Chap. 29. An Expofition upon the Jiaok, of fo B. Verf. 21. We put in the Margin, (Myfoul ú filent upon God. They that keep filence, waite, and they that waite fhould keep filence, and that foul that waits in faith upon God for the receiving of any good, or for the removing ofany evil!, will keep filence, and not either murmur at or difpute the matter. },They kept filence at my counfel. Whena man ofauthority, ofexcellent parts, fpeech, andwit- nceb,t fnte'ntro n dome, comes into a meeting or publick place, all are filent, and ora tenebra,, hold their peace expeí`fing what he will fay or doe. yob was a varg. man of fuch eflimation for the gravity ofhis perfon, for the righ- teoufneffe of his Government, as alto for his abaity of fpeech, that as Toone as he appeared openly, and once began to fpeake, all kept filence. There is a twofold filence; firft, of neceffitie; Secondly, of choyce. Some are filent, or faynothing, becaufe they have no thing to fay, they haveno matter indiem : many (I know) who arebut empty vefels found molt, and many who are but (hallow rivers, run with greateft noyfe ; yet others who are confcious of their own inability to fpeake, have the modefty not to fpeake, andTome who have not only a miede to (peak, but fomewhat in their mindes to fpeake, yet cannot (peak their minde. To keep filenceupon this account is filence ofneceffity ; And though a man who holds his peace, becaufe hecannot fpeake, is defe Live in a great part ofwifdom, yet to hold our peace becaufe we know we are ill fpeakers, or cannot (peak much to purpofe, is a good .poynt of wifdorme; For as Solomon tells us (Tro. 17. ag. )Even a foole when he holdeth hidpeace is counted wife, and he that fhattetb his lips, id rfteemedaman ofssnderfianding. A Heathen,feeingone Sinolioes, (i- fit mute or filent at a feaft, not offering a wordwhile much mat- lentiun perpe- ter of difcourfe was offered, fayd tohim, Sir, ifyou are afoole On fin onvf you have done wifely ; but ifyouare a wife manyouu have done like d xit , Si et a foole. That's no commendable but a fullen or affe&ed filence, ¡fut,«t fapienae when havingboth ability and opportunity to fpeake we fit filent. ntagis, finW- 'Tis better to be filent for want ofpower, then for want ofwill to eras in(liemtr fpeake. The former is our aßü&ion, but the latter ( when duty calls) is our fin. To have a will to (peak what we ought not, or not to fpeake when and where and what we ought, is anargu- ment ofan evil! heart, or at leaft, that the heart is in a very evil! Tfffz. frame, 5 7 Ppo
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