4
THE SWEARER'S PRAYER
shillings," replied he. Upon which the wager was confirmed, and he, putting his hand into his pocket for the money, instantly fell a ghastly corpse upon the ground.
Besides these horrid oaths which shock every decent ear, there is a vicious habit indulged by many persons, otherwise moral, and among these, even ladies themselves, of a thoughtless profanation of their Maker's name, on occasions the most trivial, as when they say, "Good God! God forbid! God bless us! O Lord," &c. &c. Such language proceeds from want of reverence for the best of Beings, and is as direct a violation of that command, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," as the most vulgar and profane oath.
Who hath hardened himself against God and prospered? Job. ix. 4.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exod. xx. 7.
Because of swearing the land mourneth. Jer. xxiii. 40.
Every one that sweareth shall be cut off. Zech. v. 3.
It grieves me much to hear the Blest Supreme
Rudely appeal'd to on each trifling theme;
Cease from this vice, to be profane despise,
To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise.
Would you dare swear upon a bed of death?
Reflect! this moment God may stop your breath!
How should you then that condemnation dread
Which oft you've call'd upon your guilty head,
And often wish'd on friends and foes to fall?
O! change your mind, and now for mercy call.
Dear Reader, art thou a Swearer? Oh! take this friendly warning; the next oath may be thy last: if thy prayer is heard, thy soul is damned for ever!!!
Printed for G. Caldwell, jun. Bookseller and Stationer, Paisley.
