on which human happiness is placed; is to accustom yourself and others to the irreverent use of that name, upon the reverent use of which the administration of justice intimately depends. It is in this very manner that our Saviour preaches it, not only forbidding perjury, but forbidding that habit of appealing carelessly to sacred things, which lays the foundation for a breach of oaths. "Ye have heard how it hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself;-but I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king;, but let your communication be yea, and nay, for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil. It is pleasant to remember, that, no man can cultivate any one virtue, without cultivating others at the same time; now, to watch carefully over the use we make of the name of God, and to beware that we do not misuse it, even in the strongest paroxysm of violence, induces a turn of mind, which is extremely favourable to the government To of our evil nature; for it is not probable that he, who is striving hot to offend against one commandment of God, should, at that very moment, offend against another; the same awful feeling which prevents him from blaspheming against the name of God, may curb anger, soften hatred, and produce a general spirit of pious moderation. conclude; which of all those crimes prescribed in the decalogue is the greatest, we know not; as they are all equally forbidden, they are, probably, all equally heinous :there cannot, therefore, be a doubt, which, in a religious point of view, it is the greatest folly to commit; for, to the violation of the name of God, there is no natural impulse, nor is any great enjoyment the consequence of it; for though it may be difficult sometimes not to do it, there is no sort of pleasure in doing it, nor is it a vice by which anything is gained, but disreputation, and disgrace. In the meantime, it is as dangerous in its consequences, as if it were agreeable in itself; it weakens the obligation of oaths, destroys the delicacy of religious feeling, and makes all those thoughts common, which should be reserved for the great |