A09391:127
A direction for the government of the tongue according to Gods word
Cambridge: printed by John Legate printer to the University of Cambridge, 1593Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legate printer to the Vniuersity of Cambridge, 1593
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
CAP. IX. What is to be done when we have spoken.
CAP. IX. What is to be done when wee have spoken.
After a man hath spoken his mind, very few words more are to be added. He that hath knowledge ⟨p. 56⟩spareth his words. In many words there can not want iniquity: 1but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
AFter a man hath spoken his minde, very fewe wordes more are to be added. He that hath knowledge ⟨p. 56⟩spareth his words. In many words there can not want iniquitie: 1but he that refraineth his lippes is wise.
He that speaketh many words, speaketh either false things or superfluous, or both: as when a river overfloweth, the water gathereth much slime: so many words many faults. When a vessel being smitten maketh 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. To the framing of our speech Ambrose requireth three things: