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 reformed do bring on us greater
punishment:" and what can be more easy than to reform this fault?
"Tell me," saith he, "what difficulty, what sweat, what art, what
hazard, what more doth it require beside a little care" to abstain
wholly from it? It is but willing, or resolving on it, and it is
instantly done; for there is not any natural inclination disposing
to it, any strong appetite to detain us under its power.

It gratifieth no sense, it yieldeth no profit, it procureth no
honour; for the sound of it is not very melodious, and no man surely
did ever get an estate by it, or was preferred to dignity for it.
It rather to any good ear maketh a horrid and jarring noise; it
rather with the best part of the world produceth displeasure,
damage, and disgrace. What therefore, beside monstrous vanity and
unaccountable perverseness, should hold men so devoted thereto?

Surely of all dealers in sin the swearer is palpably the silliest,
and maketh the worst bargains for himself, for he sinneth gratis,