124 Idle and worldly Talk to be denied. 7. It is a fin that habituateththe fpeaker and hearers both to vanity : ufe makes us difpofed to that which we ufe. It will grow ftrange to you to (peak of better things, when you are ufed to vanity. And the ufe of hearing you, is an exceeding wrong to the fouls of the hearers, A (mall matter confirmeth fuch bad hearts as the moil have, in the vanity that they are in. You call water on their graces and your own, if there were any. Ifany of them had better thoughts, your idle talk doth drown and divert them. 8. And it is a fin that hindreth abundance ofEdification that holy conference might bring. Its a precious thriving courfe for Chrillians to be communicating experiences, and declaring the excellencies and loving-kindnefs of God, and exciting one ano- ther : and this you lay by , and turn to vanity. Nay perhaps fome other that is in the company may be purpofed to let upon fuch profitable difcourfe, and your idle talk doth hinder them, and fupprefs the exercife of Gods graces for your good. At lead there may be much precious matter in them, that wants but vent, and ifyou would but begin, it may be poured forth as precious oyntment. Many wife and able men are too back- ward in beginning edifying difcourfe, that yet are exceeding fruitful when you have once let them awork. And idle talk is the hinderer of this. 9., And it is a very fruitlefs fin, You offend God for no- thing. What get youby an hours idle talk ? or what have you to tempt you to it ? o. And it isa wilful fin,and ufually accompanied with much impenitency,, which makes it much the greater. Men ufe not to lament it, and call themfelves to account for it,and fay, what have I done ? but go on in it as if it were no fin. And now you fee the greatnefs of the fin, I befeech you make more confcience of it thenyou have done. And that you may avoid it, obferve thefe briefDirections. Viral'. 1. Labour for underfianding in the matters of God for thats it that mut/ furnifh the tongue, and prevent vanity, Prov.11.12,,& to. 19. A foolith head will have a foolifh tongue;. Get a deep impreffion and lively foieof the ;natters of
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