A Body of Practical Divinity

1. Vain Swearing, when Men in their ordinary Discourse let fly Oaths. Some will go to excuse their Swearing. It is a course Wool that will take no Dye, and a bad Sin indeed that hath no Excuse.

Excuse 1. I swear little trifling Oaths, as Faith, or by the Mass. Resp. The Devil hath Two false Glasses which he sets before Mens Eyes, the one is a little Glass, in which the Sin appears so small, that it can hardly be seen; this Glass the Devil sets before Mens Eyes when they are going to commit Sin; the other is a great Multiplying Glass, wherein Sin appears so big that it cannot be forgiven: The Devil sets this before Mens Eyes when they have sinned. Thou that sayest, Sin is small, when God shall open the Eye of thy Conscience, then thou wilt see it great, and be ready to despair. But to answer this Plea, thou sayest, they are but small Oaths; but Christ forbids Vain Oaths, Swear not at all: If God will reckon with us for Idle Words, shall not Idle Oaths be put in the Account Book?

Excuse 2. But I swear to the Truth. See how this Harlot-Sin would paint it self with an Excuse. Resp. 1. Though it be true, yet if it be a Rash Oath, 'tis Sinful. Besides 2. He that swears commonly, it cannot be avoided but sometimes he may swear more than is true; as where much Water runs, some Gravel or Mud will pass along with the Water; so where there is much Swearing, some Lies will run along with the Oaths.