Use 3. C(mfutation. Branch 1. It con- futes 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. xx. 9., " Who can say, J 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 habeo Domine, quod mihi ignoscos : I have nothing, Lord, for thee to pardon. If pure and perfect, then they put Christ out of of- fice, he hath nothing to do for them as an advocate, they have no need of his inter- cession : but. Heel. vii. 20., " There is not a just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not ;" how proud and supercilious are they who hold they are perfect, when tJjc holiest men alive, at some time or other, offend in their tongues ? There is no per- fection on this side the grave.
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," James iii. 8. If they cannot bridle their tongue, how can they conquer their will ? If they can- not master this little member, how can they change their nature ?
Use 4. Caution. Take heed to your tongue; have a care that ye offend not with your tongue, Ps. xxxiv. 14., " Keep thy tongue from evil." Ps. xxxix. 1., "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue." An hard lesson ! Pambas said he was above twenty years learning that scripture, not to offend with liis tongue. The tongue is an unruly mem- ber ; (iod hath set a double hedge before the tongue, the teeth and lips, to keep it within its bounds, that it do 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 yoji keep the gates or doors of your mouth, you keep your whole soul.
Rules for the well ordering and regulating your irords, or the governing of your tongue, thfit you do nut dishonour God thrrcicith,
1st Rule. If you would have better tongues, laboin- for better hearts. It is the heart hath inlhuMice upon the tongue. If the heart be vain and carthlv, the tonirue will be so; if the heart be holy, the tongue will be so. Look to thy heart, get a better heart, and a better tongue.
Quest. How shall I get my heart bettered ?
Ans. 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 chaste, — it sanctifies the tongue, and makes it meek and calm. When the Holy Ghost came upon the apos- tles, " they began to speak with other tongues," Acts ii. 4 : when God's Spirit comes on a man with a saiictifvinor 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.
2d Rule. If vou would not sin in vour tongue, call to mind how you have former- ly offended in your tongue, and that will make you more watchful for the future. Have not you spoken words that have sav- oured of discontent or envy ? Have not you been guilty of censtning and slandering ? Have not you been disgusted with passion? Hath not your tongue out-run your discre- tion ? 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 yom- tongue, and that will be a good help for the future ! David certainly made a cri- tical observation upon some of his words, wherein he had offended : words of pride, Ps. XXX. 6., " In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved." And, Ps. cxvi. 11., " I said in my haste all men are liars;" even Samuel, and all the j)rophets who pro- mised me the kingdom, they are all liars; and I shall <lie before I can come to enjoy it. David having observed how he had of-
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SELECT SERMONS.