All the vvorkes of Iohn Taylor the water-poet Beeing sixty and three in number. Collected into one volume by the author: vvith sundry new additions corrected, reuised, and newly imprinted, 1630.

Against Swearing.

WHen man hath so farre offended God by his disobedience, that hee had thereby purchased to himselfe and all his posterity perpetuall damnation, not knowing which way to turne himselfe from the Almighties wrath, and much lesse knowing how to bee repossest in his fauour, when vndeserued, vnknowne, vnhoped for mans infinite misery, was to bee cured by his Creators infinite mercy, then at that time if God had giuen man leaue to aske some great gift which he might be redeemed by, had he had licence to desire or request what he would, that might be sacrificed to God to satisfie his Iustice for sinne, and to recouer that eternall happinesse which was most miserably lost. If man had had this liberty to aske and chuse a Redeemer, surely I am verily perswaded, that he would neuer haue beene so bold as to haue requested God to giue his well-beloued onely begotten Sonne to be crucified for him, as in these dayes a condemned malefactor would be vndiscreet and vnkind, if he should intreat his innocent friend to dye for him, but if hee should request the Iudge on the Bench, or the King on his Throane, that either of them would doe him the fauour as to suffer his sonne to be executed for him, if an offender should make such an vnreasonable request, I ima∣gine he would either be accounted mad or im∣pudently foolish.

Seeing the case was such that man was al∣together in misery remedilesse, then did the God of mercy and Father of all consolation shew himselfe to bee in mercy boundlesse,

then did he promise to send his Sonne to be a Sauiour and Redeemer for as many as before and after his comming, should lay hold on the merits of his death and passion, which hee suffered for the Redemption of all true belee∣uers.

At last (in the fulnesse of time) the eternall God-head was pleased to be so far abased as to leaue the blessed heauens, to visit personally the cursed earth, to forsake the glorious Throne, and Crowne of vnspeakeable glory and Maiestie, and by taking our fraile nature vpon him in the wombe of the Virgin, to vn∣dergoe all shame and calamitie, and after ma∣ny trauels, and suffering innumerable reproa∣ches, to take the sinnes and transgressions of the whole World vpon his shoulders, and (being free from sinne) was made sinne for vs, and to redeeme vs from the Curse of the Law, and the eternall wrath of God his Father, was pleased to offer himselfe for a sacrifice of pro∣pitiation and reconciliation; and to purchase vs eternall glory, by his ignominious, cruell, and shamefull death of the Crosse.

This was a Loue, transcending all Loue so farre, that no heart of Man or Angell could euer conceiue the last part of it, that the King of Kings, Lords of Lords, should wil∣lingly and freely dye for his mortall enemies.

Seeing that Gods loue was so infinite to vs so many wayes, as in creating vs, not Beasts or Vermine, but Men, in redeeming vs (when we wer in captiuity to the Deuill for euer) with no lesse price then the precious heart blood of his owne Sonne, for these and the rest of the multitude of his mercies: let vs all in generall, and euery Swearer and Blasphemer in parti∣cular, examine our consciences, how we doe with thankefulnesse requite this our good and gracious God, for his vnmeasurable loue and mercy towards vs.

How many of vs, with very little search, may finde our bosomes cram'd full of rebelli∣ous treacheries, ingratitude, that in stead of giuing God glory, praise, and thankes for all his benefits, doe most accursedly, (or malici∣ously) sweare him ouer and ouer, from the head, to the foot, not leauing any part or at∣tribute of him vnabused, or not sworne by his body, his soule, his sides, his heart, his wounds, his blood, his entrailes, his bones, his feet, nay, they will not forbeare him •••• much as his nailes; so that the Iewes were more kind and lesse cruell in crucifying of him for they meddled neither with his soule or his bones: but these wicked miscreants (who are falsly called Christians) doe their best enda∣uours with all deuillis•• greedinesse, to cruci•••••• againe the Lord of life, and to teare him in pieces with oathes betwixt their cursed teeth.

I haue read in the Turkish History, that is the a battell betwixt Amurath third Emperour of the Turkes, and Lazarus Despot of Ser•••••••• that the Archers were so many in the Turkish Army, that in the fight they did as it were raine in showres vpon the Christians, and with the multitude of the Arrowes like a clou•••• they darkned the earth. And it is to be feared that euery houre in the day, more oathes and shot at the Maiesty of God, by wicked C••∣tiffes, then the Turks did shoot Arrowers •••••• the Christians in that battell; so that if our Sa∣uiour had come into the World with a pur∣pose to worke our perpetuall destruction, and that the Deuill had beene the best friend we had in our redemption, if it had or could haue beene so, could men striue either to require the loue of the one, with more seruice, or the malice of the other with more abuse? for Swea∣ring is now in such high request, that some man doth hold it a disparagement to his repu∣tation not to sweare; but to goe to Church, he thinkes it too ciuill a course: or to giue God thankes either before, or after meales, he is al∣together ashamed, and like a Micher muffles his face in his hat, saying sometimes either nothing, or nothing that any man can hears or vnderstand: but to sweare and abuse the Name of God he is neuer ashamed, but with open mouth he roares out his oathes, stam∣ping with his feete, and beating his brest with more feruency then he said his prayers.

