A Body of Practical Divinity, Sermon 86

A Body of Practical Divinity · Sermon 86

p. 986Of the Government of the Tongue.

Jam. 3.6.

And the Tongue is a Fire, a World of Iniquity.

THE Apostle Iames in this Scripture describes the Evil of the Tongue: The Tongue is a Fire, a World of Iniquity.

1. It is a Fire: It burns with intemperate heat; it causeth the Heat of Contention; it sets others in a Flame.

2. A World of Iniquity: It was at first made to be an Organ of God's Praise, but it is become an Instrument of Unrighteousness. All the Members of the Body are sinful, as there is bitterness in every Branch of Wormwood; but the Tongue is excessively sinful, full of deadly Poison, vers. 8.

Doctr. The Tongue, though it be a little Member, yet it hath a World of Sin in it. The Tongue is an unruly Evil. We put Bitts in Horses Mouths and rule them; but the Tongue is an unbridled Thing. It is hard to find a Curbing bitt to rule the Tongue. There is a World of Sin in the Tongue. The Devil makes use of Men's Tongues for the promoting most of the Wickedness which is in the World. I shall show you some of the Evils of the Tongue.

I. The Evil Tongue (travel a little over this World) is the silent Tongue: It is wholly mute in Matters of Religion; it never speaks of God or Heaven, as if it cleaved to the roof of the Mouth. Men are fluent and discursive enough in other Things, but in Matters of Religion their Lips are sealed up. If we come into some People's Company, we do not know what Religion they are of, whether Iews or Mahometans, for they never speak of Christ; they are like the Man in the Gospel, who was possessed with a Dumb Devil, Mar. 9.17.

II. The Evil Tongue is the earthly Tongue: Men talk of nothing but the World, their Wares and Drugs, or their rich Purchace. Son's of the Earth; they have the Serpent's Curse, lick the Dust. Ioh. 3.31. He that is of the Earth, speaketh of the Earth: as if all their Hopes were here, and they looked for an earthly Eternity; these have Brutish Minds. Seneca being asked of what Country he was, answered, that he was foreign, a Citizen of this World: So, many are Citizens of this World, all their Discourse and Traffick is here. Their Speech bewrays them.

III. The Evil Tongue is the hasty or angry Tongue: They have no command of Passions, but are carried away with them, as a Chariot with wild Horses. I know there is an Holy Anger, when we are angry with Sin: Christ had this Anger when they made the Temple a place of Merchandice, Ioh. 2.15. That Anger is without Sin, which is against Sin; but that is an Evil Tongue, which is presently blown up into exorbitant Passion; this Tongue is set on Fire from Hell. Isaiah's Lips were touched with a Coal from the Altar, Isa. 6. His Tongue was set on Fire from Heaven; but the angry furious Tongue is set on Fire from Hell. When the Tongue is on Fire, it is the Devil that lights the Match. Eccles. 7.9. Anger rests in the Bosom of Fools: It may be in a Wise Man, but it rests in a Fool. More are drunk with Passion than Wine: Hierome. Water when it is hot soon boils over: So when the Heart is heated with Anger, it soon boils over in fiery and passionate Speeches. 1 King. 19.12. after the Earthquake a Fire, but God was not in the Fire: So I may say of the Fire of rash Anger, God is not in this Fire. Grace heats the Heart but cools the Tongue; makes it meek and calm. Passion transports it oft, disturbs the use of Reason; Brevis Insania; and if Reason cannot act, much less can Grace. Rashness of Anger hinders Holy Duties. Hot Passions make cold Prayers. A wrathful Spirit is unsuitable to the Gospel: It is a Gospel of Peace, and it is sealed by the Spirit, who came in the Form of a Dove; a meek peaceable Creature. Thou who art given much to Passion, whose Tongue is often set on Fire, take heed thou dost not one Day in Hell desire a drop of Water to cool thy Tongue.

IV. The Evil Tongue is the Vain Tongue, that vents its self in idle Words: as if a Tree should bear nothing but Blossoms, Psal. 10.7. under his Tongue is Vanity; his Speaking is like a Child's Scribling, vain and insignificant. Men want Grace to Ballast them, and make them serious. A vain Tongue shows a light Heart. A good Man's Words are weighty and prudent; his Lips are as a Tree of Life to feed many; his Speech is edifying: Prov. 10.20. The Tongue of the Iust is as choice Silver. p. 987Gracious Words drop as Silver from him, to the enriching the Souls of others: But, Prov. 15.2. the Mouth of Fools poors out foolishness: like the Water in a Spout… that runs out unprofitably and doth no good. Many have a Sea of W…r…s, but scarce a drop of Matter; they have Words without Wisdom. How many idle away the Day of Grace in frivolous Discourses? A piece of Gold sinks into the Water, but a Feather swims upon it. A Wise Man's Words are like Gold, weighty, and will sink into the Hearts of others; but the Words of many are light and feathery, and will make no impression. Matth. 12.36. Every idle Word that Men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the Day of Iudgment. Words that are of no account will turn to an heavy account.

