AS I Preach not to please Mens Ears, so but little regard ought to be had to the Scoffing Reflections of such Men, who contemn every thing of this kind, unless it consists of a Fancy-taking Modulation of empty Rhetoric, or a high Florid Stile, mixed with Wit, Learning, and Philosophical Notions. Sad it is to see that in Divine Matters, nay, in Preaching, Persons should affect New Modes and Fashions, (as to the shame of the present Generation, they do in respect of Garbs and Dresses:) I am not for Airy and Florid Orations in the Ministration of the Word of God, but for that plain Way of Preaching used by the Holy Apostles, and our Worthy Modern Divines. Besides, could I so Preach or Write, as is the Flesh-pleasing, Ear-tickling A-la-mode of the Times, of such who study Words more than Matter, it would be utterly disliked by all such Pious Christians, for whose sake, and at whose Importunity these Sermons are published. The Holy Apostle (who tho profoundly Learned) disclaims any Rhetorical Flourishes, or persuasive Oratory, but professes that his Speech and Preaching, was not with the Enticing Words of Man's Wisdom, but in the demonstration ⟨p. iv⟩of the Spirit, and with Power, 1 Cor. 2.4—I may say of some Mens Orations, or Elocutions, as Plutarch speaks of the Nightingale, who was at first taken with his delicate Notes, but when he saw him said, Thou art a Voice and nothing else. But alas, since the Sacred Scripture it self can't escape some Mens Censure, as if the Stile was rude and unpolished, (they being destitute of that Spirit which gave them forth;) What can I expect to meet with from such?
Reader, The great Joy that generally appeared amongst all People upon the Conclusion of the late Peace, put me upon Preaching on this Subject; and when I found so great a Number of Books Subscribed for, I thought I had a Call to Print and Publish them, which was the least of my Thoughts when I first entered upon this Work: And indeed I greatly fear, many will see their Expectation frustrated, (I mean such who did not hear the Sermons Preached, but only had some small account of them;) yet they knowing the Author, I may see cause to recall what I speak of my Fears.
AS I Preach not to please Mens Ears, so but little regard ought to be had to the Scoffing Reflections of such Men, who contemn every thing of this kind, unless it consists of a Fancy-taking Modelation of empty Rhetorick, or a high Florid Stile, mixt with Wit, Learning, and Philosophical Notions. Sad it is to see that in Divine Matters, nay, in Preaching, Persons should affect New Modes and Fashions, (as to the shame of the present Generation, they do in respect of Garbs and Dresses:) I am not for Airy and Florid Orations in the Ministration of the Word of God, but for that plain Way of Preaching used by the Holy Apostles, and our Worthy Modern Divines. Besides, could I so Preach or Write, as is the Flesh-pleasing, Eartickling A-la-mode of the Times, of such who study Words more than Matter, it would be utterly dislik'd by all such Pions Christians, for whose sake, and at whose Importunity these Sermons are published. The Holy Apostle (who tho profoundly Learned) disclaims any Rhetorical Flourishes, or perswasive Oratory, but professes that his Speech and Preaching, was not with the Inticing Words of Man's Wisdom, but in the demonstration ⟨p. iv⟩of the Spirit, and with Power, 1 Cor. 2.4—I may say of some Mens Orations, or Elocutions, as Plutarch speaks of the Nightingale, who was at first taken with his delicate Notes, but when he saw him said, Thou art a Voice and nothing else. But alas, since the Sacred Scripture it self can't escape some Mens Censure, as if the Stile was rude and unpolished, (they being destitute of that Spirit which gave them forth;) What can I expect to meet with from such?
Reader, The great Joy that generally appeared amongst all People upon the Conclusion of the late Peace, put me upon Preaching on this Subject; and when I found so great a Number of Books Subscribed for, I thought I had a Call to Print and Publish them, which was the least of my Thoughts when I first entered upon this Work: And indeed I greatly fear, many will see their Expectation frustrated, (I mean such who did not hear the Sermons Preached, but only had some small account of them;) yet they knowing the Author, I may see cause to recal what I speak of my Fears.
