If we are obliged to promote the temporal good of our neighbor, how much more the spiritual, by edifying discourses.  But how is it?  The children of God, when a person visits them, says a certain divine, are sometimes troubled, and know not what discourse to enter upon: at last they begin an unprofitable discourse, or at least they suffer others to do it and are silent at it.  I will tell you what I have done in such cases:  I first prayed to God, saying, “O good God, here I receive a guest, and have nothing to set before and treat him with; I pray thee to give me the right bread for him;” which the Lord was pleased to hear in such a gracious manner, that I could sooner enter into an edifying discourse.  And thus we keep our conscience clean; and though perhaps the lips were frozen up at first, they are thawed and opened by prayer.  Some foolish philosophers, to the great offence of others, mock at divine things, and even at prayer; as if we needed no other help than our own depraved reason and will.  But what St. Paul says, Rom.1:22, is fulfilled in them: “Professing themselves to be wise, they become fools.”  What will become of these poor scoffers upon their dying bed, and at the day of judgment?  O that they would take warning while it is time.

Now, if some proper hour appear,
Let none be overawed;
But let the scoffing sinners hear
That we can speak for God.
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