Regi Addictissimus
Completely sold out to the King
Christian Reader, lamentable and fearful is the abuse of the tongue among all
sorts and degrees of men everywhere. Hence, daily arise manifold sins against
God and innumerable scandals and grievances to our brethren. It would make
a man’s heart to bleed to hear and consider how swearing, blaspheming, cursed
speaking, railing, backbiting, slandering, chiding, quarrelling, contending,
jesting, mocking, flattering, lying, dissembling, [and] vain and idle talking
overflow in all places, so as men who fear God had better be anywhere than
in the company of most men. Well then, are you a man who has made little
conscience of your speech and talk? Repent seriously of this sin and amend
your life, lest for the abusing of your tongue you cry with Dives in hell: “Send
Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue”
[Luke 16:24]. And if you are one who has had care to order yourself in speech
and silence according to God’s Word, oh, do it more! For what a shame is it
that men with the same tongue wherewith they confess the faith and religion of
Christ should by vain and ungodly speech utterly deny the power thereof? And
for your better help therein, I have penned the following few lines concerning
the government of the tongue. Use them for your benefit, and, finding profit
thereby, give glory to God.
December 12, 1592
William Perkins
William Perkins. A Direction for the Government of the Tongue, In The Works of William Perkins, Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020, Vol. 9.
