Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world

that a man should regard more to be commended for a fine, Witty, neat, smooth preacher, than he should have regard to the Cross of Christ to take effect, to have Christ to be honoured. We find by experience that such preaching scarce ever stirs the Soul, seldom or never works upon the heart. It was a speech that once even a Prelate that was not the best, but one ill enough, and known to many (I suppose here,) I heard it with my own Ears, he said, That he was convinced so far; that when he came to present one to such a town, he asked whether there were not some in the place that desired some others? Yes said they, there are some that desire a university man to come to them, but saith he, the preaching that is there will not humble a Soul, doth not tend to humiliation. I heard this even from one that I know was not a friend to powerful preaching, and yet his conscience was so far convinced from it; because the wisdom of words and learning is there showed: but that kind of way of preaching the Gospel, it makes the Cross of Christ to be of no effect. Your flaunting preachers, when do they convert a Soul? therefore (saith the Apostle) if we preach so as to do good, it must be such a preaching as is in the 18. vers. It must be foolishness to (wicked) men, but to these that are saved it is the power of God, and the Wisdom of God. wicked carnal men will say, here is no Scholarship, no learning in such a Sermon, Well, it is foolishness to them, but to them that are saved, it is the power of God to Salvation. but such a poor man saith, I know not what they say, But I find a power in it, my Eyes were never awakened till now, my heart was never wrought upon till now; to those that are saved it is the power of God. If you find a power in it, that which wicked men call foolishness; it is a good argument that you are one that shall be saved ⟨p. 297⟩when it quickens you. And again in the 19. vers. For it is written, I will destroy the Wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Al their bravery shall come to nothing, and then in the 23. vers. But we preach Christ Crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, And then again the 2. Chap. vers. 1. And I Brethren when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, or of (mans) wisdom. You will say, it was because Paul could not;

that a man should regard more to be commended for a fine, Witty, neat, smooth preacher, than he should have regard to the Cross of Christ to take effect, to have Christ to be honor'd. We find by experience that such preaching scarce ever stirs the Soul, seldome or never works upon the heart. It was a speech that once even a Prelate that was not the best, but one ill enough, and known to many (I suppose here,) I heard it with my own Ears, he said, That he was convinced so farr; that when he came to present one to such a town, he asked whether there were not some in the place that desired some others? Yes said they, there are some that desire a university man to come to them, but saith he, the preaching that is there wil not humble a Soul, doth not tend to humiliation. I heard this even from one that I know was not a freind to powerful preaching, and yet his conscience was so farr convinced from it; because the wisdom of words and learning is there shewed: but that kind of way of preaching the Gospel, it makes the Crosse of Christ to be of no effect. Your flaunting preachers, when do they convert a Soul? therefore (saith the Apostle) if we preach so as to do good, it must be such a preaching as is in the 18. vers. It must be foolishness to (wicked) men, but to these that are saved it is the power of God, and the Wisdom of God. wicked carnal men wil say, here is no Schollership, no learning in such a Sermon, Wel, it is foolishness to them, but to them that are saved, it is the power of God to Salvation. but such a poor man sayth, I know not what they say, But I find a power in it, my Eyes were never awakened til now, my heart was never wrought upon til now; to those that are saved it is the power of God. If you find a power in it, that which wicked men cal foolishness; it is a good argument that you are one that shal be saved