Rules for the Government of the Tongue, Table of contents – Errata
Imprimatur
Edm. Calamy.
FINIS.
The Table, or Series of the particulars in this Treatiſe.
1 IN the General part, Of the Government of the Tongue, which contains three things.
1 Preparatives to it.
2 Rules for it.
3 Reaſons of it.
Firſt, Preparatives to the Government of the Tongue, which are three, p. 2
1 Wiſdom, required by Reaſon
1 Of the difficulty of the Task.
2 Of the Commodity, or Diſcommodity of the event, p. 3
And how this wiſdom may be obtained, p. 4
2 Reſolution, p. 5
3 The wel-ordering of the heart, p. 6
Required for three Reaſons.
1 The Heart is the guide of the Tongue, p. 6
2 The Heart is the root and treaſury of it, p. 7
3 Errours in the Tongue proceed from diſorders in the heart, p. 8
Second thing. Rules for Government of the Tongue, which are five.
1 Rule, Conſider before you ſpeak, p. 9
2 Rule, In ſpeech have reſpect to Five particulars.
1 To the Principle from which you ſpeak. p. 10
Which ſhould be
1 Reaſon, not paſſion, p. 11
2 Love, not malice, envie or hatred, p. 12
3 Grace, as faith, zeal, Conſcience, ſincerity, purity, and the fear of God, experience, not wit or parts only, p. 13
2 Have reſpect to the matter what you ſpeak, and therein to two things, p. 15
1 To Truth, which is two-fold.
1 Logical truth, to ſpeak as the thing is.
2 Moral truth, to ſpeak as yee think, p. 16
2 To goodneſs.
1 That your ſpeech be good and ſound, not evil and corrupt, p. 19. for three Reaſons.
1 A man is known by his ſpeech, p. 21
2 Evil words corrupt good manners, p. 23
3 Gods Law obligeth the tongue as well as the hand to obedience, ibid.
2 That it be profitable, not vain or idle, p. 26
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe vain ſpeech proceeds from a vain mind.
Reaſ. 2. Men muſt be countable to God for idle words.
Reaſ. 3. Vain ſpeech is the language of ſtrange children.
Reaſ. 4. Idle words are not convenient, unbecoming the Saints, p. 27
3 Have reſpect to the manner how yee ſpeak, to this end ſeven Graces of the lips, or of ſpeech are commended, p. 28
1 Grace of the ſpeech is fitneſs of ſpeech, p. 29 right words are, 1. effectual. 2. Comely. 3. Pleaſant, p. 30
2 Is, fewneſs of words, p. 32
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe words are like money, p. 33
Reaſ. 2. In the multitude of words there is, 1 Folly, 2 Vanity. 3 Iniquity, p. 34
Reaſ. 3. An open mouth bewrayeth an empty heart, p. 36
3 Is, meekneſs and humility. p. 36
Reaſ. 1. This makes both the tongue and the words ſoft.
Reaſ. 2. Pride in the mouth is a rod to ſtrike others with p. 37.
Reaſ. 3 Harſhneſs of ſpeech is an uncomlineſs. p. 38.
Reaſ. 4 Meekneſs was the Grace of Chriſts lips. ibid.
4 Is, Modeſty in ſpeaking.
1 Of filthy actions. 2 Of things that are ſecret. p. 39.
3 Of others faults. 4 Of our ſelves, and of our own vertues and praiſes. p. 40.
5 Is, Reverence.
1 To God, to ſpeak highly and honourably of him. p. 41.
2 To man, to give men their due in titles, praiſes and reſpects. p. 42.
6 Is, caution, to take heed what you ſay. p. 45.
1 Not to give offence to others.
2 Not to give others advantage againſt you.
3 So warily, as if all were to be written which yee ſay. p. 46.
7 Is, Conſtancy and ſtedfaſtneſs, not to ſay and unſay. p. 46.
4 Have reſpect to the ſeaſon, when you ſpeak. p 47.
There bee ſeaſons for filence, which are eight. p. 47, &c.
And three reaſons for keeping ſilence therein. p. 52.
