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