_Rule_ XXIX. In the determining of controversies about the obligation of oaths and vows, it is safest to mark what Scripture saith, and not to presume, upon uncertain pretence of reason, to release ourselves, where we are not sure that God releaseth us. _Rule_ XXX. That observable chapter, Numb. xxx. about dispensations, hath many things in it that are plain for the decision of divers great and usual doubts; but many things which some do collect and conclude as consequential or implied, are doubtful and controverted among the most judicious expositors and casuists. 1. It is certain that this chapter speaketh not of a total nullity of vows _ab initio_, but of a relaxation, or disannulling of them by superiors. For, 1. Bare silence (which is no efficient cause) doth prove them to be in force. 2. It is not said, She is bound, or not bound; but, Her vow and bond shall stand, ver. 4, 7, 9, 11: or, shall not stand, ver. 5, 12: and, He shall make it of none effect, ver. 8. The Hebrew, ver. 5, signifieth, _Quia annihilavit pater ejus illud_. And ver. 8, _Et si in die audire virum ejus, annihilaverit illud, et infregerit vitam ejus_.[78]--3. It is expressly said, that she had bound her soul before the dissolution. 4. It is said, The Lord shall forgive her, ver. 5, 8, 12, which signifieth a relaxation of a former bond. Or at the most, the parent's silence is a confirmation, and his disowning it hindereth only the confirmation. So the Chaldee paraphrase; the Samaritan and Arabic, _Non erunt confirmata_; the Syriac, _Rata vel irrita erunt_. 2. It is certain that a father hath the power of relaxation here mentioned as to an unmarried daughter, in her youth living in his house, and a husband over his wife; for it is the express words of the text. 3. It is certain that this power extendeth to vows about all things in which the inferior is not _sui juris_, but is under the superior's care and oversight, and cannot perform it (in case there had been no vow) without the superior's consent. 4. It is certain that it extendeth not only to matters concerning the governors themselves, but concerning vows to God, as they are good or hurtful to the inferiors. 5. It is certain that there are some vows so necessary and clearly for the inferior's good, that in them he is _sui juris_, and no superior can suspend his vows: as to have the Lord for his God; and not to commit idolatry, murder, theft, &c. No superior can disoblige us here; for the power of superiors is only for the inferior's indemnity and good. 6. It is certain that the superior's recall must be speedy or in time, before silence can signify consent, and make a confirmation of the vow. 7. It is certain that if the superior have once ratified it by silence or consent, he cannot afterwards disannul it. 8. It is agreed, that if he awhile dissent and disannul it, and afterwards both inferior and superior consent again, that it remaineth ratified.