There bee alſo ſeaſons of ſpeech, which are four. p. 53
And three reaſons for ſpeech therein. p. 56.
5 Have reſpect to the end of your ſpeech, which ſhould bee
1 Gods glory.
2 Others good. p. 58, 59
The uſefulneſs of the tongue
1 For healing. p. 59.
2 For feeding. p. 60.
3 Rule. Commit your tongues to Gods guidance. p. 61.
Reaſ. Becauſe God is the tongue-maker, and Maſter, to 1 Command it. 2 Guide it. p. 62.
3 Keep it. p. 66. 4 Purge it. p. 68.
5 Proſper it. p. 70.
4 Rule. Obſerve, bewail and amend the errors of your Tongues. p. 72.
5 Rule. Keep a good and conſtant correſpondence between tongue and hand, to do what you ſay. p. 74, 75.
5 Reaſons for it.
Cautions, firſt, in making vows to God. p. 76.
ſecondly, In making promiſes to men. p. 78.
The third thing is the Reaſons of the Government of the Tongue, drawn from five heads. p. 78.
Reaſ. 1 From the difficulty of Tongue-Government, becauſe of the unrulineſs of the tongue, ſet out by ſix compariſons. p. 79, &c.
Reaſ. 2 From the excellency of the good order, and uſe of the Tongue in five reſpects. p. 82.
1 Of Action. p. 82.
2 Commendation. p. 84.
3 Of Perfection. p. 85.
4 Of Imitation. ibid. 5 Of Diſtinction. ibid.
Reaſ. 3 From the neceſſity of Tongue-Government. p. 86.
In reſpect
1 Of God, that our Tongues may obey him. p. 86.
2 Of Religion, to adorn it, and ſhew the efficacy of it. p. 87.
3 Of our ſelves and others.
1 Of our ſelves, to prevent the evil
1 Of Sin. p 89.
2 Of Miſery, both
Here. p. 91.
and
Hereafter. p. 97.
2 The Government of our Tongue is needfull, in reſpect of others, for the like prevention 1 Of Sin. p. 99. 2 Of Miſchief, both to places and perſons. p. 101.
The miſchief of the Tongue appears
1 By Scripture compariſons of it. p. 103.
2 By the Mercy of being delivered from it. p. 105.
3 By the final miſerie it draws others into. p. 106.
Reaſ. 4 From the Commodity of the good Government of the Tongue, in reſpect of
Our ſelves, and
Others. p. 107
1 Of our ſelves, to procure us, four things.
1 Life. p. 107. 2 Salvation. p. 108. 3 Joy.
p. 109. 4 Satisfaction. p. 109
2 Of others, three Benefits redound to them therby.
1 Communication of our minds, Gifts, Graces, Experience. p. 110, 111
2 Salvation, both
Temporall. p. 112
and
Eternal.
3 Conſolation. p. 112
Reaſ. 5 From the conveniency of helps afforded us for the Government af the Tongue, both Naturall and Spirituall. p. 112
II A Table of the Directions in particular caſes relating to Speech, which are ſix.
The firſt Caſe is, confeſſion of our ſins to men. 115
Three Directions are given in this duty.
1 In what Caſes. 2 To what Perſons. 3 From what Principles.
1 In what caſes, wee ſhould confeſs our faults one to another, which are eight. p. 116
1 Scandall, before Admiſſion into Church-fellowſhip. ibid. or after p. 117
2 Injuries done to others. p. 117
3 Scruple about a ſin that burdens the conſcience. p. 118
4 A common Judgement. p. 119. Or a particular affliction. p. 120
5 Reproof from others. p. 121
6 Copartnerſhip in ſin. p. 122
7 To magnifie the free Grace of God. p. 123
8 To prevent ſin in others. p. 123
What faults wee ought to confeſs to others; and what wee may conceal. p. 124, 125, &c.
2 To what perſons wee ſhould confeſs our faults. p. 127
3 From what Principles, and in what manner this ſhould bee done. p. 129
The cauſes of mens backwardneſs to confeſs ſin. p. 131
How ſin is to be named. p. 132
The ſecond caſe in which Direction is given, is, The confeſſion of Chriſt before men. p. 134.
