do usually obtain regard according to the wisdom worth and authority of the persons that utter them That this Sentence with which I have to do should therefore be more regarded because iâ— was uttered by the Lord Jesus appeareth evidently in that hâ— ushereth in his Assertion with aâ— Asseveration I say unto you I who cannot lye would have you to receive and write on this aâ— a great Truth I who am to bâ— your Judge give you to understand how strict my proceeding will be in judgment I will caâ—â— you to account not only for youâ— notoriously evil actions but with all for all your idle and empty expressions It is father'd upon some of thâ— Fathers that they were startleâ— with this Text One is said to crâ— out St. Augustine Which of Gods faithful one doth not Christ affright when 〈◊〉 saith That every idle word shall bâ— accounted for And another iâ— brought in with these words St. Ambrose Is iâ— I that must give account of ever If that word that startled them do not stir us we may fear it is because our hearts are more hard or less under a firm belief of the future state that state to come which shall begin but shall never end The parts or particulars whereof I shall take notice are 1. A Crime or Fault supposed for which a Bill of Indictment will be drawn up to wit words idle talking 2. Intelligendum hoc de impiis damnatis Gradocks Harmony in locum See Causes of decay p. 174. The parties indictable for Crime to wit Men and Women The Learned do interpret this of persons that live and dye Christless Though idle words are sins damnable sins in all yet unto the truly and throughly penitent who have a Mediatour to stand in and answer for them who would not willingly utter one idle word sins shall not be imputed 3. The proceeding which shall be for this Crime and on these Persons They shall give account that is with grief and to their shame they shall so give account as upon giving it to receive that dreadful doom Mat. 25.41 See Ieanes his second part page 50 51. Go ye cursed The Antecedent of accounting is here as elsewhere put for the sad consequent of it being condemned to eternal punishment This tended most directly to rouze the sleepy Consciences of those blasphemous Pharisees with whom our blessed Saviour was now arguing 4. The time when idle words shal be found so extreamly faulty In Dâ—â— judicii extremi Grad from L. Burgonsis Acts 17.31 and the speakers of them so sharply handled and that will be when time will be no more The day of account will be that great day when the general Assizes shall be held when God shall judge all the World of Angels and Men in Righteousness The Doctrine to be treated of is as followeth At the great day of account idle words shall be accounted for Or thus Idle words do carry in them sufficient matter for mens eternal condemnation My first work shall be to resolve this Quere What words are to be esteemed idle words For the better resolving of this Question I shall first remove out of the way that gloss which as I with others judge is too narrow and doth not take in the full mind of the Lord and that is the gloss of those who would restrain this phrase Quae veri soliditate carent if not to malicious and blasphemous words yet at least to false and lying words as if those only were struck at under the notion of idle or empty words which do want the fitting and weight of truth But as some eminently learned have noted 1. The stream of Interpreters runs quite another way and they judge generally that our blessed Saviour arguing with the Pharisees doth argue in an aggravating way Videatur Christus aliquo exaggerationis genere uti Maldonate from the lesser to the greater He lets them know that they were running to everlasting ruine If they had only the guilt of idle words upon them that might sink them into Hell and what defence could they then make for such monstrously evil words as they had uttered in charging him to cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils 2. Our Saviour seems to teach them a Doctrine somewhat new and strange in the Pharisees Schools Moldonate They in their Expositions did straiten the Law but he came to fulfil and explain it It can scarce be doubted Jeanes his second part page â—0 though they were lax loose Expositors that they thought or taught that lyes and blasphemies should not be accounted for But now our dear Lord goes further and assures them in the word of a King the King of Glory that they shall be called to account for their idle expressions It is marked and is remarkable that elsewhere when he will recover the Truth from the false glosses which the Pharisees did put upon it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 5.20 22 28 32 39.44 he useth the very Preface which is used in this Text But I say unto you Having thus cleared my way I shall go on to shew 1. What words are not to be charged with idleness 