Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And when we know generally, how to avoid the crime of false witnessing: forasmuch as it is a hard thing to bridle our tongues: let us take the more pain and heed to do it. We see that many evil words do easily scape us. And when we have talked to and fro unadvisedly: because we be accustomed to it, we think it is no fault before God. But let us mark that forasmuch as we be naturally too much inclined to speak undiscreetely, and to cast forth words of blame and reproach against our neighbours: we have the more need to endeavour to imprison our tongues and to hold them down. For though we be given to some one sin more than to others: that will not serve us for excuse before God. But when we perceive any fault in our selves, we must not flatter our selves in it, but rather be sorry for it and say, Alas I see this disease reigneth too much in me, and therefore I must fight the more stoutly against it, and I must by Gods grace enforce my self to attain to the repressing thereof, seeing I perceive that God condemneth it. And herewithall let us bethink us of the threats that are given out against it.¹ For whenas saint Paul sayeth that neither whoremongers, nor drunkards, nor thieves, nor murderers shall inherit the kingdom of heaven: he addeth also Cursed speakers, and he banisheth them likewise from all hope of life and salvation.

And when wee knowe generally, howe to auoide the crime of false witnessing: forasmuch as it is a hard thing to bridle our tongues: let vs take the more paine and heede to doe it. We see that many euill wordes doe easily scape vs. And when we haue talked to and fro vnaduisedly: because wee bee accustomed to it, we thinke it is no fault before God. But let vs marke that forasmuch as wee bee naturally too much inclined to speake vndiscreetely, and to cast foorth wordes of blame and reproch against our neighbours: wee haue the more neede to indeuour to imprison our tongues and to holde them downe. For though wee bee giuen to some one sinne more than to others: that will not serue vs for excuse before God. But when wee perceiue any fault in our selues, we must not flatter our selues in it, but rather bee sorie for it and say, Alas I see this disease reigneth too much in me, and therefore I must fight the more stoutly against it, and I must by Gods grace inforce my selfe to attaine to the repressing thereof, seeing I perceiue that God condemneth it. And herewithall let vs bethinke vs of the threates that are giuen out against it.