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case_n may_v be_v necessary_a and_o our_o duty_n and_o in_o several_a case_n very_o fit_a and_o reasonable_a the_o question_n be_v in_o what_o case_n by_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o scripture_n and_o right_a reason_n we_o be_v warrant_v to_o say_v the_o evil_a of_o other_o that_o be_v true_a in_o general_n we_o be_v not_o to_o do_v this_o without_o great_a reason_n and_o necessity_n as_o for_o the_o prevention_n of_o some_o great_a evil_n or_o the_o procure_n of_o some_o considerable_a good_a to_o ourselves_o or_o other_o and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o advice_n of_o the_o son_n of_o sirach_n eccl._n 19_o 8._o whether_o it_o be_v to_o a_o friend_n or_o a_o foe_n talk_v not_o of_o other_o man_n life_n and_o if_o thou_o can_v without_o offence_n reveal_v they_o not_o that_o be_v if_o without_o hurt_n to_o any_o body_n thou_o can_v conceal_v they_o divulge_v they_o not_o but_o because_o this_o may_v not_o be_v direction_n sufficient_a i_o shall_v instance_n 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without_o betray_v his_o own_o innocency_n no_o charity_n require_v a_o man_n to_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v defame_v to_o save_v the_o reputation_n of_o another_o man_n charity_n begin_v at_o home_n and_o though_o a_o man_n have_v never_o so_o much_o goodness_n he_o will_v first_o secure_v his_o own_o good_a name_n and_o then_o be_v concern_v for_o other_o man_n we_o be_v to_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o so_o that_o the_o love_n of_o ourselves_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o love_n to_o our_o neighbour_n and_o therefore_o first_o otherwise_o it_o can_v not_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o well_o for_o the_o world_n if_o our_o charity_n will_v rise_v thus_o high_a and_o no_o man_n will_v hurt_v another_o man_n reputation_n but_o where_o his_o own_o be_v in_o real_a danger_n four_o this_o also_o be_v lawful_a for_o caution_n and_o warning_n to_o a_o three_o person_n that_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v infect_v by_o the_o company_n or_o 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we_o will_v consider_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o and_o it_o common_o spring_v from_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o evil_a root_n first_o one_o of_o the_o deep_a and_o most_o common_a cause_n of_o evil-speaking_a be_v ill-nature_n and_o cruelty_n of_o disposition_n and_o by_o a_o general_a mistake_n ill-nature_n pass_v for_o wit_n as_o cunning_a do_v for_o wisdom_n though_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v nothing_o akin_a to_o one_o another_o but_o as_o far_o distant_a as_o vice_n and_o virtue_n and_o there_o be_v no_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o bad_a temper_n of_o mankind_n than_o the_o general_a proneness_n of_o man_n to_o this_o vice_n for_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v out_o of_o the_o abundance_n of_o
towards_o he_o will_v render_v you_o of_o it_o and_o whether_o it_o may_v not_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o revenge_v a_o spiteful_a and_o needless_a word_n by_o a_o shrewd_a turn_n so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n make_v no_o conscience_n of_o hurt_v other_o yet_o he_o shall_v in_o prudence_n have_v some_o consideration_n of_o himself_o three_o let_v we_o accustom_v ourselves_o to_o pity_v the_o fault_n of_o man_n and_o to_o be_v true_o sorry_a for_o they_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v take_v no_o pleasure_n in_o publish_v they_o and_o this_o common_a humanity_n require_v of_o we_o consider_v the_o great_a infirmity_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o that_o we_o ourselves_o also_o be_v liable_a to_o be_v tempt_v consider_v likewise_o how_o severe_a a_o punishment_n every_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n be_v to_o itself_o and_o how_o terrible_o it_o expose_v a_o man_n to_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o other_o he_o be_v not_o a_o good_a christian_a that_o be_v not_o hearty_o sorry_a for_o the_o fault_n even_o of_o his_o great_a enemy_n and_o if_o he_o be_v so_o he_o will_v discover_v they_o no_o further_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o some_o good_a