02.03. Chapter 3 - Verse 11, 12

James 3:11-12. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain yield both salt water and fresh.

Here are several illustrations taken from the course of nature, to show that one cause and original can have but one orderly and kindly birth. He reasoneth from what is impossible in nature to what is absurd in manners. In the similitudes he speaketh of what falleth out for the most part. If any rare instances can be brought to the contrary, it prejudiceth not the apostle’s scope, which is to show what falleth out in the wonted course and influence of causes, and thereby to declare how incompatible with true religion the evils of the tongue are if not restrained.

Obs. Nature abhorreth hypocrisy and double-dealing; contrary effects from the same cause are monstrous: it is against the whole ordination of God among the creatures. There is not a surer note of hypocrisy then deformity of effects and practices. It is true a Christian hath a double principle—flesh and spirit; but not a double heart. All the productions of the soul are like the yeanlings of Laban’s sheep, Genesis 30:39, ‘Speckled and spotted:’ but in an hypocrite’s life there is an utter dissonancy and disproportion. Hate this double-dealing, when you profess religion and live in sins; see how contrary it is to the whole course of nature: say, Sure this cannot come from an uniform and good heart. Especially use these illustrations to check the deformities of your speech; when you are apt to bless and curse, pray and revile, say, This would be monstrous in nature; is there such another cause in the world as the tongue is of such, different uses and employments?