QUestion. 1. Whether if a man have conceived a sin in his Heart, is there no evill added to it by the [gap] of it?

1. Ans. If one doe refraine from uttering with his mouth that evill which he hath in his heart, that he may the e[gap]silier commit it without being hindred, then the silence it selfe is a sin, and tends to the aggravation of the evill which he h[gap]th conceived in his thoughts: and a much greater sin is it if he should in his words make a shew of the cleane contrary. Pro. 26. 24. 25. & 10 18. But if one doe therefore abstaine from uttering the evill which he hath thought, because it is evill and shamefull, such an one stops the course of sin and doth well. Proverbs 30. 32. And if he should when he hath thought evill, proceed to utter it with his tongue, [gap] increaseth his sin by making it more compleat then it was before the speaking.

Qu. 2. Whether is an idle word a sin?

2. Ans. 1. An idle word properly and stricktly is an unfruitfull word, or a word of no use, fruit, or profit. Now such a word can hardly ever proceed from deliberate reason: because reason and the will of man doth alwayes propound unto it selfe some end, and some good either morall or naturall: so that of necessity every word proceeding from deliberation must be either good or evill, and so no word properly and rigidly can be said to be idle.

3. Ans. 2. This notwithstanding, those speeches in Scripture are called idle Mat. 12. 36. Which are little or nothing regarded by the most, and of which they thinke they shall never give account. Now of th[gap]se words our Saviour saith ther's such an account to be given before God, as that even in them there will bee found matter enough, and

desert enough for the infflicting of eternall Condemnation.

Qu. 3. Whether are all words uttered in jest or sport, or by way of m[gap]rriment, idle and sinfull?

3. Ans. They are not alwayes idle because they have sometimes their use, at least for recreation and to make mirth. Neither are they alwayes sinfull: because they may have a lawfull and honest use, Pro. 29. 9. 1 Kings 18. 27. Such kinds of [gap]ests therefore may be both good and evill as they may be used.

Qu. 4. Whether are those words sinfull wherein men doe make profession of some good, without any intention of performing it, James 2. 16.

5. Ans. They are sinfull, and that not onely in regard of the defect, because a due intention is wanting, but also in regard of the deceit and fraud which doth accompany such words and hath in some sort the nature of a lie.

Quest. 5. Whether is multiplicity of words a sin:

6. Ans. It is not o[gap] it selfe a sin for a man to use many words: but it is often an occasion of sin, Poverbs 10. 19.