A64998:135
The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved
The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved by Thomas Vincent.
London: printed for Thomas Parkhurst, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. It is lawful for Ministers to make use of Philosophy and humane Reason in preaching the Gospel; Logic is needful for the regulating of thoughts, the methodizing of discourse, the distinguishing ⟨p. 68⟩between things that differ, the defining and explaining of things that are obscure, the ordering, deciding and determining of controversies: Ethics, Physics, especially Metaphysics are very useful unto a Minister, for the refining of his understanding, and enabling him to speak the more clearly and edifyingly to others, and to defend the truth against such as do oppose it.
3. It is lawfull for Ministers to make use of Philosophy and humane Reason in preaching the Gospel; Logick is needfull for the regulating of thoughts, the methodizing of discourse, the distinguishing ⟨p. 68⟩between things that differ, the defining and explaining of things that are obscure, the ordering, deciding and determining of controversies: Ethicks, Physicks, especially Metaphysicks are very usefull unto a Minister, for the refining of his understanding, and enabling him to speak the more clearly and edifyingly to others, and to defend the truth against such as do oppose it.
But there is a Wisdom of Words which may not be used by Ministers in preaching.
1. Ministers must not in preaching show more wisdom in their Words than in their Matter; and study more for outward show than for inward substance; more that their Sermons be well worded, than that their doctrine be well proved; more that their Sentences may have a handsome close, than that their Arguments be conclusive: It ill becomes thin and weak sense to be clothed with fine and neat speech: Ministers must take heed that their matter be not drowned and lost in the stream and abundance of words. Such whose wisdom and art doth show it self in gathering a bundle and heap of the finest words together, neglecting substantial matter, their wisdom is but folly, and pains to little purpose. Words may fill the ear; Things soak and sink into the soul to edification.