5. The Evil Tongue is the Censorious Tongue: Iam. 4.12. Who art thou that judgest another? Some make it a part of their Religion to judge and censure others; they do not imitate their Graces, but censure their Failings: Such an one is rash and indiscreet; such an one is an Hypocrite; this comes from Pride. Were Men's Hearts more humble, their Tongues would be more charitable. The Censurer sits in the Chair of Pride, and passeth Sentence upon another, and doth reprobate him: This is to usurp God's Prerogative, and take his Work out of his Hands; 'tis God's Work to judge, not ours. He who spends his Time in censuring others, spends but little Time in examining himself; he doth not see his own faults. I fear this is the Sin of many Professors, when they meet together to cast the Stone of Censure at others. There's not a greater sign of Hypocrisie, than to be over-hasty in judging and censuring Persons. A Gracious Heart censures himself, and hath charitable thoughts of others; the Hypocrite è contra.

6. The Evil Tongue is the Slanderous Tongue. Psal. 50.20. Thou sittest and slanderest thy own Mother's Son. Slandering is when we speak to the prejudice of another, and speak that which is not true. Worth and Eminency is commonly blasted by Slander: Holiness it self is no Shield from Slander. The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf. Iohn Baptist came neither eating nor drinking, yet they say he hath a Devil, Matth. 11.18. Slandering Iob calls the Scourge of the Tongue, Iob 5.21. And Ier. 18.18. Come and let us smite him with the Tongue; you may smite another and never touch him. Psal. 64.3. Their Tongues are Arrows shot out. A Slanderer wounds another's Fame, and no Physician can heal these Wounds. Majora sunt lingua vulnera quam gladii, Aug. The Sword doth not make so deep a Wound as the Tongue. The Greek Word for Slanderer signifies Devil, 1 Tim. 3.11. Some think it is no great matter to belye and defame another; but know, this is to act the part of a Devil. The Slanderer's Tongue is a two-edged Sword, it Wounds two at once. While the Slanderer Wounds another in his Name, he Wounds himself in his Conscience. This is contrary to Scripture, Iam. 4.11. Speak not Evil one of another. foreign. God takes this ill at our Hands, to speak Evil of others, especially such as are eminently Holy, and help to bear up the Honour of Religion. Numb. 12.8. Were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses. What my Servant, who hath wrought so many Miracles, whom I have spoken with in the Mount Face to Face, were not ye afraid to speak against him? So will God say. It is the Devils proper Sin, he is the Accuser of the Brethren; he doth not commit Adultery, but bears False Witness. The Slanderer is still clipping the Credit of his Neighbour, that he may make it weigh lighter: Take heed of this, it is a Sin our Nature is very prone to; and remember 'tis no less Sin to rob another of his Good Name, than to steal his Goods or Wares out of his Shop.

7. The Evil Tongue is the Vnclean Tongue, that vents it self in filthy and scurillous words. Men's Language is such as if they came out of Hell: This is forbidden, Eph. 4.29. Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouth. Better be born Dumb, than to have the Devil in ones Tongue. A Sign of a great Distemper, that the Fever is high, when the Tongue is black. A Sign Men's Hearts are very Evil, when such black Words come from them. When I go in the Streets, and hear the Language of some, I think of the Man in the Gospel, who had the Spirit of an Vnclean Devil in him, Luk. 4.33. Men's Lips do not drop as the Honycomb, but they drop Poison to the defiling of others, 1 Cor. 15.33. It is a Sign when the Face breaks out in Sores and Pimples, that the Blood is corrupt; so an unclean Tongue may be compared to a Sink, where all the Filth of the House is carried forth. We read that the Lips of the Leper were to be covered, Lev. 13.45. 'Twere well if we had such Magistrates as would by their Authority cover the unclean Lips of those Lepers in this City.

8. The Evil Tongue is the Lying Tongue. Col. 3.9. Lye not one to another. The Cretians were noted for Lyars, Tit. 1.12. foreign, &c. The Cretians p. 988are always Lyars. It becomes not Christians to be Cretians. Nothing more contrary to God than a Lye; it shews much Irreligion: In Heart there wants the fear of God, which should Bridle lying Lips. Lying is a Sin that doth not go alone; it ushers in other Sins. Absalom told his Father a Lye, that he was going to pay his Vow at Hebron, 2 Sam. 15.7. and this Lye was a Preface to his Treason. Lying is such a Sin as takes away all Society and Converse with Men: How can you have Converse with him that you cannot trust a Word he saith? It is a Sin so sordid, that when the Lyar is convicted he is ashamed. God's Children have this Character, they are Children that will not Lye, Isa. 63.8. the New Nature in them will not suffer them. The Lyar is near a Kin to the Devil; and the Devil will shortly claim kindred with him: Ioh. 8.44. The Devil is a Lyar and the Father of it. He seduced our First Parents by a Lye, Gen. 3.4. How doth this Sin incense God? he struck Ananias dead for telling a Lye, Act. 5.5. The Furnace of Hell is heated to throw Lyars into. Rev. 22.15. Without are Dogs, and Sorcerers, and Whoremongers, and whosoever loveth and telleth a Lye.

