A Golden Chain

Now at this false accusation Christ was silent, so as Caiaphas asked him why he answered nothing. Herein we are to consider many things: I. why Christ was silent. The causes be two: first he was to show himself a pattern of true humility & patience, therefore even then would he be silent when he was most falsely accused of his adversaries. Secondly he is silent, that standing before ⟨p. 315⟩the judge to be condemned, the sentence might proceed against him, and he might suffer the death appointed, which was due unto us, and so become our redeemer. And in Christs example we must note that it is a special duty to know when to speak, and when to be silent. The ordering of the tongue is a rare gift, and few attain unto it. Some will peradventure ask what rule we have to direct us herein? Ans. The general rule for the ordering of the tongue, is the law of God. We are commanded to seek the glory of God in the first table; and in the second the good of our neighbour: when thy speech therefore will serve either for Gods glory, or the good of thy neighbour, then thou must speak: if it serve for neither, then be silent. Again, if thy silence be either for Gods glory, or the good of thy neighbour, then be silent: if it will not then speak. And because it is hard for a man to know when his speech or silence will serve for these two ends: therefore we must pray unto God that he will teach and direct us herein: as David doth,¹ Set a watch (saith he) O Lord before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips: and again, Open thou my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

Now at this false accusation Christ was silent, so as Caiphas asked him why he answered nothing. Herein we are to consider many things: I. why Christ was silent. The causes be two: first he was to shewe himselfe a patterne of true humilitie & patience, therfore euen then would he be silent whē he was most falsely accused of his aduersaries. Secondly he is silent, that standing before ⟨p. 315⟩the iudge to be condemned, the sentence might proceed against him, and hee might suffer the death appointed, which was due vnto vs, and so become our redeemer. And in Christs example we must note that it is a speciall dutie to knowe when to speake, and when to be silent. The ordering of the tongue is a rare gift, and few attaine vnto it. Some will peraduenture aske what rule wee haue to direct vs herein? Ans. The general rule for the ordering of the tongne, is the lawe of God. We are commanded to seeke the glorie of God in the first table; and in the second the good of our neighbour: when thy speech therefore will serue either for Gods glorie, or the good of thy neighbor, then thou must speake: if it serue for neither, then bee silent. Againe, if thy silence bee either for Gods glorie, or the good of thy neighbour, then be silent: if it wil not then speake. And because it is hard for a man to knowe when his speech or silence will serue for these two ends: therfore we must praie vnto God that hee will teach and direct vs herein: as Dauid doth,