Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	evil_a	good_a	see_v	2,875	5	3.5208	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91733	Rules for the government of the tongue: together, with directions in six particular cases. [brace] 1 Confession of our faults to men. 2 Confession of Christ before men. 3 Reprehension of faults in others. 4 Christian communication. [brace] Vrbanity and eloquence. 5 Consolation of the afflicted. 6 Self-commendation, and a disproof of perfection in this life. Added, as a supplement, to the Rules for governing [brace] 1 the thoughts, 2 the affections, in the Precepts for Christian practice, or, The rule of the new creature, new model'd. / By Edward Reyner, minister of the Gospel in Lincolne.	Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668.; Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668. Precepts for Christian practice.	1656 (1656)	Wing R1230; Thomason E1594_2; ESTC R208861	220,132	401

the Trees that grow on the banks of the holy waters Ezek. 47.12 may bee for Meat to nourish heart and lip-Graces in them and the Leaves for Medicine to heal all their Tongue-vices No member of the body is subject to so many Moral Diseases as the Tongue is It is either the best or the worst member of all I wait on God to fulfill his promises upon which hee hath caused mee to hope Psal 119.49 as the Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in all that thou settest thine hand unto Deut. 28.8 he will bless all the work of thine hand vers 12. yee shall rejoyce in all that you put your hand unto Deut. 12.7 which imply a generall blessing upon all that Gods servants do whatsoever they do shall prosper Psal 1.3 Josh 1.8 They shall not labour in vain nor bring forth for trouble Isa 65.23 Their labour shall not bee in vain or without fruit for want of a blessing from Heaven This is my desire my confidence and my earnest expectation Faithfull is hee that hath promised who also will do it Reader if thou reapest any benefit by my poor labours give God the praise and give mee thy prayers Who am Thy Servant for Christs sake and for thy souls sake EDWARD REYNER An Epistle to the Reader THe tongue of man saith the Apostle is an unruly evil Jam. 3.8.6 full of deadly poyson A world of iniquity Man himself is a little World and his tongue though but a little Member of this little World is a world of iniquity Jam. 3.5 it defileth the whole body Jam. 3.6 and setteth on fire the course of Nature and is set on fire of Hell The whole Life of man saith Basil is made up of the Sins of the Tongue Tora vita hominis linguae delictis est referta Basil Dimidiam partem humanorum vitiorum lingua sibi vendicat Naz. Psal 16.9 with Act. 2.26 Jam. 3. ● Divide the Sins of men into two parts and one half of them are the sins of the Tongue saith Nazianzen The Prophet calls the Tongue our glory but most men turn this their glory into shame It is reported indeed of Cato that hee never spake a word of which he had cause to repent but I beleeve that hee who made this relation had cause to repent of this unadvised report for in many things we offend all If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body Where there are many motions there are some trippings Prov. 10.19 Psal 58. ● and in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin The Psalmist tells us that all men are apt by sinful words to go astray even from the wombe Rom. 3.13 And Saint Paul asserts that in the state of depraved nature our mouthes are like open Sepulchers out of which steemeth much unsavouriness Solomon saith Prov. 19.28 Est metaph ducta ab immanibus bestiis quae alias uno rictu deglutiunt Cartw. 1 Cor. 15 33 Prov. 15.4 Mal. 2.17 Eph. 4.29 that the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity even as ravenous beasts do their prey in which respect chains of restraint or muzles should be put upon them Evil words corrupt good manners by them men make breaches in their own spirits yea they weary God and grieve the Holy Ghost In these and other respects Gods Servants in all Ages have seen cause both to resolve within themselves Psal 39. ● to take heed of offending with their tongues and also to direct their prayers to the Lord Psal 141.3 that he would be pleased to set a watch before their mouthes and to keep the door of their lips God causeth his own Servants to weigh their words as to consider all their other ways though other men be regardless of both The heart of the righteous studieth to answer Prov. 15.28 Ebullit est metaph ducta a scaturigine aquarum quae sine omni intermissione aquam emittit Cartw. Prov. 10.11 Prov. 10 2● Cant. 4.11 but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things even as the muddied fountain casteth forth foul streams And whereas the mouth of the righteous is a well of life they do desire that the streams of their words may bee guided into right Chaneis for best advantage Their lips feed many hony and milk are under their