The crown & glory of Christianity, or, Holiness, the only way to happiness discovered…The crovvn & glory of Christianity, or, Holiness, the only way to happiness discovered…

Secondly, When a man aims at the glory of God in what he doth, then he labours to hide and conceal all his humane excellencies that may any ways tend to obscure, eclipse, or darken the glory of God, 1 Cor. 2.3, 4, 5. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Holy Paul handled holy things in such a manner, as much of God, and little (or nothing) of man could be perceived. In religious exercises, Paul seems to say to humane eloquence, and fleshly wisdom, to affected Rhetoric, and flattering Oratory, Stand a far off, come not near; I have now to do with God, and to do with souls, and to do with eternity, and therefore what have I to do with you? Paul had an eye to divine glory in what he did, and therefore he durst not tip his tongue, and store his head with airy notions, or with the enticing words of mans wisdom. Of all ⟨p. 161⟩the Apostles,¹ Paul was most eminent and excellent in all humane Arts, Parts, and Gifts, and yet in religious exercises he lays them all by, 1 Cor. 14.18, 19. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more then you all: Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. The Church of Corinth excelled all other Churches in gifts (I do not say in grace) and many among them prided themselves up in the exercise of their gifts and tongues in their Church Assemblies, that so they might win the more credit and repute to themselves of being men of great learning, reading and parts; but the holy Apostle by his own example labours to win them to decline all vain ostentation, and to work them to express themselves so as might be most for the information, conviction, edification and salvation of their hearers souls. Holy Paul had much learning, and yet in religious exercises he used little. The Corinthians had less, and yet made such shows and flourishes of it (even in their religious duties,) as if in their breasts all the Libraries in the world had been locked up. This puts me in mind of what once I have read concerning a Rabbi that had but little learning and less modesty and ingenuity;