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

Now if any shall rail on us, our duty is, not to rail again.¹ Bless them that persecute you, Bless, I say, and curse not. Be courteous, ²not rendering evil for evil neither rebuke for rebuke, but contrariwise bless, knowing that ye be thereunto called, that you should be heirs of blessing. This thing was notably practised by David. Psal. 109.4. For my friendship, they were mine adversaries, but I gave my self to prayer. And therefore in this case, either silence is to be used, or at the most only a just and manifest defence of our innocency to be made.³ Hezekiah commanded the people to be silent, and not to say any thing to the speech of Rabsachai, now flattering now threatening. When Eli spake hardly of Anna, & ⟨p. 36⟩bad her put away her drunkenness, she answered,⁴ Nay, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit, I have neither drunk wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. ⁵Thus Joseph cleareth him-self, saying, I have done nothing wherefore they should put me in the dungeon. And Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar: Unto thee, O King, ⁶have I done no hurt. And our Saviour Christ when the Jews said unto him,⁷ Say we not true, that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil? answered, I have not a devil, but I honour my father, and ye have dishonoured me. And Paul being to make an apology for himself, begins thus: Men and brethren, ⁸I have in all good conscience served God until this day.