Mouth

MOUTH. We have observed upon the Verb to adore, that to kiss ones Hand, and to put it to ones Mouth, was a Mark of Adoration. The Hebrews, by Way of Pleonasm, often are used to say; he opened his Mouth, and spoke, sung, cursed, &c. They say also, that God opens the Mouth of the Prophets, that he puts Words into their Mouth, that he bids them speak and say what he inspires to them. To inquire of the Mouth of the Lord, Josh. ix. 14. Exod. iv. 15.is to consult him. God says, that he will be the Mouth of Moses and of Aaron. We will call the Damsel, and enquire at her Mouth; let us know what Rebecca thinks of the Gen. xxiv. 57. 2 Sam. xvii.Matter. Let us hear what is in the Mouth of Achitophel; let us consult him about this Affair.

To open the Mouth, is often used by Way of Emphasis, instead of speaking aloud, boldly, and freely, 1 Sam. ii. 1. Dilatum est os meum super inimicos meos, says HannahPsal. cvi. 42. Psal. lxxiii. 9. the Mother of Samuel. Ezek. xxiv. 27. In die illa aperietur os tuum, loqueris, & non silebis And Isaiah lvii. 4. Super quem dilatasti os. And in a contrary Sense, to shut the Mouth, to impose Silence, is a Mark of Humiliation and Affliction. Omnis iniquitas oppilabit os suum. And Psal. xxxvii. 14. Factus sum sicut mutus, non aperiens os suum, & non habens in ore suo redargutiones. To set their Mouth against the Heavens, is when they speak arrogantly, insolently, and without the Fear of God.

Exod. xiii. 9.God appoints, that his Law may be always in the Mouth of his People, that the Israelites may commune frequently with one another about it. He forbids them so much as to pronounce the Name of strange Gods; Exod. xxiii. 13. Gen. iv. 11.neque audietur ex ore vestro. God says, that the Earth opened her Mouth, to receive the Blood of Abel. The Hebrews generally say; to cause to pass by the Mouth of the Sword, whereas we say, the Edge of the Sword. To speak Mouth to Mouth, is an usual Way of speaking among the Hebrews, which we Numb. xii. 8. Heb. Numb. xxii. 28. Judg. xviii. 19. Wisd. viii. 12. Isai. lii. 15. Esdr. ix. 12. Esth. xiii. 17. xiv. 9. Dan. iii. 51. Judith. xiii. 25. Eccles. viii. 2. 1 Sam. xv. 24.render by Face to Face. Moses tells us, that God opened the Mouth of Balaam’s Ass, that is, he made him speak to his Master. To lay one’s Hand upon one’s Mouth, signifies to keep Silence out of Respect, Admiration, or Fear. To fill from one Mouth to the other, from one Extremity to the other; as a Sack that is full from the Bottom to the Top. Shut not up the Mouths of those that praise thee; let them not be oppressed, or prevented from publishing thy Praise. The Scripture often says, that God does what he barely permits, or even what he foretels shall be done. With one Mouth, is with one common Consent. To observe the Mouth of the King, is to hear his Words with Attention. To walk by the Mouth of any one, is to be obedient to his Orders. To transgress against the Mouth of the Lord, is to disobey his Commands. You shall be justified by your own Mouth, you shall be condemned out of your own Mouth, by the good or ill Use of your own Tongue.

Hos. vi. 5.Hosea says, that the Lord has put the People to Death by the Words of his Mouth. Occidi eos in verbis oris mei. That is to say, that he foretold Death or Captivity to them by the Mouth of his Prophets. Isaiah Isai. xi. 4.says of the Messiah; He shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth, and with the Breath of his Lips shall he slay the wicked. These Expressions denote the absolute Power of God, and that it requires only one Breath to destroy his Enemies. The same Prophet Isai. lix. 2.says; He hath made my Mouth like a sharp Sword. And St. Paul says, that the Word of the Lord is like a¹ two-edged Sword. All these Ways of speaking are very energetical to express the sovereign Authority of God, as well over the Mind as the Body.

From the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth speaketh, says Jesus Christ. Our Discourses are the Eccho of the Sentiments of our Hearts. ‘Tis not what enters into the Matth. xv. 11.Mouth that defileth the Man; ‘tis neither Meat nor Drink that makes us unclean in 2 Tim. iv. 17.the Sight of God. St. Paul says, that he was delivered out of the Jaws of the Lion, that is, he had escaped the Cruelty of Nero. Metite in ore misericordiæ, says Hosea; that is, take Care that you may reap in Proportion to your Mercies, and the Alms that you have bestowed. This Expression in ore, or ad os, often signifies, pro ratione, proportione servatâ. For Example, They shall take of their Neighbours according to what shall be wanting for the eating of the Lamb, Exod. xii. 4. You shall redeem it according to the Number of the Years; ad os multitudinis annorum, Levit. xxv. 16. You shall distribute their Lot according to the Report of the Deputies; ad os visitatorum, Numb. xxvi. 54, &c.

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