Before you lay it by, at lest read the Postscript at the end.

SIr, me thinks you Swear and Curse as if he that made the eare could not hear, Or as if he were ne [...] ther to be feared nor cared for, who for sin cast the Angels out of Heaven, Adam out of Paradis [...] drowned the old world, rained down fire and brimstone upon Sodome, commanded the earth to op [...] her mouth, and swallow down quick Korah and his company, he who smote Egypt with so ma [...] plagues, overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea, destroyed great and mighty Kings, giving th [...] land for an inheritance to his people, and can as easily with a word of his mouth strike you dead wh [...] you are blaspheming him, and cast you body and soule into hell for your odious unthankfulnesse; Yea i [...] a mercy beyond expression that he hath spared you so long.

What, because you are displeased with others, will you flie in your Makers face? and tear your Savio [...] Name in pieces? This is worse then frenzie, this is to send challenges into Heaven, and make love to [...] struction; consider of it, lest you swear away your part in that Blood which must save you, if ever you [...] saved; yea, take heed lest you be plagued with a witnesse, and that both here and hereafter, for God (w [...] cannot lie) hath threatned that his curse shall never depart from the house of the swearer, as it is Za [...] 5.1. to 5. And I doubt not but you are already cursed, though you know it not; That either he hath c [...] ­sed you in your body by sending some foule disease, or in your estate by suddenly consuming it, in your name by blemishing or blasting it, or in your seed by not prospering it, or in your minde [...] darkning it, or in your heart by hardning it, or in your conscience by terrifying it, or will in your soul [...] everlastingly damning it, if you repent not. Wherefore take heed what you do before it prove too late.

Or if you regard not your selfe, or your own souls good, yet for the Kingdoms good leave your swearing for the Lord (as now we finde to our smart) hath a great controversie with the inhabitants of the l [...] because of swearing, Hos. 4.1, 2. Yea because of oaths the whole land (even the three Kingdoms) no [...] mourneth, or rather lies a bleeding, and that to death, as you may see, Jer. 23.10. Neither object that [...] are so accustomed to swearing that you cannot leave it, for this defence is worse then the offence, as ta [...] an instance; Shall a Thiefe or Murtherer at the baralleage for his defence, that it hath been his use a [...] custome of a long time to rob and kill, and therefore he must continue it: or if he doe, will not the Jud [...] so much the rather send him to the Gallows.

Besides, the objection is false and frivolous, for were you forced to pay twelve pence for every Oath you swear (as the Law enjoynes) or if you were sure to have your tongue cut out, which is too light punishment for this sin, damnation being the due penaltie thereof, as the Apostle sets it downe, Jam. 5.1 you both could and would leave it. Wherefore I beseech you by the mercies of God (who hath rem [...] ved so many evils, and conferred so many good things upon you, that they are beyond thought or imagi­nation) to leave it, especially after this warning, which in case you do not, will be a sore witnesse, and ri [...] up in judgement against you another day.

Did I sweare or curse?

Very often, as all here present can witnesse, and Satan also, who stands by to take notic [...] reckon up, and set on your score every Oath you utter, keeping them upon record against the great day [...] asize, at which time every Oath will prove as a daggers point stabing your soule to the heart, or as so ma [...] weights pressing you down to hell, Revel. 12.10. As also the searcher of hearts, who himselfe will one da [...] be a swift witnesse against swearers, Mal. 3.5. For of all other sinners the Lord will not hold him guiltle that taketh his Name in vaine, as the third Commandment tells you, Exod. 20.7.

But woe is me, it fares with common swearers as with persons desperately diseased, whose excremen [...] and filth comes from them at unawares; for as by much labour the hand is so hardned that it hath no sen [...] of labour, so their much swearing causeth such a brawnie skin of sencelesnesse to overspread the hea [...] memory, and conscience, that the swearer sweareth unwittingly, and having sworn, hath no remembranc [...] of his Oath, much lesse repentance for his sin.

A lasse though I did sweare, yet I thought no harme.