tongues and therefore doubtless they are willing to learn how to serve out these provisions wherewith God hath furnished them unto the best benefit of such with whom they do converse Bishop Latimer tells us that hee was the more cautious what he said before his Examiners when he heard the Pen writing behind the hangings and questionless all those whose hearts are awed with the fear of the most high God do the rather ponder their words in conscientious respect to his all-hearing Majesty Jer. 8.6 Mal 3.16 Mat. 12.36 The Lord harkneth and heareth all sorts of speeches such as are savoury and seasonable to reward them and all idle words that hee may call people to an account for them That serious sentence of wise King Solomon should always dwell upon all our hearts He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life Prov. 13.3 and therefore it cannot but be a work very acceptable and profitable to lay down Rules and Directions for the right ordering and Governing of our Tongues for though the Tongue be untamable by man as the Apostle saith Every kind of Beasts Jam. 3.7 8 and of Birds and of Serpents and things in the Sea is tamed and hath been tamed of mankind but the tongue can no man tame yet God Almighty can tame it and this he doth by giving grace to hearken to such Rules and Directions as are laid down in the ensuing Treatise The Author of which is now sufficiently known by his former Book The Rule of the New Creature which hath found so good acceptance with Gods people that it is enough to commend this work to tell the Reader that it is written by the same hand In the former we had the Government of the Thoughts and Affections in this wee have the Government of our Speeches which is so exactly and elaborately composed that the judicious Reader will find few yea very few useless or impertinent words in the whole Treatise and if the Books that are daily printed were of the like worth we should not have such just occasion to complain of the multitude of them for who ever complained of the multitude of Pearls and Diamonds as now we have seeing by many of them the Souls of Christians are poysoned and by most of them surfeited and over-burdened The Lord make this useful peece serviceable for the right ordering of thy speeches that thy Tongue may be as choyce silver and as a Tree of Life Prov. 10.20 Prov. 15.4 7 and that thy lips may disperse knowledge So pray thy Servants in the work of of the Ministry Edm.

therefore what you have received Act. 13.25 Rev. 3.3 and heard and hold fast and speak out the same even to the end We should confess Christ with our Tongues while we are able to speak yea chuse to dye with a Testimony of Jesus in our mouthes of our Faith and Hope in him and love to him and for the Truth against Errors for the straight and holy wayes of God against all false and by-wayes Then we may boldly look God in the face and go triumphantly to Heaven We should confesse Christ in evil times when others deny him When Christ and his truths and wayes are opposed despised and persecuted and his servants for them Then to own Christ and to speak for him 2 Tim. 1.8 and for his and not to be afraid of his Crosse nor ashamed of his cause or Testimony will be kindly taken by Christ as Paul● witnesse of him at Jerusalem and Rome and elsewhere was Rev. ● 1● and the Church of Pergamos her not denying his Faith but holding fast his Name even in those dayes wherein Christs faithful Martyr Antipas was slain Rev. 3. ● and in that place where Satan dwelt and had his Throne The Church of Philadelphia though she had but a little strength yet she kept Christs word and denyed not his Name though she had adversaries and because shee kept the word of Christs patience that is Vers 1● with great patience she held and maintained the Truth of Christ and her profession of it Therefore Christ will keep her from the hour of Tentation which shall come upon all the World 5 Innocently without giving offence or occasion to any to speak evil of us while we are speaking good of Gods Name or for his Truths and wayes This was Pauls care Act. 24.20 and for this he challenged his enemies Let these same here say If they have found any evil doing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or thing amiss in mee while I stood before the Council scil to give Testimony of Christ the Scribes that were of the Pharisees part said Act. 23.9 we find no evill in this man To this end wee should give a reason of our hope or an account of our faith with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 1. With meeknesse from an humble lowly spirit without any shew or appearance first of pride ostentation or vain-glory or secondly of passion or bitternesse in us for the wrath of man as it worketh not so it testifieth not the righteousnesse of God it doth not at all adorn the Truths or wayes of God nor our profession or confessions of them which meeknesse of spirit doth 2 With fear of God of