3. To show us what need there is that we should be just, holy, and righteous. If we would profit others by our discourses, two things are necessary — that we should be enlightened and mortified.
[1.] That we should be enlightened by the Spirit of grace. If we would teach others the way of God, it is necessary that we ourselves should be taught of God. It cometh warmer and fresher from us when we speak not by hearsay only, but experience. As heart answereth to heart, so the renewed heart in him that heareth to the lenewed heart in him that speaketh, and we show others what God by his illuminating grace hath first showed us. Then it savoureth of the spirit that worketh in both ; he that is all on fire himself will more easily enkindle others. Alas 1 good things pass through
394 SERMONS UPON PROVERBS X. 20.
many like water through an empty trunk, without feeling ; they may speak very good things, but they do but personate and act a part. When God hath bound up our wounds, we do more feelingly speak to others. Certainly we are apt to speak oftenest of those things which we do most affect. When we have a true discerning of the excellency of holy things, our speeches about them will be more frequent, lively, and savoury.
[2.] That we be mortified and dead to carnal things ; for we cannot ■conceal our affections, whether they are bent to the things of the flesh or to the things of the Spirit. Till the heart be cleansed and we mortify our sinful inclinations, from whence thoughts and words proceed, they always obey the ruling power. A good man will be known by his dis- course ; so will the carnal. The froward will speak froward things, and the sensual of what is grateful to the flesh, and the worldly of what is suitable to their worldly designs ; and knowledge doth not guide us here so much as inclination ; for speech is but the overflow of the heart.
The second use is of exhortation, to press us to employ our tongues to the use of edifying,
1. Let us be much exercised in reading and meditating on the word of God, and get a good stock of sound scriptural knowledge : Mat. xii. 35, ' A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.' Every man entertaineth his guests with such pro- vision as he hath. He that taketh money out of his pocket, if it be stored with gold, or silver, or brass farthings, as his stock is so will the draught appear. The word of God is that 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. 16, ' Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another/ A plentiful measure of gospel knowledge enableth us to instruct others and direct others. There all wisdom is made plain, things revealed which cannot be found elsewere ; that which by long search we get in the writings of heathens, is there made ready to our hands, and brought down to the meanest capacity. If the heart be well furnished, the tongue will not be barren and empty.
2. Having your furniture, get those graces which may quicken you to employ it, as zeal for the glory of God and love to souls. Fire turns all about it into fire. Mules and all creatures of a mongrel race do not procreate : 1 John i. 2, 3, ' For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us ; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' And David's Maschil, Ps. xxxii., title is, ' A psalm giving instruction.' True good is diffusive of itself. When Philip was called, he inviteth Nathaniel to come to Christ, John i 45 ; and Andrew, Simon, ver. 41. True zeal showeth itself by a zeal to promote the kingdom of Christ and the good of souls ; and the new nature seeketh to multiply the kinds ; and they who are really brouglit •to Christ will be careful to invite others.
3. We have need to pray to God that he will touch our tongues with
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a coal from the altar ; that is, by his Spirit purify our speech : Isa, vi. 6, 7, ' Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in liis hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. And he laid it upon my mouth, and said Lo ! this hath touched thy lips and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is purged.' That we may show forth nothing of pride, and passion, and carnal affection, but speak upon all occasions with a pure zeal for him. And again, that he would open our lips : Ps. li. 15, ' 0 Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise ; ' that he would cast out the dumb devil. The habit of grace, without continual influence to act it effec- tually, will not do its work ; the habit is a gift, and the bringing forth of the habit to exercise is another gift.