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

2. To indite a soft Answer. This Solomon commends as a proper expedient to turn away wrath, while grievous words do but stir up anger, Pro. 15. 1. When any speak angrily to us, we must pause a while, and study an Answer, which both for the Matter and Manner of it, may be mild and gentle. This brings Water while peevishness ⟨p. 30⟩and provocation would but bring Oil to the Flame. Thus is Death and Life in the Power of the Tongue; it is either healing or killing, an Antidote or a Poison, according as it's used. When the Waves of the Sea beat on a Rock, they batter, and make a noise, but a soft Sand receives them silently, and returns them without damage. A soft Tongue is a wonderful Specific, and hath a very strange Virtue in it; for, Solomon saith, it breaks the Bone, Pro. 25. 15. that is, it qualifies those that were provoked, and makes them pliable; it heaps Coals of Fire upon the Head of an Enemy, not to burn him, but to melt him, Pro. 25. 21, 22. Hard words (we say) break no Bones, but it seems soft ones do (and yet do no harm) as they calm an angry Spirit and prevent its Progress, breaking it as we do a •lint upon a Cushion. A Stone that falls on a Wool-pack rests there, and rebounds not to do any further Mischief, such is a meek Answer to an angry Question. It is observed in that rencounter which was between the Royal Tribe, and the other ten, that the words of the Men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the Men of Israel, 2 Sam. 14. 43. When Passion is up, that God whose Eyes are upon all the ways of Men, takes notice who speaks fiercely, and sets a mark upon them.

2. To indite a soft Answer. This Solomon commends as a proper expedient to turn away wrath, while grievous words do but stir up anger, Pro. 15. 1. When any speak angrily to us, we must pause a while, and study an Answer, which both for the Matter and Manner of it, may be mild and gentle. This brings VVater while peevishness ⟨p. 30⟩