Chap. V.]

OBSERVANCE OF PROMISES.

213

Again, a promise is a personal concern, and the obligations ofa man’s promise do not descend to his heirs. Promises are obli-gations upon his person only, — they do not affect his property.All obligations, which reach no farther than the person of thepromiser, cease with his person. And, since the obligations ofpromises are of this sort, it is matter of liberality and indulgenceonly, when the heir to an estate undertakes to make good thepromises of his ancestor.*

Moreover, it may be well to recommend a caution, to youngpersons especially, from the neglect of which many have involvedthemselves in embarrassment and disgrace ; that is, never togive a promise which may in any event interfere with their duty.For, if it so interferes, their duty must be discharged, though atthe expense of their promise, and usually, in a measure, of theirreputation, f

Finally, when a promise is made to God, it is called a vow.The use of vows occurs occasionally in the Scriptures ; Mosesenacted several laws for the regulation and execution of them.“ When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God,” says he,“ thou shalt not slack to pay it ; for the Lord thy God will surelyrequire it of thee ; and it would be sin in thee. But, if thou shaltforbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.”! We have instancesof vows too, in the New Testament. § The practice of mak-ing vows, therefore, finds authority, if not direct encouragement,in the Old and New Testament. They partake also, in somemeasure, of the nature of oaths, and their influence in strength-ening and perpetuating good intentions and resolutions seemsmanifest. The violation of them is sinful, as it implies a want ofreverence and regard to the Supreme Being. We may concludewith the wise man ; “ When thou vowest a vow unto God,defer not to pay it ; for he hath no pleasure in fools (that is,rash and vain persons) ; pay that which thou hast vowed.Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldstvow and not pay.” [|

* Rutherforth’s Institutes of Natural Law, p. 90.

t Paley’s Moral and Political Philosophy, p. 77.

, t Dcut. xxiii. 21 , 22 . § Acts xviii. 18; xxi. 23. || Eccl. v. 4, 5.