2. What words are chargeable therewith 1. Negatively All words referring to these lower earthly affairs are not to be accused as idle words The Lord who hath appointed for us particular Callings and hath allowed us six dayes in seven to labour in Exod. 20.9 doth as well approve of the labour of our tongues about them as that of our hands On the Sabbath we should not speak our own words Isai 58.13 God forbid that even on week-dayes our whole discourse should be of anâ— earthly complexion we should learn of our blessed Master to raise heavenly conference out of earthly occasions Yet undoubtedly what words soever are requisite for the better management of our lawful trades or businesses we may use not only lawfully but laudably The Scripture recordeth without the least disallowance the formalities and passages of a purchase between Father Abraham and the Children of Heth Gen. 23.4 c. and between holy Jeremiah and his Uncles Son 2. All words favouring of great civility and courtisie do not justly fall under the censure of being idle Among other duties urged by the Apostle Peter Pet. 3.8 being courteous is one Our blessed Saviour did not stick to stile Judas Friend Mat. 26.50 â—or did Saint Paul scruple to give â—o Festus the title of Most noble Acts 26.25 They who can may defend those usual expressions of Your Servant Sir Your most humble Servant when used to those for whom there is neither service nor love ready Gratiam affabilitatis non excludit oâ—is custodia Bernardi Flores pag. 712. I do not look upon them as in that ease defensible Yet I am clear that it is for the honour of Christianity when Christians are not morose and austere but of
the discharge of his calling Every one should mind his own business and they will be sure to be busie-bodies in evil who do nothing which is good Standing waters will gather filth Gospel glass page 232 233. and Birds that are not flying are in the greatest danger of being shot An idle lazy way of Religion carrieth matter of condemnation in the face of it Branch 2 As those who are negligent in their particular Callings so those who under pretence of following them slight or are slightly in their general Calling are out of the way of life It is dangerous to stand idle elsewhere but most dangerous to stand idle in the Lords Vineyard Mat. 20.3 6. The Lord will not own any idle servants He is for labourers and not for loyterers John 4.14 Where true Grace is it is a well of water springing up The very word Religion implyeth that it is a binder Glavil's Philosophia pia page 155. A religando it bindeth to duties in Church and Families to secret prayer â—f-searching serious meditating constant watching against sin over the inward and outward man 1 Cor. 15. ult to the filling up of every relation and condition with proper services Sluggish hearts are very unlike to win Heaven Branch 3 If idle words are to be condemned in other cases there is no question but they are to be condemned in prayer Should not mens words be weighed when they who are but dust and ashes take upon them to speak to the King of Kings Eccles 5.2 Whether persons in prayer use the same words which they have used before or vary their expressions they should see to this Psal 62.8 that they pour out their hearts unto the Lord and do not draw near to him with their lips only Mat. 15.8 Though uponextraordinary occasions prayer may be long continued in See Doctor Spurstow's Meditations page 17 18. yet strength in prayer is alwayes to be preferred before length in prayer Faith is more excellent than natural fervour The Spirit may help in sighs and groans when the stretching out of the voice is of little value Branch 4 If persons will have a sad account to make for idle words how will they stand in judgment before God who have been and yet are notoriously guilty of false filthy bitter envious yea even blasphemous words 1. What shall be done unto the false tongue Psal 120.3 Doctor Arrowsmith's Tacita sacra page 14 16 Linguae Daemomp vernacula est mendacitas How can persons answer for words which want truth when they cannot answer for words which want weight There are some footsteps whereby the Devil may be traced in other sins but the sin of lying carrieth the very face of the Devil in it Lyars do aloud call him Father John 8.44 The Scripture which cannot be broken doth shut him that maketh a lye out of the City of God Revel 21. ult God hath given this testimony of his Children that they are Children that will not lye Isa 63.8 It was the determination of a Father Bishop Davenant on the Colossians page 298. That a lye should not be told under pretence of saving a world Lyes which are called officious are indeed very pernicious 2. How will they look God in the face who inure their tongues to filthy speeches Ephes 5. â— 4.29 How far is filthiness from being convenient or becoming those who are called