9. The Evil Tongue is the Flattering Tongue: That will speak fair to ones Face, but will defame: Pro. 26.25. He that hateth dissembleth with his Lips: When he speaketh fair believe him not: Dissembled Love is worse than Hatred. Some can commend and reproach, flatter and hate: [Honey in their Mouths, but a sting of Malice in their Hearts:] Better are the Wounds of a Friend, than the Kisses of such an Enemy. Hierome saith, The Arrian Faction pretended Friendship; they, saith he, kissed my Hands, but slandered me and sought my Ruine. Many have dissembling Tongues; they can say, Your Servant, and lay Snares: Prov. 29.5. A Man that flattereth his Neighbour, spreadeth snares for his Feet: You oft think you have a Frie…d in your Bosom, but he proves a Viper. To dissemble Love is no better than a Lye; for there is a pretence of that Love which is not. Many are like Ioab, 2 Sam. 20.9. And Joab said to Amasa art thou in Health my Brother, and he took him by the Beard to kiss him, and he smote him in the Fifth Rib that he dyed. Impia sub dulci melle venena latent. For my part, I much question his Truth towards God, that will flatter and lye to his Friend: He who counterfeits love to his Friend, is worse than he that Coins counterfeit Money. God will bring such an one to shame at last. Prov. 26.26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his Wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation.

10. The Evil Tongue is the Tongue given to Boasting. Iam. 3.5. The Tongue is a little Member, and boasteth great things. There is an Holy boasting, Psal. 44.8. In God we boast all the Day; when we triumph in his Power and Mercy: But it is a sinful boasting, when Men display their Trophies, boast of their own Worth and Eminency, that others may admire and cry them up: A Man's s…lf is his Idol, and he loves to have this Idol worshipped: Acts 5.36. There arose up Theudas boasting himself to be Somebody. 2. Sinful boasting is when Men boast of their Sins: Psal. 52. 1. Why boastest thou thy self in mischief, O mighty Man? Some boast how wicked they have been; how many they have made drunk; how many they have deflowered: As if a Beggar should boast of his Sores; or a Thief boast of being burnt in the Hand: Such as boast of their sinful Exploits, will have little cause to rejoice or hang up their Trophies when they come to Hell.

XI. The Evil Tongue is the Swearing Tongue: Matth. 5.34. Swear not at all. The Scripture allows an Oath for the ending of a Controversie, and to clear the Truth, Heb. 6.16. But in ordinary discourse to use an Oath, and so to take God's Name in Vain, is sinful. Swearing may be called the unfruitful Work of Darkness; there is neither Pleasure nor Profit in it; 'tis like an Hook the Fish comes to without a Bait. Ier. 23.10. Because of Swearing the Land Mourns. Some think it the grace of their Speech; but will God reckon with Men for idle Words, what will he do for sinful Oaths?

Obj. But it is only a petty Oath? they but Swear by their Faith?

Answ. Sure they which have so much Faith in their Mouth, have none in their Heart. But it is my Custom. Is this an excuse or an aggravation of the Sin? If a Malefactor should be Arraigned for Robbing, and he should say to the Judge, Spare me, it is my Custom to rob on the Highway; the Judge would say, Thou shalt the rather die. For every Oath thou Swearest, God puts a drop of Wrath into his Viol.

Obj. But may some think, what though now and then I Swear an Oath, Words are but Wind?

Answ. But they are such a Wind as will blow thee into Hell, without repentance.

p. 98912. The Railing Tongue is an evil Tongue. This is a Plague-Sore breaking out at the Tongue, when we give opprobrious Language. When the Dispute was between the Arch-Angel and the Devil about the Body of Moses, Jude v. 9. the Arch-Angel durst not bring a railing Accusation against him; but said, The Lord rebuke thee. The Arch-Angel durst not rail against the Devil. Railing oft ends in Reviling, and so Men bring themselves into a Praemunire, and are in danger of Hell-Fire, Matth. 5.22.