Four Things concerning it are opened.
1 What this confeſſion is. p. 134.
2 When it ſhould be made. p. 139
3 Why we ſhould confeſs with the mouth. p. 146
The Reaſons are drawn.
1 From God, they are three. p. 147
2 From Chriſt, they are two. ibid.
3 From our ſelves they are four. p. 151
4 From others. p. 151
4 How this Confeſſion ſhould be made. p. 157
In ſeven Particulars.
1 Freely, without Compulſion.
2 Plainly, without obſcurity. p. 157, 158.
3 Boldly, without fear. p. 159
4 Conſtantly, without giving over, p. 160
5 Innocently, without giving offence. p. 161
6 Sincerely, out of
Love. p. 162
Zeal. p. 163
7 Patiently, with a reſolution to ſuffer for our Teſtimony. p. 163
The third caſe is Reprehenſion. Touching which, three things are declared, ſcil. Preparatives, Rules, and Reaſons.
1 Preparatives to it, four,
1 Wiſdome. 166
2 Righteouſneſs. 167
3 Faithfullneſs. 167
4 Boldneſs. 168
2 Rules for Reproof, which reſpect four things.
1 The matter to bee reproved, that is,
1 Sin, the chief object of Reproof. p. 168
2 What we know to be a fault both in it ſelf, and in them whom we reprehend. p. 169
2 The perſons to bee reproved. p. 170
And who are not to be reproved 172, 173
3 The manner how to reprove, that is, by obſerving five Rules.
1 Rule. Reproof muſt be given,
1 In love to their Perſons. 174
2 In Pitty to their infirmities. 174.
3 In Meekneſs, without Pride, paſſion, bitterneſs. 175
4 With reſpect to their credit. 175
2 Rule, Reproof muſt be ſeconded with Arguments, p. 176. to ſet it home.
3 Rule, Reproof ſhould bee formed in Scripture-terms 176
4 Rule, Reproof ſhould bee begun and ended with prayer. 177
5 Rule, Reproof for the manner of it, ſhould be ſuited.
1 To the quality of the perſon to be reproved. 178
There be two wayes of reproving. 181
1 Directly.
2 Indirectly, by way 1 Of obſecration. 2 Inſinuation. 181. 3 Illuſtration. 4 Exemplification. 182
2 To the Nature of the offence, as it is,
1 Open or ſecret. 183
2 Great or ſmal. ibid.
3 As committed out of weakneſs or wilfullneſs 184
4 As committed ſeldome or often.
5 As the party offending hath been reproved, either not before, or often, 184
4 The Seaſon, when to reprove others. 185
The third thing is the reaſons why wee ſhould reprove others, drawn from three heads.
1 The Neceſſity of it in reſpect
1 Of our ſelves. 187
2 Of others. 188
2 The Commodity of Reproof in the effects thereof, which are ſix. p. 191
3 The Excellency of it. 193
The Reaſons inforce a double duty upon us.
1 To give reproof to others.
Five Cauſes of our Averſeneſs to it. 195
What is required of us hereunto. 195, 196
2 To take Reproof well. 199
To this end take notice of four things.
1 Of our backwardneſs to it. 199. and four cauſes thereof. 201
2 The right manner of bearing Reproof. 202
To wit. 1 Humbly. 2 Thankfully. 3 Effectually. 4 Patiently. 203
3 The means of taking Reproof well, ſcil. three.
1 A wiſe heart. 103
2 An obedient ear.
3 A tractable ſpirit. 204
4 Motives to this duty, from two heads.
1 The good of receiving Reproof, in four particulars. p 204
2 The evill of rejecting it. 1 The evill of ſin in ſix particulars. 207
2 The evill of puniſhment. 210
The fourth caſe is Communication or conferring together of the matters of God. 212
