VII. No man may vow to do any thing forbidden in the

word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein com- manded,^ or which is not in his own power, and for the. per- formance whereof he hath no promise or ability from God''
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all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. Jer. xUv. 25. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn in- ceose to th« quEC-n of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings Unto her : ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Ver. 2G. Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt, Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The I^ord God Uveth.
PDeut. xxiii. 21. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely re- quire it of thee ; and it would be sin in thee. Ver. 22. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. Ver. 23. That which is gone out of thy lips thou slialt keep and perform ; even a free- will-offering, accortiing as thou hast vowtd unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth. Psal. 1. 14. Offer unto
God thanksgiving, and pay thy vow unto the most High. Gen. xxviii. 2C And Jacob vowed a vow, saying If God will be with me, and vvij keep me in this way that I gc and will give me bread to eat, an^ raiment to put on; Ver. 21. S that I come again to my father house in peace ; then bhall the Lor be my God, Ver. 22. And ca stone, which I have set for a pilla; shall be God's house : and of a that thou shalt give me, I wi surely give the tenth unto thet I Sam. i. 11. And she vowed vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, thou wilt indeed look on the afflii tion of thine handmaid, and remen her me, and not forget thine han maid, but will give unto thu handmaid a man child, then will give him unto the Lord all the da; of his life, and there shall no raz' come upon his head. Psal. Ix^ 13, 14. [See letter ".] Psal cxxxii. How he sware unto the Lord, ai vowed unto the mighty God of Jacc Ver. 3. Surely I will not come in the tabernacle of my house, nor go \ into my bed ; Ver. 4. I will not gi sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mr eye-lids, Ver. 5. Until I find out place for the I^ord, an habitation i the mighty God of Jacob.