Question I

GRATIAN. PART I. That one is not permitted to depart from a vow is proved by many authorities. For the Prophet says: “Vow, and render to the Lord your God.”

Likewise Augustine. There are certain things which we owe even when we do not vow them; certain others which we do not owe unless we vow them, but after we promise them to God, we are necessarily constrained to render them.

For those who have vowed, not only to marry but even to wish to marry is damnable.

Likewise Gregory in book I of the Register, [book I, letter 33, to Venantius]. Ananias had vowed to God monies which, afterward conquered by the devil’s persuasion, he withheld. But you know with what death he was punished. Therefore, if he who took away from God the coins which he had given was worthy of danger of death, consider how great a danger you will be worthy of in the divine judgment, you who withdrew from almighty God not coins but yourself, whom you had devoted to Him under the monastic habit.

The same on Ezekiel, [book I, homily 3]. Those who do good things, if they resolve to do better things and after resolving do not perform them, although they persevere in their former good things, have nevertheless fallen in the sight of God because of their resolution. Likewise: § 1. There are those who resolve to relinquish all things, subject themselves to God’s service, and restrain themselves with the bridle of chastity; but when they see others have fallen after undertaking chastity, by withdrawing themselves they lose their merit. GRATIAN. Therefore, if after a vow each person is necessarily compelled to discharge what he vowed; if for those who have vowed not only to marry but even to wish to marry is damnable: it is evident that this priest is to be compelled to fulfill his vow, and that not only failing to become a monk but even wishing not to become a monk is damnable for him. § 1. But that he is to be numbered among those who vow is evident from the words of Augustine, who says: “I said, I shall confess, etc. Great is the mercy of God, that He forgives sins upon the promise alone. For he has not yet pronounced it with his mouth, and nevertheless God already hears in his heart; for a vow is reckoned as a deed.” Therefore, just as the Prophet is reckoned among those who vow because he said, “I shall confess,” so this man is also to be numbered among the same because he said, “I shall become a monk.” These things are answered thus: It is one thing to conceive a purpose in the heart and also announce it with the mouth; it is another to make oneself liable to a vow by a subsequent obligation. § 2. Therefore, because this man simply announced with his mouth the purpose of his heart, but did not hand himself over to a monastery or abbot, nor did he write a promise, he is by no means held liable to a vow.