The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

Government of the Tongue.

Jews.

THe Esseans were much addicted to silence.

Christians.

I am of Opinion with S. Gregory, when justly accused of a Fault, Humble thy self, and confess that thou deservest more, than the Accusation laid upon thee; if falsly accused, excuse thy self meek∣ly, denying thy self to be guilty; for thou owest that reverence to Truth and the Edification of thy Neighbour: But if after all this, men continue to accuse thee; vex not thy self, nor strive to get thy excuse admitted: For having done thy duty to Truth, thou must do it to Humility. S. Fr. Sales.

We scorn to live upon any terms, by which we must be forced to maintain our Lives by lies and falsehoods, Just. M. Apol. 1.

It is enough for a good man, either by way of Affirmation or Denial, to give this assurance, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I speak truly. Clem. Alex. Strom. l. 7.

Some of the Antient Fathers held all Swearing unlawful.

S. Basil Exhorts all vain Swearers to repent; ap∣points eleven years suspension from the Sacrament for Perjury: False Accusation before the Church to be punished with Suspension; if proved, but not revealed in due time, with two years suspensi∣sion; tho the person was guilty, yet if not prov∣ed sufficiently, with five years: False Accusation of a Minister, Bishop, Priest or Deacon, with Suspension perpetual.

Greg. Thaumaturgus durst never call his Brother Fool, &c.

Narcissius, Bishop of Jerusalem, being falsly ac∣cused by three Malicious Fellows, who accused him with sad Imprecations upon themselves, all three of them were, in process of time, overtaken with the same Judgments they wished upon them∣selves. Vid. Pontan. Bellaria, &c. Item. D. Cave Prim. Christ.

Muscovites.

Railing and Insolent Language was Prohibited to the Muscovites by the great Duke upon pain of Whipping; and if offered to persons of Quality, a Fine of sometimes 2000 Crowns; but the People are so addicted to it, that the Order is for the most part ineffectual. D. of Holstein's Emb. Trav. p. 60.

Papists.

The Nuns of Venice have been under much scandal for a great while; — Chiefly those of S. Za∣chary and S. Lawrence, where none but Noble Ve∣netians are admitted, and where it is not so much as pretended, that they have retired for Devotion, but that they might not be too great a Charge to their Family. They are not Veiled, their Neck

and Breast is bare, and they receive much Com∣pany; but that which I saw, was in a publick Room, in which there were many Grills for seve∣ral Parlours, so that the Conversation is very con∣fused; for there being a different Company at every Grill, and the Italians speaking generally loud, the noise of so many loud Talkers is very disagreeable.

The Nuns talk much and very disgracefully, and allowed themselves a liberty in rallying that other places could not bear. Dr. Burnet's Let.

'Tis said of Th. a Kempis, that when he was in Company with others who were discoursing of Secular Matters, he sate still silent, but when any Religious Subject was started, he was warm and Fluent. See his Life.

Mahometans.

They declaim most against Slander, and Back∣biting, and Censurings even when true, if of things hidden; as that such a Person is Dead in Unbelief, or deserves Hell, unless expresly mention'd by the Prophet, as the Devil, Abuhasel, Abugehel. F. Si∣mon.

Tunquinese.

In the Kingdom of Tunquin, either at their or∣dinary Meals, or upon fome Festival, they account it a great piece of manners to be silent; or if they have a desire to Discourse, they alway allow the Eldest the honour of beginning, bearing a great respect to them that are Aged: But the youngest at the Table is never permitted to begin their Dis∣course. Tavernier Collect. of Relat, &c.

Japannese.

In Japan Lying is punished with Death Pac∣quet broke open, vol. 2.

Antient Heathens.

Anacharsis, a Barbarian came out of Scythia to Athens, to look for a Wise Man; but finding none, was resolved to search all Greece,—at last having found one Myson, in a poor Town called Chenes, whose business was to look to his Family, Till the Ground, Educate his Children, was satisfied,—〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. he admired mightily the quietness of the Man's works, and the sparingness of his words. Max. Tyr. diss. 15.