not merely to
be performed but vowed, are owing,

First, to Families. The relations of the domestic circle are of Divine
appointment.[254] To be mutual helpers to one another, husband and wife
are associated by marriage; and the duties of parents to their children,
and of these to their parents, are numerous and definite. The common
obligation of all of them to God, behoves in vowing to Him to be
acknowledged,--not merely as individuals, but as members of families,
ought all to perform the duty in secret, and in a public social
capacity. "At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all
the families of Israel, and they shall be my people."[255] Each member
of a family in secret ought to Covenant as a member of the family with
God, and the whole family on warranted occasions of public solemn
Covenanting, even though there might be no more associated in the
service than themselves, ought to engage to duties not merely to others,
but to themselves in their domestic capacity. The wrath of God is
threatened on those families which, not calling on the name of God, do
not vow to Him. "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not,
and upon the families that call not on thy name."[256] Noah and his
family in their associate capacity Covenanted with God. And by their
families did Israel in the land of Moab, taking hold upon his Covenant,
present themselves before him.[257] In the marriage covenant husband and
wife bind themselves in the presence of God to the duties of that
relation. But though that engagement may not be repeated, these are
called on suitable occasions to vow the performance of definite duties
that may be incumbent upon them in their associate capacity. Submission
to one another in the fear of the Lord, which is manifested in the
service of vowing to him, is inculcated upon them. "Submitting
yourselves to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves
unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." "Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it."[258] And
to support, and govern, and bring up their families in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord, is incumbent on them, and ought to be the
subject of solemn vows. The children of believing parents are the
Lord's. "Children are an heritage of the Lord." They are his gift. In
them he possesses a Covenant right. He has his eye upon them for good.
They ought to be set apart to himself. In baptism they