THESE Two Tracts against Customary Swearing and Cursing, lately met with amongst the Papers of a Person of Quality, and an intimate Acquaintance of the Honourable Mr. Robert Boyle, Transcribed by his own Hand; were found upon Perusal, Perfect and Fitted for the Press; except the Close of a Dedicatory Epistle to his Noble Sister, the Countess of Kildare, which (as far as appears by the Copy) he had but just begun.
The Year inserted on the Title Page, as well as a passage or two in the former of these, shews that it was Penned toward the latter end of the late Vnhappy Times, when he was about Twenty Years Old; by which time (if I am not mistaken) this was the Third Treatise he had prepared for the Publick; the other Two being that of Seraphick Love, afterwards Printed, and An Essay of Mistaken Modesty, referred to in this.
I cannot say (though there is a sensible Conformity between the Style of these and others of his Books) but that this Honourable Author, if he had been to write· upon this Argument in his Riper Years, might have given it a finer Turn; and added, out of his vast store of Learning and Thought, much to the weight and force of it. But there is in the management of it, such a strain of Modesty and unaffected Piety, such an affectionate Zeal for the Honour of Almighty God, and such a passionate concernment for the Well-doing and Happiness of those of his Acquaintance, for whose use this seems more especially designed; and in fine, so much Truth, Reason, and Observation (as the Pleas and Excuses here undertaken and answered shew) that must above all recommend it to such as have his Name in Remembrance and Veneration.
A Name, methinks, better than that of Sons and of Daughters, than that of Blood and Descent; and that should provoke those of Eminent Extraction and Station, to an Imitation of so Worthy and Glorious an Example.
What happy Instruments might they then be of Good to Mankind, by their wise Conduct and their exemplary Vertues! What a restraint would this lay, above that of Laws, on their Dependants and Inferiors! For how would such dare to offend, that are sure to find no Countenance or Protection? And what Protection or Countenance could they expect from their Superiors, whose Lives would be a continual Reproof, and where they could find no more a President, than they do a Law to encourage them in their wicked Oaths and Blasphemies. To bring these Vices into disparagement, and to represent the Folly, as well as the Sin of them to the better-bred part of Mankind, was the Generous and Pious Design of this Learned Author; and of those Honourable Persons, that from their Relation to him by Blood or Friendship, have been concerned in the Publication.
Toward the utter Extermination of which amongst us, there seems to be, as human means, nothing more necessary than the Vigilance of our Magistrates, who are now as well and fully Empowered, as obliged by the Law to see to the Punishment of it; and for the due Execution of which, they will most certainly have the good Wishes, Assistance, and Prayers of all Good men; and which is more than all, the Blessing and Rewards of Heaven.
I have only this to add, That the Second Tract, or Letter, seems to proceed from the same Hand with the First, being agreeable to it in the Stile as well as the Design of it; and so the Naming Mr. Boyle in it, is but a decent Cover for the Concealment of himself.
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