innocent communications in social and domestic life. The former of these enervate the force of the declara- tion altogether : the latter make it an occasion of continual distress to their own souls.
Let us first endeavour to ascertain what is meant by the expression, ** every idle word" —
[I think we must confine the term to words which are in some respect evil : for it cannot be conceived that our blessed Lord should speak so strongly respecting words which were altogether innocent. Yet must the expression be very com- prehensive, else such a declaration would scarcely have been made ; since, respecting words that were palpably and grossly wicked, there could have been no doubt. I think, then, that we must comprehend under the term " idle words," first, all that are sinful in themselves ; next, all that are sinful in their tendency; and lastly, all that are sinful in their source and origin. The suggestions of the Pharisees respecting our blessed Lord were in the highest degree injurious to his character, and profanely impious towards God. And, as those were the immediate occasion of our Lord's declaration, we are sure that every expression which pours contempt on religion, or inflicts any injury on man, must of necessity be numbered amongst the words which he intended to condemn. They bear con- fessedly, as all words that are false, or lewd, or profane, or scandalous, most evidently do, the stamp of sin upon them. But there are many words which do not wound the ear by any positive offensiveness, which yet are evil in the sight of God, because of their tendency to taint the mind, or pervert the judgment, of those who hear them. Amongst these I would rank all flattering words, which tend to pufl" up persons with pride and self-conceit. I should include also those facetious turns of wit which are calculated to convey to the mind ideas of an impure or licentious cast; such as the Apostle calls " foolish talking and jesting^" and which he declares to be altogether unsuited to the Christian character, and displeasing to God. Nor should I omit to mention eulogiums on the world, its pleasures, its riches, its honours, of which you hear so much in every place and company, and which lead the youthful mind into an opinion, that the world, if attained, can make us happy. Thousands, by means of such conversation, are betrayed into error, and hardened in sin; and brought, without being at all aware of it, to the brink of ruin, yea, to everlasting destruction, both of body and soul, in hell. I must however go one step further, and say, that whatever indicates
^ fiwpnXoyi'a, 7) evrpaweXla, Epli. v. 4.