Before I give a direct answer, I desire it may be enquired, how it is, that _swearing_ is so common amongst Christians? It is indeed yet not so common amongst _women_, as amongst _men_; but among men this sin is so common, that perhaps there are more than two in three that are guilty of it through the whole course of their lives; swearing _more_ or _less_, just as it happens; some constantly, others only now and then. Now I ask how comes it, that two in three of men are guilty of so gross a sin as this is? There is neither ignorance nor human infirmity to plead for it: it is against an express commandment, and the most plain doctrine of our blessed Saviour. Do but find the reason why the generality of men live in this notorious vice, and you will have found the reason, why the generality even of the better sort of people, live so contrary to Christianity. 2. *Now the reason of common swearing is this; it is because men have not so much as the _intention to please God in all their actions_. For, let a man but have so much piety as to _intend to please God in all the actions of his life, as the happiest and best thing in the world_, and then he will never swear more. It will be as impossible for him to swear, whilst he feels _this intention_ within himself, as it is impossible for a man that intends to please his prince, to go up and abuse him to his face. 3. It is but a small part of piety to have such an _intention_ as this; and he has no reason to look upon himself as a disciple of Christ, who is not this far advanced. And yet it is purely for want of this degree of piety, that you see such a mixture of sin and folly in the lives even of the better sort of people. It is for want of this _intention_, that you see men that profess religion, yet live in _swearing_ and _sensuality_; that you see _clergymen_ given to pride and covetousness, and worldly enjoyments. It is for want of this _intention_, that you see _women_ that profess devotion yet living in all the vanity and folly of _dress_, and wasting their time in _idleness_ and _pleasures_, in all such instances as their estates will reach. For, let but a woman feel her heart full of _this intention_, and she will find it as impossible to _patch_ or _paint_, as to curse or swear; she will no more desire to shine at _balls_ and _assemblies_, or make a figure amongst those that are most finely dressed, than she will desire to dance upon a _rope_ to please spectators: she will know, that the one is as far from the _wisdom_ and _excellency_ of the Christian spirit as the other.