ble, fo infinuating a thing, that all the rules of Oratory cannot help men to a more agreeable ornament of difcourse. And if they will try it in both the foregoing inftances, they will undoubtedly find the effects of it: a modeft propofal will fooneft captivate mens reasons, and a modest relation their belief.

I.

T

SEC T. XII.

Of Obscene Talk

HERE is another vice of the Tongue which I cannot but mention, tho I knew not in which of the former Claffes to place it: not that it comes under none, but that 'tis fo common to all, that 'tis not easy to refolve to which peculiarly to affign it, I mean obfcene and immodest talk, which is offenfive to the purity of God, dammageable and infectious to the innocence of our Neighbors, and most pernicious to our felves: and yet is now grown a thing fo common, that one would think we were fallen into an Age of Metamorphofis, and that the Brutes did, not only Poetically and in fiction, but really speak. For the talk of many is fo beftial, that it seems to be but the conceptions of the more libidinous Animals clothed in human Language.

2. AND yet even this must pafs for Ingenuity, and this vile descent below Hu

Humanity, must be counted among the highest ftreins of Wit. A wretched debasement of that sprightful Faculty, thus to be made the interpreter to a Goat or Boar: for doubtless had those Creatures but the organs of Speech, their Fancies lie enough that way to make them as good company, as those who more ftudiously apply themselves to this fort of entertainment.

3. THE crime is comprehenfive enough to afford abundance of matter for the most Satyrical zeal: but I confider the diffecting of putrid Bodies may caft fuch peftilential fumes, as all the benefits of the fcrutiny will not recompence. I fhall therefore in refpect to the Reader difmifs this noifome Subject, and thereby give an example with what abhorrence he fhould alwaies reject fuch kind of difcourfe, remembring the advice of St. Paul, That all uncleanness should not be once named among those who would walk as becometh Saints, Eph. 5. 3:

The

I.

I

The Clofe.

Have now touched upon those cnormities of Speech which I principally defign'd to obferve, wherein I have bin far from making a full and exact Catalogue: therefore I would have no man take this little Tract for a juft Criterion, by which to try himself in reference to his words. Yet God grant that all that read it, may be able to approve themselves even by this imperfect effay and he that do's fo, makes fair approches towards being that perfect man St. James fpeaks of, chap. 3. 1. These being fuch faults of the Tongue as are the harder to avoid, because they are every day exemplified to us in common practice, (nay fome of them recommended as reputable and ingenious.) And it is a ftrange infinuative power which example and cuftom have upon us. We fee it in every trivial fecular inftance, in our very habit: those dreffes which we laught at in our forefathers wardrobes or pictures, when by the circulation of time and vanity they are brought about, we think very becoming. 'Tis the fame in

our

our diet: our very palates conform to the fashion, and every thing grows amiable to our fancies, according as 'tis more or less received in the world. And upon this account all fobriety and strict vertue lies now under a heavy prejudice, and no part of it more, then this of the Tongue, which cuftom has now enfranchized from all the bonds Moralifts or Divines had laid upon it.

2. But the greater the difficulties aré, the more it ought to awake our diligence: if we lie loofe and carelefly, 'tis odds we fhall be carried away with the ftream. We had need therefore fix our felves, and by a fober recollection of the ends for which our Speech was given us, and the account we must one day give of it, imprefs upon our felves the bafeness and the danger of mifemploying it. Yet a negative innocence will not ferve our turns, 'twill but put us in the condition of him, who wrapt up the talent he was commanded to employ, Mat.25.25. Nay indeed 'twill be impoffible to preferve even that if we afpire no farther. The Tongue is a bufie active Part, will scarce be kept from motion: and therefore if that activity be not determin'd to good

objects