B02626:400
The plain mans path-way to heaven
The plain mans path-way to heaven wherein every man may clearly see whether he shall be saved or damned. / Set forth dialogue-wise for the better understanding of the simple, by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by Ja. Young for G. Lathum, 1643
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Theol. True indeed. But yet we see by lamentable experience, how men are given over both to swear and forswear. For at this day there is: no sin more common amongst us than swearing: for many there be which cannot speak ten words, but one shall be an oath. And numbers have got such a wicked custom of swearing, that they can by no means leave it, no more than a Black-Moor can change his skin, or a Leopard his spots: For it is, made natural unto them through custom, and they have got the habit of it. I do verily think, if it were high treason to swear, yet some could not leave swearing. And sure I am (as light as we make of it) that it is high treason against the ⟨p. 156⟩Crown of heaven: yea, it is a sin immediately against God, even against his own person: and therefore he hath forbidden it in the first Table of his law.
Theol. True indeed. But yet wee see by lamentable experience, how men are given over both to sweare and forsweare. For at this day there is: no sinne more common amongst us than swearing: for many there bee which cannot speak ten words, but one shall bee an oath. And numbers have got such a wicked custome of swearing, that they can by no meanes leave it, no more than a Black-moore can change his skinne, or a Leopard his spots: For it is, made naturall unto them through custome, and they have got the habit of it. I do verily think, if it were high treason to sweare, yet some could not leave swearing. And sure I am (as light as we make of it) that it is high treason against the ⟨p. 156⟩Crowne of heaven: yea, it is a sinne immediatly against God, even against his owne person: and therefore he hath forbidden it in the first Table of his law.
Phil. Questionless this vice of swearing is, of all other sins, most rife in this Land. For you shall have little boys and children in the streets rap out oaths in most fearful manner. It would make a mans heart quake to hear them. We may think, they have sucked them out of there mothers breasts: but sure we are, they have learned them from the evil example of their parents. And now adays we cannot almost talk with a man, but (in ordinary speech) he will belch out one oath or another.