O foole! What Prince, hearing himselfe abused to his face, by the reproachfull words [...] his base and impotent Subject, would admit of such an excuse, that whatsoever he spake with his mouth yet he thought no ill in his heart? And shall God take this for a good answer, having told us before hand Deut 28.58, 59. that if we doe not feare and dread his glorious and fearfull Name, the Lord our God, he wi [...] make our plagues wonderfull, and of long continuance, and the plagues of our posteritie. Besides, how frequent­ly doest thou polute and prophane Gods Name, and thy Saviours. The Jews grievously sinned in crucifying the Lord of life but once, and that of ignorance, but the times are innumerable that thou doest it [Page 2] [...]ery day in the yeere, every houre in the day, although thy Conscience and the [...]oly Spirit of gra [...] [...] checkt thee for it a thousand and a thousand times.

Doest thou expect to have Christ thy Redeemer and Advocate; when thy Conscience tell; thee that a hast seldome remembred Him but to blaspheme Him, and more often named Him in thy oathes and [...]ses then in thy prayers.

Surely if I did sweare, it was but faith and troth, by our lady, the masse, the rood, the light, this bread, by [...]crosse of the silver, or the like, which is no great matter, I hope, so long as I swore not by God, nor by my Saviour.

Thats your grosse ignorance of the Scriptures, for God expresly forbids it, and that upon [...]ne of damnation, Jam. 5.12. First, our Saviour Christ in his owne person forbids it, Matth. 5. 34, 35, 37. I say unto you, Sweare not at all, neither by Heaven, for it is Gods throne; nor by Earth, for it is his foot­ [...]e; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the great King; neither shalt thou sweare by thine head, because tho [...] [...]t not make one haire white or blacke; but let your communication be Yea, Yea, Nay, Nay, for whatsoever is more [...]n these commeth of evill. And then by his Apostle, Above all things, my brethren, sweare not, neither by Hea­ [...] nor by Earth, nor by any other oath, but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest you fall into condemnation [...] 5.12. where marke the Emphasis, in the first words, Above all things sweare not; and the great danger [...] it, in the last word, condemnation.

If the matter be light and vaine, we must nor sweare at all; if so weighty, that we may lawfully swear [...] before a Magistrate, being called to it, then we must onely use the glorious Name of our God in a holy [...]d religious manner, as you may see, Deut. 6.13. Isa. 45.23. & 65.16. Josh. 23.7. Jer. 5.7. Exod. 23.13 [...]d the reasons of it are weighty, if we looke into them: for in swearing by any creature whatsoever, we [...]e invocate that creature, and ascribe to it divine worship; a lawfull oath being a kinde of invocation, [...] a part of Gods worship: Yea, whatsoever we sweare by, that we invocate, both as our witnesse, sure­ [...] and judge, Heb. 6.16. and by consequence deifie it, by ascribing and communicating unto it Gods in­ [...]mmunicable attributes, as his Omnipresence, and Omniciencie of being every where present, and know­ [...]g the secret thoughts and intentions of the heart, and likewise an omnipotency, as being Almighty i [...] [...]ronising, protecting, defending, and rewarding us for speaking the truth, or punishing us if we speak [...]ly: All which are so peculiar to God, as that they can no way be communicated or ascribed to another [...] that in swearing by any of those things, thou committest an high degree of grosse Idolatry, thou spoile [...] [...]d robest God of his glory (the most impious kinde of theft) and in a manner dethronest him and place [...] [...] Idoll in his roome.

And as to sweare by the creature makes the sinne far more hainous, so the more meane and vile the [...]ng is which you sweare by (be it by my fey, by cock and pie, hares foot, by this cheese, and such like [...]ildish oaths, which are so much in use with the ignorant and superstitions swarme) the greater is your [...]ne in swearing such an oath, because you ascribe that unto these basest of creatures, which is only pr [...] ­ [...]r to God, namely to know your heart, and to be a discerner of secret things; why else should you call that [...]eature as a witnesse unto your conscience, that you speake the truth and lie not, which onely belongeth [...] God? And therefore the Lord calls it a forsaking of him; as marke well what he saith, Jer. 5.7. How [...]ll I spare thee for this? thy children have forsaken me and sworne by them that are no gods, Exod. 23.13. And [...]e you make it a small matter to forsake God, and make a God of the creature? Will you beleeve the [...]ophet Amos, if you will, he saith (speaking of them that swore by the sinne of Samaria) that they sha [...] [...]ll and never rise againe, Amos 8.14. a terrible place to vaine swearers.