offending him while wee are confessing him of saying or doing any thing that may cause the way of Truth to bee evil spoken of for our sakes and reverence of men to give all due respect to them before whom wespeak Sixth Sincerely Out of Love and Zeal 1 Out of Love to Christ and his truth for what wee love wee will own or avouch openly Confession and commendation are fruits of love Love knows no shame in acknowledging and praising its beloved Lovers are the freest and largest Confessers and Commenders See it in the Spouse her Encomium of Christ her beloved from head to foot when the Daughters of Jerusalem asked her what is thy beloved more than another beloved Cant. 5.9 to the end when love to Christ and to his truth move us to confess him and it then we will speak liberally yea all that we can possibly for them whosoever saith nay thereto Love is strong as death and the love of Christ will constrain us to confesse Christ to death yea though wee die for it Hence John who was the best beloved and most loving Disciple gave special Testimony of Christ Joh. 19.35 and 21.24 Those that leave their first love grow loath and averse to confesse Christ 2 Out of Zeal for God for the glory of his name the credit of his cause the honour of his truth the propagation of his Gospell for the encouragement and comfort of Christs Friends for the conviction and obstruction of his enemies not to get praise to our selves nor to seek our own glory for love of praise is a great prejudice to the confession of Christ Joh. 12.42 43 Some among the chief Rulers did not confesse Christ for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God The Sanctuary fire of zeal kindled from heaven in our hearts will burn out that Lukewarmness Neutrality and indifferency of spirit which makes us to bee of Gallio's temper in the things of God carelesse of such matters what any say or do against the Name or truth wayes or Kingdome of Christ what errors heresies and blasphemies are broached dispersed or maintained This will also consume to ashes the Conceits of the Libertines and Familists who think it lawfull to dissemble their faith even before the Magistrate and of the Nicodemites of these dayes who count it sufficient to beleeve with the heart taking liberty to confesse what they list with their mouth Seventh and last Wee must confesse Christ patiently with a disposition and resolution to suffer for our Testimony if God call us to it because the confessing of Christ before men may cost us dear the losse of Liberty goods Friends yea life and all as it did the Apostles Mat. 10.37 38 39. and many other the faithfull witnesses of Christ Christ requires wee should bee willing to part with all upon that Account Confessing of Christ hath been a cause of suffering for Christ ever since Christs time Satan and his instruments have raised opposition and persecution against the profession of Faith as well as against the practice of piery and against the persons that have held forth the same even from Generation to Generation The Jews agreed that if any man did confesse Christ Joh. 9.22 Rev. 1.9 he should bee put out of the Synagogue John was banished into the Isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony hee gave of Jesus Christ When the Lamb had opened the fifth Seal Rev. 6.9 John saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain under the Roman Emperours for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held Rev. 11.3 The two witnesses of Christ prophecy in Sack-cloath and when they have finished their Testimony Vers 7 they shall bee slain by the Beast to wit of Rome that is Anti-Christ and the inhabitants of the earth that is of the Malignant or Antichristian Church shall rejoyce thereat and make merry and as a congratulation of their riddance send gifts one to another This was the cause of the Dragons quarrel with a remnant of the Womans seed scil Rev. 12.17 they kept the Commandements of God and had the Testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 20.4 John saw also the Souls of them that were beheaded for the witnesse of

to say and infirmities that wee cannot speak what wee would as it did Moses against the impediment in his Speech that God would bee with his mouth Deut. 18.18 and teach him what to say and put his words into his mouth and Jeremy when he complained r Jer. 1.6 Ah Lord God behold I cannot speak or I know not to speak wanting wisdome and experience gravity and authority in regard of my young years therefore unfit to be sent a Prophet unto the Nations But the Lord said unto mee vers 7. Say not I am a Child for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak● then the Lord put forth his hand and touched his mouth Vers 7. Vers 9. and said unto him Behold I have put my words in thy mouth This was done in visional appearance to Jeremiah yet we may comfortably expect a real performance thereof to us upon the account of his promise that God will put his