inflict a wound which we can never heal. On this account we should " set a watch before the door of our lipsx." Nor is this a matter of expediency merely, but of necessity ; for God has warned us that we shall give account of every idle word, and that by our words we shall be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned7. Let us then be utterly purposed that our mouth shall not offend2. Let our tongue be as choice silver, or a tree of life, to enrich and comfort the Lord's people"1. Let our " speech be always with grace seasoned with salt," for the honour of God, and the good of our fellow- creaturesb.]
x Ps. cxli. 3. y Matt. xii. 36, 37. and v. 22. last clause.
z Ps. xvii. 3. a Prov. x. 20. and xv. 4.
b Col. iv. 6. Eph. iv. 29.
Jam. iii. 13. Who is a wise man and endued ivith knowledge among you ? let him shew out of a good conversation his icorhs with meekness of wisdom.
THE government of the tongue is of all things the most difficult ; because every evil that is in the heart seeks for vent through that organ. A man who should be able so to controul it that no unadvised word should ever escape from his lips, would be a perfect man. Yet, if a man profess to be religious, and have not so much self-government as to impose an habitual restraint upon his tongue, he deceives his own soul, and his religion is vaina. The gift of speech is to be improved for God by holy and hea- venly communications, and the man who suffers it to be a vehicle of sin, discovers himself to be a hypo- crite before God. The inconsistency of such conduct is obvious. " A fountain cannot send forth both fresh water and bitter ; nor can a tree bear both olives and figs :" so neither can a renewed heart bear such different and discordant fruits b. Whoever therefore professes godliness, should take care that no such inconsistency be found in him. " Who is a wise man,
a Jam. i. 26. b ver. 9—12.