V a x.¢. Ep.he/àans,Chap. 5. 587 Dolt. 3. Wefee that we mull avoid [jelling : ] this is a fpeech orgcfture in which one affeEleth the moving of laughter , without refpeél of Chriftian fobriety, and oft of charity. For thisjelling is not onely by word, but by aéfion; for theword, as Chryfotome dothconílrue it,doth lignifie aflexibleMow, that turnes his fpeech or behaviour any way tocaufe merriment. Now fomeof there doe onely intend procuring laughter; from thefoolifh lightneffeof their natures their hearts de- lighting in the houle of laughter. But commonly this jefting as it al- wayes goes with forgetfulneffe of fobriety,fooften ofcharity,as look Dodges 16.25. When their hearts were merry, they faid,Call for Sampron, that he may makeus (port, &c. They that carriedaway the people ofGod captive, requiredofthem it fong, laying, Singas oneof the longs ofizion. Nehem.4.3. This Both rebuke many amongfl us, who are rather like profefFed Vfe z. Qefters then Chriftians; nothing fo foolifh but it (hall forth to further mirth; mensgate, geflure, manner of fpeaking, all (hall bee aGìed to draw forth laughter. They are menofthe long, rather then members of Chriftian Aflemblies, Chriftians they mourne here,the world (hall laugh, you fhall weepe, this life is a valeofteares; Wejigh, faith the Apoftle, beingburdened,6c. Ftoles hearts are delighted in the hou fe of z cur.q.¢: laughter. What is theufe ofitc it doth harden the heart in impeniten- cy, and keepeth it from looking toward the exercifeofabroken heart, that we turning in forrow might be faved : the devill wifhethno other Mufitians, and what agreement hath the behaviour of vicés in Playes with Chriftian fobriety Wemuff therefore avoid this foolifh ridiculous fpeech and beta. viour, efpeciallyMinifters, their mouths arefan&ified, that men may aske the Law from their lips : their behaviour is not like Paula , sec went from houle to houle with teares, he wrote with many reares to the Corinthians. Butwhat! is there noplace for afpeech more merry Yes, wemay Phew fharpeneffe ofwit , orour dexterity in a more Anf. pleafant fentence, but ourrejoycing mufi be infears. 2. Moderate,thefefpeeches mull be like falt,v4may lightly come, we muff not powder our fpeeches with them. 3. It muff be with refpe&ofcircumftances,what time, place, per- fons may inoffenfively endure. Laftly, it is to bemarked , What judgement we are to make of theft Dali. ffieeches,what quality they are of,they are altogether unfeemely;for bawdy uncleane termes none will greatly Rand, but for fooli(htalke, and for jefting (which is deemed with ridiculous creatures very coalmen-: dable) the matter will not eafiilybe}melded. To fee thctruth,tonfdetl the flareofa Chriftian, he clothprofe(le that he iswifÍ ;Chri(t k ti madetohim wifdome,whatcan be moreundecentfor .otfesbat then words foolifhcHe is ina vale ofteares,he is fulofw sfitalkitnitfll' les, heis in the midft of fearfull enemies: were it not.uftfac rely fog a fouldier to lay downs hisweapon in the fieldandfail to i jtltinganô laughin.! Ecdef.y.},9, Poil.i37.3.
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