words or right answers into our mouths or direct us what to say 3 God is the Doner of his spirit putting him within us to guide our Tongues order our speech and to speak in us especially in evil times when Christ borroweth the mouths of his Servants in his own cause to give Testimony thereunto when ye are brought before Governours and Kings for my sake saith Christ ſ Mat. 10.18 19 20. take no thought that is be not anxious or perplexedly solicitous how or what ye shall speak for it shall be given you in that same hour what yee shall speak for it is not yee that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you or as Luke hath it The Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour Luk. 12.11 12 what ye ought to say Gods Spirit teacheth the dexterity and safety of Answers and Replyes and of queries also The Disputants with Stephen were not able to resist the wisdome and the spirit by which hee spake t Act. 6.10 How well should we speak to purpove and to profit yea unto victory and speak irresistably and invincibly peircingly and powerfully if the Spirit of God speak in us The tongue is a pen in the hand of Gods Spirit to write as he guides what hee will We stand in need of light to let us see how to guide our Tongues as well as our hands or feet of light to speak by as well as to work or walk by Therefore Elihu said u Job 37.19 we cannot order our speech to wit to God by reason of darknesse i. e. of our Minds Now it is the Spirit of God that inlightens us in understanding in speech and in actions then let us pray and resolve 1 Pray heartily that God would be with our mouths as hee was with Moses at all times and teach us what wee should say and touch our mouths as hee did Jeremiahs and put his words into them that he would give us the Tongue of the learned as he did Isaiah and the door of utterance as hee did Paul that the preparations of our Hearts and the answers of our Tongues to every question motion or whatsoever shall bee proposed to us may bee from the Lord given into our hearts and mouths by Gods hand yea when wee are put upon speaking by sudden occasions wee should first lift up our hearts to God in an Ejaculation for direction what to say 2 Let us resolve voluntarily and obedientially with w 2 Chron 18.13 Micajah As the Lord liveth even what my God sayeth that will I speak all that and onely that not constrainedly as Balaam when hee said The word that God putteth into my mouth that shall I speak 3 God is Lord over the Tongue to keep it from evil to wit from 1 Evil words 2 Evil Sprits 1 From evil yea and from idle words too that they come not out Great is our propensity thereto 2 From evil spirits that they come not in as a lying spirit did into the mouths of all Ahabs x 1 Kin. 22.22 Prophets to delude them with lyes in Gods just judgement giving Ahab over to bee mis-led by their delusions to his own destruction As the Devil formed his own words by the mouth of the Serpent Gen. 3.1 So hee useth the Tongues of wicked men to speak his words and serve his turn As God spake by the mouths of his holy Prophets Luk. 1.70 all agreeing as if they had but one mouth amongst them all and Christ by the mouth of his Apostles So Satan speaks by the mouth of his Instruments false Teachers Seducers Deceivers Gainsayers of such as Contradict and blaspheme as the Jews did Pauls doctrin y Act. 13.45 as resist the Truth as Paul foretold the enemies thereof should do in the last z 2 Tim. 3.1 8 Times as slander and rail against Gods servants 3 John 10 as Diotrephes prated against John and them hee sent with malicious words Satan that old Serpent speaks in the mouths and by the Tongues of all such of whom it may bee said it is not they only or principally that speak but the spirit of the Devil of Falshood Lyes Errors the spirit of Envy malice giddinesse perversnesse and bitternesse that speaks in them as he did in a Act. 13.8 9 10 Elymas Satans design is by the Tongues of his Instruments to discourage men from good or to draw them into Errors and delusions or into lusts and destruction what a deal of mischief doth the Devil in the world by thrusting evil spirits through Gods permission into the mouths of men and women which is a means to fill the world with wickednesse and they are so subtil and insinuating as it s as difficult to keep them out as to keep the serpent out of Paradise So easily and imperceptibly will they wind themselves in They will bee creeping into our mouths continually if our mouths bee not kept close shut against them It is rare in our daies to meet with a mouth that hath no evil spirit of any kind in it neither spirit of Error nor spirit of falshood deceit nor of perversnesse nor an unclean spirit What need have wee to commit our Tongues into Gods custody and to pray with David set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep thou the doors of my b Psal 14. ● Lips q. d. Lord keep my Tongue as under lock and key as with watch and ward So as no sinfull or idle or rash words may break forth to thy dishonour and so as no ill spirit of any kind may enter in to mis-lead defile or deprave my Tongue strict watch is set at gates of Cities and doors of houses in times of danger to shut enemies out and keep all safe within now the mouth is the door and gate of the man when there is war in the gates of our mouths or fighting against God by evill words there can bee no peace with

