Sinfulness of sin - Venning - XIII - Section 4 continued

Required reading
Sinfulness of sin by Ralph Venning (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example). Continue reading Section 4 by continuing Point 4, 'Exhortation and Counsel' with the reading of Part '2. A warning against sinful words' and Part 3, Point (i) 'Take heed of sins of omission'.

My summary
Last week we were warned against sinning in thought.  Today we are warned against sinful words and the sins of omission.

In regards to sinful words we are warned that:
(i) Sinful words are wholly forbidden us and their opposites are enjoined upon us;
(ii) Unless a man take heed to his words and bridle his tongue his religion is vain, and consequently in vain;
(iii) Sinful words are evidences of sinful hearts;
(iv) Evil words corrupt men and their manners;
(v) The tongue is either man's glory or his shame;
(vi) God will judge us for and by our words, as well as by our works and actions.

Then regarding sins of omission we are advised:
(a) Some of the best men have been guilty of this, and have suffered by it;
(b) Yet generally it is a great affliction to good and godly men to be forced to omit duties, though the omission of them in this instance is no sin of theirs, as in time of sickness or in case of flight;
(c) Just as it should be an affliction to be in a necessity, so it is a sin to be willing to omit a duty;
(d) One omission makes way for another. He who, under pretence of unfitness for duty, puts it off, makes himself fit for nothing more than to omit again;
(e) The more knowledge of any duty we have, the more clear it is and the more we are convinced of it, the more aggravated is the omission of that duty;
(f) Sins of omission, if done in the sight of others, are bad examples, just as sins of commission are;
(g) Consider that sins of omission are sins which God has severely judged men for in this world, and for which He will judge men in the great day.

What grabbed me
Venning gave us a good reminder of how hard it is to keep the tongue under control: 'Holy David was so afraid of his tongue, lest he should offend with it, that he put a bridle into his mouth (Psalm 39.1). Surely the tongue is an unruly thing that it must be bridled like a horse or an ass! Indeed it is so unruly that one may better rule horses and manage them, and more easily turn such unwieldy things as great ships are than keep the tongue in order; therefore St. James pronounces him a perfect man who offends not in word, and one that is able with ease to bridle the whole body, when he has the mastery of his tongue (James 3.2-4). It is a rare thing to use the tongue well!'

Although it is a rare thing to use the tongue well, we should make every attempt to gain mastery over it.

Next week's reading
Finish the book by reading about sins of commission and the Conclusion.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.