Chap. 6. Containing the Applicatory Part
IT shews the Genius and temper of true Saints, they speak often one to another; their Lips drop as an Hony-comb. A man is known what country he belongs to by his Language. He who belongs to the Jerusalem above speaks the Language of Canaan; none of Gods children are dumb; their mouth is a well-spring of Wisdom, Proverbs 18:4.
Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons. 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion. They would be counted Good, but he must have good eyes that can see it, I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved. Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth: had they any love to God, or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is, their mouth would talk of his Righteousness, Psalm 71:24. Friends, what should we mind but Salvation? what are the things of this world? they are neither Entia, nor Manentia. Do not we see men heap up Riches, and on a sudden, death as Gods Serjeant Arrests them? What should we talk of but the things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God? Let this cause blushing among Christians, that their meetings are so unprofitable, they leave God out of their discourse. Why is there no good conference? Have you so much Knowledge that you need not have it encreased? Have you so much Faith that you need not have it Strengthened? Silence in Religion is a loud sin. We read of one who was possessed with a Dumb Devil, Mark 9:12. How many are Spiritually possessed with a Dumb Devil!
It is a rebuke to such as when they meet together, instead of speaking of Heaven, they have idle frothy discourse. They do but no, as Plutarch said of Alcibiades. Their Lips do not drop as an Honey-comb, but run as a Spout; their speaking is Just like a Childs scribling, Psalm 12:2. They speak Vanity every one with his Neighbor. If Christ should ask some as he did the two Disciples going to Emaus, Luke 24:17. What manner of Communications have you as you walk, they could not say as they did, concerning Jesus of Nazareth; no, perhaps about Toyes, or new Fashions. If Idle words must be accounted for, Mat 12:36. Lord, what an account will some have to give!
It reproves the Avaritious Person, who instead of speaking of Heaven, talks of nothing but the World: the Farmer speaks of his Plough and Yoak of Oxen, the Tradesman of his Wares and Drugs; but not a word of God. John 3:31. He that is of the Earth speaks of the Earth. Many are like the Fish in the Gospel that had Money in it's Mouth, Matthew 12:27. They talk only of Secular things, as if they Imagined to fetch happiness out of that Earth which God has Cursed. Seneca being asked of what Countrey he was, answered he was, a Citizen of this World: we may know many to be Citizens of this World, their speech bewrayeth them.— O curvae in terras animae, et caelestium inanes.
4. It reproves them who do indeed speak often to one another but in a bad sence. 1. They speak one to another in hasty words. Their words should be like the Waters of Shiloah that go softly, but too often they are fierce and Pungent. Water when it is hot soon boils over; when the Heart is heated with anger it soon boils over in furious speeches, Jam. 3:6. Passion transports. Many curse in their anger. The Tongue is made in the fashion of a Sword, and it cuts like a Sword: Angry words often prejudice him that utters them: Rehoboam with one churlish word lost ten tribes. A fiery Spirit is unsuitable to the Master we serve, the Prince of Peace; and to his Ambassage, the Gospel of Peace. Such whose tongues are set on fire, let them take heed they do not one day in Hell desire a drop of Water to Cool their Tongue.
2. They speak one to another in a bad sence who Murmure and complain one to another; they do not complain of their Sins, but their Wants. Murmuring proceeds from unbelief, Psalm 106:24. They believed not his word but murmured. When men distrust Gods Promises, they murmur at his Providences: this is a Sin God can hardly bear, Numb. 14:27. How long shall I bear with this People that murmur against me? Israels speeches were Venomous, and God punished them with Venomous Serpents, 1 Corinthians 10:10.
3. They speak one to another in a bad sence, who vent themselves in filthy scurrilous Language. The Heart is a Vessel full of Wickedness, and the Tongue sets it a-broach. When the Face breaks out in Sores and Pimples, it shews the Blood is corrupt: when men break forth in unsavoury speeches it shews the Heart is Profane. 1 Corinthians 15:35. Evil communication corrupteth good manners. We read that the Lips of the Leper were to be covered, Levit. 13:45. It were happy if we had such Magistrates as would by their Authority cover the unclean Lips of these Lepers.
4. They speak one to another in a bad sence, who instead of seasoning their words with Grace, mix them with Oaths. Swearers rend and tear Gods Name, and like mad Dogs fly in the face of Heaven, Jeremiah 23:10. Because of swearing the Land mourns. Some think it the Grace of speech to interlard every sentence with an Oath; as if they would go to Hell Genteelly. But says one, it is my Custom to Swear. Is this an excuse or an aggravation of the sin? If a Malefactor should be arraigned for Robbery, and he should say to the Judge spare me for it is my custom to rob on the High way, the Judge would say, you shalt the rather dye. For every Oath that a man Swears, God puts a drop of Wrath into his Vial.
