When he went into any House, he quickly enquired what entertainment Religion met with there, he scarce spake to any, but he presently insinuated something of Practical Godliness, for he always declined speaking of Christians different Practice as to Modes of Worship, when any such things were asked him, he would if possible put it off with something else, or tell them other Mens Judgments rather than his own; and through' gracious exercise he had a notable Dexterity in putting by 1unprofitable Questions, i. e. Questions whereby we can profit nothing, and taking occasion thence, to inculcate ⟨p. 34⟩something of real moment. He did not this only in a customary way of Discourse, as that which he was most habituated to, but out of the abundance of his heart his mouth spake. His general Conversation towards all was Pious, and Pleasant, he used innocent mirth as an inviting Vehicle to convey his pious Instructions. He was plentifully stored with very useful Narratives of Men, both good and bad; he gathered up excellent Remarks upon the Temper and Carriage of Mankind, which he made use of, not only to divert, but to instruct; for he would sometimes pleasantly droll upon the Miscarriages of some which he thought would not digest a direct, and plain Reproof; he that told me this, lived in the House with him, and saith, He diligently observed, and doth not remember, That ever he heard ⟨p. 35⟩him rehearse so much as one Story without a manifest Design either to exhort or warn, or gently to rebuke those to whom it was directed: And this was not only an instance of his candid Temper, but of his great Discretion, for the Memory is more apt to retain affecting Stories, than mere Precepts, and the Conscience will make a direct Application of an indirect Reproof: And if the Story be intended to excite Duty, it doth not only imply a Precept, but shows the Precedent, which is a great Motive to Industry.
When he went into any House, he quickly enquired what entertainment Religion met with there, he scarce spake to any, but he presently insinuated something of Practical Godliness, for he always declined speaking of Christians different Practice as to Modes of Worship, when any such things were ask'd him, he would if possible put it off with something else, or tell them other Mens Judgments rather than his own; and thro' gracious exercise he had a notable Dexterity in putting by 1unprofitable Questions, i. e. Questions whereby we can profit nothing, and taking occasion thence, to inculcate ⟨p. 34⟩something of real moment. He did not this only in a customary way of Discourse, as that which he was most habituated to, but out of the abundance of his heart his mouth spake. His general Conversation towards all was Pious, and Pleasant, he used innocent mirth as an inviting Vehicle to convey his pious Instructions. He was plentifully stored with very useful Narratives of Men, both good and bad; he gathered up excellent Remarks upon the Temper and Carriage of Mankind, which he made use of, not only to divert, but to instruct; for he would sometimes pleasantly droll upon the Miscarriages of some which he thought would not digest a direct, and plain Reproof; he that told me this, lived in the House with him, and saith, He diligently observ'd, and doth not remember, That ever he heard ⟨p. 35⟩him rehearse so much as one Story without a manifest Design either to exhort or warn, or gently to rebuke those to whom it was directed: And this was not only an instance of his candid Temper, but of his great Discretion, for the Memory is more apt to retain affecting Stories, than meer Precepts, and the Conscience will make a direct Application of an indirect Reproof: And if the Story be intended to excite Duty, it doth not only imply a Precept, but shews the Precedent, which is a great Motive to Industry.
- 1Tit. 3.9.
