the Almighty made Man a fociable Creature, and that Difcourfe is a Fund of vaft Improvement, that Speech opens the Hearts of Men, and lets us into many worthy Notions without Pains or Difficulty, that as Iron Sharpeneth Iron, fo doth the Converfation of Men one another; that we may become wife upon their Stock of Knowledge, by transcribing into our own Minds their well-digefted Sentiments, that Learning flows from this Fountain in large Streams, and that we may drink deeply of the Waters of Inftruction with Ease and Pleasure: Upon fuch Intimations as thefe how would the Hermit lament his tedious Labours after a folitary Knowledge, and the Neglect of fo large and obvious a Method of Improvement? With what Eagerness would he break out from his Retirement? With what Expectation would he run into Society? But when upon trying all Companies, and hearing the Discourse which prevails among all Ranks, and Orders of Men, he finds Conversation the Source of Iniquity, and the Tongue the grand Inftrument of Mischief; when inftead

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ftead of praifing and adoring our great Creator, he hears Oaths, Blafphemies and Prophaneness; inftead of pure and holy Difcourfe, he hears Filthinefs and Obfcenity; instead of fincere and charitable Expreffions with respect to our Neighbour, he hears Flattery, Rudeness and Defamation; and even what is esteemed most innocent and inoffenfive in Converfation, when inftead of fuch Difcourfe as we might improve by in a natural Way, fuch as our Reason might enjoy with Satisfaction, and our Fancy might fuggeft for a masouline Entertainment, he hears nothing but Folly, Vanity and Impertinence, how wretchedly will he be disappointed in his Purfuits? How impatiently will he long for his former Retirement? Would he not be provoked to take up his Parable and fay, The Heart Man is a polluted Spring, and Rivers of corrupt Communication ifjue from it. How are the Children of Men Lovers of Vanity, and their Delight is in Lies! Their inward Parts are very Wickedness, the PoiJon of Afps is under their Lips; their Tongue is fwift to feed Blood; they speak

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all things that they may do hurt; was the ufe of Speech really given us for a Blef fing? Wherefore then doth it difquiet the whole World, driving Men from Nation to Nation, pulling down ftrong Cities, and overthrowing the Houfes of Great Men ? The Tongue cafteth out virtuous Women, and depriveth them of their Labours. Whofo hearken'd unto it shall never find Reft, and fhall never dwell quietly. The Stroke of the Whip maketh Marks in the Flesh, but the Stroke of the Tongue breaketh the Bones. Many have fallen by the Edge of the Sword, but not fo many as have fallen by the Tongue. Well is be that is defended from it, and hath not pass'd through the Venom thereof. But who is there that can escape it? It is a Peftilence that walketh in Darkness; its Arrows deftroy at the Noon-day; thouJands fall befide it, ten thousands at its Right-hand. Oh! that I had Wings like a Dove, would he say, that I might flee away from this untoward Generation, and be at reft! Surely there is greater Pleasure in Solitude, at least there is Innocence. How is the World become a Defolation, and

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the Wilderness a Place of Refuge! Woe is me, that I bave converfed with Mankind, and made my Habitation among the Sons of Men! The Roarings of Lions are not fo dangerous as their Tongues; the Dwellings of wild Beafts abound with Safety and Civility in comparison of what Human Society produce.

UPON the Whole then can it be imagined that the Ufe of Speech was indulged to us for the uttering God's Praises, for the mutual Edification of ourselves and others? Can it be imagined, that we are placed here on Earth in order to qualify ourselves for the Conversation of Saints and Angels, and that our Tongues are intended eternally to dwell upon Divine Hallelujahs? This indeed is the gracious Defign of the Almighty; and shall not the Prospect of that blissful Employment engage us to fet a Watch over the Door of our Lips, and to render our Discourse such as becomes the Gospel of Chrift, fuch at least as is commonly virtuous and innocent? If our Souls are to be greatly purified and exalted in order to our being made meet Partakers of hea

venly Joys; and if Converfation be a proper and neceffary Means for working out for us fuch Improvements, then does it behove us in every Inftance of Converfation to remember the Dignity of our Being, and to act up to the Worthiness of our Vocation, that no corrupt Communication of any Sort may ever proceed out of our Mouth.

BUT more especially when we are called upon to be Guefts at God's Table, let us confider, that in vain fhall we endeavour to purify our Thoughts, unless we likewise purify our Difcourfe; because he who feemeth to be Religious and bridleth not his Tongue, that Man's Religion is vain, faith the Apostle; and we cannot be guilty of a greater Profanation of our Lord's Supper, than by receiving those Holy Myfteries into a Mouth, through which Streams of Corruption are continually flowing. Let therefore the Purifying Coals of God's Altar, while they enflame our Minds with Pious Difpofitions, enrich our Mouths likewife with the devoutest Thanksgivings; that

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when