What does Huxley mean when he writes that John is "Bound by strong vows that had never been pronounced, obedient to laws that had long ceased to run"(170)? How does this explain his reaction to Lenina?

John follows the morals instilled by God. Religion has never been apart of the world state for a long time, which is what is meant by "laws that had been ceased to run." There moral coach code is that John is "bound by" his religion, which is why he refuses to sleep with Lenina.

Explanation:

John was raised up in an orthodox way with certain beliefs and moral. He always believes in god.  John refuses to sleep with Lenina as his childhood memories about his mother disturbed him a lot.

John’s mother Linda sleeps with almost every man which made them to be separated in the society.  

Whenever Lenina sleeps, John watches her and admires her. He sees Lenina as pure, innocent and trustful, but she is totally contrasted to his thinking. Lenina is far from truth.