Dunton's remains, or, The dying pastour's last legacy to his friends and parishioners ... by John Dunton ... ; to this work is prefixt the author's holy life and triumphant death : and at the latter end of it is annext his funeral sermon.

31. Of Swearing.

The common Swearer is a black-mouthed Cannon, fired by his own Passions, thun∣dring out Dammes as so many Bullets against the Battlements of Heaven, as if he would Quarrel with his Maker for his preservation. It is matter of amazement, were not God infinitely Merciful, that he break not in pieces like an over-charged Gun, and that he opens not a way to let down speedy Vengeance upon himself. Of all the sins that Man commits, there is the least Profit or Pleasure in Oaths, unless it be for the confirmation of a Lye, for the compassing of a wicked Design, mask'd under the guise of Truth; or to set a gloss of un∣sanctified Rhetorick upon a Ranting Speech, framed by that grand Artist the Devil. Tremble thou then, O Profane sinner, at this thy Character, consider the Mercy and Long-sufferance of God, who will not that thou shouldest perish; prevent in time by thy un∣feigned

Repentance the Judgments of God, which thy Oaths, as Messengers to Heaven, in∣vokes to thy destruction. Since Satan and thy own evil Nature hath conspired together to make thee Blaspheme the Name of God; earnestly intreat him to set a watch before thy Lips, that thou offend not with thy Tongue, and to mold thy Heart into a better temper, that thou be not obnoxious to thy sober Brother, or such an Enemy to thy self, as to hasten Ruine to thy own soul.