be ye reconciled to God. Then shall not only your " sins be blotted out as a cloud," but your very love of sin shall be sub- dued and mortified by his Spirit and grace ; so that the foun- tain which has hitherto emitted so much that was impure, shall henceforth flow in endless streams of praise to your redeeming God11.]
2. What need the professors of religion have of vigilance and care —
[You see in others how difficult it is to have the full government of the tongue. Know then that the same diffi- culty exists in relation to yourselves. But in yourselves you are apt to overlook it. It is surprising how faulty a religious professor may be in the licence which he allows to his tongue, whilst he is not conscious of any fault at all, or perhaps takes credit to himself for his fidelity and zeal. But, when you hear how fatally you may deceive your own souls, it becomes you to be upon your guard, and to pray continually, with David, " Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips1." And be not content with abstaining from evil discourse, but let your words be always such as may " minister grace to the hearers, and tend to the use of edifyingk." The power of speech is that which above all others may be employed for the honour of God, and the welfare of your fellow-creatures. In this respect your tongue is " your glory." Bid it then " awake to honour and adore your God1." Remember, it is not the talkative professor of religion that is always the most humble or most acceptable in the sight of God. Many of that description there are, who " think themselves to be something, when they are nothing ;" and thereby eventually deceive and
ruin their own souls m Be not ye of that unhappy
number. Be rather " swift to hear, and slow to speak n." And, if you do stand forward to instruct and benefit others, be doubly careful to set an example of all that you inculcate, and to let the power of religion appear in the whole of your own spirit and deportment.]
h Jam. iii. 11. { Ps. cxli. 3. k Eph. iv. 29.
1 Ps. lvii. 8. m Gal. vi. 3. See especially Rom. ii. 18 — 20.
n ver. 19.