5. It reproves them who instead of speaking in an holy manner one to another, speak one of another; 1. In censuring, some make it a part of their Religion to Descant and Criticize upon others. They do not imitate their graces but reflect upon their failings. God grant professors may wash their hands of this. Were peoples hearts more humble, their Tongues would be more charitable. 'Tis the sign of an Hypocrite to censure others and commend himself.
2. They speak one of another in slandering: Psalm 50:20. You sittest and slanderest your own Mothers son. Slandering is when we speak to the prejudice of another, and speak that which is not true. Worth is blasted by slander. Holiness it self is no shield from this sin. The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf. Job calls slandering the scourge of the Tongue, Job 5:21. You may smite a man and never touch him. A slanderer wounds anothers fame, and no Physitian can heal these wounds. The Eye and the Name are two tender things. God takes it ill at our hands to calumniate others, especially to asperse those who help to keep up the credit of Religion. Numbers 12:8. Were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses? what my Servant, who has wrought so many Miracles, whom I have spoken with in the Mount Face to Face, were not ye afraid to speak against him? The Greek word slanderer signifies Devil. This is the Devils proper Sin, he is the accuser of the Brethren, Revelation 12:10. He does not commit Adultery, but he bears false Witness. The slanderer may be indicted for Clipping, he clips his Neighbors credit to make it weigh lighter. This our nature is prone to; but remember, it is as well a sin in Gods account, to break the Ninth Commandment, as the Eighth.
Put this Great duty in Practice, imitate these Holy ones in the Text, They spoke often one to another. Hierom thinks they did speak something in defense of the Providence of God, they vindicated God in his dealings, and exhorted one another not to be discouraged at the Virulent speeches of the Wicked, but still hold on a course of Piety. Thus (Christians) when you meet, give one anothers Souls a visit, drop your Knowledge, impart your experiences each to other, Psalm 66:16. Sampson having found Hony did not only eat of it himself, but carried it to his Father and Mother, Iudg. 14:9. Have you Tasted the Hony of the word? let others have a Tast with you. He who has bin in a Perfumers shop does not only himself partake of those sweet smells, but some of the perfume sticks to his cloaths, so that those who come near him partake of those perfumes: so having our selves perceived the sweet Savor of Christs Oyntments, we should let others partake with us, and by our Heavenly discourse, diffuse the perfume of Religion to them, Colossians 4:6. Let your words be seasoned with Salt: let Grace be the salt which seasons your Words and makes them Savory. Christians should take all occasions of Good discourse when they walk together, and sit at Table together. This makes their eating and drinking be to the Glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31. What makes it a Communion of Saints but Good conference?
But some may say they are barren of matter, and know not what to speak of?
No, have you walked so often through the field of Scripture, yet gathered no ears of Corn? have not you matter enough in the Word to furnish you with discourse? Let me suggest a few things to you. When you meet speak one to another of the Promises. No Hony so sweet, as that which drops from a Promise. The promises are the support of Faith, the springs of joy, the aints Royal Charter. Are you Citizens of Heaven, and not speak of your Charter? Speak of the preciousness of Christ: he is Beauty and Love; he has laid down his blood as the or price of your Redemption. Have you a friend that has redeemed you, and never speak of him? Speak one to another of Sin, what a deadly evil it is, how it has infected your Virgin-nature, and turned it into a lesser Hell. Speak of the Beauty of Holiness, which is the Souls Embroidery, filling it with such Oriental splendor as makes God and Angels fall in love with it. The Graces are (as Damascen says) the Sacred Characters and Impressions of the Divine nature. Speak one to another of your Souls: enquire whether they are in health. Speak about Death and Eternity: can you belong to Heaven and not speak of your Country? Speak one to another of the Times, wherein God is the Greatest sufferer: let your hearts bleed for his dishonours. Thus you see here is matter enough for Holy conference.
Why then do you not set good discourse on Foot? I perswade my self one main reason of the decay of the Power of Godliness is want of Christian conference: people when they meet talk of Impertinencies, but God and Heaven are left out of their discourse. That I may perswade you in your converses to put in a word about your Souls, let me offer these few things to your consideration.
1. It was the practice of the Saints of old. Elijah, and Elisha went on talking good discourse till the Chariot of Heaven came to part them, 2 Kin. 2:11. Davids Tongue was Tuned to the Language of Canaan, Psalm 71:24. My Tongue shall talk of your Righteousness. The Primitive Christians into whatever company they came, were speaking of a Glorious Kingdom they expected, insomuch that some thought they were ambitious of worldly honor; which made Iustin Martyr Apologize for them, that the Kingdom they looked for was not of this World, but a Kingdom with Christ in Heaven. Ierom says of some of the Roman Ladies, They did spend much of their time in communing together, and they would not let him alone, for asking him Questions about their Souls.
