The Christian centurians observations, advices, and resolutions containing matters divine and morall / collected according to his owne experience by Philip Skippon ...

To be

Secret, silent, reserved, watch∣full, to the contrary.

Not to break out into passio∣nate, contentious, spitefull, pro∣voking, revengefull speeches, no not against such as injure him, and when they doe so.

But to deliver temperate, peaceable, gentle, suffering, pacifying words.

To appease wrath and strife.

To prevent anger and dis∣cord.

To avoid hast and to use deli∣beration.

To avoyd loudnesse, and to use so ftnesse in his speeches.

To avoid lightnesse, and to use gravity.

To avoyd harshnesse, and to use friendlinesse in his talk.

In all things he utters, to be circumspect and sober.

Lord who is sufficient for these things? none so weak as I am,

yet nothing is impossible to thee.

O Lord my God, mercifully, notwithstanding my sinnes; powerfully, notwithstanding my weaknesse; faithfully, notwith∣standing all oppositions, let thy grace be sufficient for me, to teach and enable me aright, when, where, and how to speak and to hold my peace, at home and abroad, with whomsoever I have to doe, and in whatsoever I take in hand, as may be most and onely for thy glory, the gracing of thy Religion, and my profession thereof; the good example and benefit of others, the safety and credite of my place and person, the comfort and peace of my soule and con∣science here, and the everlast∣ing happinesse of soule and bo∣dy in Heaven for evermore; all by the speedy, effectuall, daily,

and continuall assistance of thy most holy Spirit, through the a∣lone al-sufficient merits and mediation of thy most deare and onely Sonne, my alone most sweet Saviour and perpetuall intercessor Christ Jesus, even so be it, Amen, Amen.

Thus farre here for governing the Tongue, now to God one∣ly wise, my onely helper be all the glory.