which must bee understood in a quallified sense to wit comparatively not absolutely as if free wholly from all sin which is an impossible attainment on this side the Grave either in being silent when he should speak which may at some Time bee a crying sinne or in speaking when hee should be silent which may be a loud sin The 144000 in whose mouth was found no guile were without fault before the Throne of God Rev. 14.5 Ps 16.9 30 12. 108.1 David counted his tongue his excellency and call'd it often his glory to shew forth the Majesty Glory Excellencies and praises of God 4 Excellent is the good use of the Tongue in respect of Imitation for wee should bee ensamples to others in word or speech as well as in spirit and in f 1 Tim. 4.12 Psal 45.1 conversation This is the way to Excell The Tongue is the pen of a ready Scribe to set Coppies of wise holy and profitable Speech for others to write after or to teach them how to speak as the Hand sets Copies to teach others how to write 5 In respect of Distinction for as speech specificates man and distinguisheth man from Beasts which have Tongues and speak not So the government of the Tongue sheweth the difference between 1 A wise man and a fool as Solomon states it throughout his Proverbs as Chap. 15.2.7 29.11 Eccl. 5.3 Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh Job 2.9 10 saith Job to his wife when shee said unto him Curse God and dye 2 Between a good man and an evil man O Generation of Vipers saith g Mat. 12.34 35 Christ how can yee being evil speak good things for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh c. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things c. This is the character of an evil man Psal 50.16 19. He giveth his mouth to evil 3 Between a man that is really religious and him that is but seemingly h Iames 1.26 so If any man among you seem to bee religious and bridleth not his Tongue this mans religion is vain want of Government over the tongue makes a man like a Brute as Horse and Mule in Mouth as well as in mind Ps 32 9. yea worse Reas 3. 3 The necessity From the necessity of Tongue-Government in respect 1 Of God 2 Of Religion 3 Of our selves and others 1 In respect of God that our Tongues may obey him God requires that service of them that they should bee set apart for him that holinesse to the Lord should bee written upon our Tongues as well as upon our hearts For God made with excellent skil and Christ redeemed with great price our Tongues for himself peculiarly and this word came out of Gods mouth in righteousness bound with a Solemn oath that unto me every knee shall bow every Tongue shall swear saith Isaiah 45.23 Rom. 14 1● Every Tongue shall confesse to God saith Paul or that every Tongue should confesse that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the h Phil. 2 1● Father God our Father requires all his Children should give him their Tongues as well as their hearts else the one will contradict the other God expects to be eminently glorified and well-pleased with our Tongues as a principal part of the body Therefore David i Psal 19 1● prayed Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart bee acceptable in thy sight O Lord c. and Paul prayed for the k Rom. 15.5 6. Romans that they might with one mind and one mouth glorify God Paul was excellent and exemplary as a servant of Christ and as a Master of his Tongue herein Hee saith in 1 Thes 2.4 as we were allowed of God to bee put in Trust with the Gospel even so wee speak not as pleasing men but God which tryeth our hearts How needfull then is it to Rule the Tongue aright that God may have service and glory by it which is his end of it Without government the Tongue cannot bee made obedient to God no more than the horse can be to man without the bridle 2 In respect of Religion Tongue-Rule is needfull not only to adorn it but to approve the efficacy of it and our sincerity in it for if any man among you seem to be Religious and bridleth not his Tongue but deceiveth his own heart this mans Religion is vain saith the Apostle l Iames 1.26 James whatsoever conceit ye have of your selves or whatsoever yee pretend professe seem or boast to be for religion If you cannot govern your Tongues 1 You deceive your own hearts with a shew without substance thinking and seeming to be that you are not 2 Your Religion is vain because it wants power over the Tongue to refrain it from evil as lying swearing cursing reviling censuring scoffing detracting dissembling flattering obscenity and