Neither are we to joyne any other with God in our oaths, for in so doing we make base Idols and filth [...] [...]eatures corrivals in honour, and competitors in the throne of justice with the Lord, who is Creator of [...]eaven and Earth, and the supreme Judge and sole Monarch of all the world.

Or in case we doe, our doome shall be remedilesse, for the Lord threatneth by the Prophet Zephan at he will cut off them that sweare by the Lord, and by Maulcham: which Maulcham was their King or as some [...]ink, their Idoll, Zeph. 1.4, 5.

But admit the sinne were small, as you would have it to be, yet the circumstances make it most hainous; [...] even the least sinne in its owne nature is not onely mortall, but rests unpardonable, so long as it is wil­ [...]gly-committed, and excused or defended.

But all doe sweare, except some few singular ones, and they also will lie, which is as bad.

You must not measure all others by your owne bushell, for although ill dispositions cause i [...] [...]spitions, even as the eye that is bloodshed sees all things red, or as they that have the Jaundees see a [...] [...]ings yellow; yet know that there be thousands who can say truly, through Gods mercy, that they ha [...] [...]ther chuse to have their souls passe from their bodies, then a wilfull premeditated lie, or a wicked oath [...]om their mouths; wherefore when you want experience, thinke the best, as charity bids you, and leave [...]hat you know not to the searcher of hearts.

As for the number of swearers, it cannot be denied, but the sinne is almost universall, and this is [...] which hath incensed Gods wrath, and almost brought an universall destruction upon our whole Na [...]on: But is not this excuse, That others doe so? a most reasonlesse plea, and onely becomming a foole then our Saviour Christ hath plainly told us, that the greatest number goe the broad way to destruction, and bi [...] [Page 3]a few [...] wickednesse, 1 John 5.19. And that the number of those whom Satan shall deceive, is as the sand of the sea, Re­vel. 20.8. and 13.16. Isay 10.22. Rom. 9.27. And tell me, were it a good plea to commit a felony, and say that others doe so? Or wilt thou leap into hell and cast away thy soule, because others doe so? A sor­ry comfort it will be to have a numerous multitude accompany us into that lake of fire that never shall be quenched.

Besides, it is Gods expresse charge, Exod. 23.2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to doe evill; and St. Pauls everlasting rule, Rom. 12.2. Fashion not your selves like unto this world.

But I may lawfully sweare, so I affirme nothing but the truth.

If you be lawfully called to it as before a Magistrate, or when some urgent matter constrai­neth for the confirming of a necessary truth (which can by no other lawfull meanes be cleared) and for the ending of all contentions and controversies, and clearing our owne or our neighbours good name, per­son, or estate, and to put an end unto all strife, aiming at Gods glory, and our own or our neighbours good, which is the only use and end of an oath; in which case a man is rather a patient then a voluntary agent, You may sweare, otherwise not.

Neither must we sweare at all in our ordinary communication, if we will obey Gods Word, as you may see Matth. 5.34, 35, 36, 37. James 5.12.

Except I sweare, men will not beleeve me.

Thou hadst as good say, I have so often made shipwrack of my credit by accustomary ly­ [...]ng, that I can gaine no beleefe unto my word, without an oath; for it argues a guilty conscience of the want of credit, and that our word alone is worth no respect, when it will not be taken without a pawne or surety. Neither will any but base banquerours pawne so precious a jewell as their faith, or offer better security for every small trifle. Besides, he that often sweareth, not seldome forsweareth. And so I have informed you from Gods Word what the danger is of vaine and wicked swearing.

