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DEath and life are in the pow∣er of the tongue, Pro. 18, 21.
If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man, Ia. 3.2
Lord, no man offends so often and shamefully with the tongue as I doe.
I said I will take heed to my wayes, that I sinne not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth a bridle, Psal. 39.1. yea, I have and am purposed, my mouth shall not transgresse, Psa. 17.3.
But the tongue can no man
tame, Jam. 3, 8. it is an vnruly evil, ful of deadly poyson, idem.
Therefore set thou a watch before my mouth, and order thou the door of my lips, O my God, Psal. 141.3.
Such resolutions as most con∣cerne himselfe in this respect, viz.
All Prophane, needlesse, un∣certaine, uncomely, offensive words.
Onely Christian seasonable∣nesse, certaine, seemly, accept∣able speeches.
Rather speak nothing, then to say the least thing to no good or to an evill purpose.
Not to suster his tongue to runne before his wit.
But to forethink whether it be lawfull or fitting that he is about to speak, then to refraine or speak accordingly.
All rash, superfluous, vaine, abscene, unreverend, scornfull talk.
Onely considerate, few, sub∣stantiall, holy, reverend, re∣spective discourse.
Not to meddle in others mat∣ters.
To deale in his owne circum∣spectly.
To praise others discreetly.
And himselfe (inforced) mo∣destly not to tell newes sudden∣ly.
To relate the same (required) warily.
All jibing, boasting, double, flattering, fearfull, false words.
Only serious, humble, plain, faithfull, free, true speeches.
Not speak evill of any absent or dead.
If there be or was any good in them to take notice thereof, else to say nothing of them.
Not to answer any matter be∣fore he heare and understand it throughly:
Then to answer briefly and pithily.
Not to interrupt any in their speaking, by speaking with them, or taking the words out of their mouth.
But to give full time and then to answer wisely.
All revealing his owne mat∣ters.
Unfolding his affections. Discovering his passions. Complaining of his wants. Declaring his opinion. Opening others secrets.Where these need not, and more then needs must.
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.