when the secrets of our hearts shall be manifested; and we, by a rash malignity, anticipate the time of thy vengance; we, who are so interested, that the secrecies of our hearts, and the mystery of the consciences, should not as yet be laid open to thee.
Thus, you particularly, my brethren, whom rank and birth exalt above others, be not satisfied with putting a check upon your tongue; according to the advice of the Holy Spirit, present a melancholy and severe countenance, a silence of disapprobation and indignation to every defamatory discourse; for the crime is exactly equal between the malignity of the speaker and the satisfaction of those who listen to him. Let us surround our ears with thorns, that they may not be accesible to poisonous insinuations; that is to say, let us not only shut them against these words of blood and gall, but let us return them on their author in a manner equally bitter and mortifying. Were slander to find fewer approvers, the kingdom of Jesus Christ would soon be purged of that scandal. Slander is pleasing; and a vice which pleases, soon becomes a desirable talent. We animate slander by our applauses; and as there is no person but wishes to be applauded, there are few, likewise, who do not study it, and endeavour to make a merit of slandering with skill.
But what is surprising is, that piety itself frequently serves as a pretext to that vice, which saps the very foundations of piety, and which sincere piety detests. This ought to be the last part of this Discourse; but I shall say only a single word upon it. Yes, my brethren, slander frequently finds, in piety itself, wherewithal to colour itself. It decks itself out in the appearance of zeal. Hatred to vice seems to authroize the censure of sinners. Those who make a profession of virtue often believe that they are honouring God, and rendering glory to him, when they dishonour and exclaim against those who offend him; as though the privilege of piety, whose soul is charity, were to dispense us even from charity. It is not that I wish here to justify the discourses of the world, and to furnish it with new traits against the zeal of the upright; but, at the same time, I ought not to dissemble, that the liberty which they assume, of censuring the conduct of their brethren, is one of the most common abuses of piety.
Now, my dear hearer, you whom this Discourse regards, listen to, and never forget, the rules which the gospel prescribes to true zeal.
First. Remember, that the zeal which makes us lament over the scandals that dishonour the church, is contented with lamenting them before God; with praying him not to forget his former mercies; to cast his propitious regards upon the people; to establish his reign in all hearts, and to recall sinners from their erroneous ways. Behold the holy manner of lamenting over the disgraces of your brethren; mention them frequently to the Lord, but forget them in the presence of men.
Secondly. Remember, that piety gives you no right of empire or authority over your brethren; that if you be not established
