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I. To BRIDLE THE TONGUE. Innumerable evils grow from this root of bitterness.

1. Perjury.

2. Slander and calumny; the inventing evil things of men, and falsely imputing them to them; this injurious practice to others is apt to provoke the like usage from them again.

II. To DEPART FROM EVIL, AND DO GOOD.

1. The practice of virtue and religion is the natural cause of happiness. What can more highly conduce to the health of a man's body, to the vigour and activity of his mind, to the improving of his estate, to the flourishing of his reputation, to the honour and safeguard of his whole life, than this, his departing from evil and doing good? Virtue seldom fails of its reward in this world.

2. The practice of virtue and religion never fails to obtain the patronage and protection of Divine providence. Righteousness is the image of God; true goodness, wheresoever it is, is a beam derived from that fountain of light, which God cannot choose, if He loves Himself, but cherish and bless with a peculiar favour.

III. To SEEK PEACE, AND PURSUE IT.

1. What is to be done by us in order to peace?

(1) A quiet and peaceable subjection to that government we live under.

(2) That every man keep in that place and station Divine providence hath set him, and not venture to act out of his own sphere. Did every under-mariner in a storm leave the pump and his own particular charge to instruct the pilot, or every common soldier in time of battle quit his post to instruct his captain, what tumults and confusions would this breed!

(3) A constant and conscientious adhering to the Church.

(4) That laying aside all pride and passion and self-interest, we pursue after truth with purity and simplicity of intention.

(5) That we bear with one another's weaknesses and infirmities (Colossians 3:13). Human nature is indispensably subject to blindness, impatience and levity, mightily prone to mistake and mis-behaviour; the nature of a man's soul is as far from infallibility as the constitution of his body is from immortality, and we can no more hope in all cases to be free from error and mistake, than we can at all times to be exempted from sickness and death. Now how reasonable is it that they should forgive, who so often themselves stand in need of forgiveness!

(6) That we pray for peace. The lusts and passions of men are by the psalmist compared to the raging waves of the sea, and the same almighty Power that sets bounds to the one, must also quiet and restrain the other.

2. How great a blessing peace is, and how highly it tends to make our days many and good.

(1) As it whets and excites diligence and industry in men's several callings, by giving them hopes of success in them.

(2) As it gives men security in the enjoyment of their estates and possessions; in times of popular tumults the fears of losing what a man has creates him more trouble than the enjoyment gives him content.

(3) As it affords the fittest opportunity for the practice of religion and virtue, and so conduces to the happiness of the future state as well as of this.

(S. Freeman, M. A.)

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KJV: What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

WEB: Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?