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

even Parents and Masters that should be examples to their families, will in their hearing multiply idle words, as if they would teach them to be vain as they are; when alas, the souls of those about them have need of other manner of discourse; and it's another task that God hath set them, Deut. 6. 6, 7, 8. & 11. 18, 19. Whence is it that Children learn a course of idle foolish talking, more than of their own parents? For one word of God, and the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the matters of salvation, that their families hear from most of them, they hear an hundred, yea a thousand of the world and of unprofitable things. Had God but the Tithe of their words, we should account them very pious. And they that cannot spare him the tithe of their words, I doubt do not allow him the Tithe of their affections, and would not allow him the tithe of their increase, if they could tell how to keep it. Not but that with some persons, that are called to much worldly business, more than ten parts of their daily speeches may ••wfully be about the creatures▪ But then even those with godly men are ultimately for God, and so ⟨p. 149⟩are sanctified, and not unprofitable: and also they are glad to redeem what time they can for speeches of an higher and more excellent subject.

even Parents and Masters that should be examples to their families, will in their hearing multiply idle words, as if they would teach them to be vain as they are; when alas, the souls of those about them have need of other manner of discourse; and it's another task that God hath set them, Deut. 6. 6, 7, 8. & 11. 18, 19. Whence is it that Children learn a course of idle fooli•h talking, more than of their own parents? For one word of God, and the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the matters of salvation, that their families hear from most of them, they hear an hundred, yea a thousand of the world and of unprofitable things. Had God but the Tithe of their words, we should account them very pious. And they that cannot spare him the tithe of their words, I doubt do not allow him the Tithe of their affections, and would not allow him the tithe of their increase, if they could tell how to keep it. Not but that with some persons, that are called to much worldly business, more than ten parts of their daily speeches may wfully be about the creatures But then even those with godly men are ultimately for God, and so