A plain and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Prouerbs…

First, it is proper only to good men to moderate and govern their tongues in due manner; they that can do that, are able to order Reasons. 1 their actions justly, and they that do perform it, will not fail to make conscience of the rest of their ways. If any man sin not in word, saith S. James, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the ¹body. And contrariwise, If any seemeth religious, and refraineth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this mans religion is ²in vain. So that if it be peculiar to godly persons to keep their mouths, and unseparably annexed to religion, it doth necessarily argue their happy condition, which have attained unto it, and their dangerous case which be careless thereof.

First, it is proper only to good men to moderate and gouerne their tongues in due manner; they that can do that, are able to order Reasons. 1 their actions iustly, and they that do performe it, will not fayle to make conscience of the rest of their waies. If anie man sinne not in word, saith S. Iames, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the ¹bodie. And contrariwise, If anie seemeth religious, and refraineth not his tongue, but deceineth his owne heart, this mans religion is ²in vaine. So that if it be peculiar to godly persons to keepe their mouthes, and vnseparably annexed to religion, it doth necessarily argue theyr happy condition, which haue attayned vnto it, and their dangerous case which be carelesse thereof.

1. 1James 3. 2:Iames 3. 2:
2. 2James i. 36Iames i. 36