S$RM. XEtT.1 TRtTTI3, SINCERITY, 367 necessaryuse to secure our faithfulness, and to maintain our truthwith honour. Besides, I might add also, that we should bring iri something of God and piety into the common engage- ments of life; and this would preserve a greater guard upon our tongues, Go to now, ye that say, to-day or to- morrowwe will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy andsell, andget gain; whereas yeknow not what hall be on the morrow; for that ye ought to say, If the Lordwill, we shall live, and do this, or that, James iv. 13, &c. If therefore we would secure our faithfulness as well as our veracity, it is necessary to learn a modest and cautious way of speaking, and accustom our tongues to practise it. Whenwe are relating any thing past or pre- sent, the words, I think, I suppose, it is my opinion, are very proper where the case has any thing doubtful in it: So when we engage ourselves to do any thing fot time to come, I intend, I design, I hope, I will endea- vour, are more cautious methods of speech, and very proper upon most occasions of life, except where the circumstances require a more express promise, whereby we bind all our faithfulness to the performance. H. I would add another rule in' the case of vows and promises, which cannot but have some force toward the preservation of truth. Think solemnly with yourself, how miserable and abandoned a creature you must be, if neither God nor man should fulfil any of their pro= mises or engagements to you and thereby you should awaken your soul and all your powers to perform your obligations to them. What if your governors should break their engagements to defend and protect you ? What if your parents and your friends should refuse to help and assist, to feed, or clothe, or comfort you ? What ifyour debtors should refuse to pay what they owe you ? and your servants deny you their obedience and -help°in a most necessary hour? What if your neigh-- hours should disappoint you in all the agreements and promises they make? What if the great and blessed God should seize all your forfeited mercies, because ql your unfaithfulness to him and perform hone of the 'promises of his word which regard this life, or the life 4
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