imprimatur_fw-la libre_fw-la cvi_fw-la titulus_fw-la a_o discourse_n concern_v profane_a swear_v and_o curse_v narcissus_n dublin_n august_n 2._o 1697._o a_o discourse_n concern_v profane_a swear_v and_o curse_v wherein_o i._o those_o vice_n be_v describe_v and_o reprove_v ii_o both_o magistrate_n and_o private_a person_n be_v excite_v to_o their_o duty_n in_o order_n to_o the_o suppress_v they_o by_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o late_a act_n of_o parliament_n against_o they_o iii_o and_o the_o objection_n common_o raise_v against_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o private_a information_n be_v modest_o consider_v dublin_n print_v by_o jo_n ray_n at_o the_o 3_o nag_n head_n in_o essex-street_n for_o matthew_n gun_n at_o the_o bible_n and_o crown_n at_o essex-gate_n 1697._o a_o discourse_n concern_v profane_a swear_v and_o curse_v i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o make_v any_o long_a apology_n for_o a_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n where_o a_o epidemical_a distemper_n reign_v no_o man_n can_v be_v blame_v for_o his_o regular_a endeavour_n either_o to_o cure_v the_o infect_a person_n themselves_o or_o to_o stop_v the_o spread_a of_o the_o fatal_a contagion_n to_o other_o and_o i_o fear_v as_o to_o these_o vice_n the_o infection_n be_v too_o general_a and_o the_o disease_n too_o deep_o root_v to_o render_v any_o attempt_n unnecessary_a that_o be_v true_o conducive_a to_o attain_v the_o propose_a end_n and_o for_o the_o method_n insist_v on_o in_o this_o discourse_n i_o shall_v only_o suggest_v that_o i_o think_v it_o needful_a first_o to_o lay_v open_a the_o nature_n of_o these_o detestable_a sin_n as_o the_o late_a act_n of_o parliament_n just_o call_v they_o partly_o that_o if_o possible_a man_n conviction_n concern_v the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o they_o may_v happy_o prevent_v the_o occasion_n of_o penal_a severity_n which_o how_o gentle_a soever_o be_v never_o any_o far_a desirable_a than_o they_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a partly_o to_o satisfy_v all_o unprejudiced_a person_n that_o those_o concern_v in_o promote_a the_o execution_n of_o this_o law_n be_v act_v by_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o their_o regular_a zeal_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o their_o sincere_a charity_n to_o the_o offender_n themselves_o the_o generality_n of_o who_o it_o be_v to_o be_v sear_v be_v too_o stupid_a and_o harden_a in_o their_o wretched_a practice_n to_o be_v reason_v out_o of_o it_o and_o seem_v only_o capable_a of_o this_o last_o and_o harsh_a method_n of_o cure_n i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o prosecution_n of_o my_o present_a design_n treat_v on_o these_o 3_o general_a head_n i._o i_o shall_v brief_o represent_v the_o heinous_a nature_n of_o those_o two_o common_a vice_n of_o the_o age_n profane_v swear_v and_o curse_v in_o order_n to_o dissuade_v man_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o ii_o i_o shall_v offer_v something_o to_o excite_v both_o magistrate_n and_o private_a person_n to_o their_o duty_n in_o order_n to_o the_o suppress_v these_o vice_n by_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n late_o make_v against_o they_o iii_o i_o shall_v modest_o examine_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o the_o loud_a complaint_n late_o make_v against_o clandestine_v information_n i._o i_o shall_v brief_o represent_v the_o heinousness_n of_o those_o two_o common_a vice_n of_o the_o age_n profane_v swera_v and_o curse_v in_o order_n to_o dissuade_v man_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o and_o to_o prepare_v my_o way_n for_o this_o it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o premise_v some_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o these_o sin_n by_o state_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o they_o and_o first_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o