13. The Seducing Tongue is an evil Tongue. The Tongue that by fine Rhetorick decoys Men into Error. Rom. 16.18. By fair Speechs they deceive the hearts of the simple. A fair Tongue can put off bad Wares. Error is bad Ware, which a seducing Tongue can put off. The Deceit lies in this; a smooth Tongue can make Error look so like Truth, that you can hardly know them asunder: As thus; in Iustification: Christ bears infinite Love to justified Persons; this is a glorious Truth; but under this Notion, the Antinomian presseth Libertinism: Believers may take more liberty to sin, and God sees no Sin in them: Thus, by crying up Iustification, they destroy Sanctification. Here is the Seducing Tongue; and Error is as dangerous as Vice: One may die by Poyson as well as a Pistol.

14. The evil Tongue is the cruel Tongue, that speaks to the wounding the hearts of others. The Tongue is made almost in the fashion of a Sword; and the Tongue is sharp as a Sword. Psal. 57.4. Their Tongue is a sharp Sword. Kind, loving Words should be spoken to such as are of a heavy heart. Iob 6.14. To him that is afflicted pity should be shown. Healing Words are fittest for a broken heart; but that is a cruel, unmerciful Tongue which speaks such Words to the afflicted, as cut them to the heart. Psal. 69.26. They talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. Hannah was a Woman of a troubled Spirit. 1 Sam. 1.10. She was in bitterness of Soul, and wept sore. And now Eli, ver. 14. said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy Wine from thee. This Word was like pouring Vinegar into the Wound. When Iob was afflicted with God's Hand, his Friends, instead of comforting him, tell him he was an Hypocrite. Iob 11.2. These were cutting Words, which went to his heart. Instead of giving him Cordials in his fainting, they use Corrosives. This is to lay more weight upon a dying Man.

15. The evil Tongue is the murmuring Tongue. Iude 16. These are Murmurers. Murmuring is Discontent breaking out at the Lips. Men quarrel with God, and tax his Providence, as if he had not dealt well with them. Why should any murmur, or be discontented at their Condition? Doth God owe them any thing? Or, can they deserve any thing at his hands? Oh, how uncomely is it to murmur at Providence! It is fittest for a Cain to be Wroth with God. Gen. 4.6.

1. Murmuring proceeds from Unbelief. When men distrust God's Promise, then they murmur at his Providence. Psal. 106.24, 25. They believed not his Word, but murmured. When Faith grows low, then Passions grow high.

2. Murmuring proceeds from Pride, men think they have deserv'd better; and because they are crossed, therefore they utter discontented Expressions against God. He who is humble bears any thing from God; he knows his Punishment is less than his Sin; therefore saith, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, Micah 7.9. But Pride conjures up this Devil of Discontent; and hence come Murmurings: Murmuring is a Sin that God cannot bear. Numb. 14.27. How long shall I bear with this People that murmur against me? The Murmurer discovers much Ingratitude. A murmuring Tongue is always an unthankful Tongue: He considers not how he is a Debtor to Free Grace; and whatever he hath is more than God owes him: He considers not that his Mercies out-weigh his Afflictions; there's more Honey in his Cup than Wormwood: He considers not what God hath done for him more than such as are better than he: He hath the finest of Wheat, when others feed as Daniel, on Pulse. The Murmurer, I say, doth not consider this; but because he is crossed in some small matter, he repines against God. Oh Ingratitude! Israel, though they had Manna from Heaven, to satisfie their Hunger, Angels Food; yet murmured for want of Quails; not content that God should supply their want, but must satisfie their Lusts too. Oh unthankful! Israel's murmuring cost many of them their Lives. 1 Cor. 10.10. Neither murmur ye as some of them did, and were destroyed of the Destroyer. Their Speechs were venomous, and God punished them with venomous Serpents.

16. The evil Tongue is the scoffing Tongue. The Scoffer sits in the Chair of Scorners, and derides Religion. Surely the Devil hath taken great possession of men, when they have arrived at such a degree of Sin as to scoff at Holiness. It was foretold as a Sin of the last Times. 2 Pet. 3.3. There shall come in the last days p. 990Scoffers. Some scoff at the Authority of Scripture, Deity of Christ, the Immortality of the Soul: This is the worst sort of Tongues. When Men have laid aside the Veil of Modesty, and their Consciences are …eared, then they fall a scoffing at Religion; and when once they are come to this, their case is desperate; no Reproofs will reclaim them. Tell them of their Sin, and they will hate you the more. Prov. 9.8. Reprove not a Scorner, lest he hate thee. Such a man is on the Threshold of Damnation.

