so a multitude of words is an indication of folly. When two sentences are connected together with a copulative conjunction, a similitude between them is frequently imported, Prov. xvii. 3; xxv. 23, 25, 26, 27; and xxvi. 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 21; Isai. liii. 7. Another argument exciting to the preceding duty; because, as much business is sure to produce dreams, so much speech discovers folly within, Prov. x. 19; Eccles. x. 11-14; James iii. 2.

4. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

A vow is a solemn promise, or promissory oath, made to God, by which a person voluntarily binds himself to something which was in his own power. Solomon does not here direct us to make such a vow; but having brought ourselves under its obligation, to be cautious of violating our engagement with God, who never fails in any one of his promises to us, Josh. xxi. 45; nor delays its performance beyond the exact time, Exod. xii. 41, 51; Hab. ii. 3; 2 Pet. iii. 9. This is the first rule respecting vows, that such as are lawful should be speedily and cheerfully performed, Ps. Ixvi. 13, 14. and lxxvi. 11; Numb. xxx. 2 ;

Deut. xxiii. 21; Is. xix. 21; Mat. v. 33. God would not permit, under the law, any alteration in a vow, though it were for the better, Levit. xxvii. 10. Thus, Hannah made haste to perform her vow in dedicating her child unto the Lord as soon as he was weaned, 1 Sam. i. 11, 24, 28; and Jacob is reminded of his vow long since made, and required to go to Bethel and pay it as he had promised, Gen. xxxv. 1. compared with Gen. xxviii. 20, 22.— "For he hath no pleasure in fools:" he is greatly displeased with those who at one period flatter him with their vows, and at another mock him in refusing or delaying to perform them, Prov. xx. 25.

5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow, and not pay.

It was arbitrary, and in our own power, to make the vow, for vows must be of this description, Numb. xxx. 3-15; Deut. xxiii. 22; Acts v. 4. But having made it, it is not left to our choice whether we will perform it or not; for we have brought a bond upon our souls, and the vows of God are upon us, Ps. lvi. 12.

6. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh

to sin; neither

say

thou before the angel,

that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work'

of thine hands?

This verse contains the second rule concern. ing vows, which is designed to teach us to avoid all rash and unadvised vows, which may be laid to our charge: First, when we vow things criminal in the sight of God, and so our mouth causes us to sin. Secondly, when the object of our vow is lawful, but we presently repent, and seek by evasions to elude the obligation, and to get rid of the performance."Suffer not thy mouth," by a hasty vow, "to cause thy flesh," i. e. thy tongue or thy body, "to sin." Flesh is used by a synecdoche for the whole man, Gen. vi. 12; Is. xl. 5; Rom. iii. 20. It may here refer to the whole man, and be intended to intimate, that rash vows are usually excited by fleshly, rather than by spiritual considerations: they were not adopted with the spirit and with the understanding, but to gratify some carnal interest, or to secure. some iniquitous end, Acts xxiii. 12, 13; Mal. i. 14; 2 Sam. xv. 8, 9; Prov. vii. 14. A similar expression, Eccles. xi. 10.-" Neither say thou before the angel."

By the angel,

some understand the priest or messenger of the

a vow.

Lord to the people; so he is called, Job xxxiii. 23; Mal. ii. 7; Rev. i. 20: for, in the case of an oath, of error, or ignorance, the person was to bring a sacrifice, and the priest was to make an atonement for him, Lev. v. 4, 5, 6: and then the meaning is, When thou hast vowed, do not repent and grudge, and go to the priest, acknowledging an error or ignorance, that so thou mayest save charges, and clear thyself by offering a sacrifice to save the performance of Others understand the angels of heaven, who are employed in ministrations for the good of the elect, and who observe our behaviour in divine worship, 1 Cor. xi. 10; Mat. xviii. 10; Luke xii. 8; 1 Tim. v. 21. The Greek renders it, ̋go #goσwae t 9, before God: perhaps it may be meant of the temple or house of God, where they paid their vows, Ps. lxvi. 13; in which were figures of cherubim, as representations of the presence of angels, and their protection to the church, 1 Kings vi. 29, 32. Others interpret it of Christ, who is the searcher of hearts, who will not be mocked, as he cannot be deceived; who is the angel of the covenant, and who is in the midst of his people, his candlesticks, when they assemble for worship, Exod. xxiii. 20, 21; and is denominated the presence of God, Exod. xxxiii. 14; Mal. iii. 1; Is. lxiii. 9. It may have some

allusion to the history of Balaam, who, being opposed by the angel in the way, pleaded this excuse: It was an error, I knew not that thou stoodest against me; if it displease thee, I will go back, Numb. xxii. 34.—“ That it was an error:" do not vow so rashly and unadvisedly, as to be reduced to the necessity of confessing a sinful error; but previously advise, that thou mayest not err. Such a rash vow was that of Jephthah, Judges xi. 30, 31, 35; and of Saul, 1 Sam. xiv. 24, 29, 39, 40. Or, do not excuse thyself for breaking thy vow, by saying thou didst it imprudently, and wert mistaken; but it is an ignorance which thou art willing, by some sacrifice or act of devotion, to expiate, as sacrifices were to be offered for the ignorances of the people, Levit, iv. 27; Numb. xv. 24, 25; Heb. ix. 7. Do not cover a wilful prevarication with a specious pretence, nor, after vows, make enquiry, Prov. xx. 25."Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice?" The word signifies foaming anger why should he through anger foam against thee? An interrogation of dissuasion, as, why will ye die? i.e. be careful that ye may not die. This is one reason why God will be displeased. Another is, Thou shalt feel his anger; he will "destroy the work of thy hands:" he will not bless those endeavours, for the accomplishment