A64834:585
Sin, the Plague of Plagues
Sin, the plague of plagues, or, Sinful sin the worst of evils a treatise of sins trial and arraignment, wherein sin is accused for being, proved to be, and condemned for being exceeding sinful : and that 1. as against God, his nature, attributes, works, will, law, image, people, glory and existence, 2. as against man, his good and welfare of body and soul, in this life, and that to come : with the use and improvement to be made of this doctrine, that men may not be damned, but saved, &c. : being the substance of many sermons preached many years ago in Southwark / by Ralph Venning ...Sin, the plague of plagues, or, Sinful sin the worst of evils a treatise of sins tryal and arraignment, wherein sin is accused for being, proved to be, and condemned for being exceeding sinful : and that 1. as against God, his nature, attributes, works, will, law, image, people, glory and existence, 2. as against man, his good and welfare of body and soul, in this life, and that to come : with the use and improvement to be made of this doctrine, that men may not be damned, but saved, &c. : being the substance of many sermons preached many years ago in Southwark / by Ralph Venning ...
London: printed for John Hancock, 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
SIN, THE PLAGUE of PLAGUES; OR Sinful Sin the worst of Evils. › 2. Against sinful Words.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
On all these considerations, let me beseech you to take heed as to your words, and, 1. let your words be few; and that not only in your commerce and conversation with men, but in your addresses to God, Eccl. 5.2. God is in Heaven, and thou upon Earth, therefore let thy words be few; which is much of the meaning ⟨p. 299⟩of our Saviour in the Prayer which he taught his Disciples, as will appear by comparing the 6, 7, 8, 9. vers. of Mat. 6. 'Tis a vanity that attends men in Religion, that they think to be heard for their loud and much speaking; silence were better then ill-speaking, yea (and many times) then much-speaking. 'Tis true, there is a time to speak, as there is to be silent (and happy they that improve it well) but yet 'tis seldom that a multitude of words are without sin; and therefore he that refraineth his lips is wise, Prov. 10.19. Silence discovers wisdom, and conceals ignorance, and 'tis a property so much belonging to wise men, that the Oracle tells us, Prov. 17.28: That a fool when he holds his peace, is accounted wise, and he that shuts his lips, is esteemed a man of understanding: And as a very worthy and noble Person expresseth it, If silence were as much in fashion, as 'tis charitable to mankind to wish it, the Regions of Hell would be far thinlier peopled, then now they are like to be. Many have repented for using their tongues too much; 'tis true, a man that holds his peace may offend with his tongue, but 'tis a more scarce and seldom crime, then that of much (which is usually too much) speaking. 'Tis Gospel-doctrine which teacheth us to be swift to hear, and slow to speak, James 1.19. Moses's imperfection or defect would be an excellency in some persons, to be slow of speech; and 'twere well with some, if they had got such a cold, as would keep them from speaking. Oh, the prittle, prattle that abounds among the busy bodies of this world! and there are many, not only vain, but unruly ⟨p. 300⟩