17. The evil Tongue is the Tongue given to Cursing. Psal. 10.7. His Mouth is full of cursing; a wishing some great evil to befall another. Cursing is the Scum that boils off from a wicked Heart. Though it is true, the Curse causless shall not come; [it is not in man's power to make another cursed,] yet to wish a Curse, is a fearful Sin. If to hate our Brother, be Murder, 1 John 3.15. then to curse him, which is the highest degree of Hatred, must needs be Murder. To use an Execration or Curse, is for a man to do what lies in him to damn another. Some wish a Curse upon themselves: So the Iews; His Blood be upon us, &c. and so do your God damme's, as if Damnation did not come fast enough. Psal. 109.17. As be loved cursing, so let it come to him.

18. The evil Tongue is the unjust Tongue; that will for a piece of Money open its Mouth in a bad Cause. The Lawyer hath Linguam venalem, a Tongue that will be sold for Money. Psal. 82.2. How long will ye judge unjustly? Some will plead any Cause, though never so bad: Though it appears the Deeds are forged, the Witnesses bribed, there's Perjury in the Cause; yet they will plead it. When a man pleads a bad Cause, he is the Devil's Attorney. As God hates false weights, so a false Cause. Better be born dumb, than open ones mouth in a bad Cause. Oh, what times are we in! Many pervert Justice, and for enriching themselves, overthrow a righteous Cause. These are worse than they that rob; for they fleece mens Estates under a colour of Law, and ruine them under a pretence of doing Justice.

Vse 1. Branch 1. See what a Blow we have sustained by the Fall; it hath put out of frame the whole course of Nature. Original Sin hath diffused it self as a poyson into all the Members of the Body. It hath made the Eye unchast, the Hands full of Bribes; among the rest, it hath defiled the Tongue; it is a world of iniquity: That which was made to be the Organ of God's Praise, is become a weapon of unrighteousness.

Bran 2. If there be so much evil in the Tongue, what is in the Heart? If the Stream be so full of Water, how full of Water is the Fountain? If there be a world of iniquity in the Tongue, how many worlds of Sin are there in the heart? Psal. 5.9. Their inward part is very wickedness. If the Tongue, which is the outward part, be so wicked, the inward part is very wickedness. Psal. 64.6. The Heart is deep. It is such a Deep as cannot be fathom'd; deep Pride, Hypocrisie, Atheism.

The Heart is like the Sea, where is the Leviathan, and creeping things innumerable, Psal. 104. If the Skin hath Boils or Leprosie in it, how much Corruption is in the Blood? If the Tongue be so bad, how diabolical is the Heart? It is the Heart sets the Tongue a-work. Out of the abundance of the Heart the Mouth speaketh. There are the Seeds of all Atheism and Blasphemy. The Heart is the Trojan Horse, out of which a whole Army of Sin comes. Matth. 15.9. Out of the Heart proceed evil Thoughts, Murders, Adulteries; these defile a man. If a Branch of Wormwood be so bitter, then how bitter is the Root? Oh, what a Root of Bitterness grows in a man's Heart! Some say they have good Hearts, but if the Tongue be so bad, quid Cor? If I see a Smoak come out of the top of a Chimney, what a Fire burns within? Prov. 6.12, 14. A wicked man walketh with a froward mouth: frowardness is in his Heart. Solomon shews Reason why the Mouth is so froward; Frowardness is in his Heart. The Heart is a Store-house of Wickedness; therefore call'd the evil Treasure of the Heart, Mat. 12.35. Original Righteousness was a good Treasure; but we were robb'd of that; and now there is an evil Treasure of Sin. The Word Treasure, denotes Plenty; to shew the fulness and abundance of Sin that is in the Heart. The Heart is a lesser Hell; which is matter of deep Humiliation. The Heart is like the Egyptian Temples, full of Spiders and Serpents.

Vse 2. Reproof. It reproves such as abuse their Tongues in all manner of evil speaking, Lying, Slandering, rash Anger. The Heart is a Vessel full of Sin, and the Tongue sets it abroach. O how fast do mens Tongues gallop in Sin! They say, they give God their hearts; but let the Devil take possession of their Tongues. Ps. 12.4. Our Lips are our own, who is Lord over us? Who hath any thing to do with our Words? Who shall controll us? Who is Lord over us? There's no Engine the Devil p. 991makes more use of than the Tongue. What Errors, Contentions, Impieties have been propagated this way to the Dishonour of the high God? David calls his Tongue his Glory. Psal. 57.8. Awake my Glory. Why did he call his Tongue his Glory, but because by it he did set forth God's Glory in praising him? But a wicked man's Tongue is not his Glory, but his Shame. With his Tongue he wounds the Glory of God; it is set on fire of Hell.