Now if you either beleeve the Scriptures, or desire to escape that direfull sentence, Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his angels, Matth. 25.41. No longer excuse nor de­fend it, but repent of it and forsake it; and so much the rather for that of all other sinnes this sinne of swearing is the most inexcusable. First, because it is a sinne from which of all other sinnes we have most power of abstinence, as I shewed you before; and the easier the thing commanded is, the greater guilt in the breach of it; and the lighter the injunction, the heavier the transgression; as St. Austin speaks, and Adam his eating the forbidden fruit sufficiently proves. Secondly, because it is a sin, to which of all other sins we have the fewest temptations; for all thou canst expect by it is the suspition of a common lyer by being a common swearer; Or that thou shalt vexe others, and they shall hate thee; for it bringeth not so much as any appearance of good unto us to induce us: for whereas other sins have their severall baits to allure us, some the bait of profit, some of honour, some of pleasure, this sin is destitute of them all, and onely bringeth much losse here, namely of credit and a good conscience; and the losse of Gods favour, and the Kingdome of Heaven hereafrer, which is of more value then ten thousand worlds; which shews that thou lovest this sin onely because it is a sin, and swearest out of meere malice and contempt of God, which is most fearfull; and (as a man would thinke) should make it unpardonable. I am sure the Psalmist hath a tertible word for all such, if they would take notice of it, Let them be confounded that transgresse without a cause, Psal. 25.3.

And no marvell, that this fearfull imprecation should fall from the Prophets mouth, for that man is bot­tomlesly ill who loves vice meerly because it is a vice, and because God most strictly forbids it. He is a desperate, prodigious, damnable wretch, who (rather then not die) will anger God on set purpose.

But as if swearing alone would not presse thee deep enough into hell, thou addest Cursing to it, a sin of a [...] higher nature; which none use frequently, but such as are desperately wicked: it being their peculia [...] brand in Scripture, as how doth the Holy Ghost stigmatize such an one? His mouth is full of cursing, Psal 10. and Rom. 3.14. ot, He loveth cursing, Psal. 109.17. and indeed, whom can you observe to love this sin, or to have their mouthes full of cursing? but ruffaines, and sons of Belial, such as have shaken out of their heart the feare of God, the shame of men, the love of Heaven, the dread of Hell, not once caring what is though of spoken of them here or what becomes of them hereafter; yea, observe them well, and you will find that they are mockers of all that march not under the pay of the Devill.

And whence do these monsters of the earth, these hellish miscreants, these bodily and visible devi [...] learne this their damnable cursing and swearing? are not their tongues fired and edged from hell, as Sain [...] James hath it, Jam. 3.6. yea, it is the very language of the damned, as you may see Revel. 16.11, 21. On [...] they learne it here before they come thither; and are such proficients therein, that the Devill counts the [...] his best schollers, and sets them in his highest forme, Psal. 1.1. and well they deserve it, with whum th [...] language of hell is so familiar, that blasphemy is become their mother tongue. Besides, it is rhe very dep [...] of sin, roaring and drinking is the horse way to hell; whooring and cheating the foot way; but swearing and cursing follows Corah, Dathan, and Abiram. And certainly, if the infernall Tophet be not for these me it can challenge no guests. But see how witlesse, gracelesse, and shamelesse, even the best are that use t [...] [Page]curse [...] saying, God damne me, confound me, the de­vill take me, and the like; which would make a rationall man tremble to name; because I were as good knock at a dead mans grave, as speak to them.

Thou art crossed by some one, perhaps thy wise, childe, or servant; or else thy horse, the weather, the [...]ce, bow [...]es, or some other of the creatures displease thee; and thou fallest a cursing, and blaspheming them, wishing the plague of God, or Gods vengeance to light on them, or some such hellish speech falls from thy foule mouth. And so upon every foolish trifl [...]e, or every time thou art angry, God must be at thy beck, and come downe from Heaven in a I haste, and become thine officer to revenge thy quarrell, and serve thy malicious humour. (O monstrous impiety! O shamelesse impudency! to be abhorred of all that heare [...]t) not once taking notice what he commands in his Word, as, Blesse them that persecute you, blesse, I say, and curse not, Rom. 12 14. And againe, Blesse them that curse you, and pray for them which hurt you, Luke 6.28. which is the practice of all true Christians, 1 Cor. 4.12.

