all things that they may do hurt ; was the use of Speech really given us for a Blef fing? Wherefore then doth it disquiet the whole World, driving Men from Nation to Nation, pulling down strong Cities, and overthrowing the Houses of Great Men ? The Tongue casteth out virtuous Women, and depriveth them of their Labours. Whoso hearken'd unto it shall never find Reft, and shall never dwell quietly. The Stroke of the Whip maketh Marks in the Flesh, but the Stroke of the Tongue breaketh the Bones. Many have fallen by the Edge of the Sword, but not so many as have fallen by the Tongue. Well is he that is defended from it, and hath not pafs'd through the Venom thereof. But who is there that can escape it? It is a Pestilence that walketh in Darkness; its Arrows destroy at the Noon-day; thoufands fall befide it, ten thousands at its Right-hand. Ob ! that I had Wings like a Dove, would he say, that I might flee away from this untoward Generation, and be at rest! Surely there is greater Pleasure in Solitude, at least there is Innocence. How is the World become a Desolation, and the the Wilderness a Place of Refuge! Woe is me, that I have conversed with Mankind, and made my Habitation among the Sons of Men! The Roarings of Lions are not so dangerous as their Tongues; the Dwellings of wild Beasts abound with Safety and Civility in comparison of what Human Society produce. UPON the Whole then can it be imagined that the Use of Speech was indulged to us for the uttering God's Praises, for the mutual Edification of ourselves and others? Can it be imagined, that we are placed here on Earth in order to qualify ourselves for the Conversation of Saints and Angels, and that our Tongues are intended eternally to dwell upon Divine Hallelujahs? This indeed is the gracious Design of the Almighty; and shall not the Profpect of that blissful Employment engage us to fet a Watch over the Door of our Lips, and to render our Difcourse such as becomes the Gofpel of Chrift, fuch at least as is commonly virtuous and innocent ? If our Souls are to be greatly purified and exalted in order to our being made meet Partakers of hea venly Joys; and if Conversation be a proper and necessary Means for working out for us such Improvements, then does it behove us in every Instance of Conversation to remember the Dignity of our Being, and to act up to the Worthiness of our Vocation, that no corrupt Communication of any Sort may ever proceed out of our Mouth. Bur more especially when we are called upon to be Guests at God's Table, let us confider, that in vain shall we endeavour to purify our Thoughts, unless we likewise purify our Discourse; because he who feemeth to be Religious and bridleth not his Tongue, that Man's Religion is vain, faith the Apostle; and we cannot be guilty of a greater Profanation of our Lord's Supper, than by receiving those Holy Mysteries into a Mouth, through which Streams of Corruption are continually flowing. Let therefore the Purifying Coals of God's Altar, while they enflame our Minds with Pious Difpositions, enrich our Mouths likewise with the devoutest Thanksgivings; that VOL I. when when our Hearts are ready, we may praise the Lord with the best Member that we have; that that Meekness and Charity which the Gospel inspires, that Innocence and Simplicity which adorn a Christian Conversation, may run through all our Discourse; and that while we minister Grace unto the Hearers, we may treasure up our own Justification againft that Day, wherein by our Words we shall be justified, and by our Words we shall be condemned. SERMON XI. ROMANS vi. 21. What Fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the End of those things is Death. W HERE Interest and Happiness are apparently concern'd, there seems to be no Room at all left for Perswasion; and the Suggeftions of our Nature, one would imagine, should anticipate the Force of any enticing Words of Exhortation, in the Purfuit of whatever may be good and profitable to us, and in the rejecting whatVOL. I. 2 ever |