Some speak clear truths, who yet do not speak them clearly. They speak great truths, yet obscure them in their own way of expressions; they who wrap up sound doctrine in hard uncouth words, or deliver it in an unnecessary multitude of words, do rather puzzle and confound their Auditors, then inform or instruct them. And they who speak not knowledge clearly, are like those who mud the waters, or raise a dust in the air, which will not let others see distinctly what they hold or put in either. Speaking in dark words and strange notions, is like speaking in a strange language. They only speak profitably, who speak clearly. We commonly say, Truth seeks no corners, truth would not be hid. What are obscure and ambiguous words, words of a doubtful construction and interpretation, but corners, wherein many hide truth, while they pretend to speak and publish it. Such speakers as well as they who speak in an unknown language, are Barbarians to their hearers. And therefore as the Apostle in reference to an unknown tongue, so should we say in reference to any covert or obscure way of speaking in our own mother tongue, We had rather speak five words that others may be edified, then ten thousand words in hard and strange expressions. Though we speak in a known language, yet doubtful words hinder edifying as much as an unknown language doth; yea such are as a foreigner to their hearers, while they speak in their own Country tongue: 'Tis a special gift of God, to speak knowledge clearly. The Apostle hath left that excellent advice with all who are called to speak the great things of eternal life, (1 Pet. 4.11.) If any man speak (that is, if he speak about the things of God, divine things) let him speak as the Oracles of God. What are they? The oracles of God are the known word of God. But how are those oracles to be known? Surely as God spake them, plainly and clearly; The oracles of God were spoken without ambiguity, ⟨p. 160⟩therefore let no man speak them as the oracles of the devil were spoken, or as the devil spake his oracles, that is, ambiguously and doubtfully; The devil of old gave out all his answers and oracles doubtfully and darkly to his dark and blinded votaries; what he said might bear several Constructions.
Some speake cleare truths, who yet doe not speak them clearly. They speak great truths, yet obscure them in their own way of expressions; they who wrap up sound doctrine in hard uncouth words, or deliver it in an unnecessary multitude of words, doe rather puzzle and confound their Auditors, then enforme or instruct them. And they who speak not knowledge clearly, are like those who mud the waters, or raise a dust in the ayre, which will not let others see distinctly what they hold or put in either. Speaking in darke words and strange notions, is like speaking in a strange language. They only speak profitably, who speak clearly. We commonly say, Truth seekes no corners, truth would not be hid. What are obscure and ambiguous words, words of a doubtfull construction and interpretation, but corners, wherein many hide truth, while they pretend to speak and publish it. Such speakers as wel as they who speak in an unknowne language, are Barbarians to their hearers. And therefore as the Apostle in reference to an unknowne tongue, so should we say in reference to any covert or obscure way of speaking in our owne mother tongue, We had rather speak five words that others may be edified, then ten thousand words in hard and strange expressions. Though we speak in a knowne language, yet doubtfull words hinder edifying as much as an unknowne language doth; yea such are as a forreiner to their hearers, while they speak in their owne Country tongue: 'Tis a speciall gift of God, to speak knowledge clearly. The Apostle hath left that excellent advice with all who are called to speak the great things of eternall life, (1 Pet. 4.11.) If any man speak (that is, if he speak about the things of God, divine things) let him speak as the Oracles of God. What are they? The oracles of God are the knowne word of God. But how are those oracles to be knowne? Surely as God spake them, plainly and clearly; The oracles of God were spoken without ambiguity, ⟨p. 160⟩therefore let no man speake them as the oracles of the devil were spoken, or as the devill spake his oracles, that is, ambiguously and doubtfully; The devill of old gave out all his answers and oracles doubtfully and darkly to his darke and blinded votaries; what he sayd might beare severall Constructions.