profane_a swear_v we_o shall_v the_o more_o clear_o apprehend_v what_o it_o be_v if_o we_o first_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n in_o general_n now_o a_o oath_n have_v be_v define_v by_o the_o master_n of_o heathen_a morality_n a_o religious_a affirmation_n or_o a_o call_n the_o deity_n to_o witness_v in_o a_o controvert_v matter_n and_o it_o have_v be_v define_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_a writer_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n a_o appeal_n to_o some_o supernatural_a power_n as_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o affirm_v or_o promise_v and_o the_o avanger_n of_o our_o falsehood_n and_o perfidiousness_n if_o we_o lie_v and_o indeed_o all_o do_v agree_v that_o such_o a_o appeal_n be_v a_o oath_n in_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n but_o this_o account_n of_o a_o oath_n seem_v only_o to_o agree_v to_o those_o wherein_o we_o swear_v by_o some_o real_a or_o suppose_a deity_n or_o at_o least_o some_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o visible_a world_n that_o can_v be_v produce_v as_o a_o witness_n here_o on_o earth_n whereas_o man_n may_v swear_v by_o inanimate_a and_o insensible_a creature_n themselves_o who_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o give_v any_o testimony_n at_o all_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o say_v thus_o the_o heathen_n be_v wont_a to_o swear_v by_o the_o heaven_n or_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o star_n etc._n etc._n the_o jew_n by_o jerusalem_n the_o temple_n or_o the_o altar_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o those_o who_o place_n the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n in_o such_o a_o appeal_n to_o a_o high_a witness_n that_o be_v not_o producible_a in_o human_a court_n of_o judicature_n do_v suppose_v that_o such_o expression_n as_o by_o the_o heaven_n by_o the_o earth_n etc._n etc._n be_v only_a oath_n in_o a_o improper_a sense_n or_o rather_o the_o abuse_n of_o a_o oath_n be_v senseless_a appeal_n to_o those_o thing_n as_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o speak_v that_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o give_v any_o such_o testimony_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n since_o such_o expression_n be_v account_v oath_n in_o the_o common_a judgement_n of_o mankind_n and_o our_o saviour_n himself_o mention_n they_o as_o proper_a instance_n of_o swear_v see_v 5._o matth._n 34_o 35_o etc._n etc._n compare_v with_o 5._o james_n 12._o other_o have_v rather_o choose_v as_o proper_a instance_n of_o swear_v and_o therefore_o define_v a_o oath_n to_o be_v the_o pawn_n some_o suppose_a undoubted_a be_v as_o a_o pledge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v with_o a_o implicit_a imprecation_n of_o some_o penalty_n on_o ourselves_o in_o case_n we_o lie_v thus_o an_o when_o man_n swear_v by_o god_n they_o pawn_v his_o be_v &_o perfection_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o declare_v and_o in_o effect_n wish_v if_o they_o lie_v to_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o those_o that_o deny_v they_o so_o when_o they_o swear_v by_o the_o heaven_n or_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o sun_n or_o star_n etc._n etc._n the_o meaning_n of_o the_o oath_n be_v as_o sure_a as_o there_o be_v a_o heaven_n and_o earth_n a_o sun_n or_o star_n so_o true_a be_v what_o i_o speak_v and_o if_o i_o lie_v let_v i_o be_v esteem_v and_o deal_v with_o as_o if_o i_o have_v impudent_o deny_v the_o existence_n of_o these_o thing_n so_o when_o man_n swear_v by_o their_o faith_n or_o conscience_n or_o hope_v of_o salvation_n they_o do_v in_o effect_n pawn_v these_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n or_o promise_n and_o in_o effect_n wish_v if_o the_o lie_n to_o be_v treat_v as_o person_n that_o have_v renounce_v all_o pretension_n to_o faith_n to_o conscience_n or_o to_o