end_n four_o whenever_o we_o hear_v any_o man_n evil-spoken_a of_o if_o we_o know_v any_o good_a of_o he_o let_v we_o say_v that_o it_o be_v always_o the_o more_o humane_a and_o the_o more_o honourable_a part_n to_o stand_v up_o in_o the_o defence_n and_o vindication_n of_o other_o than_o to_o accuse_v and_o bespatter_v they_o possible_o the_o good_a you_o hear_v of_o they_o may_v not_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o the_o evil_n which_o you_o have_v hear_v of_o they_o be_v not_o true_a neither_o however_o it_o be_v better_a to_o preserve_v the_o credit_n of_o a_o bad_a man_n than_o to_o stain_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o innocent_a and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o need_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v evil-spoken_a of_o it_o be_v but_o fair_a and_o equal_a that_o his_o good_a and_o bad_a quality_n shall_v be_v mention_v together_o otherwise_o he_o may_v be_v strange_o misrepresent_v and_o a_o indifferent_a man_n may_v be_v make_v a_o monster_n they_o that_o will_v observe_v nothing_o in_o a_o wise_a man_n but_o his_o oversight_n and_o folly_n nothing_o in_o a_o good_a man_n but_o his_o fail_n and_o infirmity_n may_v make_v a_o shift_n to_o render_v a_o very_a wise_a and_o good_a man_n very_o despicable_a if_o one_o shall_v heap_v together_o all_o the_o passionate_a speech_n all_o the_o froward_a and_o imprudent_a action_n of_o the_o best_a man_n all_o that_o he_o have_v say_v or_o do_v amiss_o in_o his_o whole_a life_n and_o present_v it_o all_o at_o one_o view_n conceal_v his_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n the_o man_n in_o this_o disguise_n will_v look_v like_o a_o madman_n or_o a_o fury_n and_o yet_o if_o his_o life_n be_v fair_o represent_v and_o just_a in_o the_o same_o manner_n it_o be_v lead_v and_o his_o many_o and_o great_a virtue_n set_v over-against_o his_o fail_n and_o infirmity_n he_o will_v appear_v to_o all_o the_o world_n to_o be_v a_o admirable_a and_o excellent_a person_n but_o how_o many_o and_o great_a soever_o any_o man_n ill_a quality_n be_v it_o be_v but_o just_a that_o with_o all_o this_o heavy_a load_n of_o fault_n he_o shall_v have_v the_o due_a praise_n of_o the_o few_o real_a virtue_n that_o be_v in_o he_o five_o that_o you_o may_v not_o speak_v ill_o of_o any_o do_v not_o delight_v to_o hear_v ill_o of_o they_o give_v no_o countenance_n to_o busy-body_n and_o those_o that_o love_v to_o talk_v of_o other_o man_n fault_n or_o if_o you_o can_v decent_o reprove_v they_o because_o of_o their_o quality_n then_o divert_v the_o discourse_n some_o other_o way_n or_o if_o you_o can_v do_v that_o by_o seem_a not_o to_o mind_v it_o you_o may_v sufficient_o signify_v that_o you_o do_v not_o like_v it_o six_o let_v every_o man_n mind_n himself_o and_o his_o own_o duty_n and_o concernment_n do_v but_o endeavour_v in_o good_a earnest_n to_o mend_v thyself_o and_o it_o will_v be_v work_n enough_o for_o one_o man_n and_o leave_v thou_o but_o little_a time_n to_o talk_v of_o other_o when_o plato_n withdraw_v from_o the_o court_n of_o dionysius_n who_o will_v fain_o have_v have_v a_o famous_a philosopher_n for_o his_o flatterer_n they_o part_v in_o some_o unkindness_n and_o dionysius_n bid_v he_o not_o to_o speak_v ill_o of_o he_o when_o he_o be_v return_v into_o greece_n plato_n tell_v he_o he_o have_v no_o leisure_n for_o it_o mean_v that_o he_o have_v better_a thing_n to_o mind_n than_o to_o take_v up_o his_o thought_n and_o talk_n with_o the_o fault_n of_o so_o bad_a a_o man_n so_o notorious_o know_v to_o all_o the_o world_n last_o let_v we_o set_v a_o watch_n before_o the_o door_n of_o our_o lip_n and_o not_o speak_v but_o upon_o consideration_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v to_o speak_v fine_o but_o fit_o especial_o when_o thou_o speak_v of_o other_o consider_v of_o who_o and_o what_o thou_o be_v go_v to_o speak_v use_v great_a caution_n and_o circumspection_n in_o this_o matter_n look_v well_o about_o thou_o on_o every_o side_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o on_o every_o person_n in_o the_o company_n before_o thy_o word_n slip_v from_o thou_o which_o when_o they_o be_v once_o out_o of_o thy_o lip_n be_v for_o ever_o out_o of_o thy_o power_n not_o that_o man_n shall_v be_v sullen_a in_o company_n and_o say_v nothing_o or_o so_o stiff_a in_o conversation_n