A plain and familiar exposition of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth chapters of the…

First, the tongue is an edge tool, and requireth the skill of Reasons. wisdom, and the strength of grace to handle it. If it be well managed, it is a weapon defensive, if otherwise, it is as much offensive to him that abuseth it, who ever holdeth the point and edge in his own hands, & smiteth at others with the hilts.

First, the tongue is an edge toole, and requireth the skill of Reasons. wisedome, and the strength of grace to handle it. If it be well managed, it is a weapon defensiue, if otherwise, it is as much offensiue to him that abuseth it, who euer holdeth the point and edge in his owne hands, & smiteth at others with the hilts.

Secondly, the Lord is wont to render such men their own §2measure, and maketh them fall into the pits, which with their harmful tongues they have digged for their brethren. They which by lying and traducing would defame others, by the discovery of their lives are made infamous themselves, and as they would have hurt thereby the state of them whom they falsely accused, so their own states are impaired by actions and suites arising upon their slanders. So it falleth out with fierce and furious fellows, and gibing-mates, and challengers, that seeking either the disgrace or blood of their neighbours, they receive contempt and wounds to themselves. And so speed conspirators and traitorous people, they malign the life of the Prince, and peace of the Country, and therefore do practise the ruin of both, but it pleaseth God to make both to stand, and many of them to fall, and let the rest beware, that they drink not of the same cup with them, although for a time, they be too much favoured.

Secondly, the Lord is wont to render such men their owne §2measure, and maketh them fall into the pittes, which with their harmefull tongues they haue digged for their brethren. They which by lying and traducing would defame others, by the discouerie of their liues are made infamous themselues, and as they would haue hurt thereby the state of them whome they falslie accused, so their owne states are impaired by actions and suites arising vpon their slaunders. So it falleth out with fierce and furious fellowes, and gibing-mates, and challengers, that seeking either the disgrace or blood of their neighbours, they receiue contempt and wounds to themselues. And so speede conspirators and traiterous people, they maligne the life of the Prince, and peace of the Countrey, and therefore doe practise the ruine of both, but it pleaseth God to make both to stand, and manie of them to fall, and let the rest beware, that they drink not of the same cup with them, although for a time, they be too much fauoured.