Words can have no greater beauty, nor richer ornament, than Truth, and Truth is never more adorned, than by plainness of Speech, nor more beautiful, than when (like our first Parents in innocency) 'tis naked. To speak truly, is much more honourable, than to speak eloquently; one plain word of plain truth, is better than a long painted Oration, tinctured with the least error: What then are long Orations, and large Volumes, which have, upon the matter, as many errors as words, as many lies and flatteries, as Periods and Sentences! at best, some in putting off their words, do as others in putting off their wares, mingle good and bad together. 'Tis dangerous to make such medleys. As we must not put bad for good, darkness for light, bitter for sweet, falsehood for Truth, so we must not blend or put bad among the good, nor mix darkness with light, nor falsehood with Truth. And as 'tis dangerous to mix any falsehood of Doctrine with Truth, so to mix falsehood of Heart, with Truth of Doctrine, or to speak Truth, but not in truth. The Apostle is zealous in protesting against falsehood, and professing for the Truth, in both these respects; First, as to the truth of the Doctrine, or of the matter spoken, (2 Cor. 2.17.) We are not as many, which corrupt (or deal deceitfully with) the Word of God; we do not adulterate or mix it with our own imaginations or inventions; which he further confirms (Chap. 4.2.) We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, &c. Secondly, As he spake truth of Doctrine, so he spake it in the truth of his heart, as he assured the Corinthians, in both the places last mentioned; we are, not only no corrupters of the Word of God, but as of sincerity (there's truth of heart) as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ. And again, We walk not in craftiness, nor handle the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commend our selves to every mans Conscience, ⟨p. 155⟩in the sight of God. He makes a protest yet once more in the same tenor, and somewhat higher, (2 Cor. 13.8.) We can do nothing against the Truth; O blessed Impotency! but for the Truth; O blessed Ability! Who would not be weak against the Truth? who would not be strong for the Truth, which is strongest of all, and will prevail?
Words can have no greater beauty, nor richer ornament, than Truth, and Truth is never more adorn'd, than by plainness of Speech, nor more beautiful, than when (like our first Parents in innocency) 'tis naked. To speak truly, is much more honourable, than to speak eloquently; one plain word of plain truth, is better than a long painted Oration, tinctured with the least errour: What then are long Orations, and large Volumes, which have, upon the matter, as many errours as words, as many lyes and flatteries, as Periods and Sentences! at best, some in putting off their words, do as others in putting off their wares, mingle good and bad together. 'Tis dangerous to make such medlies. As we must not put bad for good, darkness for light, bitter for sweet, falshood for Truth, so we must not blend or put bad among the good, nor mix darkness with light, nor falshood with Truth. And as 'tis dangerous to mix any falshood of Doctrine with Truth, so to mix falshood of Heart, with Truth of Doctrine, or to speak Truth, but not in truth. The Apostle is zealous in protesting against falshood, and professing for the Truth, in both these respects; First, as to the truth of the Doctrine, or of the matter spoken, (2 Cor. 2.17.) We are not as many, which corrupt (or deal deceitfully with) the Word of God; we do not adulterate or mix it with our own imaginations or inventions; which he further confirms (Chap. 4.2.) We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, &c. Secondly, As he spake truth of Doctrine, so he spake it in the truth of his heart, as he assured the Corinthians, in both the places last mentioned; we are, not only no corrupters of the Word of God, but as of sincerity (there's truth of heart) as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ. And again, We walk not in craftiness, nor handle the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commend our selves to every mans Conscience, ⟨p. 155⟩in the sight of God. He makes a protest yet once more in the same tenour, and somewhat higher, (2 Cor. 13.8.) We can do nothing against the Truth; O blessed Impotency! but for the Truth; O blessed Ability! Who would not be weak against the Truth? who would not be strong for the Truth, which is strongest of all, and will prevail?
