Part II. ^';^ /Z>^ Cre ATioN. 393 



and carefully avoided by all that pretend to Chri- 

 ftianity, Eph, v. 3. But Fornication^ and all Un- 

 cleannejs^ let it not be once nanid among you. 



Fifthly^ Curfing, and railing or reviling Words, 

 are alfo a great Abufe of Speech, and outrageous 

 Effeds and Expreflions of Malice and Wicked- 

 nefs," PfaL x. 7. The Pfalmiji makes it Part of 

 the Character of a wicked Man, that his Mouth is 

 full of Curfing', which Paflage we have quoted 

 by the Apoftle, Roin, iii. 14. whofe Mouth is full 

 of Curfing and Bitternefs, 



Sixthly, Swearing, and irreverently ufing the 

 Name of God in common Difcourfe and Con- 

 verfe, is another Abufe of the Tongue 5 to which 

 I might add, vehement AiTeverations upon flight 

 and trivial Occafions. I do not deny, but in a 

 Matter of weight and moment, which will bear 

 out fuch Atteftation, and where Belief will not 

 be obtain'd without them, and yet it may much. 

 import the Hearer or Speaker that his Words be 

 believ'd, or where the Hearer would not other- 

 wife think the Matter fo momentous or impor- 

 tant as indeed it is, Proteftations and AiTevera- 

 tions, yea, Oaths, may lawfully be us'd 3 but to 

 call God to witnefs to an Untruth, or a Lie per- 

 haps^ or to appeal to him on every trivial Occa- 

 fion in conamon Difcourfe, cuftomarily, without 



any 