the like That is vain which wants what it ought to have and cannot effect what it ought to do nor attain its end That is a weak and uselesse Religion which hath not a powerful influence into mens mouths to bring their Tongues under government or into subjection to order a discipline 3 You cause Religion to bee evil spoken of which suffers much by the Tongue-miscariages of the professors of it If your speech bee not well ordered your Religion will bee little valued The Consequence of Tongueguidance being very great for the Tongue is the Primum mobile or first mover among the members which carrieth them all about with it and makes them go his way and follow his Trade whether it bee good or evil and corruption soon runnes out of the heart through the mouth which defiles the whole body for there is a speedy intercourse between the heart and the Tongue hence it is that a great part of Religion stands in the good government of the Tongue Pure Religion puts forth it self in a pure lip or Language Unbridlenesse of Tongue is usually the Hypocrites sin who is free to censure others for things wherein hee is faulty and guilty himself but farre from owning or acknowledging good in others from confessing or bewailing evils in themselves 3 In respect of our selves and of others for prevention of evil from both 1 The Government of the Tongue is necessary to prevent evil from our selves both of sin and of misery 1 The evil of sin want of government is the general cause why sinne abounds in familyes Cityes Countries in all places as also in the members of mans body why the eye is full of adultery the ear of vanity the hand of blood and the mouth of iniquity As when there was no King in Israel Iudges 17.6 every one did that which was right in his own eyes So when the Tongue hath no overseer or guide it speaks what it lists it multiplyeth sinne as fast as words yea sometimes faster wrapping up two or

of liberty scil from sinne Of this I spake before not to sinne that wee may passe an account with comfort of our words to God our judge and stand in the judgement 2 The government of the tongue is needfull to prevent torment in hell For as the Tongue is by sinne set on fire from hell so it shall bee tormented in hell fire for punishment James 3.6 The rich mans Tongue was so scorched in hell Luk. 16.24 flames that hee desired a drop of water to cool it quia plus peccaverat Lingua saith an antient Author because hee had sinned most with his Tongue Whosoever shall say unto his Brother thou fool shall bee in danger of hell fire saith our m Mat. 5.22 Saviour what shall bee done to those Tongues in hell that have sworn many oaths told many lyes belsht forth many blasphemies against God slanders against Men all which were but the irruptions of an infernal fire on earth every member shall bee punished in Hell for the sinnes which it hath been an instrument to commit then If that part shall bee punished most which hath sinned most then Tongue torments will bee great in hell because Tongue-sinnes have been many on earth Is there any need of escaping condemnation at Gods Tribunal and torments in hell then there is a necessity of governing the Tongue well 2 2 In respect of others The government of our tongues is needful in respect of others to prevent 1 Sin and 2 Mischief That might accrue thereby to them 1 Sinne Which came into the world at first by the mouth scil Satans conference with Eve by the Tongue of a Serpent Gen. 3.1 2 tempting her to eat forbidden fruit and disperseth it self abroad in the world from person to person and from place to place by the Tongue more abundantly then by any other member of body even all kinds of sinne both in opinion and in conversation Sin is of a spreading nature like Leaven and the Tongue is most diffusive and communicative of the evil that is in it As the mouth is the mother of words and words the Children of the mouth conceived and formed in the womb thereof a fruitfull mother that brings forth abundance of such Children So words from us beget words from others either by perswasion provocation argumentation imitation or occasion one or other and that by swarms The Generation of words is innumerable and unspeakable One word can beget a thousand and that which occasioneth a multitude of words may bee the cause of a multitude of sins One evil tongue is sufficient to fill a whole house yea Town with wickednesse The Harlots tongue inticeth to uncleannesse and into the snares of lust to that end all her Instruments of speech have alluring baits upon them her tongue flattereth Prov. 6.24 her lips drop as an hony comb her mouth is smoother than oil Prov. ● 3 4. but her end is bitter as Wormwood sharp as a two edged sword The Seducers or false Teachers tongue draws many from the Truths and wayes of God into errors and by-wayes by their fair and plausible pretences and subtle insinuations or tongue craft the Impostors Art whereby they lye in wait to deceive Ephes 