A direction for the government of the tongue according to Gods word

This wisdom is then showed, when a man can in judgement apply his talk, and, as it were in good manner make it fit to all the circumstances of persons, times, places,¹ things. A fool poureth out all his mind: but a wise man keepeth in till afterward. A word spoken in his place, is like apples of gold with pictures of silver.

This wisedome is then shewed, when a man can in judgement apply his talke, and, as it were in good maner make it fit to all the circumstances of persons, times, places,¹ thinges. A foole powreth out all his mind: but a wise man keepeth in till afterwarde. A worde spoken in his place, is like apples of golde with pictures of silver.

1. 1Prov. 19.11.

Now he that would have his speech to be wise, must first of all him self become a wise man. And the wise man of whom the holy Scriptures speak, is a godly man, and such an one as feareth God: because this fear of God is the beginning and head of wisdom:¹ as on the contrary, the fool, whereof the Scripture often speaketh, is the ungodly person, that maketh no conscience of any sin. And indeed such a one is the most senseless fool of all. He that shall ever and anon ⟨p. 15⟩be casting him self into the fire and water, and run upon dangerous places to break his legs, arms, neck: and further shall take pleasure in doing all this, is either a fool or a mad man. Now the ungodly man as oft as he sinneth, he endeavoureth as much as in him lieth to pitch his soul into hell, & whereas he taketh pleasure in sin, he sports him self with his own destruction. Furthermore the man fearing God must have two things in his heart: a persuasion of Gods presence, and Awe.