Wesley Corpus

Till this is done, our shameless manner of administering oaths will increase the constant perjuries in our nation. They are farther increased by our multiplying oaths to such an amazing degree; and that on the slightest occasions. * This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Boscawen : “How fine this house, or that estate; How great a favourite dancer's skill, Whether he caper well or ill.”-EDIT. Hence perjury infects the whole nation. It is constant, from month to month, from year to year. And it is a glory which no nation divides with us; it is peculiar to ourselves. There is nothing like it to be found in any other (Christian or Heathen) nation under heaven. 20. To descend to particulars would be tedious: Suffice it to observe in general, there are exceeding few Justices of the Peace, Mayors of Corporations, Sheriffs, Constables, or Churchwardens; exceeding few Officers of the Customs, the Excise, or any public office whatever, who are not constantly perjured, taking oaths which they never intend to keep. Add to these, thousands, yea, myriads of the voters at elections, particularly for members of Parliament: Add thou sands of the students in each University, who swear to a book of statutes, which they never read, which most of them never design to read, and much less to observe: Then judge, whether there be any nation on the face of the earth, which can vie with the English in perjury ! 21. There is one other species of ungodliness, which is, if possible, still more general among us; which is also constant, being to be heard in every street every day in the year; and which is quite peculiar to our nation, to England, and its dependencies; namely, the stupid, senseless, shameless ungodliness of taking the name of God in vain. Where in the habitable world do the people so continually pray the great God to “damn their souls?” Where else do they so blaspheme the Majesty of Heaven? so idly swear by the name of God? Some wretched gentlemen (so called) set the example, which the small vulgar readily follow. And these curses and oaths they pour out wantonly, without any provocation; and desperately, without any remorse.