A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

3. Meekness will curb the Tongue, and keep the Mouth as with a Bridle when the Heart is hot, Psal. 39. 1, 2, 3. Even then when there may be occasion for a keenness of expression, and we are called to rebuke sharply, ([Greek or Hebrew], cuttingly) Tit. 1. 2. yet meekness forbids all fury and indecency of Language, and every thing that sounds like clamour and evil speaking, Ephes. 4. 31. The meekness of Moses was not at hand when he spoke that unadvised word, Numb. 20. 10. Hear now […] Rebels, for which he was shut out of Canaan, though Rebels they were, and at that time very provoking. Men in passion are apt to give reviling Language, to call names, and those most senseless and ridiculous, to take the blessed Name of God in vain, and profane that; It is a wretched way by which the Children of Hell vent their passion at their beasts, their Servants, any person, or any thing that provokes them, to Swear at them: Men in passion are apt to reveal secrets, to make rash vows and resolutions which afterwards prove a snare, and sometimes to slander and belie their brethren, and bring railing Accusations, and so to do the Devils work; and to speak that in their hast concerning others, (as D•vid, Psal 116. 11. All Men are liars) which they see cause to repent of at leisure. How brutishly did Saul in his passion call his own Son, the Heir apparent to the Crown, the Son of the perverse rebellious Woman, 1 Sam. 20. 30. that is, in the filthy Dialect of Passion in our Days, the Son of a Whore; ⟨p. 22⟩a fine credit to himself and his Family! Raca and Thou Fool, are instanced in by our Saviour as breaches of the Law of the Sixth Commandment, Mat. 5. 22. and the Passion in the Heart is so far from excusing such opprobrious Speeches, (for which purpose it is commonly alleged) that really it is that which gives'em their malignity, they are the Smoke from that Fire, the Gall and Wormwood springing from that Root of Bitterness; and if for every idle word that Men speak,