Brethren, I beseech you suffer friendly plainness and freedom with you in your deepest concernments. I am not playing the Orator, to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing my dish with eloquence, wherewith to please you. These lines are upon a ⟨p. 4⟩weighty errand indeed, viz. to convince, and convert, and to save you. I am not baiting my hook with Rhetoric, nor fishing for your applause, but for your souls. My work is not to please you, but to save you; nor is my business with your fancies, but your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing. If I were to please your ears, I could sing another song. If I were to preach my self, I would steer another course; I could then tell you a smoother tale: I would make you pillows, and speak you peace; for how can Ahab love this Micaiah that always prophesies evil concerning him? 1 Kings 22. 8. But how much better are the wounds of a Friend, than the fair speeches of the Harlot, who flattereth with her lips, till the Dart strike through the liver, and hunteth for the precious life? Prov. 7. 21, 22, 23. and Prov. 6. 26. If I were to quiet a crying infant, I might sing him to a pleasant mood, and rock him asleep. But when the Child is fallen into the Fire, the parent takes another course; he will not go to still him with a song or trifle. I know if we speed not with you, you are lost. If we cannot get your consent to arise, and come away, you perish for ever. No Conversion, and no Salvation: I must get your good will, or leave you miserable.
Brethren, I beseech you suffer friendly plainness and freedom with you in your deepest concernments. I am not playing the Orator, to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing my dish with eloquence, wherewith to please you. These lines are upon a ⟨p. 4⟩weighty errand indeed, viz. to convince, and convert, and to save you. I am not baiting my hook with Rhetorick, nor fishing for your applause, but for your souls. My work is not to please you, but to save you; nor is my business with your fancies, but your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing. If I were to please your ears, I could sing another song. If I were to preach my self, I would steer another course; I could then tell you a smoother tale: I would make you pillows, and speak you peace; for how can Ahab love this Micaiah that always prophesies evil concerning him? 1 Kings 22. 8. But how much better are the wounds of a Friend, than the fair speeches of the Harlot, who flattereth with her lips, till the Dart strike through the liver, and hunteth for the precious life? Prov. 7. 21, 22, 23. and Prov. 6. 26. If I were to quiet a crying infant, I might sing him to a pleasant mood, and rock him asleep. But when the Child is fallen into the Fire, the parent takes another course; he will not go to still him with a song or trifle. I know if we speed not with you, you are lost. If we cannot get your consent to arise, and come away, you perish for ever. No Conversion, and no Salvation: I must get your good will, or leave you miserable.
