Chap. 7. Means Conducing to Holy Conference

IF it be asked how may Good conference be arrived at? 1. If you would be discursive in Religion, get your minds well furnished with knowledge. Hereby, you will have a Treasure to fetch from, Job 38:18. I am (says Elihu) full of matter. Some are backward to speak of Good for want of matter: the empty Vessel cannot run. If you would have your Tongues run fluently in Religion, they must be fed with a spring of knowledge, Colossians 3:16. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. In one of the Miracles that Christ wrought, he first caused the Water-pots to be filled with Water, and then says he, Draw out now, John 2:8. So we must first have our Heads filled with Knowledge, and then we shall be able to draw out to others in Good discourse.

2. If you would discourse readily in the things of God, make Religion your delight. What men delight in, they will be speaking of: the sensualist speaks of his sports; the worldling of his rich purchase. Delight makes the Tongue as the Pen of a ready writer. The Spouse being delighted and inamoured with Christs beauty, could not conceal her self; she makes an elegant and Pathetical Oration in the commendation of Christ, Song of Solomon 5:10. My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

3. Pray that God will both Gift and Grace you for Christian conference, Psalm 51:15. Lord open you my Lips. Satan has lock'd up mens Lips, pray that God will open them. Perhaps you pray that you may Believe in Christ, but do you pray that you may Confess him, and not be ashamed to speak of him before others? Psalm 119:46. I will speak of your Testimonies before Kings, and not be ashamed. To end this, let me briefly insert two Cautions.

1. Not but that it is lawful to confer of worldly Negotiations sometimes; Traffick requires conference: But with this proviso, that we should shew more Delectation and Earnestness in speaking of Spiritual things, than Earthly; Remembring the Soul is far more Valuable than the World.

2. When persons speak of Religion let it not be for any Sinister Unworthy end, not for Ostentation, but Edification; and then having your aim right, speak of the things of God with Life and Affection, that others may perceive you feel those Truths which you speak.