[Sidenote: _Tenthly._] [Sidenote: The true watch of Gods people over their Tongue.] Tenthly, It is an _Argument_ of strength and vigour of _grace_, to keep a constant _watch_ and _bridle_ on our _lips_ and _tongue_, that no words passe but such as are seasoned with _Salt_, to the _glorifying_ of our _Maker_ with our _glory_, and the _edifying_ or _benefiting_ of others. This _Tongue_ of ours the _Lord_ compares to the _bridle_ of a _Horse_, to the _Helm_ of a _Ship_, which if well managed rules the _horse_ and _ship_, with _safety_ and _comfort_: and the _Spirit_ of _God_ concludes; that he is a _perfect_ and _strong_ man in _Christ_, that is thus able to command his _Speech_ and _Tongue_ in this world. Hence _Christ Jesus_ preacheth _Judgement_ to the _world_, for the _abuse_ of the _Tongue_, and the _idle words_ of it, when our _words_ are not _working words_, and tend not to heavenly profiting of others. Hence the _Spirit_ by _Paul_ commands (_Ephes. 5_.) that neither _uncleannesse_, nor _covetousnesse_, nor _foolish talking_, nor _jeasting_, be once heard from the mouths of the _Saints_, but rather giving of _thanks_, and praising of _God_. _Object._ But may not _worldly_ persons set a watch before the door of their _lips_? _I answer, Morall wisdome_ may teach persons the _vanity_ and grosse _wickednesse_ of the _Tongue_, but onely _Gods spirit_ (and strength of it) doth teach _Gods children_, in true _feare_ and _love_ of _God_, not onely to _restraine_ from _vaine_ and _foolish_, but also to attaine to a _spirituall_ and _heavenly Language_. Lastly, It argues strength and life and _Grace_ in _Christ_, when our _hearts_ by _Gods spirit_ are wrought to such a degree of _hatred_ of sin, that we not onely abhor the _acts_ thereof, but also fly and shun the _looks_ and _appearance_ of it; so that we not only fly _pride_ and _passion_, and _covetousnesse_ and _uncleannesse_, but also the _appearance_ of them. Hence _Boaz_, when _Ruth_ lay downe at his feet in the night, as claiming _marriage_ by _right_, he not only refrained from _uncleannesse_, or uncleane _touches_, but also he gravely advised her to be gone so early in the morning, that no man should say there came a woman into the floar. _Object._ But may not _worldly_ persons not only avoid sin, but also the _appearance_ of it? [Sidenote: Only Gods children can truly hate sin.] _I answer_, No _worldly_ or _unregenerate person_ can truly hate _sin_, or the appearance of it, for it is his _nature_ and _Element_, they can onely hate the _dammages_ and _disgrace_, and _discredit_ of it, and so a _Whore_ may hate _whoredome_. 'Tis only the _property_ of _Gods_ children, and the _new-borne_ to hate _sin_ as _sin_, with the sinfull _appearances_ of it as _opposite_ to their _new_ and _heavenly_ nature in _Jesus Christ_. * * * * *