Notwithstanding,1 howsoever the Lord hath straitly forbidden and condemned this sin, and though the Heathens themselves made some conscience of it, yet this horrible profanation of Gods holy name so exceedingly reigneth in our times, even among those who profess Christianity, that by reason of these vain oaths and impious blasphemies, the land mourneth, being oppressed with the heavy burden of this sin, and Gods fearful judgements which usually accompany it,2 as the Prophet Jeremiah complaineth of his times. Neither hath this graceless vice of profaning Gods name, corrupted some few persons in this our country, but hath overspread all states and conditions of men. Our Magistrates who should restrain men from this sin, by their laws, examples, and punishments, make no laws against swearing, lest they should prepare a net to catch themselves; nor inflict any punishments upon offenders in this kind, because their own consciences are guilty of the same sins; or to speak the best, because such is the multitude of blasphemers, that they think it vain to make laws, seeing there is no likelihood of execution, there being not enow innocent to punish the offenders. And howsoever they severely punish any reproachful speeches uttered against themselves, yet when God is blasphemed they wink at it, and leave the revenge wholly to himself, saying in their hearts, as Joash said of the Idol Baal, Judg. 6.31.3 Why should we contend in Gods cause? if he be God let him plead for himself, against those who blaspheme his name. But let such know that the Lord will surely take them at their word; and howsoever through his patience he suffereth long, yet in the end he will severely punish such Magistrates, as make their own evil practise a pernicious president to the people; and such also who having authority to punish this sin, do carry the sword in vain, never drawing it out against these impious swearers, no nor so much as touching them with the scabbard.
Notwithstanding,1 howsoeuer the Lord hath straitly forbidden and condemned this sinne, and though the Heathens themselues made some conscience of it, yet this horrible prophanation of Gods holie name so exceedingly raigneth in our times, euen among those who professe Christianitie, that by reason of these vaine oathes and impious blasphemies, the land mourneth, being oppressed with the heauie burthen of this sinne, and Gods fearefull iudgements which vsually accompanie it,2 as the Prophet Ieremie complaineth of his times. Neither hath this gracelesse vice of prophaning Gods name, corrupted some few persons in this our countrie, but hath ouerspread all states and conditions of men. Our Magistrates who should restraine men from this sinne, by their lawes, examples, and punishments, make no lawes against swearing, lest they should prepare a net to catch themselues; nor inflict any punishments vpon offenders in this kinde, because their owne consciences are guiltie of the same sinnes; or to speake the best, because such is the multitude of blasphemers, that they thinke it vaine to make lawes, seeing there is no likelihood of execution, there being not enow innocent to punish the offenders. And howsoeuer they seuerely punish any reprochfull speeches vttered against themselues, yet when God is blasphemed they winke at it, and leaue the reuenge wholly to himselfe, saying in their hearts, as Ioash said of the Idoll Baal, Iudg. 6.31.3 Why should we contend in Gods cause? if he be God let him pleade for himselfe, against those who blaspheme his name. But let such know that the Lord will surely take them at their word; and howsoeuer through his patience he suffereth long, yet in the end he will seuerely punish such Magistrates, as make their owne euill practise a pernicious president to the people; and such also who hauing authoritie to punish this sinne, doe carrie the sword in vaine, neuer drawing it out against these impious swearers, no nor so much as touching them with the scabberd.
- 1§ Sect. 4. Of profane and vain swearing in ordinary communication.§ Sect. 4. Of prophane and vaine swearing in ordinarie communication.
- 2Jere. 23.10. That all sorts of men are corrupted with this vice of vain swearing. 1. Magistrates.Iere. 23.10. That all sorts of men are corrupted with this vice of vaine svvearing. 1. Magistrates.
- 3Jud. 6.31.Iud. 6.31.