Vse 3. Confutation. Bran. 1. It confutes the Catharists, and Perfectists, that plead for Perfection in this Life. If the Tongue hath so many Evils in it, how are they perfect? Prov. 20.9. Who can say I have made my heart clean, I am pure from Sin? He makes a challenge to all the World. But the Perfectist saith, he is pure from Sin: Like Isidore the Monk, Non hab…o, Domine, quod mihi ignoscas; I have nothing, Lord, for thee to pardon. If pure and perfect, then they put Christ out of Office; he hath nothing to do for them as an Advocate; they have no need of his Intercession. But, Eccles. 7.20. There is not a just man upon Earth, that doth good, and sinneth not. Nay, that sinneth not in doing good. In the Grammar, with the Present Tense is joyn'd the Imperfect: With the Present State of Grace is joyn'd Imperfection. There's not a just man on earth, that sinneth not; nay, I may say, that sinneth not in his tongue. Moses was noted for the meekest man alive; yet he spake unadvisedly with his Lips: Hear ye Rebels. Moses could not plead Perfection. Paul was an elect Vessel; but there fell out a sharp contention between him and Barnabas; and they grew so hot in their Words, that they parted each from other; and we do not read that they had any more friendly Visits, Acts 15.39. Paul himself was not perfect. Sin is like the wild Fig-tree in the Wall; cut off the Branches, and Stump, yet some Sprig or other will spring out again. How proud and supercilious are they who hold they are perfect, when the holiest men alive, at some time or other offend in their Tongue? There is no Perfection on this side the Grave. Perfection never begins till the Life ends. Only the Death of the Body will free us from the Body of Death.

Branch 2. It confutes the Arminians; those Patrons of Free Will: they say, they have power to their own Salvation; they can change their Heart. The Apostle saith, The Tongue can no man tame, Jam. 3.8. If they cannot bridle their Tongue, how can they conquer their Will? If they cannot master this little Member, (Tongue,) how can they change their Nature? Alas, as St. Austin saith, Cathedram habet in Coelo, qui corda docet in Terra; He hath his Pulpit in Heaven, that converts Hearts. But what Reply will Men make at the last Day, when God shall say, You had power to convert your selves, why were you not converted? You could have come to Christ if you pleased; but why did ye not? It was Wilfulness. Ex ore tuo, out of thy own mouth I will condemn thee.

Vse 4. Caution. Take heed to your Tongue; have a care that ye offend not with your Tongue. Psal. 34.14. Keep thy Tongue from evil. A Sin we are very prone to, to lash out with our Tongues. There's the Fire of Lust in the Eye, and the Fire of Passion in the Tongue. Psal. 39.1. I said, I will take heed to my Ways, that I offend not with my tongue. An hard Lesson! Pambus said he was above twenty years learning that Scripture, not to offend with his tongue. The Tongue is an unruly Member; God hath set a double Hedge before the Tongue, the Teeth and Lips, to keep it within its bounds, that it doth not speak vainly. O, look to your Tongue. When a City is besieged, he that keeps the Gates of the City, keeps the whole City safe; so, if you keep the Gates or Doors of your Mouth, you keep your whole Soul.

Rules for the well ordering and regulating your Words, or the governing of your Tongue, that you do not dishonour God therewith.

1 Rule. If you would have better Tongues, labour for better Hearts. It is the Heart hath Influence upon the Tongue. The Heart fills the Tongue with Words, as the Cistern is fill'd from the Spunge. The way to heal the Tongue, is to better the Heart. The Vapours that trouble the Head, come from the Stomach. If you would cure the Head, apply something to the Stomach. If the Stomach were better, the Head would be better; Reformation must begin at the Heart. In a Watch, when the Wheels are out of order, they mend the Spring thereof; so when the Tongue is like a Watch that runs too fast in vain, sinful talk, mend the Spring; let thy Heart be bettered. If the Heart be vain and earthly, the Tongue will be so. If the Water be foul in the Fountain, it cannot be clear in the Vessel. If the Heart be holy, the Tongue will be so. Look to thy Heart; get a better Heart, and a better Tongue.

p. 992Quest. How shall I get my Heart bettered?

Answ. Get a Principle of Grace infused: Grace is like the Salt cast into the Spring: Grace changeth the Heart, and sanctifies all the Members of the Body; it sanctifies the Eyes, and makes them Chast; it sanctifies the Tongue, and makes it Meek and Calm. When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles, they began to speak with other Tongues, Act. 2.4. When God's Spirit comes on a Man with a sanctifying Work, he speaks with another Tongue; the Speech is Heavenly; Grace makes the Heart Serious, and that cures the levity of the Tongue. When the Heart is serious, the Words are savoury.

