PREFACE. V " sermons there was a rare union of arguments and «motives, to convince the mind, and gain the heart. " All the fountains of reason and persuasion were open " to the discerning eye. There was no resisting the "force of his discourses, without denying reason and "divine revelation. He had a marvellous facility "and copiousness in speaking. There was a noble "negligence in his style, for his great mind could " not stoop to the affected eloquence of words ; he "despised flashy oratory; but his expressions were clear and powerful, so convincing the understand- ing, so entering into the soul, so engaging the affec- " tions, that those were as deaf as adders, who were "not charmed by so wise a charmer. He was ani- "mated with the Holy Spirit, and breathed celestial " fire, to inspire heat and life into dead sinners, and "to melt the obdurate in their frozen tombs. His "books, for their number, (which it seems were more " than one hundred and twenty,) and variety of mat- " ter in them, make a library. They contain a trea- " sure of controversial, casuistical, and practical divi- nity. His books of practical divinity have been " effectual for more numerous conversions of sinners " to God, than any printed in our time ; and, while "the church remains on earth, will be of continual " efficacy to recover lost souls. There is a vigorous "pulse in them, that keeps the reader awake and at- " tentive." To these testimonies may not be impro- perly added that of the editors of his Practical Works, in four folio volumes; in the Preface to which they say, "Perhaps there are are no writings among us that "have more of a true Christian spirit, a greater mix- " ture of judgment and affection, a greater tendency "to revive pure and undefiled religion, that have " been more esteemed abroad, or more blessed at home "for the awakening the secure, instructing the igno- rant, confirming the wavering, comforting the de- " jetted, recovering the profane, or improving such " as are truly serious, than the practical works of this "author." Such were the apprehensions of eminent persons, who were well acquainted with Mr. Baxter
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