But this is not one halfe of thine offence, for whom doest thou curse? Alas the creatures that displease thee are but instruments, thy sin is the cause, and God is the Author, 2 Sam. 16.11. Psal. 39.9, 10. Gen. 45.8. Job 1.21. from whom thou hast deserved it, and ten thousand times a greater crosse. But in stead of look­ [...]ing up from the stone, to the hand which threw it; or from the effect, to the cause; as Gods people doe: thou like a mastiffe dog settest upon the stone or weapon that hurts thee. But in this case who are you an­gry withall? Does your Horse, the Dice, the Raine, or any other creature displease you? alas, they are out servants, and if their master bid Smite, they must not forbeare; they may say truly what Rabshakeh usurped, Jsa. 36 10. Are we come without the Lord, and all that heare thee may say, as the Prophet did to Sena [...]ha [...]b, 2 King. 19 22. Whom hast thou blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy selfe? even [...]gainst [...]he holy One of Israel.

And what will be the issue? the causelesse curse shall not come where the curser meant it, Prov. 26.2. [...]ea though thou cursest, yet God will blesse, Psal. 109.28. but thy curses shall be sure to rebound backe into thine owne brest, Psal. 7.14, 15, 16. Prov. 14.30. Cursing mouthes are like ill made Peeces, which while men discharge at others, recoile in splinters on their owne faces. Their words and wishes be but whirlwinds, which being breathen forth, returne againe to the same place. As heare how the Holy Ghost delivers it, Psal. 109. As he loved cursing, so shall it come unto him; and as he loved not blessing, so shall it be far [...]om him. As he clothed himselfe with cursing like a garment, so shall it come into his bowels like water, and like [...]e into his bones; let it be unto him as a garment to cover him, and for a girdle wherewith he shall alwayes be [...]rded, ver. 17, 18, 19. Heare this all ye, whose tongue run so fast on the Devils errand, you loved cur­ing, you shall have it, both upon you, about you, and in you, and that everlastingly, if you persevere and [...]e on; for Christ himselfe at the last day, even he which came to save the world, shall say unto all such, epart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devill and his angels, Mat. 25.41. Where they [...]all doe nothing but curse for evermore; for they no farther apprehending the goodnesse, mercy, and [...]ounty of God, then by the sense of their owne torments, the effects of his justice shall hate him, and [...]ing him they shall curse him, Revel. 16.11, 21. They suffer, and they blaspheme, there is in them a [...]rious malice against him, being cursed of him they recurse him; they curse him for making them, curse [...]m for condemning them, curse him because being adjudged to death, they can never finde death; they [...]se his punishments, because they are so unsufferable; curse his mercies, because they may never taste [...]em; curse the Blood of Christ shed on the Crosse, because it hath satisfied for millions, and done their beleeving soules no good; curse the Angels and Saints in Heaven, because they see them in joy and [...]emselves in torment; Cursing; shall be their sins, and their chiefe ease; Blasphemies their Prayers, La­ [...]mae their notes; Lamentation all their harmony; these shall be their evening songs, their morning [...]gs, their mourning song; for ever and ever. And indeed, who shall goe to Hell, if cursers should be [...]t out. Wherefore let all those learne to blesse, that looke to be heirs of the blessing.

Other objections follow in this conference, and are accordingly answered (with the meanes of cure [...]scribed, &c.) in the ten insuing pages, which are also printed for such as think these foure over short. [...]t being loth either to surfet or cloy the swearer, who is communly short breath'd in well doing, and least [...]ing more should hinder him from reading this (for Satan and hir corrupt heart will not condiscend shall hold cut to heare his beloved sin so spoken against) it brakes off thus abruptly.