feeling. The language of Peter to Ananias expresses this aspect. of the proceeding: "\Vbiles it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was eold, was it not in thy power?" III. THE OBLIGATION OF THEl vow. It is questionable whether vows are in all oases expedient. A vow to act sinfully is certainly not binding. And there are some vows "·hich it is unwise in some circumstances, if not in all circumstances, to make; thi11 is the case especially with vows which seem to make too great a demo.nd •upon hum~u nature, which a~e indeed a,,cra.inst nature; e.g. vows of celibacy, and of obedience to follow- creatures as falhble as a.re those who bind themselves to obey. But if a vow be ma.de knowingly and voluntarily, and if its fulfilment be not wrong, then the text assures ns it is obligatory, and should be paid. IV. THE FOLLY OF DEFERRING TO PAY TIIE vow. There are disagreeable dutic~, which weak persons admit to be duties, and intend to discharge; but the discharge of which they postpone. Such duties <lo not become easier or more agreeable .because deferred. Generally speaking, when conscience tells us that a. certain thing ought to he done, the sooner we do it the better. So with the vow. " Defer not to pa.y it; for God bath no pleasure in fools." , V. THE SIN OF NEGLECTING AND REPUDIATING TUB vow. The vow is an evidence, it may be presumed, that there existed ot the time; in the •mind of -him who made it, strong feelings and earnest purposes. ·Now, for one who bas passed .. through such experiences so far to forget or abjure them as to act as if tlie vow bad never ,been m:ade, is a. proof of religious declension and of inconsistency.. How·common,is such "back- sliding"! It is said, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." He who vows not contracts no special :obligation, whilst he who vows and withholds payment repudiates a. solemn obligation which he has ,undertaken. A warning is thus given to which it is important for those especially to give heed who are liable to religious excitement and enthusiasm. . If such characters yield as readily to evil influences as to good, their impressions may be a cnree -;tatlier than- a, blessing, or at least I11J1.y be the occasion oi moral deterioration. None can feel and·resolvo and pray, and then afterwards act in opposition to their purest feelings, their.highest l'esolves, their fervent prayers, without suffering serious harm, without ,weakening their moral power, without incurring the just displeasure of the righteous Governor and Lord of all.-T. Ver. 8.-The oppressor's ClCCOuntability. We are· not taught in this.v~rse to disre- gard the wrongs of our fellow-creatures, to shut our eyes to deeds of iniquity, to close our ears against the cry of the suffering, to steel our heart against the anguish of the oppressed. B11t we are cautioned against drawing hasty and illi.considered conclusions from the prevalence of injustice; we are encouraged to cherish faith' in .the ov.erruling and retributive providence of God. . :, • ;, , ·: • ,, • '' I. THE FACT OF OPPREBBIO:S-. Such cases as are here referred to exist in every state; but in the East they have always existed in great numbers.· ·Des1Jotie governments are more favourable to oppression than those states where free institutions •are established and where popular rights a.re respected. Reference is ,made i, 1. 'l'o the, maltreatment of the poor, who are powerless to defend themselves, and who have no helper. 2. 'l'o the withholding and perversion of justice. ' JI. THE DlS'l'IiESB AND PEBPLEXITY NATURALLY OCCASIONED BY THE EXISTENCE OF or·I'RESSION. L To the sufferers themselves; who are in some.cases deprived of liberty, in some cases r-0bbed of their property, in, other cases injurecJ.;in their. person. 2. 'l'he spectators of such wrongs are aroused to sympathy, pity, and indignation. No.rightly constituted. mind ca.n witness injustice without resentment. Even those who them- selves exercise rights and enjoy privileges. lose much of the pleasure, and advantage" of their own position by reason of the wrongs which their neighbours.endu.ro at the hnnd of power and cruelty. 8. Society is in danger of corruption when the laws aTc over- ridden by sellishness, avarice, and lust; when righteousness. is scoffed at, and, when men's best instincts and convictions are outraged. ' - III. 'l'HE REDllEtiB FOR WRONa IN THJ!: UNIVERSAL aOVEllNMJ!:NT OF GoD. 1. Oppres- fi(Jn is not unnoticed. Whether the oppressor hopes to escape, or fears _to be .called to account, it is for the spectator of his evil deeds to remember that" One higher than the on. v. 1-20.J ECCLESIASTES; OR, 'fHE PREACHER. 127
high regardeth.'' 2, Oppression is not unrecorded. The iniquitie& of the unjust judge, of the arbitrary sovereign, of the villainous workman who violently hinders his fel1ow- workman from earning an honest livelihood,-all are w1itten in the book of God. Even when deeds of oppression are wrought in the sacred name of religion by the persecutor and the inquisitor, such deeds are remembered, and will in due time be brought to light. , 3. Oppression will not be unavenged. Either now in this world, or hereafter in the state of retribution, the oppressor, like every other sinner, shall be brought to the bar of Divine justice. God shall bring every man into judgment. As a man eoweth, so shall he also reap. The wicked shall not go unpunished.-T.