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CHAP. III. Of the manner of our speech, and what must be done before we speake.
THus much of the matter of our speech. Nowe followeth the man∣ner.
In the manner of our speaking three things are to bee pondered: what must be done before we speake: what in speaking: what after wee haue spo∣ken.
Before we speake, consideration must bee vsed of the thing to be spoken, and of the ende. Iames requireth that men should be slowe to speake, and swift to heare. Salomon saith,* 1.1 Hee that answereth a matter before he heare it, it is folly and shame to him. The minde is the guid of the tongue: therefore men must consi∣der before they speake. The tongue is the messenger of the heart, and there∣fore as oft as we speake without meditation going before, so oft the messen∣ger runneth without his arrand. The tongue is placed in the middle of the mouth,a 1.2 and it is compassed in with lips and teeth as with a double trench, to shewe vs, howe we are to vse heede and preconsideration before wee speake: and therefore it is good aduise, to keep the key of the mouth not in the mouth but in the cupbord of the mouth. Augustine saith well, that as in eating and drinking men make choice of meates:* 1.3 so in manifolde speeches wee should make choice of talke.
Here are condemned idle words, that is, such wordes as are spoken to little or no end or purpose. And they are not to be esteemed as little sinnes,* 1.4 when as men are to giue account of euery idle word.