, or eagerly contentious, then he blustereth, and dischargeth
his choler in most tragical strains; then he would fright the
objects of his displeasure by the most violent expressions thereof.
This is sometime alleged in excuse of rash swearing: I was
provoked, the swearer will say, I was in passion; but it is strange
that a bad cause should justify a bad effect, that one crime should
warrant another, that what would spoil a good action should excuse a
bad one.

Sometimes it proceedeth from arrogant conceit, and a tyrannical
humour; when a man fondly admireth his own opinion, and affecting to
impose it on others, is thence moved to thwack it on with lusty
asseverations.

Sometimes it issueth from wantonness and levity of mind, disposing a
man to sport with anything, how serious, how grave, how sacred and
venerable soever.

Sometimes its rise is from stupid inadvertency, or heady
precipitancy; when the man doth not heed what he saith, or consider
the nature and consequence of his words, but snatcheth any
expression which cometh next, or which his roving fancy doth offer,
for want of that caution of the psalmist, "I said, I will take heed
to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with
a bridle, while the wicked is before me."

Sometimes (alas! how often in this miserable age!) it doth spring
from profane boldness; when men design to put affronts on religion,
and to display their scorn and spite against conscience, affecting
the reputation of stout blades, of gallant hectors, of resolute
giants, who dare do anything, who are not afraid to defy Heaven, and
brave God Almighty Himself.

Sometimes it is derived from apish imitation, or a humour to comply
with a fashion current among vain and dissolute persons.

It always doth come from a great defect in conscience, of reverence
to God, of love to goodness, of discretion and sober regard to the
welfare of a man's soul.

From such evidently vicious and unworthy sources it proceedeth, and
therefore must needs be very culpable. No good, no wise man can
like actions drawn from such principles. Further--

XIII. This offence may be particularly aggravated by considering
that it hath no strong temptation alluring to it, that it yieldeth
no sensible advantage, that it most easily may be avoided or
corrected.

"Every sin," saith St. Chrysostom, "hath not the same punishment;
but those things which may easily be ref