130 LIVES OF TILE PURITANS. to collect them together in one spacious room, where he preached to them every sabbath, with great power and success. Here the prison was his parish; his love to souls, the patron presenting him to it; and his work, all the wages he received. No sooner were his pious labours made known, than multitudes flocked to hear him from all quarters. By the blessing of God upon his endeavours, he became the happy instrument of bringing many to the knowledge of salvation, and to enjoy the glorious liberty of the sons of God, not only of the prisoners, but others, who, like them, were in captivity and bondage to sin. His great fame, afterwards known in all the churches, was soon spread through the whole university ; and he was chosen preacher at St, Andrew's church, where he continued a laborious and faithful minister of Christ, till called to receive his reward. Mr. Perkins being settled in this public situation, his hearers consisted of collegians, townsmen, and people from the country. This required those peculiar ministerial endowments which providence had richly bestowed upon him. In all his discourses, his style and his subject were accommodated to the capacities of the common people, while, at the same time, the pious scholars heard him with admiration. Luther used to say, " that ministers who preach the terrors of the law, but do not bring forth gospel instruction and consolation, are not wise master-builders they pull down, but do not build up again." But Mr. Perkins's sermons were all law, and all gospel. He was a rare instance of those opposite giftsmeeting in so eminent a degree in the same preacher, even the vehemence and thunder of Boanerges,to awaken sinners to a sense of their in and danger, and to drive them from destruction ; and the persuasion and comfort of Barnabas, to pour the wine and oil of gospel consolation into their wounded spirits. He used to apply the terrors of the law so directly to the consciences of his hearers, that their hearts would often sink under the convictions ; and he used to pronounce the word damn with so peculiar an emphasis, that it left a doleful echo in their ears a long time after. Also his wisdom in giving advice and comfort to troubled con- sciences, is said to have been such, " that the afflicted in 'spirit, far and near;came to him, and received much com- fort from his instructions.". Fuller's Abel Redivirus, p. 431-434.-Clark's Marrow of Rect. }list. p. 851.
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