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1 My brethren, don't affect many of you to be doctors, considering, that those of us who are such, shall be tried with the greater severity. 2 for we are all liable to frequent mistakes, he that does not give too great a loose to his tongue, is an accomplish'd person and fit to moderate the whole church. 3 you see how manageable horses are made by the application of a bit, which makes them take what motion we please. 4 a ship too of the greatest burthen, tho' the wind bears hard, by means of an inconsiderable helm, veers about as the hand of the pilot directs her. 5 so the tongue is but a small part of the body, yet how grand are its pretensions, a spark of fire! what quantities of timber will it blow into a flame? 6 the tongue is a brand that sets the world in a combustion: it is but one of the numerous organs of the body, yet it can blast whole assemblies: tipp'd with infernal sulphur it sets the whole train of life in a blaze. James 3:1-6, Mace New Testament. Public domain.
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