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Solemn resolutions and vows have always been considered as powerful means of enabling men to abstain from vice and to practise virtue. Philosophers, as well as divines, have acknowledged their influence, and recommended it to their disciples, to form them with care. False religions, as well as the true religion, enjoin them, in order to determine their votaries to steadiness in those practices which they inculcate upon them. What then is the nature of that influence and power which may justly be ascribed to virtuous resolutions?

I. A RESOLUTION OF VIRTUE LAYS US UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO BE VIRTUOUS. It binds the soul with a bond (Numbers 30:2). To depart from evil and do good is the proper business of man. To resolve upon it is our highest wisdom; it is necessary to our present peace and to our future happiness. In proportion to its importance is the baseness and the ignominy of inconstancy in pursuing this course after we have resolved upon it.

II. A VIRTUOUS RESOLUTION IMPELS US TO VIRTUE BY RENDERING IT AN OBJECT AND AIM TO US. This sets it in our eye as what must be practised, as what must not be on any account neglected, as the centre in which all our thoughts, and views, and exertions must ultimately terminate: this gives the whole soul a prevailing and habitual bias to it, and predisposes us to resist every temptation to vice, and to embrace every opportunity for virtue.

III. A VIRTUOUS RESOLUTION CONTRIBUTES TO OUR PRACTISING VIRTUE BY RENDERING THE PRACTICE OF IT AGREEABLE TO US. This is the natural consequence of that habitual bias which resolution impresses on the soul. When a temptation occurs, it excites the vicious passion to which it is addressed; this passion produces an aversion to the virtue which opposes it; but the general determination to all virtue, which resolution has impressed, combats this aversion, reconciles us to the restraint of inclination, renders it an easy yoke, to which we submit with cheerfulness, and which we persist in bearing with alacrity and joy.

IV. A VIRTUOUS RESOLUTION HAS GREAT INFLUENCE ON OUR IMPROVEMENT BY PUTTING US ON THE DILIGENT USE OF ALL THE MEANS NECESSARY FOR FULFILLING THE RESOLUTION. The means of holiness are clearly revealed: careful study of the Divine law, fervent prayer for the Divine assistance, circumspect vigilance against evil, unwearied diligence in every good action which opportunity permits; these are the direct and immediate instruments of virtuous improvement.

V. VIRTUOUS RESOLUTION INSTIGATES US TO VIRTUE BY SUGGESTING THE MOTIVES TO IT, KEEPING THEM IN OUR VIEW, AND FIXING OUR ATTENTION ON THEM. Duty, honour, utility; enjoyment in life, and comfort in the hour of death; present peace and eternal happiness; conscience, gratitude, hope, and fear; all conspire in urging us to holiness. Before their combined force all the most specious pleas of vice must vanish. Lessons:

1. Since virtuous resolutions are such powerful instruments of virtuous practice and improvement, we ought to form them with the greatest sincerity, firmness, and care.

2. Having sincerely resolved to practise universal holiness, let us diligently and faithfully fulfil the resolution.

3. We may learn to judge whether or not our virtuous resolutions be properly formed end properly maintained. If they fortify your sense of obligation; if they keep you habitually attached to holiness as the one thing needful; if they strenuously resist the corrupt propensities of the soul; if they prompt you to use the means of improvement with uniform diligence; if they render you forward to recollect and to dwell upon the motives to virtue; they have not been formed in vain.

(A. Gerard, D. D.)

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KJV: I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

WEB: I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.