6th Motive. He who offends not in his tongue, is a perfect man ; an high expres- sion ; " if any man offend not in word, tlic same is a perfect man ;" that is, attains to a very high degree, in the highest form of Christ's school. A prudent man, or an up- right man ; or comparatively, in comparison of others, such as have not gotten the con- quest over their passions, he is far above them, and, in comparison of them, he is a perfect man ; such an one was holy Cran- mer, that could not be pi'ovokcd by the ill carriage of others, but I'cquited injuries with kindness.
7th Motive. You must give an account to God, as well of your speeches, as your
actions, Mat. xii. 36., " Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an ac- count thereof in the day of judgment;" 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 ? " Oh that my words were now written !" Job xix. 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. XV. " 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 tongue ; God writes down all you speak, and you must give an account to him. When Latimer heard the pen going behind the liangings, he was careful in his answers ; and let mo tell you, as your words are, such will vour 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 : Mat. xii. 37., " By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
SERMON IV.
Gal. vi. 9. " And let us not be weary in well-doing : for in due season we shall reap^ if we
faint not."
In the verses before the text, the apostle had laid down a proposition, " What a man soweth that shall he reap," ver. 7. ; he that sows in sin shall reap in sorrow ; he that sows the seeds of grace shall reap glory ; there is the proposition. In the text, the a- postle makes the application. Let us not be weary in well-doing. We that have sown the good seed of repentance, and an holy life, " Let us not be weary ; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
I. A Dehortation : " Let us not be wea- ry."
II. The argument : ' We shall reap in due season.'
L A Dehortation; " Let us not be weary." Where there is, 1. Something implied, — that we are apt to be weary in well-doing. 2. Something expressed, — that we ought not to be weary in well-doing.
1. The thing implied, that, we are apt to be weary in well-doing. This weariness is imt from the regenerate part, but the fleshly ; as Peter's sinking in the water, was not from the faith in him, but the feiu-; this weariness in a Christian course is oc- casioned from four things :
(1.) From the revilings of the world, Ps. Ixxi. 10., " My enemies speak against me." Innocency is no shield against re- proach. But why should this make us weary of well-doing ? Did not Jesus Christ undergo reproach for us, when the Jews put. a crown of thorns on him, and bowed the knee in scorn ? Is it any dishonoin* to us to be reproached for doing that which is good ? Is it any disparagement to a virgin to be reproached for her beauty and chasti- ty ? Our reproaches for Christ, we should bind as a crown about our head. Now a
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SELECT SERMONS.
Spirit of glory rests upon vis, 1 Pet. iv. 14., " If vc be rcproaclicd for tlie name of Christ, liappy are ye ; for the Spirit of God and of plory rcstctli upon you." liegium eat bene face.re. et male audire. He that clips our credit to make it weigh lighter, makes our crown heavier.
(2.) That which is apt to occasion wea- riness in well-doing, is the present suffer- ings we are exposed to, 2 Cor. iv. 8., " We are troubled on every side." But why should this make us weary in well-doing? Is hot our life a warfare ? It is no more strange to meet with sufferings in religion, than for a mariner to meet with storms, or a soldier to meet with bullets. Do not we consider upon what terms we are entered into religion ? Did not we vow in baptism to fight under Christ's banner ? Doth not our Lord tell us, we must take " up the cross and follow" him ? Mat. xvi. 24. Is not this part of the legacy Christ hath be- queathed us? John xvi. 33. We would partake of Christ's glory but not of his suf- fei-ings : besides, doth not many a man suf- fer for his sins? Do not men's lusts bring tlicra to an untimely end ? Do men suffer for their sins, and do we think much to suffer for Christ? How did St. Paul rejoice in sufferinjrs ? 2 Cor. vii. 4. How did he glory in it? " As a woman that is proud of her ievvels," Chrysostome. Why should sufferings make us faint? who would not be willing to tread upon a few thorns, that is going to a kingdom.