528 CHARACTER OF .A SOUND, tongue is always better than his heart; Prov. x. 32. xix. 5. 9. Psal:]. 20. xii. 8. cxl,v. 8. cxx. 2, 3. , Prov. xxi. 6. 23. XXXVIII. 1. The religious discourse of,a confirmed Christian is most about the greatest and most necessary matters. . Heart- work and heaven-work are the usual employment of his tongue and thoughts ; unprofitable controversies and hurtful wranglingshe ab- horreth; and profitable controversies he manageth sparingly, sea- sonably, charitably, peaceably, and with caution and sobriety, as knowing that the servant of the Lord must not strive, and that strife of words perverteth the hearers, and hindereth edifying; 1 Tim. vi. 4-6. iv. 7, 8. 2 Tim. ii. 14-17. 24, 25. His ordi- nary discourse is about the glorious excellencies, attributes, rela- tions, and works of God;,and the mystery of redemption, the per- son, office, covenant, and grace of Christ; the renewing, illuminat- ing, sanctifying works of the Holy Ghost ; the mercies of this life, and that to come; the duty of man to Godas his Creator, Redeem- er, and Regenerator; the corruption and deceitfulness of the heart; the methods of the tempter ; the danger of particular temptations ; and the means of our escape, and of our growth in grace ; and how to be profitable to others, and especially to .the church. And if he be called to open any truth which others understand not, he doth it not proudly, to set up himself as master of a sect, or to draw diséiples after him, nor make divisions about it in the church; but soberly, to the edification of the.weak. And though he be ready to defend the truth against perverse gainsayers in due season, yet doth he not turn his ordinary edifyingdiscourse into disputes, or talk of controversies; nor bath such a proud, pugnacious soul, as to assault every one that he thinks 'erroneous, as a man that taketh himself for the great champion ofthe truth. 2. But the weak Christian bath 'a more unfruitful, wandering tongue, and his religious discourse ismost about his opinions or par- ty, or some external thing; as which isthe best preacher, or per- son, or book. Or if he talk of any text of Scripture, or doctrine of religion, it is much of the outside of it ; and his discourse is less feeling, lively, and experimental. Yea, many a time he hindereth the more edifying, savory discourseofothers, by such religious dis- course as is imprudent, impertinent, or tumeth them away from the heart and life of the matter in hand. , But especially his opinions, and distinct manner of worship, are the chief ()Phis discourse. 3. And for the seeming Christian, though he can affectedly force his tongue to talk of any subject in religion, especially that which he thinks will most honor him is the esteem of the hearers, yet when he speaketh according to the inclination of his heart, his discourse is first about his fleshly interest and_coneernments, and
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