4.14 Sinners inticements of others by their Tongues to theft murder Idolatry conspiracy drinking gaming excesse riot or the like may draw many into sin and so make themselves the Authors of much wickednesse My Son saith n Prov. 1.10 Solomon If sinners intise thee consent thou not Stop your ears against the voice of these charmers and shut your mouthes upon them except it bee to give them a flat denyal Is there not need wee should watch over our mouthes that our Tongues may bee no means or occasion of sin to others To spread abroad sin is the design of Satan and his instruments as it is the disposition of infected persons to spread the plague It is the godly mans care to prevent sin from Breeding in himself Spreading to others 2 To prevent mischiefes to others by our Tongues both places and persons 1 To places as Towns Cities c. The City is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked saith o Prov. 11.11 Solomon which fills the City with oaths lyes blasphemies cursings and corrupt communications and is as a Mine sprung under the wall of a City to blow it up Jerusalem was ruined by their Tongues as well as hands which were against the p Isa 3.8 Lord. Evil Tongues as well as evil hands help to pull down houses Towns Cities and to lay them in the dust 2 To persons to do others no harm by our words in their lives names estates cause liberty Relations nor in the comfort of their Spirits not to make sad the hearts of the righteous whom God hath not made sad Ezek. 13.22 A Hypocrite with his mouth saith q Prov. 11. ● Solomon destroyeth his Neighbour either by censuring and condemning him or by flattering him or drawing him into the way of dissembling like himself or by calumnies to blemish and blot out his good name Take heed wee persecute not others by our Tongues no more than by our hands either by mocking them as Ishmael did Isaak Gal. 4.29 2 King 2.23 2 Sam. 16.6 17. and the Bethelite Children did Elisha by reviling railing or cursing them as Shimei did David by false accusing them as Tertullus did Paul Act. 24.5.6 by lyes slanders backbitings What sharp and bitter Tongue-persecutions have been raised against Gods servants Job was the song and the by word even of base men viler than the r Job 30.8 9. earth Davids enemies fought against him with their ſ Psa 109.2 3. 35.15 Tongues scil by lyes slanders reproaches they did tear him continually and hee became their proverb Jeremies t Jet 18.18 enemies said come let us devise devices against him let us smite him with the Tongue let us contrive accusations against him and lash him with reproaches This pittifull usage Israel found amongst the u Ezek. 36.3 Heathen scil that they were taken up in the lips of Talkers and were an infamy of the people God pittieth and comforteth them for it How were the mouthes of men opened and their Tongues sharpened and imbittered against our Saviour Mat. 10.25 they cal'd the Master of the house Beelzebub He endured such contradiction or Tongue-opposition of sinners against himself Heb. 12.3 such as none such as never any did the like Christ was crucified by the Tongues of the Jews or upon the cross of the Tongue when they cryed out crucifie him crucifie him before he was crucified by the hands of the Romans or upon a cross of wood The primitive Christians under the Heathen Emperors were extremely persecuted by malicious tongues They spake all the evil they could devise against them But the Saints shall get conquest over the Tongue of all their enemies at the w Isa 54.17 last according to Gods promises

give thanks to God 2 Because if wee confesse God and Christ and the Truth c. wee shall be confessed by both 1 By the Father hee will own and avouch us to bee his his people portion Jewels his Servants friends sons and that before Men and Devils 1 Before Men If wee testify for God he will give testimony of us as hee did of Abraham that he was the friend of God of Moses that hee was the meekest man upon earth of David that hee was a man after Gods own heart of Daniel that hee was a man of desires of Abel Heb. 11.4 5 that hee was righteous of Enoch that he pleased God Hence Gods servants have appealed unto God as their witnesse as Job Behold my witnesse is in heaven and my record is on high Iob 16.19 and as their examiner and judge as David did Ps 139.23 24 and 7.8 and 26.1 2. If wee plead for God God will plead for us against our enemies Numb 12.8 as hee did for Moses against Aaron and Miriam Wherefore then were yee not afraid to speak against my Servant Moses and for Job against his friends yee have not spoken of mee the thing that is right Iob 42.7 as my servant Job hath and as hee did for the faithful Psal 37.6 in Lament 3.58 O Lord thon hast pleaded the causes of my soul God will bring forth our righteousnesse to the light clear our innocency and judge our enemies 2 Yea before Devils as hee confessed Job Iob 1.8 and 2.4 The Lord said unto Satan hast thou considered my Servant Job