is owing purely to the Want of Thought, and which Men never could fall into if they would think; that is, if they would make uſe of their Reaſon, and ſhew themſelves Men.
Accordingly, we ſee this Sin reigns moſt when Men are leaſt themſelves, in Times of Rage and Paſſion, and Drunkenneſs; when their Reaſon is gone, and they are indeed no longer Men. Nay, ſome are never guilty of Swearing, but in thoſe ſhort Seaſons of Madneſs; being able at all other Times to ſee the Folly of it, and to comply with their Judgment and Conſcience in abſtaining from it. Which ſhould make the Common Swearer aſhamed, to ſee that he is doing that all Day long, which others (and they none of the moſt Innocent) never will do but in a Fit of Madneſs. And theſe laſt do ſo far well, to abſtain from it at all other Times; but their Fault is, that at thoſe Times they are apt to excuſe it, and ſcarce allow it to be a Sin, becauſe (they ſay) they are not themſelves. Whereas, if they would reaſon truly, and like Chriſtians, it muſt be thus;
That
