Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

So there is a suspicion in the Ministers when they mix their words with Gods, God is not pleased with it.

So there is a suspition in the Ministers when they mix their words with Gods, God is not pleased with it.

Secondly, Because the native colour of the word is best, when it is without any other tincture, if the face be fair enough what needs it painting? other things since the fall being out of order there are arts to reduce them; but the word is pure as being immediate from the spirit, it is enough to adorn the word with it own ornaments, it needs no beauty but it own, it is best when it is steeped in it own liquor; because whatsoever is added unto it, doth not adorn it as conceits do an oration, but detracts from it something: as for men of a masculine virtue to be calamistrati est compti, for them to be effeminate, it doth not add but detract from their gravity, so the word being of a Masculine Oratory, when such light things are added, it detracts from the beauty of it.

Thirdly, Because words are pictures and characters of ¹things. Preaching is the Character of the word, and the word is the character of Gods mind. The word is the [Greek or Hebrew], the first pattern, preaching the [Greek or Hebrew] made according to that pattern, it must resemble that, and the more the better, the excellency of the picture is, that it come as near the thing pictured as may be; as our measures must be no bigger then the standard: so must our preaching be equal to the standard, viz. the word of God.

Thirdly, Because words are pictures and characters of ¹