which God inflicted upon the whole Jewish nation in the time of David, for Saul's impiety in violating an engagement which had been hastily contracted by Joshua four hundred years before in favour of the Gibeonites'^: and much more will God visit upon us in the eternal world the violation of en- gagements entered into by ourselves. " Vow then unto the Lord," if ye see it good, " but pay if^;" and say with David, *' I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings ; I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble*^."]
2. To imitate the piety of his daughter —
[Very eminent was her deportment on this occasion. Great was her love of her country, great her love towards her father, great her reverence for an oath, and great her zeal for God. O that there were such a spirit in all the daughters of our land! Assuredly the conduct of this pious female may lead them to consider how much they are bound to consult the judgment of their parents in relation to marriage : for though we do not think that a parent's authority extends to a prohibition of marriage, wliich is an ordinance instituted by God himself, yet we have no doubt but that it is the duty of children to pay a deference to the judgment of their parents, and never, unless in extreme cases, to form a connexion contrary to their commands.
Need I say however, that when engagements are formed, they are not to be broken ? The whole world unites in con- demning so base, so iniquitous a conduct, as that of repudiating a person betrothed. But it has been thought by some, that if one who has in his unconverted state formed an engagement, becomes converted, he may then break his engagement, because he is " not to be unequally yoked with an mibeliever." But does religion justify the violation of our vows? God forbid! The very thought is a libel upon God himself. None but the person with whom the engagement is made, can liberate us from our vows. If indeed a woman to whom one was eno-a-o-ed, were to disgrace herself by some gross misconduct, it might be a reason for refusing to continue the engagement with her, because she has ceased to be the person with whom the engage- ment was formed. So, if an engagement were formed with a person on account of his supposed piety, and he were to cast off all regard for piety, his change of character would warrant a termination of the contract that had been made with him ; because the very grounds of the engagement are subverted. But where, for the gratifying of our own inclination, excuses
<" Josh. ix. 19. with 2 Sam. xxi. 1. ^ Ps. Ixxvi. 11.
e Ps. Ixvi. 13, 14.
273.1 manoah's vision. 63
are sought out for receding from an engagement, God himself will be the avenger of the injured party.
There is one point in particular which the conduct of this pious virgin may well impress on the minds of all who belong to the Established Church; I mean, the observance of those
vows which were made for us in baptism — Of those
vows our parents will never have reason to repent ; nor can we ever regret that they were made for us. No mournings, no lamentations will ever be excited by our performance of them. The ungodly world indeed may regret that we have renounced its ways and vanities ; and Satan may regret that we have cast oiF his yoke ; but all the saints and angels will rejoice ; yea, " there is joy among the angels in the presence of God over one sinner that repenteth." Even God himself will " be glad and make merry with us," and will " rejoice over us to do us good." True it is, that such a consecration of ourselves to God is difficult and self-denying ; but it is our truest wisdom, and our highest joy. To all of you then I say, " Dedicate your- selves to God by a perpetual covenant not to be forgotten^;" yea, " I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye yield your- selves to God a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reaso?iable service^ "'\