you reconcile these prohibitions to
your conduct; or your consciences? When instead of not swearing
at all, many of you seldom open your lips, but the first and last
words which you utter, are blasphemous oaths, and horrid imprecations?
Is this acting like rational or accountable creatures? Who gave you the
powers of reason and speech? Was it not God? And can you think that
he gave them to you, that you may blaspheme his holy name, and to use
the most profane, obscene, and desperately wicked language your hearts
can invent; a language only fit for incarnate devils, and shocking
to the ears of the ignorant heathens? This is a dreadful evil which
you may be assured, will not pass unpunished. This sin has often
brought heavy judgments upon individuals, families, and kingdoms.
Because of swearing the land mourneth [Jer. xxiii. 10]. Shall not I visit
for these things, saith the Lord?

As a proof of the enormity of this sin, you read, that Moses, by
the command of God, ordered a man to be stoned to death, for cursing
and blaspheming [Lev. xxiv. 10-16.]; and it would be well, both on their
own account, and for the good of others, if magistrates would strictly
discharge their duty, by enforcing the laws of our land, which are
engaged against this horrid practice. And in few places, perhaps in no
place, such strictness would be more needful, or more salutary,
than in this colony.

Our Lord assures us, that for every idle word that men shall speak they
shall give an account in the day of judgment! [Matt. xii. 36] How dreadful
then will be the case of those persons, who during their whole life
have employed their tongues in cursing, swearing, lying, and all
manner of vile and unclean conversation. Oh! think of this in time,
and tremble and repent, and learn to use your tongues to better purpose in
future! Read carefully the third chapter of James, and pray to God for
his grace, and use your best endeavours to bridle your tongues which,
if you do not subdue and conquer, will surely destroy and ruin you.

II. Consider, also, what must be the consequence of that unclean and
adulterous course of life, which many of you follow. Common as this
wickedness is in our colony (I believe no where more so) do not
suppose, that the frequency will take away, or in the least abate the
criminality of it. Neither suppose that this sin is less odious in the
sight of God if committed in Port Jackson, than in England. You may
frame excuses or pl