1 Rules for it. 2 Reaſons of it.
1 Rules for it, which are ten.
1 In company improve time for profitable edifying diſcourſe. 214
2 Obſerve the diſpoſitions and conditions of the perſons preſent to ſuit your diſcourſe.
1 To their Neceſſities. 214
2 To their capacities. 215
3 Raiſe ſpirituall diſcourſe from temporall occaſions. 215
4 Obſerve what ſubjects Gods providence puts into your minds and mouths. 217
5 Get ſome Common heads into your minds and hearts, that may bee of generall uſe to all, and at all times. 217
6 The asking and anſwering of queſtions aright, conduceth much to mutuall edification. 218
This wee find
1 Under Precept in the old Teſtament. 218
2 Under practice & example in the New. 220
The right manner of asking queſtions. 221
7 Its lawfull to diſcourſe of natural, moral and civill matters. 222
Urbanity, or the uſe of Recreationall ſpeeches is lawfull. 223
Your Rules for ordering the ſame.
1 For matter. 224. 2 For manner. 3 For meaſure. 4 For end. 225.
The uſe of Ironies. 226, 227
8 In ſpeech, ſeek not ſo much to ſhew wit or eloquence as efficacious power of ſpeech. 227
Eloquence may bee uſed, proved by four Reaſons. 228
and how, 230
9 Rule. Speak of good things at home in your own families. 230, 231
10. Let your diſcourſe proceed from good Principles, as
1 The fear of God. 2 Love to others ſouls. 3 Delight in ſpirituall things. 231
2 Reaſons of it, why Chriſtians ſhould confer together, they are five.
Reaſ. 1 This is part of the Communion of Saints. 231, 232
2 All ſorts of perſons confer about their own matters. 233
3 To this end, variety of gifts are given by the Spirit of God. 235
4 This will augment our parts, and further our Accounts. 236
5 This ſervice of godly diſcourſe is very acceptable 1 To God, 236, 2 To Jeſus Chriſt. 237
The fifth Caſe is Conſolation, to comfort one another. 239 Touching which are delivered
1 Rules.
2 Reaſons.
1 Rules for comforting others, which are ſix,
1 Know their caſe, what it is, and the cauſe of their trouble. 239
2 Then pity them, and ſympathize with them. 240
3 Apply comforts ſuitable to their needs. 240
1 If their caſe be Neceſſity. ibid.
2 If it bee death of friends. 241
3 If Perſecution. 242. 4 If deſertion. 243
5 If any other Affliction. ibid.
4 Rule, Chuſe the beſt means to comfort others by, as
1 Kind and loving ſpeeches. 244
2 Strong reaſons or arguments. 245
3 Plain Scriptures fitly applyed. ibid.
4 Experience, both our own. 246. and others. 247
5 The evidence and exerciſe of our Graces. ibid.
6 Prayer to God. 248
5 R…le Conſider the perſons who are fit to bee comforted.
1 Gods people above all others. 249
2 Weak and faint ſouls, ibid.
3 Mourners for ſin 250. For want of Gods preſence. 251. For Miſery. ibid.
4 Seekers of Chriſt. 252
6 Rule, write letters of Conſolation. 252. Send Meſſengers. 253. And take journies to comfort others. 254
II Reaſ. Why we ſhould comfort others, drawn from four heads.
Reaſ. 1 The Neceſſity and Commodity of comfort, in reſpect of others in ſix, reſpects. 254
Reaſ. 2 The Miſery of them that want comfort. 258
Reaſ. 3 The Excellency of the duty in it ſelf.
It is
1 The work of God to comfort poor ſouls. Of God the Father. 259 Of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt. 260
2 The practice of the Godly. 262
Reaſ. 4 The equity of the duty in reſpect of us, in four particulars. 262
Queſt. How may wee comfort afflicted conſciences? 264
Anſ. Take theſe five directions.
