"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 about them: but they do
often want effect, because they only raise confused apprehensions of
things, and indeterminate propensions to action; which usually,
before men thoroughly perceive or resolve what they should practise,
do decay and vanish. As he that cries out "Fire!" doth stir up
people, and inspireth them with a kind of hovering tendency every
way, yet no man thence to purpose moveth until he be distinctly
informed where the mischief is; then do they, who apprehend
themselves concerned, run hastily to oppose it: so, till we
particularly discern where our offences lie (till we distinctly know
the heinous nature and the mischievous consequences of them), we
scarce will effectually apply ourselves to correct them. Whence it
is requisite that men should be particularly acquainted with their
sins, and by proper arguments be dissuaded from them.