matter; who judged it not expedient to answe every evil faying that was advanced against him When he was flandered with the title of Samaritan, and vilified for the meannefs of his parentage; nay, when even reproved as meriting the character of a wine-bibber, and the friend of publicans and finners, he held his peace; but when he was fo vilely calumniated as to be accused of holding communion with evil fpirits; to this base charge we find him anfwering in earnest. So true it is, there are feafons when it is becoming to oppofe reproach; and in this fenfe it is we are to receive the Wife Man's words, that it is expedient to answer a fool according to his folly, left he should be wife in his own conceit; that is, left he should boast a degree of credit for his unworthy conduct, that might encourage him in his unwife purfuits. Still, it is by no means neceffary to take notice always of the fool's upbraidings, for fear of being tempted to partake of the fame unjuftifiable fpirit; but when the wrong that is defigned against us is likely to involve others in the fame danger, it then becomes expedient to be quick and ferious in the vindication. We have the example of many wife and holy men, who have occafionally attacked tyrants and wicked characters, and defended their cause in words of much severity; but here we are to remark, that this fharpnefs did not originate in any unwarrantable anger or malevolence, but folely in the pure defire to lead thofe very perfons to the the knowledge of God, and by the force of their rebukes, to turn them from their evil ways. For example, it was in this cordial zeal for the reformation of mankind, that St. John the Baptist called the pharifees a generation of vipers; and that St. Paul reproached the Galatians with foolishness, and the Cretians with falfehood; They are always liars, faid he, evil becfts, flow-bellies, Tit. i. 12. that is, to an extreme readiness for falfehood, they added both fiercenefs of manners, idlenefs, and intemperance. - VOL. I.

Again,

Again, to falfe apoftles he gives the name of dogs, and crafty workmen; and he enjoins his disciple Titus to rebuke fuch fharply, that they may quit these evil difpofitions, and become found in the faith. Nor can the juftice of this zeal be queftioned, fince we have the positive example of Chrift himself to countenance the practice. He, who was the fountain of all patience, gentlenefs, and goodness, was fometimes induced to treat the obftinate scribes and pharifees with cutting severity; he calls them blind guides, deceivers, fools, painted fepulchres, hypocrites, and ferpents; a corrupt and wicked race of men.

And he rebukes with vehemence and power in this command, Get thee behind me, Satan. Further, St. Paul's reproof of Elymas the forcerer, fupplies an inftance of much fharpnefs, Acts xiii. 10, 11. O full of fubtlety and all mischief! thou child of the devil! thou enemy of all righteousness! wilt thou not ceafe to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, lo! the band of the Lord is upon thee; and thou shalt be blind, and not fee for a time. In this fame fpirit of zeal we find St. Peter condemning Ananias, Acts v. 3. Why bath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghoft? The fame pious temper hath alfo wrought fo powerfully in fome good men, as to urge them to feverity of actions as well as words; to do things which might carry the appearance of cruel fharpness, though in truth they were moft juft and charitable exertions; not proceeding from a spirit of ftrife or malice, but actuated by a pure defire to promote God's glory, and deftroy the works of fin; and they were likewife juftified, as being done by perfons particularly called to the office of reformation.

It was under the influence of this holy refentment, that our bleffed Lord made a fcourge of cords, to drive the buyers and fellers from the temple. That Mofes brake the tables that he had received from God's own hand, when he faw the ido

latrous

latrous Ifraelites dancing about the molten calf; and that he caused so great a number of the people to be destroyed for that offence. And governed by a ftrong defire of maintaining reverence to God's pure commandment, Phineas, the fon of Eleazar, thruft Zimri and Cozbi through the body, when they were detected in an act of wilful difobedience to the law.

But this is rather a digreffion; let us therefore return to the more immediate fubject of the difcourse, which is to difcourage and correct, as much as poffible, a habit of unguarded and contentious fpeaking. Let us keep in mind what St. James fays upon this fault, that where envying and strife is, there is confufion, and every evil work. And Solomon directs us alfo to the most profitable choice, in this judicious obfervation, Prov. xx. 3. That it is an honor for a man to cease from ftrife, but every fool will be meddling. And in truth, the vice against which the text exhorts, is so very defpicable in itself, and injurious to fociety, that the legiflature hath judged it expedient to provide laws to reform its practice; and to appoint peculiar punishments for all flanderers and revilers: and pity it is that fuch as ufe themfelves to fpread difcord and trouble in the community, of which they are unworthy members, did not more often fuffer the difgrace that is fo juftly due to their misconduct.

To conclude, as these fad effects do naturally flow from correfponding evil causes, let us ftrive to deftroy the main roots as much as poffible, and then thenoxious fhoots which fpring up may be more eafily

* It is almost needless to observe, that these examples are not propofed as lawful for any man to imitate; they are confined alone to a particular period of facred hiftory, and to characters that were exprefsly appointed to watch over the purity of the people, and the honor of God's laws, and to whom fuch power was pofitively deputed.

Q&

kept

kept under. Now all strife and variance originate in pride and vain glory; Let us, therefore, bumble ourselves under the mighty band of God, who hath promised to exalt us in due time. If we would prove ourselves good and peaceable christians, let it appear both in our speech and actions. If we have really resolved to have no communication with the EVIL ONE, let us efpecially avoid his ways, for SLANDERER is the very interpretation of his name. If any, therefore, have been addicted to an abufive, quarrelfome turn, let him hereafter study to be more fober minded. He who hath been fpiteful and malicious, let him change his courfe of life without delay. Whofoever have formerly accuftomed themfelves to any kind of railing or evil fpeaking, let them diligently become spiritual advifers of better things; and employ the tongue in future in cultivating difcrete and honeft language. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and clamour, and evil Speaking be put away from you, with all malice. If it be poffible, avoid anger in any degree; but if you cannot entirely conquer a natural difpofition to warmth and passion, strive to keep it within bounds, that it may not lead you to acts of animofity and foul reproaching. Keep in mind the Apoftle's admonition, If ye be angry, fin not, let not the fun go down upon your wrath; and as the Pfalmift advifes, ftand in awe; be upon your guard, that your warmth of temper hurry you not too far; to experience the effects of natural infirmity may be unavoidable, but our christian duty is to prevent its leading us into fin. Should you, therefore, be at any time provoked, by the bitter language of other men, arm yourselves with patience, gentlenefs, and filence; get out of the way of temptation to retaliate; or if you do reply, let it be an answer that fhall rather tend to check than to fan the flame. Overcome evil with good, and above all things covet peace and friendship with one another; ftudy to promote concord and quietnefs, not to difturb

them;

them; and then there is no doubt but that God, the author of all comfort, will grant us peace of conscience, and fuch a defire of brotherly love, that with both heart and tongue we fhall join to glorify God in all things; who is the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the prince of love and peace: to whom be all praise and power, for ever and ever. Amen.