the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n so_o when_o man_n swear_v by_o their_o head_n they_o make_v that_o a_o kind_n of_o pledge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v and_o virtual_o imprecate_v some_o mischief_n on_o it_o in_o case_n they_o lie_v so_o that_o this_o latter_a description_n of_o a_o oath_n seem_v at_o first_o somewhat_o different_a from_o the_o former_a and_o more_o comprehensive_a and_o indeed_o if_o what_o be_v call_v swear_v by_o creature_n be_v in_o the_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n a_o oath_n this_o seem_v the_o more_o clear_a and_o accurate_a account_n of_o it_o but_o yet_o we_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n reconcile_v these_o two_o description_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o make_v they_o of_o equal_a extent_n if_o we_o take_v what_o our_o saviour_n suggest_v in_o reference_n to_o swear_v by_o creature_n in_o its_o utmost_a latitude_n viz._n that_o on_o the_o account_n of_o that_o relation_n they_o all_o some_o way_n or_o other_o bear_v to_o god_n there_o be_v in_o all_o swear_n by_o creature_n though_o not_o a_o express_v yet_o a_o implicit_a invocation_n of_o god_n and_o appeal_n to_o he_o thus_o he_o charge_v those_o that_o swear_v by_o the_o heaven_n or_o the_o earth_n as_o virtual_o and_o by_o just_a construction_n swear_v by_o that_o god_n who_o throne_n the_o one_o and_o who_o footstool_n the_o other_o be_v nay_o he_o suppose_v those_o that_o swear_v by_o their_o head_n implicit_o to_o swear_v by_o that_o god_n who_o
workmanship_n it_o be_v since_o we_o ourselves_o can_v not_o make_v one_o hair_n of_o it_o black_a or_o white_a matth._n 5.34_o 35_o 36._o compare_v with_o matth._n 23.21_o 22._o for_o he_o speak_v this_o as_o dr._n petit_n in_o his_o various_a lection_n well_o observe_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n who_o do_v not_o think_v swear_v by_o creature_n to_o be_v proper_o oath_n nor_o to_o have_v any_o obligatory_a virtue_n for_o they_o think_v no_o oath_n bind_v but_o those_o in_o which_o they_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n except_v their_o oath_n by_o the_o gold_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o corban_n see_v matth._n 23._o and_o therefore_o our_o lord_n on_o the_o contrary_n intimate_v to_o they_o that_o god_n himself_o be_v interest_v whenever_o they_o swear_v by_o any_o of_o his_o creature_n for_o since_o they_o can_v bear_v no_o proper_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n or_o promise_n the_o appeal_n be_v implicit_o and_o by_o just_a interpretation_n make_v to_o he_o and_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o punish_v the_o false_a appellant_n so_o that_o whoever_o by_o such_o swear_v pawn_n any_o of_o god_n creature_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n do_v virtual_o call_v their_o maker_n to_o be_v his_o witness_n and_o engage_v he_o to_o avenge_v the_o indignity_n offer_v to_o his_o own_o work_n when_o they_o be_v abuse_v to_o countenance_v our_o lie_a and_o falsehood_n it_o be_v not_o therefore_o of_o any_o great_a moment_n as_o to_o our_o practice_n whether_o of_o these_o two_o notion_n of_o a_o oath_n we_o prefer_v and_o follow_v have_v thus_o state_v the_o general_a notion_n of_o a_o oath_n we_o may_v more_o easy_o determine_v what_o profane_a swear_v be_v there_o be_v some_o swear_v in_o it_o self_n sinful_a and_o profane_a and_o can_v never_o be_v lawful_o use_v on_o any_o occasion_n as_o the_o swear_n by_o a_o false_a god_n because_o such_o a_o oath_n attribute_n the_o perfection_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n to_o a_o contemptible_a idol_n which_o be_v a_o high_a degree_n of_o blasphemy_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n our_o swear_v by_o the_o true_a god_n be_v either_o lawful_a and_o good_a or_o sinful_a and_o profane_a according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n wherein_o that_o action_n be_v use_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o