The Evil Tongue Tried and Found Guilty, Chapter 1
CHAP. 1.
FIrst, I shall briefly mention the ends and designs of my heart in writing these few Lines, which I hope are good.
First, to convince and open the eyes and consciences of such as are guilty of that so foul and abominable sin; that they may see their nakedness and shame; have the discovery of their great sin and wickedness, in defaming and reproaching, in violating, and murdering the good names of Men, smite, and deeply wound their consciences, and lay them under shame and sorrow.
2dly. To awaken their sad sleepy souls, and bring them to serious and thorough repentance, that they may loath themselves, and repent in dust and ashes; that they hear and fear, and do no more so wickedly: That they may look on him whom they have pierced, by reproaching, and defaming; and mourn, and be in bitterness of soul, Zach. 12.10. that they may turn from it, reject and forsake it, that so it may not be their everlasting ruine, Exek. 18.30. For if such do not particularly repent of so foul, horrid, and God provoking a sin which they have often committed, they shall everlastingly perish, Luk. 13.3, 5. but I would prevent their ruine.
3dly, To perswade such as are guilty of this sin, to do all they can with all possible speed to make restitution to them whom they have wickedly, violently, and villainously robbed of their rare and choice jewels (their good names); and give them all possible satisfaction for all the injurious wrongs they have done them; by healing what they have wounded, cleansing and purifying what they have abominably defiled and polluted with their venemous tongues; without which not only men, but God also will hold them under guilt: for it is not sufficient when men have injuried one another, that they confess it to God, and repent of it before him; no, but they must also do what they can to make restitution, and give satisfaction, to men whom they have wronged, or else be assured there is no pardon nor peace to be had of God, Luke 19.8. and not only did converted Zacheus do so, but even wicked Judas his conscience put him upon making restitution, Mat. 3.4, 5. and so will thine, before God will acquit and clear thee whoever thou art.
4thly. A fourth end is to arm and fence men, to strengthen and help them against this sin, and to fortify them against all the Devils and his agents temptations, which they may meet withall, to prompt them to the committing of this sin. For the Devil, who is, and goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour; labours all he can to stir up malice, wrath, and envy in men against each other, and to open their mouths to wound and tare one anothers good names, like roaring Lyons.
5thly. To manifest to guilty souls what danger they are in, and to shew them what need they have of suing out a pardon through the blood of Christ; and to give no rest to their eyes, nor slumber to their eye-lids (as David speaks) untill they by faith obtain a pardon from God, and also from such as they have wronged. For to abide securely under the guilt of so hainous and damnable a sin, one hour is exceeding dangerous; for how soon, how quickly, may God cut the thread of our lives; and then being under guilt, may fall into eternal flames of Gods wrath.
6thly. To work in men an enmity against it, and a hatred of it: that they may loath the very garments spotted with this cursed sin, that they may keep at a distance from it, avoiding the very occasions and appearances of it, defy and abhor it as they would, or do Hell and the Devil.
7thly. To shew such who are guilty of reproaching and defaming the good names of men, what a world of hurt and mischief they have done; how odious and loathsome they have made themselves, and those whom they have defamed. What irreparable breaches, and incurable wounds they have made on their own souls and names, and on the good names of others by this their wickedness; yea, it may be on the great and glorious names of the blessed God too; on his Gospel, ways, and people also; which undoubtedly they have done, if the persons reproached by them are strict and holy professors of Christ: especially, If they are, they are the Ministers of Christ, who in the generall course of their lives are serious holy men.
8thly. To provoke and quicken all persons to circumspection and watchfulness against this soul iniquity; to set a watch before their mouths, and keep the door of their lips, that they reproach not with their tongues, as David, Psal. 39.1. and that in time of temptation, they may be on their guard, ready to receive, resist, and oppose the Tempter.
9thly. To muzzle and tye up such poisonous tongues as will not otherwise be reclaimed, by the threats and terrors of the vengeance of God, which assuredly will overtake and light upon Reproachers, and defamers of men; especially, of good men; as I shall prove and make appear to all (through the help of God) the Apostle tells us, that we must endeavour to save some with compassion, with much tenderness, but others with fear, Jude 22.23. and the Apostle Paul charges, to rebuke some sharply, that they may be found in the faith, Tit. 1.13.
10thly. To shut the ears of men against hearkning to, and receiving of the reports that Reproachers bring to them of others. It is a certain truth, that were there no healers, there would be no stealers; if there were no receivers of such accursed wedges, there would be no givers; were there no buyers, there would be no sellers of this poyson; would men shut their ears against them, as they would against Thieves and murderers; Reproachers might carry back their wares to Hell again, from whence they had them: And therefore I would put a gag into Reproachers mouths, and a pegg into their receivers ears, that thereby I may put a stop to the current of this abomination.
Lastly, To perswade persons to take heed and bewar of those persons who are known to practise this abomination, and to reject all unnecessary communion with them; and have no more to do with them, then you would with known Thieves and murderers. And if at any time you are cast into their company, and hear them begin to medle with or talk of, or by any means raise suspicion of a person, especially of a good man, and to spet their poyson on his, or her, good names, then presently to enter your protest against them, your abhorrence of their doings, and rebuke them sharply; that so they may be recovered out of the snare of the Devil, who sets them on to the work, and leads them captive to it; though they are his willing Captives. These are some of the ends I have in my eye and heart in this undertaking, that God may be glorified, and souls saved, in and by repentance and reformation.