Hosts, if Thou wilt be mindful of me, and wilt give to Thy servant a man-child, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life' (1 Kings i. 11).
2. That it is a sacred duty to keep them, unless it be impossible to do so. People should therefore be very cautious about making vows, and should, in general, ask advice of their Confessor, or some other prudent Priest.
' If thou hast vowed anything to God, defer not to pay it. It is much better not to vow, than after a vow not to perform the things promised' (Eccles. v. 3, 4).
17. If it should become very difficult to keep a vow, in whole or in part, what is to be done?
One's confessor ought to be consulted who may, if necessary, seek a dispensation from the Bishop or the Pope, according to the character of the vow.
18. Is it sufficient not to dishonor the name of God?
No; we must also honor and revere it; i.e., we must gratefully praise it, devoutly call upon it, steadily confess it, and exert ourselves to promote its honor.
Application. Carefully avoid the shameful habit of cursing and swearing. 'A man that sweareth much shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house' (Ecclus. xxiii. 12). On the contrary, often invoke with devotion the names of Jesus and Mary, especially in temptations against purity.
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
'Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day.'
1. What are we commanded by the Third Commandment?
By the Third Commandment we are commanded to sanctify the Lord's day by performing works of piety and abstaining from servile works.
2. Which is the Lord's day?
In the Old Law it was the seventh day of the week,