bless_a god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n a_o evil_a or_o impious_a action_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a when_o use_v on_o just_a and_o necessary_a occasion_n it_o be_v a_o action_n high_o conductive_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o public_a good_n it_o be_v a_o action_n high_o conducive_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n who_o glorious_a perfection_n be_v open_o acknowledge_v in_o those_o solemn_a regular_a appeal_n we_o make_v to_o he_o in_o such_o important_a case_n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n leave_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o speak_v and_o in_o such_o case_n the_o jew_n be_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n not_o only_o permit_v but_o require_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n deut._n 6.13_o that_o be_v one_o branch_n of_o the_o religious_a worship_n due_a to_o he_o nay_o it_o be_v a_o action_n no_o less_o conducive_a to_o the_o public_a good_a it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n to_o end_v strife_n and_o controversy_n among_o man_n by_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v heb._n 6.13_o for_o since_o in_o so_o manifold_a case_n we_o must_v depend_v on_o human_a testimony_n for_o find_v out_o truth_n we_o can_v have_v no_o great_a assurance_n that_o man_n speak_v true_o then_o when_o they_o solemn_o appeal_v to_o god_n as_o the_o witness_n of_o it_o and_o their_o dreadful_a avenger_n if_o they_o lie_v for_o it_o be_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v oblige_v man_n to_o a_o strict_a regard_n to_o truth_n in_o what_o they_o deliberate_o affirm_v this_o awful_a bond_n will_n and_o charity_n prompt_v we_o to_o hope_v that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o who_o conscience_n be_v so_o sear_v as_o to_o have_v no_o reverence_n for_o a_o oath_n and_o no_o dread_n of_o god_n terrible_a vengeance_n against_o those_o by_o perjury_n abuse_v his_o sacred_a name_n to_o the_o support_n of_o know_a falsehood_n and_o according_o the_o holy_a scripture_n abound_v with_o the_o example_n of_o good_a man_n swear_n on_o such_o solemn_a occasion_n the_o instance_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v numerous_a nay_o even_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v frequent_a example_n of_o this_o kind_n even_o after_o the_o strict_a general_a prohibition_n of_o our_o saviour_n swear_v not_o at_o all_o for_o learned_a critic_n have_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o do_v thus_o swear_v when_o adjure_v by_o the_o high_a priest_n matth._n 26.62_o 63_o 64._o compare_v with_o leu._n 5.1_o and_o there_o be_v no_o pretence_n to_o doubt_v of_o this_o be_v several_a time_n practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n see_v 2_o cor._n 11.31_o 1_o rom_n 9_o 1_o gal._n 20._o 2_o cor._n 1.23_o 1_o thes_n 5.27_o and_o as_o the_o quaker_n be_v the_o only_a people_n that_o pretend_v to_o deny_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o swear_v by_o interpret_n our_o saviour_n prohibition_n in_o the_o strict_a sense_n so_o i_o do_v not_o see_v that_o they_o be_v herein_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o for_o they_o do_v themselves_o frequent_o make_v solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o say_v as_o barclay_n himself_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v wont_v on_o solemn_a occasion_n to_o say_v we_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o before_o he_o who_o be_v our_o witness_n and_o the_o searcher_n of_o our_o heart_n 553._o heart_n see_v his_o work_n in_o fol._n p._n 553._o he_o do_v indeed_o deny_v this_o to_o be_v a_o oath_n as_o he_o do_v the_o forementioned_a expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n but_o i_o take_v his_o denial_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n concern_v the_o nature_n a_o import_n of_o a_o oath_n so_o that_o it_o be_v