2 Rule. If you would not Sin in your Tongue, call to Mind how you have formerly offended in your Tongue, and that will make you more watchful for the Future. Have not you spoken Words that have savoured of Discontent or Envy? Have not you been guilty of Censuring and Slandering? Have not you been disguised with Passion? Hath not your Tongue out run your Discretion? Have not you spoken Words that you have been sorry for afterwards, and have caused either shame or tears? O observe former failings, how you have sinned in your Tongue, and that will be a good help for the future. David certainly made a Critical Observation upon some of his Words, wherein he had offended: Words of Pride: Psal. 30.6. In my Prosperity I said I shall never be moved. And, Psal. 116.14. I said in my haste, All Men are Lyars: Even Samuel and all the Prophets, who promised me the Kingdom, they are all Lyars; and I shall die before I can come to enjoy it. David having observed how he had offended in his Tongue, he is more careful of his Words, and made a strict Vow with himself that he would look better them. Psal. 39.1. I said I would take heed to my Ways, that I offend not with my Tongue. Look to the former slips of your Tongue, and how you have by your Words provoked God, and that will be a good means to make you more cautious for the future. A Mariner that hath twice touched upon a Rock, and been like to be cast away, will be more careful how he comes there again.

3 Rule. Watch your Tongue: Most Sin is committed for want of Watchfulness. As the Tongue hath a double Fence set about it, so it had need have a double Watch. The Tongue when it is let loose will be ready to speak loosly; watch it, lest it run beyond its Bounds, in frothy and sinful Discourse: Prov. 30.32. If thou hast thought Evil, lay thy Hand upon thy Mouth: That is (say some) lay thy Hand upon thy Mouth in token of Repentance. But it may bear another Sence: If thou hast thought Evil, if angry malicious thoughts come into thy Mind, lay thy Hand upon thy Mouth to stop thy Lips, that thy thoughts come not into Words; do not speak what thou thinkest▪ If thou hast in thy Heart conceived Evil, let not thy Tongue be the Midwife to bring it forth; lay thy Hand upon thy Mouth. The Spiritual Watch must be kept daily: Watch and Pray: 'Tis not enough to Pray against Sin, but you must Watch against it. Look to your Tongue that there be no Wild Fire got into it. The Iews Sealed the Sepulchre and set a Watch: So Seal up your Lips, by an Holy Vow, and then Watch them that they speak no Evil.

4 Rule. If you would not offend in your Tongue, ponder your Words well before you speak, Eccles. 5.1. Be not rash with thy Mouth. Some speak vainly, because inconsiderately; they do not weigh their Words before they speak them. He must needs make wild Work in Printing, that should print his Letters and never mind how he sets them. He that speaks rashly, speaks rudely, and discovers either Indiscretion or Sin. Words spoken in haste may be repented of at leisure: As it is with a Man's going; if he goes carelesly, and doth not mind his way, his Foot may be in a Slough e'er he is aware: So with a Man's speaking, If he do not mind his Words, but gives his Tongue liberty, he may speak not only unadvisedly, but unholily, and give just offence.

5 Rule. If you would not offend in your Tongue, pray to God to guard your Tongue: Psal. 141.3. Set a Watch, O Lord, before my Mouth. Set not about this Work in your own Strength, but implore God's help. The Tongue can no Man tame, Jam. 3.8. Man that can tame the fiercest Creatures, Lion, Wolf, Elephant, yet cannot tame the Tongue; but God can tame it; therefore go to him by Prayer: Pray, Lord, set a Watch before the Door of my Lips; keep me, that I may speak nothing to grieve thy Spirit, or that may tend to thy dishonour. God is the great Lord-Keeper, he keeps the Heart and Tongue. Pray, that his fear may be a Golden Bridle to check us from speaking Evil; then we are safe when we have God for our Guardian.

p. 9936 Rule. If you would be kept from evil speaking, inure your Tongues to good speaking. If you would not have the Cask have a bad scent, put good Liquor into it: So if you would not have your Tongue run out sinfully, let it be used to good discourse; speak often one to another of Christ, and the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God: The Spouses Lips drop'd as an Honey-comb, Cant. 4.11.

MOTIVES. Vse. To beware of Tongue-Sins.

1 Motive. If you have no care of your Tongues, all your Religion is Vain. Iam. 1.26. If any Man among you seems to be Religious, and bridleth not his Tongue, this Man's Religion is vain. Many a one will hear the Word, and make a profession of Religion; but cares not what Liberty he takes in his Tongue, to reproach and vilifie others. This Man's Religion is vain: That is, 1. He hath no Religion, his Religion is but a shew or pretence. The Blazing Comet is no Star. 2. It is vain, because it is ineffectual; it hath not that force upon him as Religion ought. That is a vain Thing, that doth not do its Work, or Answer its End. That Engine is vain, that will not carry the Water. That Physick is vain, that will not Work. That Ship is vain, that will not Sail. And that Religion is vain, which is ineffectual; it will not Bridle the Tongue, or Master the Passions. That which doth not attain the end for which it was appointed, is a vain Thing.