that there is none like him in the earth a perfect and upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil and stil he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movest mee against him to destroy him without cause 2 By the Sonne If wee confesse Christ Christ will retaliate and recompence confession with confession his of us with ours of him between which there is no proportion nor comparison Mat. 10.32 Luk. 12.8 for hee will confesse us before his Father and all the Angels of God and say These are my servants members Spouse people who did beleeve in mee with their heart and confesse mee with their mouths before men to bee their Saviour Lord and Master head and Husband that were not afraid of men in my cause nor ashamed of my crosse Whereas if wee deny Christ before men or his Truths or ways hee will also deny us before his Father which is in Heaven Matth. 10.33 and before the Angels of God Luk. 12.8 Whosoever shall bee ashamed of me Mark 8.38 and of my words saith Christ of him also shall the Sonne of man bee ashamed when he commeth in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels 3 Because If wee confesse God and Christ wee shall bee incouraged defended and honoured even here 1 Encouraged and strengthened by Christ to and in our Testimony as Paul was at Corinth to whom the Lord spake in the night by a Vision Acts 18.9 Bee not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace and at Jerusalem The night following after Paul had like to have been pulled in peeces for his confession before the Counci● the Lord stood by him Act. 23.10 11. and said Be of good chear Paul for as thou hast Testified of me at Jerusalem 2 Tim. 4.16 17 so must thou bear witnesse also at Rome And at Rome at Pauls first Apology all men forsook him none stood by him notwithstanding saith hee the Lord stood with mee and strengthened mee Rev. 11.5 6 10 God bears witnesse to the Testimony of his two witnesses by infusing great power both into them and into it 2 Wee shall bee defended and delivered from the assaults and designs of our enemies as God promised Paul at Corinth I am with thee Act. 18.9 10 and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee and at his Conversion when Christ tells him I will make thee a Minister and a witnesse Act. 26.16 and promiseth to deliver him from the people Chap. 23.10 11 20 21 and from the Gentiles unto whom he hath sent him v. 17. and performed to him both at Jerusalem where hee was rescued by the Captain from violence and saved from the Jews conspiracy lying in wait to kill him and at Rome where hee was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4.17 that was Nere God hath a wing of special protection to spread over his witnesses And though the two witnesses bee slain for the Testimony of Jesus Rev. 11.11 yet after three days and an half the spirit of life from God shall enter into them and they shall stand upon their feet and great fear shall fall upon them that see them Hence some think that their killing and reviving are in respect of their prophetical life 3 If we honour God by confessing him he will honour us 1 With favour affection and respect from men Christs Confessors and Martyrs have been very highly esteemed dearly beloved 1 Pet. 4.14 and longed for and greatly rejoyced in for the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon them which makes them very amiable in the eyes of others When the Apostles gave witnesse of the Resurrection of Christ Act. 4.33 great grace that is favour and honour was upon them all Because the Church of Philadelphia kept Christs word that is in her mouth by confession Rev. 3.8 9 as well as in her heart by beleef and denied not his name Behold saith Christ I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet not in way of Religious Adoration Pareus but of external reverence and to know that I have loved thee that is to reverence and honour her as one beloved of Christ When the two witnesses of Christ are revived Rev. 11.12 they shall hear a great voice from heaven saying to them Come up hither They shall bee received triumphantly with great joy and honour into the Church even to the Admiration of their Enemies when they are restored who have been silenced ejected imprisoned banished or the like for the Testimony of Jesus 2 With victory over Satan for the holy Martyrs and Confessors under the Roman persecutions overcame the Accuser of the Brethren as Christians do now by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony that is by the Testimony or Confession they gave to Jesus Christ and to the word of God Rev. 12.10 11. 3 Yea God will honour us with mutual inhabitation which implyes intimate communion and the continuation thereof between him and us 1 Joh. 4.15 for whosoever shall confesse that Jesus is the Sonne of God God dwelleth in him and he in God Fourthly Because if we confesse Christ aright we shall be saved Confession is unto salvation saith Paul in the