Motives to holy living, or, Heads for meditation divided into consideratins, counsels, duties : together with some forms of devotion in litanies, collects, doxologies, &c.

Concerning our SPEECH.

For Governing our Words.

O Almighty Judge of men, who hast declared, that for every idle word we must give account in the day of Judgment, [and by our words we must be justified, or condemned: and hast taught us by thy Holy Scriptures, that he that keepeth his tongue keepeth his life:] and that if any offend not in word, the same is a perfect man: We beseech thee to [set a continual watch before our mouth, and keep the door of our lips, that we may ever take heed unto our ways, that we offend not in our tongue, that unruly member which defileth the whole Body, and set∣teth on fire the whole course of Nature: O Lord] pro∣tect, and deliver thy servants, by thy restraining Grace, and by thy fear, from the many evil and bitter fruits of this so small a member; from blasphemy, swearing, or taking thy name in vain; from lying, slandering, back∣biting, and speaking evil of our neighbour; from railing, reviling, flattery, tale-bearing, or disclosing secrets; from vain-glory, and boasting; from praising our selves, or disparaging others; from ostentation of our own science and wit; from all filthy and corrupt communication; from jesting, foolish, froward and idle words, and unpro∣fitable discourse. And Thou who hast given this Mem∣ber, &c.

Thou knowest, O Lord, who knowest all our infirmi∣ties, how slippery a member the Tongue is, and how li∣able we are to some abuse of it, which we are necessitated so often to use, and have so often occasions ministred un∣to us of using it amiss; which also it is not in another's power easily to restrain: Grant, that we may employ our uttermost endeavours to prevent the manifold evils there∣of; that we may not desire to speak, where we may with∣out loss be silent, nor utter any thing which becomes not thy servants, for fear of seeming stupid or ignorant, me∣lancholick, or unsociable: make us swift to hear, and learn, but slow to speak; not intermedling in every dis∣course, nor speaking at all times what we know, but what is necessary; remembring that a prudent man con∣cealeth knowledge, and that there is more hopes of a fool, than of one hasty in his words. And, good Lord, endue with such peaceableness and calmness of spirit, that we may never passionately contend, or dispute to maintain an unnecessary truth, or to vindicate a small right, or to justi∣fy our selves in slight defamations, or affronts; but may follow the pattern of thy most admirable silence, O Lord, even in the questioning of thy most innocent life, and on all occasions vilifying, and humbling our selves, may in our hearts give the glory only to Thee: Who livest and reignest &c.

But thou who hast given this member to thy creature Man, as a special instrument of thy Praise, grant that we may zealously employ it to promote thy glory, and, when ever occasion is given to vindicate thy honor, to joyn in thy praises, and to give thanks, and to speak good of thy Name: O Lord, open thou our lips, and let our mouth ever shew forth thy Praise. And be pleased also so to sanctify us in our worldly converse, that our Speech may

be always with Grace seasoned with Salt; that we may know how to answer every man, and our discourse such, as may some-way edify, and minister Grace to the hear∣ers; that this busy member, being defiled with no filthy or vain communication here, may be the more hallowed in the world to come, to sing Hallelujahs, Doxologies, and Thanksgivings for ever and ever, to the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.