A summons for svvearers, and a law for the lips in reproving them: wherein the chiefe disswasives from swearing are proposed, the sleight objections for swearing answered, the strange judgments upon swearers, forswearers, cursers, that take Gods name in vain, related. Which may be a terror to the wicked for swearing, and a preservative for the godly from swearing. With sundry arguments to prove the verity of the Scriptures, and excellencie of the decalogue, against all prophane and atheisticall deniers thereof. By Walter Powell, preacher at Standish, neer Glocester.

GREENHAM concerning Reproofe.

IF we think we may speake, we will speake too soon: If we think we may keep silence, we will hold our peace too long: when wee much love the persons to whom we speak, wee slack our zeale in reproving of sinne: If we be zealous against sinne, we slack our love to the person.

By admonition we win and save soules, and for want of admonition we lose and de∣stroy soules.

If then by admonition you would not lose, observe carefully these Rules.

1. Look that you have a good ground out of the Word for reproving.

2. Look if it stand with your calling to re∣prove.

3. Afterward consider, if any other man might doe it more profitably then you.

4. Look before whom you reprove, lest you hinder the credit of the party with his friends, and increase his discredit with his foes.

5. When you see your lawfull calling to re∣prove this or any other sinne, then consider that you must put on you the person of the

offender, that as you spare not his sinne, be∣cause of the zeal of Gods glory, so you presse it not too farre, because of compassion to a brother.

6. Then look that your heart bee right in zeale and love, and so call for Gods assistance before you speak, his grace in speaking, and his blessing after your speaking.

7. If you remember any thing left out that might have been profitable, please not your selfe in it, but be humbled for it.

8. If you finde that some infirmities have been in you, yet shall they not doe so much hurt, as Gods blessing on his ordinance shall doe good. For though the party admonished doe many times either deny the thing, or quar∣rell with the affection of the speaker, yet when he hath chafed with his owne shadow, and disputed with his own reason, it will come to passe that hee will speak reverently of him behind his back, whom hee much gainsaid before his face.