with him in a pleasant freedom and confidence, not
suspecting any bad language or ill usage from him.

7. Hence with evidently good reason is he that useth such language
called a fool: and he that abstaineth from it is commended as wise.
"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for
strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the
snare of his soul. He that refraineth his tongue is wise. In the
tongue of the wise is health. He that keepeth his lips, keepeth his
life: but he that openeth wide his mouth" (that is, in evil-
speaking, gaping with clamour and vehemency) "shall have
destruction. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious: but the
lips of a fool will swallow up himself. Death and life are in the
power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof;" that is, of the one or the other, answerably to the kind
of speech they choose.

In fine, very remarkable is that advice, or resolution of the grand
point concerning the best way of living happily, in the psalmist:
"What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he
may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking
guile." Abstinence from ill-speaking he seemeth to propose as the
first step towards the fruition of a durably happy life.

8. Lastly, we may consider that it is a grievous perverting of the
design of speech, that excellent faculty, which so much
distinguisheth us from, so highly advanceth us above other
creatures, to use it to the defaming and disquieting of our
neighbour. It was given us as an instrument of beneficial commerce
and delectable conversation; that with it we might assist and
advise, might cheer and comfort one another: we, therefore, in
employing it to the disgrace, vexation, damage or prejudice in any
kind of our neighbour, do foully abuse it; and so doing, render
ourselves indeed worse than dumb beasts: for better far it were
that we could say nothing, than that we should speak ill.

"Now the God of grace and peace . . . make us perfect in every good
work to do His will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in
His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen."

THE FOLLY OF SLANDER.

Part 1.

"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18.

General declamations against vice and sin are indeed excellently
useful, as rousing men to consider and look ab