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The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…
The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan showing him how to carry himself Christian-like in the whole course of his life / by Tho. Gouge ...The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan shewing him how to carry himself Christian-like in the whole course of his life / by Tho. Gouge ...
London: printed by S. and B.G. for Nevil Simmons, 1676
THE Young Man's Guide. › Chapter 19: Of the well▪ ordering and governing our Words.
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.
For thy better help therein, take these few Directions.
1. Be not too free of thy tongue, but let thy words be ⟨p. 108⟩few, knowing that in multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise, Prov. 10. 19. And Prov. 17. 27. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, knowing when to speak, and when to keep silence; and vers. 28. Even a Fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise, because he hath this happiness, not to discover his want of wisdom. Many a mans folly and ignorance would not appear, could he but keep his own counsel. And the Apostle James, Chap. 1. 19. exhorteth to be swift to hear, and slow to speak. To which purpose Nazianzen well observeth, how God hath appointed a double guard to keep in the tongue; namely, the lips, and two rows of teeth, that it might be restrained from breaking out by this double fence. Be not therefore lavish in words, but sparing in thy speech; for silence is an excellent Virtue, and saveth many a mans Credit, Reputation, and Conscience.
1. Be not too free of thy tongue, but let thy words be ⟨p. 108⟩few, knowing that in multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise, Prov. 10. 19. And Prov. 17. 27. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, knowing when to speak, and when to keep silence; and vers. 28. Even a Fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise, because he hath this happiness, not to discover his want of wisdom. Many a mans folly and ignorance would not appear, could he but keep his own counsel. And the Apostle Iames, Chap. 1. 19. exhorteth to be swift to hear, and slow to speak. To which purpose Nazianzen well observeth, how God hath appointed a double guard to keep in the tongue; namely, the lips, and two rows of teeth, that it might be restrained from breaking out by this double fence. Be not therefore lavish in words, but sparing in thy speech; for silence is an excellent Vertue, and saveth many a mans Credit, Reputation, and Conscience.