Abel being dead yet speaketh

The disappointed expectation of the Auditory soon appeared in their countenances; and the discouragement of their non-acceptance returned him unto his chamber not without some sadder thoughts of heart. Where he had not been long alone, but lo, Doctor Preston (then Master Preston) knocks at his door, and coming in, acquaints him with his spiritual condition, and how it had pleased God to speak effectually unto his heart by that Sermon: After which, Doctor Preston ever highly prized him, and both fully and strongly closed with him. Which real seal of God unto his Ministry comforted his soul, far above what the present less acceptance of the Auditory had dejected him, or their former acceptance encouraged him. This brings to mind that celebrated story of the Conversion of the Heathen Philosopher at Nice, which God wrought by the means of an ancient and pious Confessor, plainly declaring unto him the doctrine of Faith, after that many Christian Philosophers had by Philosophical disputations laboured in vain. Christ evidently held forth, is Divine Eloquence, the Eloquence of Eloquence. God will not have it said of Christ, as Alexander said of Achilles, That he was beholden to the pen of him that published his Acts. 'Tis Christ that is preached, not the tongue of the Preacher, to whom is due all praise. Such instances conclude, that Paul is more learned then Plato. We must distinguish between ineptness of speech, Carnal Rhetoric, and Eloquent Gospel simplicity; between Ignorance, Ostentation, and Learning. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and words of truth.

The disappointed expectation of the Auditory soon appeared in their countenances; and the discouragement of their non-acceptance returned him unto his chamber not without some sadder thoughts of heart. Where he had not been long alone, but lo, Doctor Preston (then Master Preston) knocks at his door, and coming in, acquaints him with his spiritual condition, and how it had pleased God to speak effectually unto his heart by that Sermon: After which, Doctor Preston ever highly prized him, and both fully and strongly closed with him. Which real seal of God unto his Ministry comforted his soul, far above what the present lessacceptance of the Auditory had dejected him, or their former acceptance encouraged him. This brings to mind that celebrated story of the Conversion of the Heathen Philosopher at Nice, which God wrought by the means of an antient and pious Confessor, plainly declaring unto him the doctrine of Faith, after that many Christian Philosophers had by Philosophical disputations laboured in vain. Christ evidently held forth, is Divine Eloquence, the Eloquence of Eloquence. God will not have it said of Christ, as Alexander said of Achilles, That he was beholden to the pen of him that published his Acts. 'Tis Christ that is preached, not the tongue of the Preacher, to whom is due all praise. Such instances conclude, that Paul is more learned then Plato. We must distinguish between ineptness of speech, Carnal Rhetorick, and Eloquent Gospelsimplicity; between Ignorance, Ostentation, and Learning. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and words of truth.