1 Set before them theſe eight grounds of Conſolation.
1 The greatneſs and freeneſs of Gods pardoning and reconciling mercy. 265
2 The infiniteneſs of Chriſts merits. 265
3 Gods gracious and general tender of Chriſt and his benefits to any that will receive him. 266
4 Chriſts invitation of all to him, that feel any want of him, or have any deſire to him. 267
5 The Examples or Experiences of Gods mercy manifeſted to the greateſt of ſinners. 268
6 That ſome of Gods ſervants have drank deep of this cup of ſoul-troubles. 269
7 Gods promiſes of healing. 275. Quickning. 276. Illightning. 277. Of returns. 278. Of peace and joy. 280
8 Set before them, and apply to them, Two things.
1 Grace may bee hid for a time, and not diſcerned by them that have it. 281. And they that have, cannot loſe it wholly, for five Reaſons. 283
2 The deſire of Grace is Grace. 286. Proved by five Reaſons.
True deſires may bee deſcerned.
1 By the root from which they ſpring, which is threefold. 290
2 By the fruit or effect of them. 291
3 By the properties of them, which are 4. 292
1 Syncere for ground and end.
2 Vigorous ſtirring and ſtrong.
3 Seaſonable for time. 293
4 Conſtant and continual for duration. 294
2 Direction, Caution them againſt four evills, to take heed
1 That they do not diſhonour God. 295
2 That they do not deſtroy their own ſouls 296
1 By denying what God hath done for them
2 By refuſing what God would give to them. 297
3 That they do not gratifie Satan. 297
1 By entertaining parley with him. 298
2 By hearkning to his Temptations, which are five. ibid.
4 That they do not ſatisfie their diſquieted hearts in four things. 299
3 Direction. In dealing with afflicted ſouls, cheriſh three Graces in them, to wit, 1 Repentance. 300. 2 Faith. 3 Patience. 301
4 Direction. Take a right courſe for healing their diſtempers.
1 By ſearching the ſore to the bottom. 302
2 By turning the ſtream of their paſſions into another Channel.
5 Direction. Bear with their Infirmities, as ignorance, frowardneſs. 303
The ſixth and laſt Particular caſe is ſelf-commendation.
This hath been the practice of Gods ſervants. 303
This is lawfull in eleven caſes. 304
1 Of Afflictions from God.
2 Of injuries from men. 305
3 To ſhew forth the infinite riches of Gods free Grace. 307
4 To give others occaſion and provocation. 308
1 To pray for us. 2 To praiſe God for us. 3 To glory on our behalf.
5 When others require an account of our faith, holineſs, &c. 309
6 When wee would propound our ſelves to others, as examples for their imitation. 309
7 When enemies accuſe us, and friends will not vindicate us. 310
8 To ſhew and approve our integrity; to uphold the credit of our callings; further the ſucceſſe of our labours, promote the efficacy of our counſel. 310 and to manifeſt our love to others. 311
9 When the cauſe of Chriſt, or his Church, and Name of God is like to ſuffer if wee be ſilent. 312
10 When we leave the people, or place where wee lived, or the office wee did bear. p. 312
11 Caſe. To convince others of their ſins againſt
1 God.
2 Our ſelves. 314
What Self-commendation is ſinfull. 314, 315
What Self-commendation is lawfull, in four reſpects.
1 For the Matter, when the things for which we commend our ſelves are
1 Good in themſelves. 317
2 Really ours. 318
2 For the meaſure, to ſpeak rather under than over. 319
3 For the manner, in a threefold reſpect.
1 Of our ſelves, when we commend our ſelves,
1 Forcedly, not forwardly. 319
2 Humbly out of a ſenſe of our own Infirmities. 320
3 Modeſtly without boaſting. 322
2 Of God, thankfully out of a ſenſe of Gods goodneſs to us, 323
3 Of others, charitably and tenderly. 324
4 For the End. Self-commendation is lawfull when our aim therein is, in reſpect
1 of our ſelves, to do our ſelves right, not to get praiſe. 324
2 Of God, to give him glory. 325
3 Of others, to promote their good, by our example and experience. 326
Of Perfection in this life.
How Job did justifie himſelf as if he was perfect. 327
In what ſenſe we are ſaid to be perfect in Scripture. 332. ſcil.