I haue heard a swearer most earnestly pray now and then to God, but it hath beene •••••• beseech God to damne him, or forsake him and on the other side I haue heard the same

Rescall to beg and entreat the Deuill to take his soule and body, making such great ac∣count of Hell, that rather then hee would goe without it, hee will request his bread, meat, or drinke to be his damnation; but to desire God to forgiue his sins, or to be thanke∣full for all his benefits, to entreat saluation by true repentance ••, through the merits of Christ Iesus, these are things which he esteemes not worth the asking for, & altogether against the garbe of his Gentleman-like humour.

Now iudge with thy selfe, whosoeuer thou beest that reads this, dost thou thinke thou dealest well with God, and that hee deserues no better vsage at thy hands? A good name, as Salomon faith, is as a precious Oyntment, and men are so chary and wary, that they will by all meanes auoyd any scandall or dishonour of their names, and it is Capitall Treason for any subiect to abuse or vilifie his King or Prin∣ces name: Yet is God, who is Almighty, AEternall, Incomprehensible, the God of all glory, Empires, Kingdomes, Principalities and Powers, whose name is Wonderfull, ••••y, and Iust; at whose, Name euery knee should bow with feare and reuerence, before whose Throne the blessed Armies of Cherubins, Se∣raphins, Archangel;, Angels, Patriarkes, Prophets, Apostles, Saints, and Martyrs doe continually sing Hallelutsh: This great God, whom the very Deuils in Hell doe be∣leeue, and feare and tremble at his dreadfull wrath, Iames 1.19. yet doth the earth breed mon∣sters worse then Deuils, and retaines and seedes more accursed fiends then Hell doth, who with their vngodly breath, doe as often as they can, belch their odious oathes and blasphemie, against the maiestie of their Im∣mortall Maker and Redeemer, without any feeling or touch of conscience, insomuch that they would be ashamed to vse their enemies, or their vassals, or slaue in such contemptible manner, as they doe their God and Sauiour, and they would be highly offended to haue halfe the like abuse offered to themselues; and which is more, they would and should be all hangd, or worse, if they spake but one quarter of such treason against their naturall King, as they doe against the Immortall King of Kings.

A Seruant is the better to be beloued or ha∣ted for so much as in respect the Master whom he serueth bee good or bad: and can any vil∣laines deserue more to bee hated, abhorred and spewed out of the company of Christians, then common swearers, (the Deuils best ser∣uants) who are the Archtraitonrs against the Maiesty of Heauen? who like the foole doe say in their heart, that there is no God, and so doe hold the third Commandement to bee a fable, where God forbids swearing, saying, That hee will not hold him guiltlesse that ta∣keth his name in vaine.

Oh what a miserable case shall those wret∣ched soules be in, who at the dreadfull Barre of Gods Iudgement shall be by the Lord con∣demned and iudged guilty of swearing, for∣swearing, blasphemy, and taking of the name of the Lord in vaine?

Suppose a man were tranailing alone vpon some Plaine, Heath, or Desart, where many crosse wayes lead towards diuers places, and hee being a stranger (and amazed) goes on, not knowing whether he goe right or wrong, at last, by chance hee espieth a man, and ask∣eth him it hee be in the way to such a place or no? The party answers him, that hee is quite out of his way a mile, (or halfe a mile, more or lesse) but faith he, I will shew you how you may with lesse trauaile come into your way againe: then hee directeth him to take his course crosse to such a Tree, or House, or Gate, or other marke, and so consequently sheweth him the easiest meanes to find his way againe: for which courresie what thanke the I rauai∣ler will giue him, and say that if euer it lyeth in his power, that he will require his kindnes in a larger measure. On the contrary, let a man heare a wretch curse, blaspheme, and sweare, and say to him, My friend you are quite out of the way to Heauen, and if you doe hold that course, you will neuer come thither, for you are now going downe hill, the high broad way to the Deuill. If a man should tell a pro∣phane swearer this, all the thankes hee should haue, would be contempt, derision, scorne,

and hard words, or perhaps a right roaring Rascall would be so liberall as to sweare ten or twelue oathes more, and bestow a knocke or a stab vpon him that mildely reproued him.

If the penalty of twelue pence for euery oath had bene duely payd (as the Statute hath in that case prouided: I doe verily beleeue, that all the coyned money in England would haue beene forfeited that way: for little chil∣dren that can scarce goe or speake plaine, can make a shift to sweare lispingly. Meate, drinke, cloathing, or any neceflaries that we vse, or any bargaine, buying or selling, doe very sel∣dome passe betwixt party and party, without oathes, swearing, and oftentimes falsly; so that commonly it is no match, except the name of God be abused in it: At Dice, Cards, Bowles, or at any other game or recreation, it is la∣mentable to heare how vngodly villaines will outdare the Deuils in Hell, in abusing he glo∣rious Name of God. And I verily thinke that Venison is too oftentimes more vnseasonably seasond with oathes in the taking, then it is with cornes of Pepper & salt in the baking: so that if the Law were executed which St. Leuis King of France made, that euery Swearer & Blas∣phemer should haue their tongues cut out; I am doubtfull that more then three quarters of the people in Christendome would be tongue∣lesse: for in these dayes men are seldome wea∣ried with swearing, as I haue read of an Ita∣lian, that at his game was tyred in that kind, who commanded his man to helpe him to sweare, till he himselfe had gathered his breath againe.

