen Years of Age; a Woman may Marry at thirteen, they have a Year of Ptobation or Tryal (the Iesuits have two,) in this they are questioned in private whe∣ther or not they were forc'd, which, if found, they are free to return to their former Condition. also after they have made their Vows, they have a determinated time allowed to them by the Church, in which they may reclaim, and return to their freedom: But if there be some found, who dis∣semble their Compulsion all the time of their Tryal, and neither vent it afore or after their solemn Vows in the time prescribed them by the Church; they

are to be condemned, not the Nature of Vows; or Church, who behaves Her self so Warily, Pru∣dently; and Sweetly with Her Children.

As to that he saies, the most of Religious are so forc'd, I am confident I can deny it with more ground than he asserts it. And if he knew one, who among the Iesuits renewed his Vows onely with his Lips, and not with his Hart, let him con∣tent himself with that certain knowledge, and not judge rashly that all the rest do the same.