A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 1 · Section 28
SECT. XXVIII.
4. A New heart will have a New tongue. The fruit of it will appear in the scope of a mans discourse: For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, Mat. 12. 34. I know a man may force his words, and therefore I still say to you, that these proofs from the outward actions, are stronger for the Negative, then the Affirmative. An evil tongue will prove an evil heart, but to prove a man sincere, there must be both heart and tongue. But certain it is, that though words may be counterfeit, yet true Conversion doth alway change the speech, and make the tongue also serviceable to those higher Ends, which the heart is newly set upon. He that before had no mind to speak of any thing but earthly and fleshly matters, he is now enquiring after other matters. The first words that we read of the converted Jews, Act. 2. 37. And the converted Jayler, Act. 16. And Paul, when be was converted, Act. 9. Were, What God would have them do that they might be saved. Before, the very discourse of sin, and Grace, and Christ, and the life to come, were a trouble to them, but now it is otherwise. They know they have their tongues for no greater use, nor can they better imploy them, then in seeking Direction for their Everlasting happiness. Now if you mark them in the company that they come into, if they have any fit opportunity, they are lamenting their former sinful life, or warning others to avoid the way that they were led into▪ or telling men of the evil of sin, and the need of Christ and Grace, or asking help of those that can help them: How to search their hearts; how to overcome the remnant of their sins; and how to carry on the work of God, that they may be ready for death and judgement, and get safe to Heaven. You that are carnal, do wonder that men speak so much of these things, and you are a weary to hear them, but you know not the change that is made upon their hearts. Can you blame a man to talk of his Everlasting condition, and of that which is of greater moment then all the matters of the world? Can you blame a man to talk most of that, which he mindeth most? and which his very heart is set upon? If his tongue be of Heaven, while his heart is on earth, then he is an Hypocrite: But would you not have a mans tongue to follow his heart, when his heart is right? yet some men are so perverse, and so against the things of God, that they are ready to say, why can't they keep their faith or Religion to themselves? Cannot they be Religious in secret, without talking of it so much to others? As if the heart onelyonly were made for God, and the tongue for the world, the flesh or the Devil. As if a man should talk of nothing but the childish toyes and trifles of the world, for fear of seeming an Hypocrite, or for fear of troubling these queazy souls. Shall the Holy Ghost make such a change on the heart of a sinner, and shall not the tongue partake of it, or express it? Can Christ and his Spirit dwell in the heart, and the tongue conceal so blessed an Inhabitant? Can a man have a taste of Heaven upon his heart, and the Kingdom of God begun within him, and yet not express his life or joy? Or is it meet for him that hath found the way to Heaven, to hold his tongue, and let others quietly post to Hell? Should a man that hath narrowly escaped damnation himself be silent, when he seeth others go in the same way that he had like to have perished in? Who will not call to another to take heed; that hath escaped a quick-sand himself? Or set up a bush, that those that follow may see the danger? Is it not a strange conceit of these men, that would have the converted so cruel to all that are yet unconverted; so unthankful to God that hath mercifully delivered them; so sensless of matters of the greatest weight, and so serviceable to Satan the great Deceiver, as to say nothing of such unspeakable things as these? What! Have the Love of God shed abroad in their hearts, and say nothing of it? Have the pardon of sin in the blood of Christ, and say nothing of it? What! See many 100 souls in danger of damnation, and say nothing, but let them perish? It cannot be; it must not be: It is a most unreasonable thing to desire it. Our tongue is our Glory, it is the principal Instrument of manifesting our mind, by which man differeth from all other inferiour creatures: And should we not use it for God and the greatest things? What sottish people are these, to think their worldly matters fit for their discourse, and the matters of everlasting life unfit? To think it no harm to jest and talk foolishly▪ and tell idle tales, and such a man they take for a pleasant companion, and never find fault with him. But for the things that may honour God, or tend to mens salvation, or to destroy sin and cross the Devil, here we must be silent, and keep our Religion to our selves. Did ever these wretches believe Jesus Christ, Matth. 12. 37. That by their words they shall be justified, and by their words they shall be condemned? Did they ever believe, or regard the words of the Holy Ghost, Ephes. 5. 3, 4. But forni…action, uncleanness, or lasciviousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh Saints; Nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jestings, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. And Eph. 4. 29, 30. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister Grace to the hearers, and grieve not the holy Spirit of God Col 3. 16. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another, Heb. 3. 13. Exhort one another daily while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, 1 Pet. 4. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracle of God, that God in all things may be glorified. Abundance of such passages are in Scripture, which may tell you what to think of the folly of such carnal men; and may assure you that a converted heavenly heart, will always have a new and Heavenly tongue.