And it is to be feared, that there are some who doe make a liuing or trade of swearing: as a fellow being asked once of what occupa∣••ion he was? made answer that he was a vit∣nesse, which was one that for hire would sweare in any mans cause; be it right or wrong.

The veriest villaine that euer abused the name of God, may learne from a Dog to be a better Christian, for if he doe take a Whelpe & bring him vp, giuing him but meate fit for a Dog, he may see how the Curre will attend him, follow him, watch his house, and to the best of his abi∣lity, guard and defend his Masters person from wrong or violence, and at no time he will euer forsake him, although he might haue a farre better Master: But if at any time hee should wax stubborne, and fly in his Masters face, otherwise bite him, then surely such a Master would either hang such a Dog, or knocke out his braines.

Thus as Salomon bids the sluggard goe to the Pismire, to learne labour and disigence, so I counsaile the blasphemous Swearer, to make his Dog his patterne, for his better behauiour; for, much worse then the worst of Dogs is he, that knowes God to be his Maker, Redeemer, preseruer, conseruer and keeper, and yet for all this a contrary to his knowledge, & against his conscience, will audaciously, impiously, and ingratefully reuile, raile & blaspheme the glorious, name of this his most bountifull and mercifull God.

Hee that reuiles, or scandals his Soue∣raigne Prince is rightly accounted worthy to dye the death of a Traitor: and whosoeuer doe abuse, slander or impeach the reputation of Iudges, Rulers and Magistrates, there is a Pillo∣ry, a whipping, with sometimes losse of eares, and goods, for an exemplary punishment. Theeues are hangd for stealing, and inconti∣nent persons are sometimes punished for adul∣try and fornication: but swearing and abu∣sing the name of God, is esteemed lesse then a veniall sinne, being (by regardlesse conni∣uence) rather approued, then reproued, and as it were by intolerable toleration, defen∣ded, rather then punished. All which the Lord did in his foreknowledge knowe, namely: that men should be remisse and ne∣gligent in the punishing of all those that bee dishonourers of his Name, and therefore hee tooke the cause, iudgement and punishment into his owne hands, with this irreuocable sentence, that he will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine: so that the Swearer & Blasphemer may see that although, through Greatnesse of Riches, Office, Fauour, or Flattery, men doe passe ouer this great of∣fence slightly, yet God doth most assuredly promise and pay them their hire in this world, Ecclesiasticus, 23. For though thou thinkest

God heares thee not, but is as deafe a•••••••• said Baal was, yet thou shalt one day k•••••••••• that he that made the eye, seeth, and hee that made the care, heareth, and he will also giue them their eternall wages in the world to come (except true repentance and remission) as is most seuerely threatned in many places of ho∣ly Scripture.

In briefe to conclude, take Christs counsell, Sweare not at all, Mat. 5. 34. Except lawfully and trully before a Magistrate, for the confir∣mation of a truth, which kind of oath or swea∣ring is for Gods glory, and commanded by himselfe, as it is written in Deut. ••6. 13. Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God and serue him, and shalt Sweare by his Name. And Ler. 4. 2. Thou shalt sweare, The Lord liueth, and thou shalt sweare by his Name, Deut. 10. 20. and againe, Euery tongue shall sweare by me, Esay, 45. 23. and againe, And he that sweareth in the earth, shall sweare by the true God. These sorts of oathes are so lawfull, that Gods glory in them is manifested; Iustice dignified, Contentions pacified. In this sort when thou swearest God onely must bee thy oath: for it is for his glory that an oath taken lawfully in his Name, is the decision of truth, because he is the God of truth, and he is a iea∣lous, God, and will net giue his glory to another, Esay, 48.11. And let it be thy greatest care, to hold & esteeme the Name of God in such reuerence and feare, that thou neuer dost name or men∣tion, him, but with adoration and admiration'; let the faithlesse Iew be thy patterne, who doth neuer Name God in any Curse, oath, or vn∣reuerend maner: let the misbeleeuing Turke teach thee, for he will not abuse his false de∣ceiuing Prophet Mahomet: let the Pagan reach thee, who with such dutifull blindnesse doe adore base and contemptible Creatures: let Gods mercies moue thee to loue him, so that liuing here in his feare, and departing hence in his fauour, thou maist be for euer partaker of his euerlasting Loue, which God graunt, for the Name and sake of Iesus Christ the Righ∣teous, to whom with the Father & holy Ghost, be obediently aud duely rendred by men and Angels, all honour, glory, might, Maiesty, dominion and thankesgiuing now and for euermore.