A20762:1734
A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties
A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helps enabling & the reasons persuading unto it the impediments hindering the practise of it, and the best means to remove them whereunto are added divers prayers and a treatise of carnal security by John Douname Bachelor in Divinity and minister of Gods Word.A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.
London: printed by Felix Kingstone and William Stansby for Ed, 1622
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. Sect. 3 That this watch consisteth in the right ordering of them.
Now this watch over our tongues must tend to the right ordering of them, both in respect of silence, & of speech. For we must not only restrain our tongues from evil and corrupt communication; but also order them aright in speaking that which is good, taking care not alone to speak good things, but also in a good manner, when as they are seasonable & profitable in respect of circumstances, time and place, the causes moving us, and the persons hearing us: not pouring out good speeches without discretion, but observing measure, gravity and modesty, not thinking it enough to speak that which is good, when some others are present that could speak better. And therefore, as we do not suffer pots and glasses of sweet waters, to have their full vent, but keep their mouths close stopped, to preserve their sweetness for such times wherein it may most seasonably be used; so though our hearts be full of sweetness, and (as the Psalmist speaketh) inditers of good matter; yet we must not vent it with open mouth, which 1will make it lose much of its sweetness, but let us keep it in, till we have got some seasonable time, when as we may hope to spend it to some good purpose. For which moderating of our tongues by seasonable silence, and avoiding of too much talking, the wise Solomon giveth us good caveats and counsel: In the multitude of words (saith he) there wanteth not sin, (seeing 2a man that speaketh much, venteth some evil, or commonly is tainted with pride and self-love in speaking that which is good) but he that refraineth 3his lips, is wise. And again, He that hath knowledge, spareth his words, (so that he hath but a show of knowledge that lavishly spendeth them) and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, knowing when to speak, and when to keep silence. And even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is 4