The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

4. Beware that you believe not all that is told you, and that you tell not^m all that you hear: for if you do, you shall not long enjoy true friends, nor ever want great troubles. Therefore in accusations, be first assured of the truth, then censure. And as thou tenderest the reputation of an honest heart; never let malice in hatred, make thee to reveal that which love in friendship bound thee a long time to conceal. But for fear of such after-claps, observe two things.

1. mEccl. 3. 7. Luke 2. 19. Arcanum tibi creditum fideliùs custodi, quam depositam p•euniam.

First, though thou hast many acquaintance; yet make not any thy familiar friend, but he that truly ^*fears God: Such a one, thou never needest to fear. For though you should in some particulars fall out, yet Christian love, the main ground of your friendship, will never fall away; and the fear of God will never suffer him to do thee any villainy. Secondly, do nothing in the sight of a^† civil friend, for which thou canst not be safe, unless it be concealed, nor any thing, for which (if just cause be offered) ⟨p. 171⟩thou needest fear him, if he proves thine unjust enemy. If thou hast done any thing amiss, ask God forgiveness, and persuade thy self rather than thy friend, to^* keep thine own counsel. For be assured, that what friendship soever is grounded upon any other cause than true Religion; if ever that cause fail, the friendship falleth off: and the rather, because that as God breeds among men, Truth, Peace and Amity, that we should live to do one another good; so the Devil daily soweth falsehood,