rather_o the_o name_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o swear_v use_v among_o we_o that_o they_o seem_v to_o boggle_v at_o then_o the_o thing_n itself_o nor_o be_v swear_v by_o creature_n on_o such_o occasion_n unlawful_a in_o it_o self_n when_o the_o creature_n be_v only_o name_v in_o subordination_n to_o god_n so_o that_o the_o appeal_v itself_o be_v evident_o intend_v and_o direct_v to_o he_o thus_o we_o read_v of_o moses_n call_v the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o record_v against_o the_o israelite_n that_o he_o have_v set_v before_o they_o life_n and_o death_n deut._n 30.19_o 12_o 28._o so_o hannah_n swear_v to_o fly_v as_o thy_o soul_n live_v my_o lord_n i_o be_o the_o woman_n that_o stand_v by_o thou_o here_o pray_v to_o the_o lord_n 1_o sam._n 20.3_o so_o abigail_n 1_o sam._n 20.26_o so_o vriah_n 2_o sam._n 11.11_o so_o in_o our_o common_a form_n of_o swear_v we_o use_v these_o word_n so_o help_v i_o god_n and_o the_o content_n of_o this_o book_n so_o it_o have_v be_v usual_a with_o good_a man_n in_o order_n to_o their_o vindication_n from_o gross_a public_a calumny_n to_o call_v god_n angle_n and_o man_n to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o offer_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n now_o that_o swear_v by_o god_n or_o his_o creature_n which_o be_v in_o its_o self_n lawful_a when_o use_v in_o a_o solemn_a manner_n on_o so_o important_a occasion_n degenerate_v into_o sinful_a or_o profane_a swear_v when_o it_o be_v use_v in_o our_o ordinary_a converse_n without_o any_o such_o due_a seriousness_n and_o solemnity_n or_o any_o just_a occasion_n that_o shall_v render_v it_o neeful_a to_o attain_v the_o forementioned_a end_n for_o as_o sacred_a thing_n be_v say_v to_o be_v profane_v when_o they_o be_v irreverent_o manage_v and_o prostitute_v to_o any_o mean_a or_o vile_a use_n so_o be_v a_o oath_n profane_v when_o we_o treat_v this_o awful_a act_n of_o religious_a worship_n with_o so_o little_a respect_n as_o to_o prostitute_v it_o to_o common_a and_o mean_a purpose_n in_o attest_v our_o ordinary_a discourse_n whereas_o it_o shall_v never_o be_v use_v but_o where_o there_o be_v apparent_a need_n of_o it_o to_o confirm_v some_o doubt_a truth_n that_o must_v be_v determine_v by_o human_a testimony_n and_o the_o more_o express_o the_o name_n of_o god_n himself_o be_v invocate_v in_o such_o oath_n the_o profaneness_n of_o they_o be_v more_o evident_a and_o contestable_a for_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a indignity_n to_o that_o high_a and_o glorious_a be_v that_o his_o sacred_a name_n shall_v be_v thus_o interpose_v and_o rash_a appeal_v make_v to_o he_o upon_o every_o frivolous_a occasion_n mere_o to_o
and_o hope_n his_o perjury_n may_v pass_v undiscovered_a for_o what_o shall_v in_o this_o case_n restrain_v he_o from_o it_o if_o it_o be_v the_o natural_a reverence_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o dread_a of_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n as_o concern_v to_o avenge_v all_o perjury_n sure_o if_o these_o principle_n be_v prevalent_a &_o strong_a in_o he_o they_o will_v restrain_v he_o from_o all_o rash_a swear_v for_o he_o can_v reasonable_o pretend_v to_o fear_v a_o oath_n that_o ordinary_o swear_v at_o random_n nor_o can_v he_o pretend_v to_o be_v much_o awe_v with_o the_o apprehension_n of_o god_n avenge_a justice_n that_o so_o frequent_o make_v such_o hasty_a inconsiderate_a appeal_n to_o it_o it_o may_v be_v fear_v that_o he_o that_o scruple_n not_o the_o lesser_a guilt_n may_v venture_v on_o the_o great_a since_o those_o principle_n be_v evident_o weaken_a in_o he_o that_o shall_v preserve_v he_o from_o it_o and_o doubtless_o it_o be_v very_o much_o owe_v to_o this_o vice_n of_o common_a swear_v that_o perjury_n itself_o have_v so_o great_o abound_v among_o we_o a_o crime_n that_o at_o once_o tend_v utter_o to_o destroy_v all_o reverence_n of_o god_n and_o faith_n among_o man_n so_o that_o if_o we_o will_v