The saints sacrifice

^fOut of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. For the tongue is a most ready interpreter of a mans inward temper. The mouth is the door of the soul. If the fire of passion be once kindled therein, the flame thereof will soon break out at the mouth.

^fOut of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. For the tongue is a most ready interpreter of a mans inward temper. The mouth is the doore of the soule. If the fire of passion be once kindled therein, the flame thereof will soone breake out at the mouth.

1. fMat. 12. 34.

The consideration hereof addeth weight to the admonition given in the former § for watching over our passions: in that the evil arising from thence is not only inward, such as may be kept close within the bowels and breast of a man: but also outward, such as will break forth in words especially, to the offence of others, and to the greater disgrace of ¹our profession, and dishonour of God. Words that proceed out of passion are oft violent, and cause much mischief. Many think they extenuate the matter when they say, Words are but wind. Let the violence of wind in a mans head, stomach, belly, veins, guts, or other parts of his body, yea and in the open air, on sea and land be considered, and it will be found, that enough is said of words when they are said to be wind. ^gSaint James, in regard of the violence of the tongue, resembleth it to other very strong and forcible things, as to the bit of a bridle, whereby the rider maketh ³