to be Saints â—i ofiosus â—ermo reâ—prehendiâ—ur quanâ—o magis â—purcus â—oxius â—ishop â—avenant page 297. What modest language would people speak if they would make Scripture the Master and measure of their speaking An unsavoury breath doth not so much shew the unsoundness of the lungs as obscene scurrilous discourse doth shew the unsoundness of the heart Shall men put their mouths into the most noysome dunghils 3. Will not they be far from making a good defence who at the great day shall be charged with hard speeches and censures and those against such who have desired to fear God Num. 12.8 Were ye not afraid to speak against my Servants â— Kings â— 23 will the Lord say It went ill with Children that called the Prophet Bald-pate Bitter words are Arrows that will fall upon their heads who shoot them They who slander reproach and bear false witness against their neighbours will find to their sorrow that God hath chains of wrath which will hold them when those of his Commands are broken by them 4. Do not they heap and treasure up wrath whose mouths are full of cursing swearing profaning Zech. 5.2 3. and even blaspheming the holy Name of God May not such foresee a whole roll of judgments coming upon them yea flying against them But I go on to a fifth Inference Branch 5 If idle words shall be accounted for then the last judgment will be exceeding strict Eccles the last God will bring every secret work into open view Sins which now obtain the favour to be called little Numb 32.23 will then appear in their own colours damnably great To be sure mens faults will then find them out Judicabit non male judicata Burgess of judgment page 60 Those things which escaped mens judgment shall abide Gods judgment The fore-thoughts of this have driven some friends and lawful delights to spend their times in dens and wildernesses I desire not that it should have any such effect on my hearers but that it should drive them to Jesus Christ and that not only as a shelter but also as a Sanctifier that he who is to be their Judge may be their Advocate Oh that men walked as if they heard the sound of the last Trumpet and the voice of the Archangel saying Arise ye dead and come to judgment 6. Seeing idle words are to be reckoned for this will justifie the care Ephes 5.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leigh Cr. Sacra and study and stritness of those who are most for walking circumspectly precisely not only according but as much as is possible up to rule Should not they be afraid of running on the score who are sure to be called to a reckoning It is a wonder that good men are not much more wary The tongue is an huge slippery piece it falleth into empty unedifying discourse before a person is well aware It is usually observed that Nature hath set a double guard upon it and clear it is that Grace will not leave it unguarded but will guide men to beg of God that he would set a watch before their mouthes Psal 14 â—3 and keep the doors of their lips Use 2 It is now high time to call my self and others to deep humiliation as for other offences so partiâ—ularly for our offending with our tongues Who that hath taken notice of his words seeth not cause to cry out with Job Job 40.3 4. Isai 6.5 Behold I am vile and with Isaiah Wo is me I am a
man of unclean lips To bring us sooner to our knees be it considered 1. Our vain words have been Multitudes Multitudes Psal 19 12. Who can understand all his errours of this sort Who can by searching find out all his tongue-slips Idlâ— words have issued from us aâ— streams from a fountain Were noâ— our childhood and youth vanity iâ— self Eccles 11. last Have not innumerable evils of this kind compassed us about 2. Our sins in this kind are in this respect more sinful because herein God appeared exceeding merciful in that he created us not only with that excellent power of speaking Corruptio optimi est pessima but also with wisdom to order our speech to his honour What glory might man have given to his Creator if he had kept that government rule of his tongue Isai 7. ult wherewith he was first entrusted That our mouths utter vanity is not from our creation but from our corruption That the thing framed should move in the least to the dishonour of him that formed it this is a lamentation 3. Those who have been Gods choice ones have had their hearts affected and afflicted upon this account Not only Job and Isaiah â—yed mainly out for their speaking amiss Psal 73 22. but David stileth himself â—oolish and ignorant yea a very â—east for this fault 4. If idle speeches be not matter of our humiliation they will be matter of our condemnation if we do not judge our selves we shall be judged of the Lord yea and condemned with the world 5. The Lord hath shewed himself gracious to those who being humbled for their offences of this nature have through his Son addressed