not_o have_v this_o wickedness_n which_o be_v both_o the_o high_a scandal_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a bane_n to_o civil_a societys_n to_o grow_v upon_o we_o that_o common-swearing_a must_v be_v restrain_v which_o have_v so_o evident_a a_o tendency_n to_o prepare_v man_n for_o it_o by_o turn_v solemn_a oath_n into_o customary_a form_n of_o speak_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o profane_a curse_v the_o malignant_a nature_n and_o tendency_n of_o it_o will_v sufficient_o appear_v in_o these_o two_o instance_n 1._o it_o be_v a_o sin_n that_o imply_v a_o high_a degree_n of_o vncharitableness_n towards_o man_n for_o if_o curser_n real_o mean_v as_o they_o speak_v and_o what_o opinion_n must_v we_o entertain_v of_o their_o truth_n and_o honesty_n if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o imprecate_v the_o great_a mischief_n imaginable_a to_o their_o fellow_n creature_n as_o common_o no_o less_o than_o that_o the_o devil_n may_v take_v they_o or_o god_n may_v damn_v they_o now_o if_o they_o be_v in_o earnest_n what_o can_v we_o take_v they_o for_o but_o incarnate_a devil_n that_o so_o passionate_o desire_v the_o eternal_a ruin_n and_o misery_n of_o other_o for_o if_o devil_n can_v speak_v with_o human_a voice_n what_o language_n can_v we_o expect_v from_o those_o envious_a spirit_n more_o suitable_a to_o the_o poisonous_a malignity_n of_o their_o nature_n then_o this_o and_o what_o injury_n be_v any_o of_o our_o fellow_n creature_n capable_a of_o do_v to_o we_o that_o can_v any_o way_n justify_v the_o barbarous_a cruelty_n of_o such_o direful_a imprecation_n will_v we_o indeed_o have_v all_o that_o cross_v our_o humour_n or_o interest_n or_o offer_v we_o the_o least_o indignity_n and_o affront_n doom_v for_o it_o to_o remediless_a flame_n and_o to_o the_o vengeance_n of_o eternal_a fire_n this_o be_v not_o only_o to_o give_v way_n to_o the_o worst_a passion_n of_o human_a nature_n revenge_n but_o to_o carry_v it_o beyond_o all_o bound_n as_o if_o no_o less_o than_o the_o irreparable_a misery_n of_o a_o immortal_a soul_n can_v compensate_a every_o petty_a injury_n we_o receive_v but_o if_o curser_n pretend_v that_o they_o do_v not_o mean_v so_o ill_o as_o they_o speak_v and_o that_o their_o real_a wish_n be_v not_o so_o unmerciful_a as_o their_o verbal_a one_o why_o then_o shall_v they_o affect_v to_o talk_v so_o like_o embody_a fiend_n why_o shall_v they_o suffer_v their_o tongue_n to_o be_v thus_o set_v on_o fire_n of_o hell_n why_o shall_v they_o thus_o habituate_v they_o to_o the_o proper_a dialect_n of_o the_o infernal_a region_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o uncharitable_a a_o thing_n to_o curse_v other_o what_o stupid_a barbarity_n be_v it_o for_o a_o man_n to_o curse_v and_o damn_v himself_o this_o be_v such_o a_o instance_n of_o wickedness_n as_o we_o can_v scarce_o think_v of_o without_o astonishment_n so_o that_o be_v man_n suppose_v serious_a in_o such_o imprecation_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o they_o be_v passionate_o desirous_a of_o their_o own_o endless_a destruction_n and_o impatient_a for_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o so_o that_o do_v we_o not_o see_v the_o contrary_a we_o shall_v be_v strong_o temper_v to_o think_v such_o person_n to_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o distraction_n and_o frenzy_n but_o alas_o we_o find_v by_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n in_o other_o matter_n it_o be_v only_o a_o voluntary_a frenzy_n a_o madness_n that_o their_o atheistical_a temper_n and_o their_o outrageous_a passion_n be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o 2._o profane_a curse_v express_v a_o very_a insolent_a contempt_n of_o the_o great_a god_n i_o know_v indeed_o many_o use_n such_o curse_n against_o other_o as_o word_n of_o course_n to_o express_v their_o passion_n by_o and_o therefore_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o think_v we_o wrong_v