3. *We may learn from hence, thirdly, That it is not enough for a minister of the gospel, not to oppose the doctrine of self-denial, to say nothing concerning it. Nay, he cannot satisfy his duty, by saying a little in favour of it. If he would indeed be pure from the blood of all men, he must speak of it frequently and largely: he must inculcate the necessity of it, in the clearest and strongest manner. He must press it with his might, on all persons, at all times, and in all places: laying _line upon line, line upon line, precept upon precept, precept upon precept_. So shall he have a conscience void of offence: so shall he save his own soul and those that hear him. 4. Lastly, See that you apply this, every one of you, to your own soul. Meditate upon it when you are in secret: ponder it in your heart. Take ♦care not only to understand it throughly, but to remember it to your live’s end. Cry unto the strong for strength, that you may no sooner understand, than enter upon the practice of it. Delay not the time, but practise it immediately, from this very hour: practise it universally, on every one of the thousand occasions which occur in all circumstances of life. Practise it daily; without intermission, from the hour you first set your hand to the plow: and enduring therein to the end, till your spirit returns to God. ♦ ‘are’ replaced with ‘care’ SERMON XLIX. THE CURE OF EVIL-SPEAKING. MATT. xviii. 15, 16, 17. _If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he will hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother._ _But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established._ _And if he will not hear them, tell it to the church: but if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as an Heathen man and a Publican._