The Government of the Tongue has ever been justly reputed one of the most important parts of human Regiment. The Philosopher and the Divine equally attest and Solomon (who was both) gives his suffrage also; the persuasions to, and encomiums of it, taking up a considerable part of his book of Proverbs. The Contents Section 1. Of the Use of Speech. Section 2. Of the Manifold Abuse of Speech. Section 3. Of Atheistical Discourse. Section 4. Of Detraction. Section 5. Of Lying Defamation. Section 6. Of Uncharitable Truth. Section 7. Of Scoffing and Derision. Section 8. Of Flattery. Section 9. Of Boasting. Section 10. Of Querulousness. Section 11. Of Positiveness. Section 12.Of Obscene Talk. The Close

The Government of the Tongue has ever been justly reputed one of the most important parts of human Regiment. The Philosopher and the Divine equally attest this: and Solomon (who was both) gives his suffrage also; the persuasions to, and encomiums of it, taking up a considerable part of his book of Proverbs. I shall not therefore need to say anything, to justify my choice of this subject, which has so much better Authorities to commend it. I rather with that it had not the super-addition of an accidental fitness grounded upon the universal neglect of it, it now seeming to be an art wholly out-dated. For though some lineaments of it may be met with in books, yet there is scarce any footsteps of it in practice, where alone it can be significant. The attempt therefore of reviving it I am sure is seasonable, I wish it were half as easy.