themselves to him Isai 6 7 When Isaiah had bewailed bitterly the uncleanness of his lips Illi quibus ante diem illum remissa fuerint verba otiosa rationis loco remissio nem adserent Crad from L. Brugensis he had assurance given him that his iniquity was taken a way and his sin purged Neither is it the scope of that terrible Text with which I have to do to drive persons from God but to drive them in a way of sin-lamenting self-disclaiming and Saviour-accepting unto him Rationem reddent nisi interim paeniteant Carthusian Use 3 〈◊〉 gives a loud call to repentancâ— but puts no bar in nor shuts tâ— door of hope upon the penitentâ— If notwithstanding what is saâ— some continue their course of idâ— unedifying discourse and resolâ— so to do for such the followin Use is most proper which is An Use of Reproof to all such who are not careful to set anâ— keep up the good government 〈◊〉 their tongues Do not many iâ— effect say Psal 12.4 Our tongues are ouâ— own What Lord shall controuâ— us They 〈◊〉 talk at random and not by rule Whilest some by lying swearing slandering and reviling break out others think iâ— fair if they keep in and forbeaâ— these abominations barrennesâ— in and backwardness to holy heavenly conferrings is no fault in their account Oh that such would seriously consider 1. They have upon them the black brand of unregeneracy If Grace have its throne in the heart â—t will have a great command and influence upon the tongue Zeph. 3 9. When the Lord gives persons a thorough turn to himself he turneth to them a pure lip or language Psal 45.2 Grace was poured into the lips of Christ the Head and in some measure it is poured into the lips of Christians his Members Speaking the language of Canaan is so sure an effect of sound conversion that when the conversion of five Cities in the Land of Egypt is foretold Isai 19.18 it is said expresly They shall speak the language of Canaan 2. God will not for the sake of any rank or sort of men vary from his word of truth or suffer a tittle of it to pass away They cannot escape who live and dye in neglect of warnings of Heaven Wo wo wo will be to those Mat. 5.18 who having not their tongues tyed to their good behaviour have nâ— hopes of being acquitted in judgment except the Lord alter whaâ— he hath in my Text written May I prevail with the guilty to give a sober Answer to these serious Questions 1. Do you think that my Text was spoken and written only tâ— scare and affright men and not tâ— inform them truly in what an exact way the Lord will proceed aâ— the last day Is not this to charge him falshhood who is truth it self 2. Will you say that God is merciful God forbid I should gainsay you or in the least represent that blessed hand as narrower than indeed it is yet all may and must know that though it be said Gods tender mercies are over or upon all his works Psal 145.9 yet it is not said that they are above or against all his other Attributes His truth revealed in my Text will stand together with his mercy His wisdom is shewed in shewing the greatest mercy even his salvation to those who will give him the glory of it And though as that excellent Pen Causes of decay page 169. to whom I have formerly referred hath written we are apt to proportion Gods justice not according to its infiniteness but our own concerns making it serve only as a cypher to advance his mercy yet it will appear that the divine Attributes are not in strife but perfect harmony and rather than the justice of God shall suffer men and women shall suffer everlastingly 3. With what terrour and trembling of heart will they who get not a Bridle for the Tongue 2 Cor. 5. appear before the Judge of all the world What an amazing sight will it be to see their other sins and with them their idle words 10 11. set as an Army in rank and file before them They cannot possibly stand right and upright in thaâ— high Court Recti in curia their Consciences wiâ—â— second and set in with the sentencâ— which God shall pass against them It will be evident upon what honourable terms forgiveness waâ— offered to them and that upoâ— their having recourse to the Gracâ— and Spirit of God they mighâ— have had their speech seasone and sanctified How dreadful wiâ—â— every word in their doom beâ— Depart from me That is say some the hell of hell The punist 〈◊〉 of sense is beyond what 〈◊〉 conceived yet great Divines say that it is not absolutely infiniteâ— The damned say they suffeâ— finite wrath in an infinite duration See Norton of Christs sufferings but the punishment of loss iâ— infinite it is the loss of an infinitâ— God That men and women muâ— never come in or near God gracious comforting presencâ— more Mat. 25. oh how dreadful is this seeing they must depart with curse with Gods curse and that into fire which all know is of a tormenting nature yea into everlasting fire a fire that cannot be quenched yea a fire