as_o to_o drop_v nothing_o but_o aphorism_n and_o oracle_n especial_o among_o equal_n and_o friend_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o reserve_v as_o if_o we_o will_v have_v it_o take_v for_o a_o mighty_a favour_n that_o we_o vouchsafe_v to_o say_v any_o thing_n if_o a_o man_n have_v the_o understanding_n of_o a_o angel_n he_o must_v be_v content_v to_o abate_v something_o of_o this_o excess_n of_o wisdom_n for_o fear_v of_o be_v think_v cunning._n the_o true_a art_n of_o conversation_n if_o any_o body_n can_v hit_v upon_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o a_o appear_a freedom_n and_o openness_n with_o a_o resolute_a reservedness_n as_o little_o appear_v as_o be_v possible_a all_o that_o i_o mean_v by_o this_o caution_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v consider_v well_o what_o we_o say_v especial_o of_o other_o and_o to_o this_o end_n we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o get_v our_o mind_n furnish_v with_o matter_n of_o discourse_n concern_v thing_n useful_a in_o themselves_o and_o not_o hurtful_a to_o other_o and_o if_o we_o have_v but_o a_o mind_n wise_a enough_o and_o good_a enough_o we_o may_v easy_o find_v a_o field_n large_a enough_o for_o innocent_a conversation_n such_o as_o will_v harm_v no_o body_n and_o yet_o be_v acceptable_a enough_o to_o the_o better_a and_o wise_a part_n of_o mankind_n and_o why_o shall_v any_o one_o be_v at_o the_o cost_n of_o play_v the_o fool_n to_o gratify_v any_o body_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o five_o thing_n i_o propound_v to_o speak_v to_o upon_o this_o argument_n but_o because_o hardly_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v so_o clear_a but_o something_o may_v be_v say_v against_o it_o nor_o any_o thing_n so_o bad_a but_o something_o may_v be_v plead_v in_o excuse_n for_o it_o i_o shall_v therefore_o take_v notice_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plea_n that_o may_v be_v make_v for_o it_o first_o some_o pretend_v mighty_a injury_n and_o provocation_n if_o in_o the_o same_o kind_n it_o seem_v thou_o be_v sensible_a of_o it_o and_o therefore_o thou_o of_o all_o man_n ought_v to_o abstain_v from_o it_o but_o in_o what_o kind_n soever_o it_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n forbid_v revenge_n therefore_o do_v not_o plead_v one_o sin_n in_o excuse_n of_o another_o and_o make_v revenge_n a_o apology_n for_o revile_v second_o it_o be_v allege_v by_o other_o with_o a_o little_o better_a grace_n that_o if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v practise_v conversation_n will_v be_v spoil_v and_o there_o will_v not_o be_v matter_n enough_o for_o pleasant_a discourse_n and_o entertainment_n i_o answer_v the_o design_n of_o this_o discourse_n be_v to_o redress_v a_o great_a evil_n in_o conversation_n and_o that_o i_o hope_v which_o mend_v it_o will_v not_o spoil_v it_o and_o however_o if_o man_n tongue_n lay_v a_o little_a more_o still_o and_o most_o of_o we_o speak_v a_o good_a deal_n less_o than_o we_o do_v both_o of_o ourselves_o and_o other_o i_o see_v no_o great_a harm_n in_o it_o i_o hope_v we_o may_v for_o all_o that_o live_v comfortable_o and_o in_o good_a health_n and_o see_v many_o good_a day_n david_n i_o be_o sure_a prescribe_v 〈◊〉_d as_o a_o excellent_a receipt_n in_o his_o opinion_n for_o a_o quiet_a and_o cheerful_a and_o long_a life_n to_o refrain_v from_o evil-speaking_a psal._n 34._o 12_o 13._o what_o
bible_n but_o we_o find_v this_o among_o they_o in_o the_o company_n of_o the_o very_o worst_a action_n and_o most_o irregular_a passion_n of_o man_n out_o of_o the_o heart_n say_v our_o saviour_n matt._n 15._o 19_o proceed_v evil_a thought_n murder_n adultery_n fornication_n false_a witness_n evil_a speaking_n and_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 1._o 29._o rank_n backbiter_n with_o fornicator_n and_o murderer_n and_o hater_n of_o god_n and_o with_o those_o of_o who_o it_o be_v express_o say_v 1_o cor._n 6._o 10._o that_o they_o shall_v not_o inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o when_o he_o enumerate_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o last_o time_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 2_o 3._o man_n say_v he_o shall_v be_v lover_n of_o themselves_o covetous_a boaster_n â—evil-speakers_n without_o natural_a affection_n perfidious_a false_a