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

This is the Disease, which Meekness prevents, and is in the Tongue a Law of Kindness, as the expression is, Pro. 31. 26. It is to the Tongue as the Helm is to the Ship (it is the Apostles comparison, Jam. 3. 3, 4.) not to silence it, but to guide it, to steer it wisely, especially when the Wind is high.¹ If at any time we have conceived a Passion, and thought evil, Meekness will lay the Hand upon the Mouth (as the Wise Man's Advice is, Prov. 30. 32.) to keep that evil thought from venting it self in any evil Word, reflecting upon God or our Brother. It will reason a matter in variance without noise, give a reproof without a reproach, convince a Man of his folly without calling him a Fool, will teach Superiors either to forbear threatening, Eph. 6. 9. or (as the Margin reads it) to moderate it, and will look diligently, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble us, and thereby we and many others be defiled, Heb. 12. 15.

This is the Disease, which Meekness prevents, and is in the Tongue a Law of Kindness, as the expression is, Pro. 31. 26. It is to the Tongue as the Helm is to the Ship (it is the Apostles comparison, Iam. 3. 3, 4.) not to silence it, but to guide it, to steer it wisely, especially when the Wind is high.¹ If at any time we have conceiv'd a Passion, and thought evil, Meekness will lay the Hand upon the Mouth (as the Wise Man's Advice is, Prov. 30. 32.) to keep that evil thought from venting it self in any evil Word, reflecting upon God or our Brother. It will reason a matter in variance without noise, give a reproof without a reproach, convince a Man of his folly without calling him a Fool, will teach Superiors either to forbear threatning,