charity;" and words are most of the THINGS we do concerning our
neighbour, wherein we may express charity. In all our speeches,
therefore, touching him, we should plainly show that we have a care
of his reputation, that we tender his interest, that we even desire
his content and repose. Even when reason and need do so require
that we should disclose and reprehend his faults, we may, we should
by the manner and scope of our speech signify thus much. Which
rule, were it observed, if we should never speak ill otherwise than
out of charity, surely most ill-speaking would be cut off; most, I
fear, of our tattling about others, much of our gossiping would be
marred.

Indeed, so far from bitter or sour our language should be, that it
ought to be sweet and pleasant; so far from rough and harsh, that it
should be courteous and obliging; so far from signifying wrath, ill-
will, contempt, or animosity, that it should express tender
affection, good esteem, sincere respect towards our brethren; and be
apt to produce the like in them towards us. The sense of them
should be grateful to the heart; the very sound and accent of them
should be delightful to the ear. Every one should please his
neighbour for his good to edification. Our words should always be
[Greek], with grace, seasoned with salt; they should have the grace
of courtesy, they should be seasoned with the salt of discretion, so
as to be sweet and savoury to the hearers. Commonly ill language is
a certain sign of inward enmity and ill-will. Good-will is wont to
show itself in good terms; it clotheth even its grief handsomely,
and its displeasure carrieth favour in its face; its rigour is civil
and gentle, tempered with pity for the faults and errors which it
disliketh, with the desire of their amendment and recovery whom it
reprehendeth. It would inflict no more evil than is necessary; it