A09339:3524
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He that speaketh many words, speaketh either false things or superfluous, or both: as when a river overflows, the water gathereth much slime: so many words, many faults. When a vessel being smitten makes a great noise, it is a token that it is empty: and so the sound of many words shows a vain heart. The Gentiles have said; that God gave a man one tongue and two ears, that he might hear more and speak less. Valerius Maximus reporteth of Xenocrates, that being in the company of some that used railing speeches, held his tongue: and being asked why he did so, answered, That it had repented him that he had spoken, but it never repented him that he had held his peace. And the proverb is, He that will speak what he will, shall hear what he would not. 1To the framing of our speech Ambrose requireth three things: a yoke, a balance, and a metwand: a yoke, to keep it in stayed gravity: a balance to give it weight of reason: a metwand, to keep it in measure and moderation.
He that speaketh many wordes, speaketh either false things or superfluous, or both: as when a riuer ouerflowes, the water gathereth much slime: so many wordes, many faults. When a vessell being smitten makes a great noise, it is a token that it is emptie: and so the sound of many wordes shewes a vaine heart. The Gentiles haue said; that God gaue a man one tongue and two eares, that he might heare more and speake lesse. Valerius Maximus reporteth of Xenocrates, that beeing in the company of some that vsed railing speeches, helde his tongue: and beeing asked why hee did so, answered, That it had repented him that he had spoken, but it neuer repented him that he had held his peace. And the prouerb is, He that will speake what he will, shall heare what hee would not. 1To the framing of our speech Ambrose requireth three things: a yoke, a ballance, and a metwand: a yoke, to keepe it in staied grauitie: a ballance to giue it weight of reason: a metwand, to keepe it in measure and moderation.
- 1Offic. lib. 1.