A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

4. Another part of sensuality to be denied, is, Idle and worldly talk, which most men make their daily recreation. It is not to be made light of that Christ himself hath told you, that for every idle word men shall give account in the day of Judgment, Matth. 12. 36, 37. such an account as that they shall be charged on you as sins; and if they be not repented of, and pardoned through the blood of Christ, they will be your condemnation as well as greater sins. By idle words is meant, not only all wicked, & all lying words, which are vain in a high degree and worse; but also useless unprofitable speeches that tend not to any good, and which you have no call to speak, Tit. 3. 9. And that which the Apostle calls [foolish talking] Eph. 5. 4. When that Christian wisdom is left out that should guide and season our speech, and direct it to some good end: especially when by vain jesting men will make fools of themselves to please others: or when they lay by Christian gravity, and by jesting affect to become ridiculous, Eph. 5. 4. much more when men jest with holy things, and speak unreverently, contemptuously or scornfully of the matters of God, which is impiety in an high degree: The same may be said of proud boasting words, and of multitude of words, even when the matter is good, but the multitude of words unseasonable and unprofitable; as also of rash unconsidered words, that tend to stir up strife and passion: as also censuring, back-biting, reproach, flattery, dissembling, and many the like: but the thing that I principally speak of now, is the pleasing of a mans ⟨p. 148⟩self by a course of idle unprofitable talk. And alas how common is this sin! Not only the fooli•• multitude are guilty of it, but persons of judgment, and gravity, and reputation. How many may you come in company with, before you shall have any edifying Communication, that tends to minister grace to the hearers? vanity is become the common breath of the greatest part. What the better can any man be for their discourse, unless by taking warning by them, to avoid the vanity which we hear them guilty of? Even ancient persons with whom the words of wisdom should be found, (