Render "not evil for evil, nor railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are hereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing; for he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." While, however, we endeavour to "set a watch at our mouths," and to "bridle our lips," and "take heed to our ways, that we offend not in our tongues," let ús remember, on the other hand, that as by a careless, profane, and unprofitable conversation, our religion is shamed, and proved to be "vain," so by a good, bold, and godly conversation, it is shown to be a living and abiding principle. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good." Let those who "fear the Lord speak often one to another"* concerning Christ and his kingdom. Pilgrims as we all are towards the heavenly land of Canaan, let us endeavour to strengthen our faith, to enliven our devotion, and to comfort our hearts, by taking sweet converse together. "Be ye all of one mind-love as brethren;" let not any divisions be among you. Brethren, let this holy place be a bond of union to you; deceive not your own hearts with a seeming worship here, while you have bitter envy and strife among yourselves; be in charity with each other; more especially" when thou bringest thy gifts to the holy altar"* of God, consider then whether "thy brother hath aught against thee;" and if he hath, go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." I have purposely abstained from saying anything of the sins of profaneness, of blasphemy, of lying, of obscene and filthy language; because truly I cannot see how those who have not a sufficient bridle over their tongues to prevent their being guilty of such unholy conversation, can be said even to have the appearance * Matt. v. 23, 24. of religion; they surely do not even 66 that seem to be religious." I address myself to those whose hearts are interested with spiritual things, and to you, my christian brethren, once more I say, keep a watch over your words. Consider that this wonderful gift of language is a part of that image of God in which you were originally created-that it is given you for a good and a gracious purpose, and your bounden duty is to sanctify it to the service of your God. Employ it then in holy acts of prayer, in private, with your families, and in public; employ it in speaking good of the name of God, and let your talking be of his doing-" teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts unto the Lord."* These voices which now join together with one accord in the worship of Almighty God in the great congregation, * Coloss. iii. 16. are destined to have an eternal duration. Shall our tongues be employed in praising God and the Lamb, before Him that sitteth upon the throne, in concert with saints and angels, and the multitude of redeemed which no man can number, whose voices shall be "like the sound of many waters;" or shall they be heard proceeding forth out of the flames of the fire that never shall be quenched-while, in concert with the blasphemies of the accursed, they pour forth fruitless oaths and imprecations, mingled with “ weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth?" If we shrink appalled from that awful picture, let it teach us that it is no small and unimportant part of religion to "bri'dle the tongue," and regulate the conversation. Viewing our words, as they are in truth, as the outward signs of the state of mind within, and a sure criterion by which to judge of the real influence of right principle within us, let us beware lest we "deceive our own hearts." Let us "commune with ourselves within our cham bers," and take an account of our conversation-let us make it a special subject of prayer to Almighty God, that the "words of our lips," no less than the "meditations of our hearts," may be acceptable in His sight. It is useless in this, or in any other matter, to go to work in our own strength; it is the Holy Spirit of God alone which can prevent us from "deceiving our own selves." But He will hear that prayer which goeth not out of feigned lips." Them that truly fear God He will, according to the blessed words of Scripture, "hide secretly in his own presence from the provoking all men: He will keep them secretly in his tabernacle from the strife of tongues." 66 Our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it was said, "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street;"t thus giving us an example of that meek, gentle, and calm conversation which should mark those who "seem to be reli * Psalm xxxi. 22, Prayer-book version. |