STRONG. 199 without fear or partiality. He Was not of them who corrupt the word of God, but declared all the divine counsel. He often told me that one chief object of his study and prayer to God was, that he might be led into all, truth, and teach the same both seasonably and profitably. God appointedhim to labour in those places where all his abilities might be exer, cised, and shine forth in all their lustre. Though he corn= monly preached four times a Week, and frequently oftener, his sermons were not filled With empty notions ; but were well studied and enriched with substantial matter, the com.. position being close, elaborate, and pithy. And while he laboured more to profit than to please, he never failed to please as well as profit those who heard him. What he delivered harmonized one part with another, and was ever supported with strong arguments. He compared spiritual things with spiritual ; yet not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in full demonstration of the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit, he was enabled to do much work in a little time. He did not wear out with rusting, but with using. He exhorted professors of the gospel, however they might differ about matters of discipline, to maintain good works, and bringforth the f of ruits righteousness. He laboured to bring all parties to live a holy life. Indeed, he well knew that persons zealous about external matters, might shew with what party they sided; but by the holiness of their lives only, could they know that they were on the Lord's side. Hence he pressed the duties of self-examination and self-denial with great earnestness and exactness, lest any persons should pro. fess christianity out of faction, carryinga pagan heart under,, Christian name.". The learned Mr. Theophilus Gale, who published Mr. Strong's " Discourse of the Two Covenants," in 1678, gives him the following character : " He was a wonder of nature for natural parts, and a miracle of grace for deep insight into the more profound mysteries of the-gospel. He had a spirit capacious and prompt, sublime and penetrant, profound and clear; a singular sagacity to pry into the more difficult texts of scripture, an incomparable dexterity to discover the secrets of corrupt nature, a divine sapience to explicate the mysteries of grace, and an exact prudence to distribute evangelical doctrines, according to the capacity of his auditors. Hewas a star of the first magnitude in the right hand of Christy to diffuse the resplendent light of the' gospel. And as he Griffith's Preface to Mr. Strong's Heavenly Treasute.
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