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

8. And it is a sin that hindereth abundance of Edification that holy conference might bring. It's a precious thriving course for Christians to be communicating experiences, and declaring the excellencies and loving-kindness of God, and exciting one another: and this you lay by and turn to vanity. Nay perhaps some other that is in the company may be purposed to set upon such profitable discourse, and your idle talk doth hinder them, and suppress the exercise of Gods graces for your good. At least there may be much precious matter in them, that wants but vent, & if you would but begin, it may be poured forth as precious ointment. Many wise and able men are too backward in beginning edifying discourse, that yet are exceeding fruitful when you have once set them a work. And idle talk is the hinderer of this.

8. And it is a sin that hindreth abundance of Edification that holy conference might bring. It's a precious thriving course for Christians to be communicating experiences, and declaring the excellencies and loving-kindness of God, and exciting one another: and this you lay by and turn to vanity. Nay perhaps some other that is in the company may be purposed to set upon such profitable discourse, and your idle talk doth hinder them, and suppress the exercise of Gods graces for your good. At least there may be much precious matter in them, that wants but vent, & if you would but begin, it may be poured forth as precious ointment. Many wise and able men are too backward in beginning edifying discourse, that yet are exceeding fruitful when you have once set them a work. And idle talk is the hinderer of this.

9. And it is a very fruitless sin. You offend God for nothing. What get you by an hours idle talk? or what have you to tempt you to it?

10. And it is a wilful sin, and usually accompanied with much Impenitency, which makes it much the greater. Men use not to lament it, and call themselves to account for it, and say, what have I done? but go on in it as if it were no sin.