of truth and steadfastness to my mouth, and remove from me a crafty tongue. What I am not willing to suffer, I ought by all means to beware of doing.
Oh, how good it is and tending to peace, to be silent about other men, and not to believe indifferently all that is said, nor too easily to tell it further. To lay oneself open to few; and ever to be seeking after You as the searcher of the heart; and not to be carried about with every wind of words. But to desire that all things both within and without be accomplished according to the pleasure of Your will!
How safe is it, for the keeping of heavenly grace, to avoid the estimation of men, and not to seek those things which seem to cause admiration abroad; but to pursue with all diligence the things which bring amendment of life and godly zeal! How many has virtue harmed, by being known and too hastily commended! How truly profitable has grace been when preserved in silence in this frail life, which we are told is all temptation and warfare! •
