Five disputations of church-government and worship

We excuse no mans weakness: but to speak out the truth, too many of the adversaries of our Ministry accuse our weakness with greater weakness▪ when they are unable or undispos•d themselves to manage the work of God with any of that gravity, and seriousness as the unspeakable weight of the business doth require, they think to get the reputation of learned able men, by an empty childish, trifling kind of preaching; patching together some shreds of sentences, and offering us their Centons with as much ostentation, as if it were an uniform, judicious work. And then they fall a jeering at plain and serious Preachers, as if they were some ignorant bawling fellows, that were nothing but a voice, and had nothing to produce but fervent nonsense. Brethren, will you bear with us a little, while we modestly excuse our simplicity which you contemn. We will not say, that we can speak wisdom to the wise, nor make ostentation of our Oratory: but we must tell you that we Believe what we speak▪ and somewhat feel it; and therefore we endeavour so to speak wh•t we believe and feel, that others also may believe and f•el us. If a man speak smilingly, or not affectionately of very great affecting things, the hearers ⟨image 101⟩use to say, You are but in jest; and they believe him not, because he speaks as one that doth not believe himself. It is not wit but Levity and stupidity that we renounce. As Seneca saith, we refuse not an eloquent Physician: but it is not eloquence, but Healing that we need: the easing of our pains, and saving of our lives, and not the clawing of our ears. We dare not speak lightly or triflingly of Heaven or Hell. We more condemn our selves when we find within us but a dull apprehension of th•se exceeding great eternal things, then we do for want of neat expressions. A vain curiosity in attire, doth show that substantial worth is wanting. We most abhor the preaching of false doctrine: and next, that manner of preaching Truth that causeth an airy levity in the hearers; and when the manner seemeth to contradict the matter. One taste or sight of Heaven or Hell would put you into another pass your selves. Truly Brethren (though I am one my self, that have the least advantages to vie with you in that wherein you glory yet) there are many among them whom you thus despise, that have wits inclined to as much unruliness and luxuriancy as yours: