Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

3. They speak one to another in a bad sense, who vent themselves in filthy scurrilous Language. The Heart is a Vessel full of Wickedness, and the Tongue sets it a-broach. When the Face breaks out in Sores and Pimples, it shows the Blood is corrupt: when men break forth in unsavoury speeches it shows the Heart is Profane. 1 Cor. 15.35. Evil communication corrupteth good manners. We read that the Lips of the Leper were to be covered, Levit. 13.45. It were happy if we had such Magistrates as would by their Authority cover the unclean Lips of these Lepers.

3. They speak one to another in a bad sence, who vent themselves in filthy scurrilous Language. The Heart is a Vessel full of Wickedness, and the Tongue sets it a-broach. When the Face breaks out in Sores and Pimples, it shews the Blood is corrupt: when men break forth in unsavoury speeches it shews the Heart is Profane. 1 Cor. 15.35. Evil communication corrupteth good manners. We read that the Lips of the Leper were to be covered, Levit. 13.45. It were happy if we had such Magistrates as would by their Authority cover the unclean Lips of these Lepers.

4. They speak one to another in a bad sense, who instead of seasoning ⟨p. 89⟩their words with Grace, mix them with Oaths. Swearers rend and tear Gods Name, and like mad Dogs fly in the face of Heaven, Jer. 23.10. Because of swearing the Land mourns. Some think it the Grace of speech to interlard every sentence with an Oath; as if they would go to Hell Genteelly. But saith one, it is my Custom to Swear. Is this an excuse or an aggravation of the sin? If a Malefactor should be arraigned for Robbery, and he should say to the Judge spare me for it is my custom to rob on the High way, the Judge would say, thou shalt the rather dye. For every Oath that a man Swears, God puts a drop of Wrath into his Vial.