accuser_n etc._n etc._n and_o which_o be_v the_o strange_a of_o all_o they_o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o these_o great_a vice_n and_o enormity_n be_v note_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v great_a pretender_n to_o religion_n for_o so_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o word_n have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n but_o deny_v the_o power_n thereof_o so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n for_o man_n to_o make_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a profession_n of_o christianity_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o live_v in_o a_o most_o palpable_a contradiction_n to_o the_o precept_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n as_o if_o any_o pretence_n to_o mystery_n and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o extraordinary_a attainment_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n can_v exempt_v man_n from_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n and_o set_v they_o above_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o now_o after_o all_o this_o do_v we_o hardly_o think_v that_o to_o be_v a_o sin_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n so_o frequent_o rank_v with_o murder_n and_o adultery_n and_o the_o black_a crime_n such_o as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o life_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n and_o will_v certain_o shut_v man_n out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n do_v we_o believe_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o can_v we_o allow_v ourselves_o in_o the_o common_a practice_n of_o a_o sin_n than_o which_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o fault_n of_o man_n life_n more_o frequent_o mention_v more_o severe_o reprove_v and_o more_o odious_o brand_v in_o that_o holy_a book_n consider_v serious_o these_o text_n psal._n 15._o 1._o who_o shall_v abide_v in_o thy_o tabernacle_n who_o shall_v dwell_v in_o thy_o holy_a hill_n he_o that_o backbit_v not_o with_o his_o tongue_n nor_o take_v up_o a_o reproach_n against_o his_o neighbour_n have_v you_o never_o hear_v what_o our_o saviour_n say_v that_o of_o every_o idle_a word_n we_o must_v give_v a_o account_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n that_o by_o thy_o word_n thou_o shall_v be_v justify_v and_o by_o thy_o word_n thou_o shall_v be_v condemn_v what_o can_v be_v more_o severe_a than_o that_o of_o st._n james_n if_o any_o man_n among_o you_o seem_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o bridle_v not_o his_o tongue_n that_o man_n religion_n be_v vain_a to_o conclude_v the_o sin_n which_o i_o have_v now_o warn_v man_n against_o be_v plain_o condemn_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o duty_n which_o i_o have_v now_o be_v persuade_v you_o to_o be_v easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o understand_v not_o hard_o for_o any_o man_n that_o can_v but_o resolve_v to_o keep_v a_o good_a guard_n upon_o himself_o for_o some_o time_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o practice_n and_o most_o reasonable_a for_o all_o man_n but_o especial_o for_o all_o christian_n to_o observe_v it_o be_v as_o easy_a as_o a_o resolute_a silence_n upon_o just_a occasion_n as_o reasonable_a as_o prudence_n and_o justice_n and_o charity_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o peace_n and_o goodwill_n among_o man_n can_v make_v it_o and_o of_o as_o necessary_a and_o indispensible_a a_o obligation_n as_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n can_v render_v any_o thing_n upon_o all_o which_o consideration_n let_v we_o every_o one_o of_o we_o be_v persuade_v to_o take_v up_o david_n deliberate_a resolution_n psal._n 31._o 1._o i_o say_v i_o will_v take_v heed_n to_o my_o way_n that_o i_o offend_v not_o with_o my_o tongue_n and_o i_o do_v very_o believe_v that_o will_v we_o but_o hearty_o endeavour_v to_o amend_v this_o one_o fault_n we_o shall_v soon_o be_v better_a man_n in_o our_o whole_a life_n i_o mean_v that_o the_o correct_v of_o this_o vice_n together_o with_o those_o that_o be_v near_o ally_v to_o it_o and_o may_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o almost_o with_o the_o same_o resolution_n and_o care_n be_v correct_v will_v make_v we_o owner_n of_o a_o great_a many_o