A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes…

Reasons. 1 First, they cause swords to be drawn, and blood to be shed, and men to be slain, and much mischief to be wrought. Ahimelech and his brethren the Priests, were killed by the tongue. Naboth and his sons were killed with the tongue. Our Saviour Christ himself was killed by the tongue, as Peter chargeth upon them that procured his death: Him have ye taken by the hands of the wicked, and have crucified and slain: you desired a murderer to be given you, and killed the Lord of life, Act. 2. 23. & 3. 15.

Reasons. 1 First, they cause swords to be drawne, and bloud to bee shed, and men to be slaine, and much mischiefe to be wrought. Ahimelech and his brethren the Priests, were killed by the tongue. Naboth and his sonnes were killed with the tongue. Our Sauiour Christ himselfe was killed by the tongue, as Peter chargeth vpon thē that procured his death: Him haue ye taken by the hands of the wicked, and haue crucified and slaine: you desired a murderer to be giuen you, and killed the Lord of life, Act. 2. 23. & 3. 15.

Secondly, the sword, or any other weapon can only hurt them that are present, and in place near to it: but the stroke of the tongue will light upon them most dangerously that are absent, and far off: no place or distance can help against it: and one man may do mischief thereby to a great multitude. Doeg ⟨p. 164⟩with one breath destroyed the whole city of Nob, both man and woman, both child and suckling, and yet was not present at it. ¹What a slaughter would Haman have made throughout the whole Persian Monarchy, if the Lord had not wonderfully prevented it?