Nor yet can I rebuke them as extravagant, though at the highest, since they take part with my severest judgment, and were indeed inflamed by it. And I profess I never found my self so dearly inclined to those of my nearest blood, or so affectionately concerned for my most beloved friends and acquaintance, as for you, whom I had never the happiness to converse with but in your excellent writings, nor ever ⟨p. 180⟩often saw, but in the Pulpit. Yea, I speak unfeignedly, I have always interested my self more in your vindication when your unreasonable prejudiced enemies have maligned you, and delighted my self more in your just praises from those that know you, than ever my self-love or ambition could prompt me to do in any case of mine own. Sir, I hope you believe that I speak my most real sentiments, and do not go about to complement you. For I must be very weak and inconsiderate, did I think to recommend my self to so much serious wisdom, by such childish fooleries. Therefore if my expressions savour any thing above common respect, I beseech you to believe, 'tis for that their cause is not common; but as much above ordinary, as their object. I know your humility and remarkable self▪ denial will not bear to read, what I cannot but speak, as often as I have occasion to mention your great worth and merits. However I cannot choose but here acknowledge, how much I am a debtor to your incomparable writings. In which, when you deal in practical subjects, I admire your affectionate, piercing, heart-affecting quickness: And that experimental, searching, solid, convictive way of speaking, which are your peculiars; for there is a smartness accompanying your pen that forces what you write into the heart, by a sweet kind of irresistible violence; which is so proper to your serious way, that I never met it equalled in any other writings. And therefore I cannot read them without an elevation, and emotions which I seldom feel in other perusals. And when you are engaged in doctrinal and controversial matters, I no less apprehend in them your peculiar excellencies. I find a strength, depth, concinnity, and coherence in your notions, which are not commonly elsewhere met withal. And you have no less power by your triumphant reason upon the judgments of capable, free inquirers; than you have upon their affections and consciences in your devotional and practical discourses.
Nor yet can I rebuke them as extravagant, though at the highest, since they take part with my severest judgment, and were indeed inflamed by it. And I profess I never found my self so dearly inclin'd to those of my nearest blood, or so affectionately concern'd for my most beloved friends and acquaintance, as for you, whom I had never the happiness to converse with but in your excellent writings, nor ever ⟨p. 180⟩often saw, but in the Pulpit. Yea, I speak unfeignedly, I have always interessed my self more in your vindication when your unreasonable prejudic'd enemies have malign'd you, and delighted my self more in your just praises from those that know you, than ever my self-love or ambition could prompt me to do in any case of mine own. Sir, I hope you believe that I speak my most real sentiments, and do not go about to complement you. For I must be very weak and inconsiderate, did I think to recommend my self to so much serious wisdom, by such childish fooleries. Therefore if my expressions savour any thing above common respect, I beseech you to believe, 'tis for that their cause is not common; but as much above ordinary, as their object. I know your humility and remarkable self▪ denyal will not bear to read, what I cannot but speak, as often as I have occasion to mention your great worth and merits. However I cannot chuse but here acknowledge, how much I am a debtor to your incomparable writings. In which, when you deal in practical subjects, I admire your affectionate, piercing, heart-affecting quickness: And that experimental, searching, solid, convictive way of speaking, which are your peculiars; for there is a smartness accompanying your pen that forces what you write into the heart, by a sweet kind of irresistable violence; which is so proper to your serious way, that I never met it equal'd in any other writings. And therefore I cannot read them without an elevation, and emotions which I seldom feel in other perusals. And when you are ingag'd in doctrinal and controversal matters, I no less apprehend in them your peculiar excellencies. I find a strength, depth, concinnity, and coherence in your notions, which are not commonly elsewhere met withall. And you have no less power by your triumphant reason upon the judgments of capable, free inquirers; than you have upon their affections and consciences in your devotional and practical discourses.
