And on the other side, if he should not show his Learning, it would not only be a disparagement unto himself, but also unto the College which had so lately chosen him out of another to be Fellow (for he was chosen Fellow in Emanuel College out of Trinity, where according to his year it fell out so as he could not be capable of a Fellowship) What? is this that Cotton that was so famous, and had such a name, for a great Scholar? what a poor choice hath Emanuel College made? Thus he was tossed too and again, pro and con in his thoughts (as I think he said) about a fortnight, the Lord seeming to try his sincerity at the first; but at length he came to a resolution to deny himself, what ever the world might judge or say of him: His Text (if I mistake not) being in 2 Cor. 2. 16. And who is sufficient for these things? Two or three Doctrines (as it seems) he raised from the words. The Scholars came generally with great expectation to hear a more then ordinary learned Sermon from him that was so famous throughout the University: and thereupon the Masters ⟨image 3⟩of Art at the beginning stood up, erectis auribus, amongst whom Mr. Preston was one; but soon perceiving which way he went, which was so extremely contrary to their expectation, they sate them down in great discontent, pulling their hats over their eyes, thereby to express their dislike of the Sermon: but before 'twas ended, something dropped from the tongue of the Preacher, which the Lord made unto Mr. Preston to be as choice silver indeed; whereby he was so affected, that he was made to stand up again, and change his posture, and attend to what was spoken, in another manner then he and the rest had done. These things Mr. Preston afterward, getting to be acquainted with Mr. Cotton (by coming to him under pretence of borrowing a Book of him, which he might have easily had elsewhere, & returning it again) related particularly unto him.
And on the other side, if he should not shew his Learning, it would not onely be a disparagement unto himselfe, but also unto the Colledg which had so lately chosen him out of another to be Fellow (for he was chosen Fellow in Emanuel Colledg out of Trinity, where according to his yeare it fell out so as he could not be capable of a Fellowship) What? is this that Cotton that was so famous, and had such a name, for a great Schollar? what a poore choise hath Emanuel Colledg made? Thus he was tossed too and againe, pro and con in his thoughts (as I thinke he sayd) about a fortnight, the Lord seeming to try his sincerity at the first; but at length he came to a resolution to deny himselfe, what ever the world might judge or say of him: His Text (if I mistake not) being in 2 Cor. 2. 16. And who is sufficient for these things? Two or three Doctrines (as it seems) he raised from the words. The Schollars came generally with great expectation to heare a more then ordinary learned Sermon from him that was so famous throughout the University: and thereupon the Masters ⟨image 3⟩of Art at the beginning stood up, erectis auribus, amongst whom Mr. Preston was one; but soone perceiving which way he went, which was so extreamely contrary to their expectation, they sate them downe in great discontent, pulling their hats over their eyes, thereby to expresse their dislike of the Sermon: but before 'twas ended, something dropt from the tongue of the Preacher, which the Lord made unto Mr. Preston to be as choise silver indeed; whereby hee was so affected, that he was made to stand up againe, and change his posture, and attend to what was spoken, in another manner then he and the rest had done. These things Mr. Preston afterward, getting to be acquainted with Mr. Cotton (by coming to him under pretence of borrowing a Booke of him, which he might have easily had elsewhere, & returning it againe) related particularly unto him.
