A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

if they appear not, whether in the Pulpit or Press, clothed with this strange and g •udic attire, with this Comedian's Coat dressed up with the Feathers of Arrogant humane Eloque •ce, and be-aa •b •d with this Rhetoric and affectedly-belaboured Elegance of speech (which our truly, manly, and magnanimous Christian▪ Author did undervalue: And no great wonder, since even the Heathen moral Philosopher Seneca did look at it as scarce worthy of a man; for writing to his Lucillius, he willeth him in stead of being busied about words, to cause himself have a feeling of the substance▪ thereof in his heart; and to think those whom he seeth to have an affected and laboured kind of speech to have their spirits occupied about vain things; comparing such to diverse young me • w •ll trimmed and frizzled, who seem as they were newly come ••••t of a box; from which kind of men nothing firm nor generous is to be expected. And further affirmeth that a virtue ••• man speaketh more remissly, •ut more securely, and whatever he sa •t • hath more con •idence in it th •n curiosity; that speech being the Image of the mind, if a man disguise and polish it too curiously, it is a token that the speaker is an Hypocrite and little worth: And that it is no manly Ornament to speak affectedly) nay, this hath of late with other extravagances risen to such a prodigious height amongst the wisdom of words, or word-wisdom Monopolizing men of this age, that if the great Apostle Paul who spoke wisdom (though not of this sort, nor of this world) amongst them that were perfect, and did upon design, not from any defect, decline all wisdom of words, all in •icing words of mens wisdom and excellency of speech, that the cross of Christ might not be made of none effect, and that the faith of his hearers might not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, and who loved to spea in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of power, wherein the Kingdom of God consisteth and not in words: if that great Apostle were now Preaching, he would probably be looked at by such wordy and wise heads as but a we k man, and of rude and contemp ible speech, (as he was by the big-talking Doctors of the Church of Corinth ) if not a mere Babbler, as he was by the Philosophers and