Sermon VIII.

On the Vices of the Tongue,

A

JAMES iii. 8.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

T HE apostle in this chapter gives a lively representation of the unbounded guilt and mischief produced by the tongue. He compares the mighty and extensive influence of this little member to that of bits in the mouth of the horse, of the small helm, which commands the greatest ships, and of a little fire spreading into a devouring flame,

These similies are equally just and strong. For as the tongue, when duly governed, like a bridle or a helm, has a beneficent and commanding influence on the whole body, or on the general course of human action; so a tongue loosened from moral restraint leads to dreadful consequences, resembling those of giving the reins to the unbroken steed, of neglecting the rud der in the midst of rocks and tempests, or of letting a fire rage uncontrolled amid a large collection of combustible materials. Having previously observed, that the most fierce and venomous brutes have been tamed by mankind, he adds, in the text; "But the tongue can no man tame;" that is, either no man can subdue his own tongue in a perfect manner, or by his own independent power and skill; or none can tame the licentious lips of others, so as entirely to check the breath of

slander and falsehood, of obscenity and profaneness. "It is an unruly evil," which breaks over the strongest barriers" full of deadly poison;" ever ready to infect and kill the reputation, virtue, and comfort of all within its reach.

The words thus explained lead us to enumerate and reprove the most common and glaring instances of this unruly and destructive evil. Though the apostle tells tis that no man can tame it, this should not discourage the friends and teachers of religion from attempting the necessary, though arduous task; for with God all things are possible; he has commanded us to warn the wick ed; and he often blesses his own institutions for the conversion of his enemies as well, as the edification of his friends.

The most prevalent and pernicious examples of an ungoverned tongue are those, which follow.

First. Profane discourse. This comprehends an unmeaning, irreverent, or wanton use of the name of God, on trivial occasions; to embellish the sallies of wit; to give expression and force to the vehemence of passion; to add new credit to assertions or promises; to impress awe and submission on servants or inferiors; or to display a spirit of independence, and a superiority to vulgar superstition. It also includes that more timid or implied profanity, which, though restrained by law, or by character, by some regard to friends or to conscience, from explicit irreverence or imprecation, is yet fond of lisping or abridging the language of impiety, and often steps on the borders of an oath, by transgressing the limits of simple affirmation or denial! Are there any tongues in this assembly, which answer to either of these descriptions? I must faithfully admonish their owners, that they possess and are diffusing a poisonous and destructive evil. Their profane conversation is a

dishonour to themselves, an injury to their companions, an outrage to society, and an affront to their Maker. It is a dishonour to themselves, as it proclaims both their folly and rudeness. It certainly discovers a foolish and empty mind to introduce the most awful names 'and protestations to sanction trifles, to supply the want of sentiment, or to fill up the gaps of discourse. This practice is also foolish, as it has no plausible motive or excuse. It gratifies no constitutional appetite or pas sion. It procures no advantage, pleasure, or glory. It displays no politeness or liberality. On the contrary, it offends all decent company by its coarseness and barbarity. It insults the feelings, sentiments, and institutions of civilized men, but especially the religion and laws of every Christian community. It operates as a mortal pestilence to society by corrupting its moral and religious character, and thus subverting its order and welfare, and drawing down upon it the curse of Heaven. It is a deadly poison both to the state and the church by gradually extinguishing all reverence for the oaths of the former, and the sacred institutions of the latter.

The profane swearer likewise unspeakably injures his associates, by depraving their moral faculties and feelings, or by lightly uttering against them the most dreadful imprecations. He also commits practical suicide, either by directly wishing the curse of God on his own head, or by boldly challenging his almighty vengeance. He offers the greatest abuse to the name and attributes of Deity, by making them the expletives, the ornaments, or the attestations of every wanton or passionate effusion. He virtually and openly abjures his Christian baptism, and proclaims himself an infidel and a heathen. Agreeably, when Peter was charged with being a disciple of Jesus, he in the hour of trial resorted to cursing and swearing, as a confutation of the charge. By this

kind of speech, so opposite to the known practice of Christ's followers, he effectually denied his blessed Master. I have heard of young men in our own country, who having enjoyed a Christian education, and being removed from the eye and authority of pious parents and friends, have eagerly adopted the same method to convince their new associates of their sudden triumph over early prejudice and bigotry! Let these united considerations prevail to banish from our discourse, from our houses and our streets, this most foolish, inexcusable and detestable vice. Let none plead the force of habit as an excuse for continuing it. Those, who are most addicted to it, can easily refrain from committing it in the presence of a fellow being, whom they respect. Shall not the constant presence of GOD have equal effect? The most abandoned swearer would instantly renounce the practice, were he sure of losing his prostituted tongue the next time it uttered an oath. And shall not the threatening of a far greater punishment from the insulted Majesty of heaven have equal force in reforming offenders? Let none shelter themselves under the authority of modern example. Blessed be GoD, profaneness is not the fashionable style of New England. It is only the dialect of the most uncultivated, stupid, or profligate citizens. Let us scorn both the society and manners of such low beings, and aspire to the fellowship and imitation of those excellent ones of the earth, who reverence, love, and obey their Creator.

II. A Second evil of the tongue is scoffing at religion, or ridiculing her sacred doctrines and institutions. Those who practically neglect, or secretly hate and de. spise Christianity, frequently resort to this practice in their own defence, and as an easy and striking method

of proving their superior wit, information, or liberality. As they are determined to disregard religion in their conduct, they naturally employ their tongues in justifying this determination. They seek to preserve and strengthen their own character and tranquillity by gaining over their companions to the side of irreligion and since they cannot effect these purposes by argument, they supply the want of reason by the cheaper commodities of banter and ridicule. It is needless to employ much time in exposing this vile prostitution of speech. That mouth, which reviles or scoffs at sacred things, is eminently entitled to every part of the description, here given of an unruly tongue. "It is a fire, a world of iniquity; it setteth on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell." It is truly full of deadly poison; for it is prompted by a mind fraught with hardened impiety and malignity. It employs the most unfair and wicked means to accomplish the worst end. It dif fuses the most fatal and lasting evils. It poisons the springs of human action and comfort. It directly insults Gon, and corrupts his rational creatures. It does the greatest injury to religion and morality, and the highest service to falsehood and wickedness. The person, who derides serious things, must be responsible at last, not only for his personal guilt, but for all that depravity of principle and conduct, which his infectious conversation has propagated to others.

III. A lying tongue is also an unruly and destructive evil. The Bible, and indeed the most approved systems of ethics condemn every species of intentional falsehood. Lying is an offence against the GoD of truth. It is a perversion of the noble gift of speech. It violates the chief bond of social confidence, security, and order. Hence both GoD and man have ranked liars among the most criminal and infamous characters.