A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

3. The Devil knowing well both these, taketh occasion to stir men up to it, and what by offering occasions of irritation to vent their passion, and what by habituating them to it from custom, and the example of others, whereby keeping them off some other sins which others may be guilty of, he is in God's righteous Judgment permitted to harden them in this.

3. The Devil knowing well both these, taketh occasion to stir men up to it, and what by offering occasions of irritation to vent their passion, and what by habituating them to it from custome, and the example of others, whereby keeping them off some other sins which others may be guilty of, he is in God's righteous Judgment permitted to harden them in this.

4. There may be also something in the nature of this sin, because it doth not ordinarily wrong others externally, or because it may be in a truth, or in profession of duty, or in worship; or because it may be fallen into inadvertently without forethought or deliberation; therefore the Devil hath the greater advantage to drive men on to it, if not by Swearing falsely, yet profanely and rashly; if not by God, yet by some Creature; or if not so, yet by formal and fruitless discharging of duties, or by some other way; and because ordinarily there is no such evil that sticketh thereby to others, as to make them resent it, nor no ill meant to themselves, as they in their proud self-love, do conceit; therefore they are the less afraid of it before, and the less challenged for it afterward.

4. There may be also something in the nature of this sin, because it doth not ordinarily wrong others externally, or because it may be in a truth, or in profession of duty, or in worship; or because it may be fallen into inadvertantly without forethought or deliberation; therefore the Devil hath the greater advantage to drive men on to it, if not by Swearing falsly, yet prophanely and rashly; if not by God, yet by some Creature; or if not so, yet by formal and fruitless discharging of duties, or by some other way; and because ordinarily there is no such evil that sticketh thereby to others, as to make them resent it, nor no ill meant to themselves, as they in their proud self-love, do conceit; therefore they are the less affraid of it before, and the less challenged for it afterward.