4. The well ordering of our words is a great point of Christianity, and argueth a good degree of grace : ' He that bridleth his tongue is a perfect man,' James iii. 2. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, saith Solomon, Prov. xviii. 21 ; upon the good or ill use of it a man's safety doth depend. Not only temporal safety, but eternal : Mat. xii. 37, ' By thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned.' These evidences are brought into judg- ment; therefore it concerneth us to see what our discourses are, as
260 sermons upon psalm cxix. [Ser. CLXXXV.
well as our actions. Solomon often describeth the righteous hy his good tongue: Prov. x. 13, 'The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom;' and Prov. xii. 18, 'The tongue of the wise is health.'
Use 1. Keproof. It reproveth us for being so dumb and tongue- tied in holy things. We can speak liberally of any subject, only we are dumb in spiritual matters which concern our edification. We show so little grace in our conferences, because we have so little grace in our hearts. Alas! many that profess religion, their talk is little different from other men's, as if they were ashamed to speak of God, or had nothing to say of him and for him. I do not always bind you to talk of religious things, but sometimes it bindeth. Now, when is it your tongues speak of the word in a serious and affectionate manner? Can you love God and never put in a word for him? Can you see or hear God dishonoured, and suffer your mouths to be sealed up with a sinful silence, that you should not have a word to speak in the cause of God ?
Use 2. To exhort us to be frequent and serious in our discourses of God, and spiritual heavenly things.
For means to help us.
1. Divine illumination ; to teach others the way of God requireth that we ourselves should be taught of God ; then it cometh the warmer and fresher when we speak not by hearsay only, but experi- ence ; as heart answereth to heart, so the renewed heart in him that heareth to the renewed heart in him that speaketh, and we show others what God by his illuminating grace hath first showed us ; it savoureth of that Spirit that worketh in both. He will easily kindle others who is once on fire himself. The word passeth through others as water through an empty trunk, without feeling; they may speak very good things, but they do but personate and act a part. But when we have been in the deep waters, and God hath bound up our wounds, we can more feelingly speak to others.
2. A sight of the excellency of the word, and a value and esteem thereof. The reason in the text, ' For all thy commandments are righteousness.' We are apt to speak oftenest of those things which we most affect. Did not your souls grow out of relish with these holy, spiritual, and excellent things, your speeches about them would be more frequent, lively, serious, and savoury ; fur we cannot conceal our affections. Our coldness in speaking to others of these spiritual and heavenly things cometh from want of this persuasion, that ' all his commandments are righteousness;' for they who are persuaded of the excellency of the word will be talking of the sweetness of its promises continually.
3. A stock of spiritual knowledge : Mat. xii. 35, ' A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things.' Every man entertaineth his guests with such provisions as he hath. It is the word which enableth us to edify ourselves and others with holy conference. The more store, the more we have to bring forth upon all occasions: Col. iii. 1G, 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another.' A plentiful measure of gospel knowledge enableth us to direct and
VeR. 172.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 261
instruct others ; there all wisdom is made plain, things revealed which cannot be found elsewhere ; that which may by long search be found elsewhere is made ready to our hands, and brought down to the meanest capacity. The heart is the fountain from whence the tongue doth run and flow ; and when the heart is well furnished, the tongue will be employed and exercised.
4. Zeal for the glory of God, and love to others' souls. We should communicate to others what we have learned ourselves. David would not reserve his knowledge to himself : ' Teach me, and my tongue shall speak of thy word.' Fire turneth all about it into fire : mules and all creatures of a bastard race do not procreate. David's Maschil, Ps. xxxii. title, is to instruct others. True good is diffusive in itself; our candle enlightened, should enlighten others. When Philip was called, he inviteth Nathanael to come to Christ, John i. 45 ; Andrew calleth Simon. True grace showeth itself in zeal to promote the kingdom of Christ and the good of our neighbours' souls ; and the new nature seeketh to multiply the kind, and such as are brought to Christ will be careful to invite others.