2 Motive. The Tongue discovers much of the Heart. Verba sunt nuncia cordis: Such as the Tongue is, such commonly the Heart is. A lascivious Tongue shews a lustful Heart; an earthly Tongue a covetous Heart; a murmuring Tongue a discontented Heart: The Tongue is oft a Commentary upon the Heart. As the Face breaking out in Sores shows the Blood is corrupt; so the Tongue breaking out in sinful Discourse shows the Heart is corrupt.

3 Motive. To allow our selves in the abuse of the Tongue, cannot stand with Grace. I know a good Man may sometimes speak unadvisedly with his Lips; he may fly out in Words, be in a Passion; but he doth not allow himself in it; when his Passion is over he weeps. Rom. 7.15. What I do I allow not; but for a Man to allow himself in Sin, Censuring, Slandering, dropping Words like Coals of Fire; sure it is not consistent with Grace. A Sheep may fall into the Dirt, but doth not lie there. A good Man may fall into a Sin of the Tongue, but doth not lie in it, he gets out again by repentance. To allow one's self in Sin, shews a Man is overcome of it; that he regards it in his Heart, and that is inconsistent with Grace, Psal. 66.18.

4 Motive. The Sins of the Tongue are very defiling: foreign, Iam. 3.6. The Tongue defileth: Defiling to one's self, and chiefly defiling to others. The Tongue conveys Poison into the Ear of another; sometimes by false Suggestions, raising Prejudices in the Mind of another, against such a Person; sometimes by passionate Speeches, the Spirit of another is provoked; as the firing one Beacon causeth more Beacons to be fired: So one angry Tongue makes more, and stirs up the Fire of Contention.

5 Motive. The Evil Tongue is set on Fire of Hell. In the Text, Isaiah's Tongue was set on Fire from Heaven; but a malicious, censorious, passionate Tongue, is set on Fire from Hell. When Satan inflames the Tongue, then it spits Fire: How rashly and sinfully did the Prophet Ionah speak, Ch. 4.9. I do well to be angry to the Death. Ionah in the Hebrew signifies a Dove, which is without Gall; but he shew'd too much Gall of bitterness: What! to be angry! and to be angry with God! and to justifie it! Sure his Tongue had not a Coal from God's Altar; for that was very unseemly for a Prophet. When you find your Spirits inflamed, and your Tongues on Fire, say as it is Deut. 29.24. What means the Heat of this Great Anger? Whence doth this Fire come? Is this Coal fetched from the Altar, or the Infernal Pit? Doth not Satan kindle this Fire in my Tongue, and then warm himself at it?

6 Motive. The Sins of the Tongue are provoking to God, and prejudicial to us. 1. Provoking to God; they make the fury rise up in his Face, Psal. 106.33. Moses spake unadvisedly with his Lips. What was this unadvised Speech? Numb. 20.10, 11. Hear now ye Rebells; must we fetch you Water out of this Rock? Though he were a Favourite, and God had spoken with him Face to Face, yet God gives him a check for it; it turned his smile into a frown. 2. Prejudicial to us: Moses's rash Speech shut him out of Canaan; it may us out of Heaven, of which that was but a Type. The Fiery Tongue oft brings Men to the Fiery Furnace. The rich Man cried for a drop of Water to cool his Tongue. Origen notes, he had sinned most in his Tongue, and God punished him most in his Tongue.

p. 9947 Motive. He who offends not in his Tongue is a perfect Man: An high expression. If any Man offend not in Word, the same is a perfect Man; that is, attained to a very high degree; in the highest Form of Christ's School: A prudent Man, or an upright Man, or comparatively, in comparison of others, such as have not gotten the Conquest over their Passions; he is far above them; and in comparison of them he is a perfect Man; such an one was Holy Cranmer, that could not be provoked by the ill carriages of others, but requited injuries with kindness.

8 Motive. You must give an account to God, as well of your Speeches, as your Actions, Mat. 12.36. Every idle Word that Men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Iudgment: Words of no account will have an heavy account; and if God will reckon with Men for every idle, angry Word, then what will he do for sinful Oaths? O that my Words were written, Job 19.23. Truly if many People's Words were written, they would be ashamed of them. And let me tell you, your Words are written, Rev. 20.12. The Books were opened. In the Book of God's remembrance all your Words are written: You had need then be careful you offend not with your Tongues; God writes down all you speak, and you must give an account to him. When Latimer heard the Pen going behind the Hangings, he was careful in his Answers: And let me tell you, as your Words are, such will your Sentence be; when the Books are opened, God will proceed with you in Judicature, according to your Words. By your Words you shall be saved or condemned, Matth. 12.37. By thy Words thou shalt be justified, and by thy Words thou shalt be condemned: This should Bridle our Tongues from evil speaking. If our Words be good, the Sentence will go on our side; if evil, the Sentence will go against us; By thy Words, &c. Treasonable Words make Men guilty in Man's Court; and vain, sinful in God's.