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…

And David did not without cause, or need, direct his petition to GOD for help from heaven, saying, Set thou O Lord ¹a watch before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips. If it were a matter of no difficulty to govern the Tongue, his own wit and reason would have sufficed him for it. If it were a matter of no peril, to give it head without government, he would not have asked aid to keep it: but knowing it to be impossible with his own strength to rule it, and as dangerous to leave it at liberty without restraint, he craveth the assistance of the spirit, for supply of his wants.

And Dauid did not without cause, or neede, directe his petition to GOD for helpe from heauen, saying, Sette thou O Lord ¹a watche before my mouth, and keepe the doore of my lippes. If it were a matter of no difficulty to gouerne the Tongue, his owne witte and reason would haue sufficed him for it. If it were a matter of no perill, to giue it head without gouernment, he wold not haue asked ayde to keepe it: but knowing it to be impossible with his owne strength to rule it, and as dangerous to leaue it at liberty without restraint, he craueth the assistance of the spirit, for supply of his wants.

1. 1Psal. 141. 3.

Terror of them that turn their tongues loose, and yield §2them liberty to utter whatsoever the malice, or pride, or lust of their hearts, can suggest: yea, whatsoever the Devil shall put into their minds and mouths, and prompt ⟨p. 10⟩them withal. Their case is a thousand times more cursed then that of the Serpents whom Satan spake by, to beguile Eve: and far worse is it with them for their everlasting state, then with