nhuman and currish
humour should be corrected, and extirpated from our hearts; so
should the issues thereof at our mouths be stopped; the bespattering
our neighbour's good name should never afford any satisfaction or
delight unto us.

Nor out of wantonness should we speak ill, for our divertisement or
sport. For our neighbour's reputation is too great and precious a
thing to be played with, or offered up to sport; we are very foolish
in so disvaluing it, very naughty in so misusing it. Our wits are
very barren, our brains are ill furnished with store of knowledge,
if we can find no other matter of conversation.

Nor out of negligence and inadvertency should we sputter out
reproachful speech; shooting ill words at rovers, or not regarding
who stands in our way. Among all temerities this is one of the most
noxious, and therefore very culpable.

In fine, we should never speak concerning our neighbour from any
other principle than charity, or to any other intent but what is
charitable; such as tendeth to his good, or at least is consistent
therewith. "Let all your things," saith St. Paul, "be done in
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