considerable_a virtue_n and_o carry_v we_o on_o a_o good_a way_n towards_o perfection_n it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o a_o man_n that_o make_v conscience_n of_o his_o word_n shall_v not_o take_v a_o equal_a or_o a_o great_a care_n of_o his_o action_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v both_o the_o true_a meaning_n and_o the_o true_a reason_n of_o that_o say_n of_o st._n james_n and_o with_o which_o i_o shall_v conclude_v if_o any_o man_n offend_v not_o in_o word_n the_o same_o be_v a_o perfect_a man_n now_o the_o god_n of_o peace_n who_o bring_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o great_a shepherd_n of_o the_o sheep_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o everlasting_a covenant_n make_v you_o perfect_a in_o every_o good_a word_n and_o work_n to_o do_v his_o will_n work_v in_o you_o always_o that_o which_o be_v well-pleasing_a in_o his_o sight_n through_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o be_v glory_n for_o ever_o amen_n of_o a_o heavenly_a conversation_n phil._n iii._o 20._o for_o our_o conversation_n be_v in_o heaven_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o which_o word_n we_o need_v to_o look_v back_o no_o further_o than_o the_o 18_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n where_o the_o apostle_n with_o great_a vehemency_n and_o passion_n speak_v of_o some_o among_o the_o philippian_n who_o indeed_o profess_v christianity_n but_o yet_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o decline_v suffer_v for_o that_o profession_n there_o be_v many_o that_o walk_v of_o who_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o often_o and_o now_o tell_v you_o even_o weep_v that_o they_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n they_o can_v endure_v to_o suffer_v with_o he_o and_o for_o he_o they_o be_v so_o sensual_a and_o wed_a to_o this_o world_n that_o they_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o avoid_v persecution_n so_o he_o describe_v they_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n who_o end_n be_v destruction_n who_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n who_o glory_n be_v in_o their_o shame_n who_o mind_n earthly_a thing_n now_o in_o opposition_n to_o these_o sensual_a and_o earthly-minded_n man_n the_o apostle_n give_v we_o the_o character_n of_o the_o true_a christian_n they_o be_v such_o as_o mind_n heaven_n and_o another_o world_n and_o prefer_v the_o hope_n of_o that_o to_o all_o the_o interest_n of_o this_o life_n our_o conversation_n be_v in_o heaven_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o which_o phrase_n be_v please_v to_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o allusion_n to_o a_o city_n or_o corporation_n and_o to_o the_o privilege_n and_o manner_n of_o those_o who_o be_v free_a of_o it_o and_o heaven_n be_v several_a time_n in_o scripture_n represent_v to_o we_o under_o this_o notion_n of_o a_o city_n it_o be_v say_v of_o abraham_n that_o he_o look_v for_o a_o city_n which_o have_v foundation_n who_o builder_n and_o maker_n be_v god_n heb._n 11._o 10._o it_o be_v call_v likewise_o the_o city_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n heb._n 12._o 22._o and_o the_o same_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o uncertain_a condition_n of_o christian_n in_o this_o world_n say_v of_o they_o that_o here_o they_o have_v no_o continue_a city_n but_o look_v for_o one_o that_o be_v to_o come_v heb._n 14._o 14._o now_o to_o this_o city_n the_o apostle_n allude_v here_o in_o the_o text_n when_o he_o say_v our_o conversation_n be_v in_o heaven_n for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v render_v conversation_n may_v either_o signify_v the_o privilege_n of_o citizen_n or_o their_o conversation_n and_o manner_n or_o may_v take_v in_o both_o these_o in_o the_o first_o sense_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o citizen_n we_o find_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o word_n of_o near_a affinity_n with_o this_o sometime_o use_v with_o a_o great_a sum_n say_v the_o captain_n to_o paul_n obtain_v i_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o freedom_n act_v 22._o 28._o according_a to_o this_o sense_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v very_o well_o be_v render_v as_o tertullian_n often_o do_v this_o text_n municipatus_fw-la