The Kingdom of God Among Men, Tract 1 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
Private mutual Exhortations, Pious discourse and edifying Conversation.
IT is also of great advantage when Christian people are inured in the way of Religious converse, and discourse for edification. For by this means they propagate the knowledge and love of the truth, and keep themselves in Spiritual life and vigor, and daily building up one another on their most holy faith, advance heaven-ward. And it is as comely as advantageous. The royal Prophet understood what was seemly and worthy of him in his conversation, and he saith, I will talk of thy commandments before Princes and not be ashamed. Is it not seemly for those that are risen with Christ to speak of the things above, and for Fellowtravell rs towards the heavenly Kingdom, to mention the affairs of their own country? It is also sweet and lovely, a partaking of that grace that was poured into Christs lips, and it is pleasant to all such as savour the things of God. Yea, are not Converts bound by all means to seek the conversion of others? We have received this holy commandment, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of edifying, that it may administer grace to the hearers.
Indeed holy language proceeding from the mouths of Scandalous persons or detected hypocrites is disgraced, and loseth its savour. If affectation and vanity appear therein, it hath not so sweet a relish. But this can be no disparagement to gracious words, which holy and humble men of inoffensive lives speak feelingly from the abundance of the heart; and those that judge them hypocrites, God will judge. Moreover, honest minds may be sometimes guilty of imprudence, and thereby occasion some disgust, and make that which is good and wholsom to be unacceptable and ineffectual. Nevertheless tis a bad matter for any one from the baseness of some Hypocrites, and the weakness of good Christians to take occasion of pouring out contempt upon this godly Practice. Yea, whosoever gives a check to it, upon pretence of its unseasonableness and impertinency at some times, are not well advised for the interest of true Religion, because for one that is overforward herein a hundred are too backward, and that among the Wise and Able, who might reap a harvest of much good, if they were not too shie or sluggish. The most have need rather of the spur than the bridle in this case.
Wherefore discretion will mind the season in which every thing is beautifull, and not inconsiderately force Discourse, and run on therein when it will not be entertained, as in the set times of other Mens sports or business: Nor will it press any beyond due measure, and what they can well receive, lest that which in it self is precious become nauseous or untastfull. Opportunity and leasure will sufficiently offer it self for set and solemn conference; and besides this, there will be room almost continually to put in by the by, a word that may take effect. How forcible are right words! It hath sometimes come to pass, that a short Saying occasionally let fall upon a prepared mind, hath entred deep, and stuck close. Yea, that which takes not much at present, may be remembred, and have its effect after a long time, and then be matter of much Blessing and Praise. The counsel of the wise Preacher looks this way. In the morning sow thy seed, in the evening with-hold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper this or that, or whether they shall be alike good. Whatsoever scornfull or careless Men conceit hereof, the Divine Wisdom hath made it praise-worthy and precious. The tongue of the just is as choice silver, and the lips of the righteous feed many. And to good Hearts this Practice will not be burdensom, for they will recreate their Minds herewith, as an holy divertisement and serious Pastime, while others spend their leasure in that mirth and laughter which the Wise Man calls madness.