1 In reſpect of our being in Chriſt. 333
2 Of our juſtification before God. ibid.
3 In reference to our Sanctification, in ſix reſpects. 336
1 Of parts. 1 When the whole man is ſanctified in every part, though not wholly.
2 When he hath the ſeeds of all Grace in him. What the Perfection of degrees is, 337
2 Of progreſs. When wee have attained to ſome good meaſure of grace here. ibid.
3 Of uprightneſs, that is called Perfection. 339
4 Of furniture with gifts and graces for our work. 341
5 Of deſires and indeavours after perfection. 342
6 In reſpect of eſtabliſhment and perſeverance in well doing. p. 345. Perſeverance is perfection. Object. God commands us to bee perfect here. Anſwers thereto, in p. 345, &c.
No man can be without ſin, or fully perfect in this life, proved by ſix Arguments.
1 Argu. This is contrary to the holy Scriptures. 350. To the experience of all Saints. ibid. To the ſtate or conſtitution of all the Saints in this life. 352
Object. 1 Why are Gods people ſaid to bee perfect, if they bee not ſo?
Anſ. In three particulars. p. 353
Object. 2 Why God ſuffers ſin to remain in his people here?
Anſ. In three particulars. p. 354
2 Argu. Abſolute Perfection was proper to Chriſt, and is peculiar to Heaven. p. 355
3 Argu. Thoſe that plead their perfection, diſcover much ſin in their ſpirits, ſpeeches and carriage. p. 356
4 Argu. The opinion of Perfection in this life, ſhakes the fundamentals of religion. p. 357
5 Argu. In every place of Scripture where Perfection is ſpoken of the Saints here, ſomething goeth before, or followeth after, which expreſſeth or implyeth their Imperfection. p. 358
6 Argu. The Saints who are ſtiled perfect in the Scriptures are noted for their infirmities. p. 360
Humane Teſtimonies againſt Perfection in this life. 362
FINIS.
Reader, Take notice
1 That there are ſundry literall faults, which thou mayeſt eaſily amend, and paſs by; as ſpeakin for ſpeaking, babbling for babling, irreſiſtably for irreſiſtibly — and for or, and or for and; a change of Numbers, as word for words, forces for force; and of perſons, ſometimes, as, —he for the.— And ſuch like.
Theſe, as I have obſerved are the greateſt.
Page. 31. line 34. read reins, p. 38. l. 32. r. bleate, p. 62. l. 8. r. not, p. 63. l. 7. r. I will bee with thy mouth, p. 64. l. 1. r. that wee know not what to ſay, p. 70. l. 1. r. his Altar, p. 164. l. 13. r. piety, p. 166. l. 16. r. opportunities, p. 178. l. 29. r. as ſoon as it is ſown, p. 201. l. 30. r. 2 Chron. 25.16. p. 214. l. 2. r. ſome, p. 223. l. 13. r. commends, p. 227. l. 14. r. dexterity, l. 18. r. jocing, l. 22. r. ſeek. p. 231. l. 13. blot out 1. p. 258. l. 8. blot out 1. p. 260. l. 23. r. foreign, p. 344. l. 16. r. waxing.
2 That there are ſome Marginall faults, as Page 8. for Pſal. 30. read 39. 3. p. 51. for 2 Sam. r. 1. Sam. 25. p. 67. r. Pſal. 141. 3. p. 94. for Pſal. 102. r. 120. 3, 4. p. 97. for Pſal. 136. r. 139. 4. p. 103. r. Deut. 33. 29. p. 105. r. Jonah 1. 3. p. 145. r. Gal. 1. 6. p. 173. l. 11. add Prov. 15. 12. p. 175. for Gen. 21. 22. r. Gen. 9. 21, 22. p. 231. for Rom. 11. 11. r. Rom. 1. 11. p. 245. for Zachary 11. 13. r. Zach. 1. 13. p. 311. for 2 Tim. 1. 8. r. 2 Tim. 1. 3. p. 340. for Job 1. 1. 5. Job 1. ….
End of the text · Edward Reyner, Rules for the Government of the Tongue (1656)