2. We are bid to Redeem the Time, Ephesians 5:16. The Poets painted time with Wings, because it flies so fast— Volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora—Time lost had need be redeemed; and is there any better way to redeem time, than to improve it in trading for Heaven, and speaking of God and our Souls?
3. Jesus Christ has set us a Pattern: his words were perfumed with Holiness, Luke 4:22. All bare him witness, and Wondred at the Gracious words which proceeded out of his Mouth. Christ had Grace poured into his Lips, Psalm 45:2. In all companies he set good discourse on foot. When he sate on Iacobs Well he falls into an Heavenly discourse with the Woman of Samaria about the Water of Life, John 4:14. And so when Levi made him a Feast, Luke 5—He feasts him again with Heavenly discourse. And no sooner was Christ risen from the Grave, but he was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, Acts 1:3. The more Spiritual we are in our speeches, the more we resemble Christ: should not the Members be like the Head? Christ will not be our Saviour, unless we make him our Pattern.
4. Good discourse would prevent sinful discourse. Much sin passes in ordinary talk, as Gravel and Mud pass along with the Water. How many are Guilty of Tongue-sins! Good discourse would prevent evil, as labor prevents idleness. By inuring our Tongues to the Heavenly Dialect, the Devil would not have so much Power over us.
5. We may guess at mens Hearts by their common discourse. Words are the Looking-glass of the Mind. As you may Judge of a Face by the glass whether it be fair or foul; So by the words we may Judge of the Heart. A lascivious Tongue shews a lustful heart, an earthly Tongue a covetous heart; a Gracious Tongue, a Gracious Heart. The Ephraimites were known by their Pronunciation, saying Sibboleth for Shiboleth, Judg. 12:6. So by the manner of our speech we may be known who we belong to. The Tongue is the Index of the Heart. If you broach a Vessel that which is within will come out; by that which comes out of the Mouth, you may Guess what is within in the Heart, Luke 6 45. Out of the abundance of the Heart the mouth speaks.
6. Good discourse is beneficial, Job 6:23. How forcible are rights words? A word spoken in season may make such a powerful impression upon anothers Heart as may do him Good all his Life. One single coal is apt to dye, but many coals put together keep in the heat. Christians by their Heavenly talk do, blow up one anothers Grace into a flame. Monica Austins Mother, hearing others discourse of Heaven, was greatly affected and cryed out, What do I do here? Why is my Soul held any longer with this Earthen fetter of my Flesh? When the Daughters of Ierusalem had conversed a while with the Spouse, and had heard her describe Christs admirable beauty, their Affections began to be enflamed, and they would seek him with her, Song of Solomon 6:1. Whither is your beloved gone O you fairest among women, that we may seek him with you? A Christian by divine discourse may enlighten another when he is ignorant, warm him when he is Frozen, comfort him when he is sad, confirm him when he is wavering. Latimer was much strengthened by discourse with Mr Bilny in Prison, and hearing his confession of Faith. A good life adorns Religion, a good Tongue Propagates it. When the Apostle would have us edifie one another, what better way could he prescribe than this, to have such Holy speeches proceed out of our Mouths as might Minister Grace to the hearers? Ephesians 4:29.
7. We must be accountable to God for our speeches. Words are judged light, but theyweigh heavy in Gods Balance; by our words we shall be either saved or damned, Matthew 12:37. For by your words you shalt be justified, and by your words you shalt be condemned. If our words have been seasoned with Grace, then the acquitting sentence is like to go on our side.
8. Good discourse is a Christians Honor. The Tongue is called our Glory, Psalm 30:12. Because it is the Instrument of Glorifying God. When our Tongues are out of tune in murmuring, then they are not our Glory; but when these Organs sound in Holy discourse, then our Tongues are our Glory.
9. Good discourse will be a means to bring Christ into our company. While the two Disciples were conferring about the death and Sufferings of Christ, Jesus Christ himself came among them, Luke 24:15. While they communed together, Iesus himself drew near, and went with them. When bad discourse is set on Foot, Satan draws near, and makes one of the Company; but when Good discourse is promoted, Jesus Christ draws near.
Let all that has bin said excite good conference: certainly, there is no better way than this to encrease our Stock of Grace. Others by spending Grow Poor; but the more we spend our selves in Holy discourse, the richer we Grow in Grace, as the Widows Oyl by Pouring out encreased.
