Here see, 1. How we must discourage sin and witness against it, and
particularly the sin of slandering and backbiting; we must frown upon
it, and, by giving it an angry countenance, endeavour to put it out of
countenance. Slanders would not be so readily spoken as they are if
they were not readily heard; but good manners would silence the
slanderer if he saw that his tales displeased the company. We should
show ourselves uneasy if we heard a dear friend, whom we value,
evil-spoken of; the same dislike we should show of evil-speaking in
general. If we cannot otherwise reprove, we may do it by our looks. 2.
The good effect which this might probably have; who knows but it may
silence and drive away a backbiting tongue? Sin, if it be countenanced,
becomes daring, but, if it receive any check, it is so conscious of its
own shame that it becomes cowardly, and this sin in particular, for
many abuse those they speak of only in hopes to curry favour with those
they speak to.