they_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v their_o inward_a intention_n as_o uncharitable_a as_o their_o expression_n and_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v reasonable_o think_v that_o few_o of_o those_o have_v arrive_v to_o such_o a_o height_n of_o diabolical_a malice_n who_o yet_o too_o common_o use_v this_o hellish_a language_n but_o what_o apology_n then_o can_v such_o person_n make_v for_o their_o bold_a abuse_n of_o the_o vindictive_a justice_n of_o god_n when_o by_o their_o curse_n they_o make_v such_o rash_a and_o senseless_a address_n to_o it_o to_o execute_v the_o dictate_v of_o their_o unruly_a passion_n &_o rage_n as_o if_o the_o vengeance_n of_o the_o universal_a sovereign_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n be_v to_o be_v at_o our_o beck_n to_o accomplish_v every_o wicked_a imprecation_n that_o our_o anger_n or_o malice_n prompt_v we_o to_o utter_v can_v we_o imagine_v the_o heart_n of_o those_o to_o be_v possess_v with_o any_o deep_a veneration_n for_o that_o great_a and_o terrible_a majesty_n who_o can_v find_v nothing_o else_o to_o trifle_v with_o or_o vent_v their_o hasty_a passion_n by_o but_o his_o tremendous_a vindictive_a righteousness_n and_o his_o final_a sentence_n of_o eternal_a damation_n for_o sure_o if_o we_o either_o consider_v or_o believe_v what_o these_o thing_n mean_v we_o shall_v not_o dare_v to_o play_v with_o those_o edge_a tool_n nor_o with_o that_o fool_n mention_v prov._n 26.18_o cast_v forth_o firebrand_n arrow_n and_o death_n and_o then_o pretend_v we_o be_v but_o in_o sport_n or_o in_o passion_n this_o be_v plain_o to_o affront_v that_o very_a attribute_n of_o god_n which_o above_o all_o other_o claim_v our_o profound_a dread_n and_o shall_v rather_o strike_v we_o with_o terror_n and_o tremble_v and_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n curse_v themselves_o it_o argue_v a_o almost_o incredible_a contempt_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n so_o that_o be_v not_o our_o ear_n often_o grate_v with_o this_o language_n it_o can_v scarce_o be_v think_v that_o any_o can_v arrive_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n of_o desperate_a and_o dare_a impiety_n for_o these_o curse_n be_v such_o a_o bold_a and_o open_a defiance_n of_o the_o glorious_a majesty_n of_o heaven_n as_o we_o may_v well_o question_v whether_o devil_n themselves_o be_v guilty_a of_o for_o they_o be_v say_v to_o believe_v and_o tremble_v jam._n 2.19_o they_o be_v represent_v as_o beseech_v our_o saviour_n that_o he_o will_v not_o torment_v they_o before_o the_o time_n matth._n 8._o v._n 29._o luk._n 8._o v._n 28._o whereas_o the_o more_o insolent_a and_o fearless_a sinner_n of_o our_o age_n do_v with_o a_o unheard_a of_o impudence_n challenge_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n as_o if_o it_o be_v too_o slow_a in_o its_o execution_n and_o call_v for_o their_o own_o damnation_n as_o if_o it_o be_v too_o long_o a_o come_n what_o though_o they_o pretend_v they_o do_v not_o wish_v it_o in_o good_a earnest_n shall_v they_o give_v a_o righteous_a god_n so_o great_a provocation_n to_o take_v they_o at_o their_o word_n and_o fulfil_v their_o bold_a imprecation_n can_v they_o find_v nothing_o to_o trifle_v with_o and_o abuse_v but_o his_o tremendous_a vengeance_n nothing_o to_o sport_n with_o but_o hell_n and_o damnation_n shall_v not_o such_o guilty_a creature_n rather_o tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o dread_a to_o fall_v into_o his_o avenge_a hand_n shall_v such_o dry_a stubble_n thus_o provoke_v or_o play_v with_o the_o consume_a fire_n hebr._n 12._o ult_n be_v he_o the_o everlasting_a king_n and_o judge_n at_o who_o wrath_n the_o earth_n tremble_v and_o the_o nation_n be_v not_o able_a to_o abide_v his_o indignation_n and_o shall_v every_o despicable_a criminal_a and_o malefactor_n with_o a_o desperate_a madness_n thus_o dare_v his_o almighty_a power_n and_o challenge_v his_o vindictive_a arm_n thus_o stretch_v out_o