Chap. 38 din Expolrtion upon the Bo k ° f J o r. Verr. a. fpeak and write about the coun(els of God obfcurely ; and there a:e others who glory that they can. It was laid of a dark Pen, Dumteety, that While he w;uldhave that readwhich he had written, he would luit qu,e fcr;p. vor have that ander flood which was read ; and while fouge would 7fet, ir,tltgi have that heard which they fpeak , they fpeak as if they would nor/ uitqua te- nor have that under flood which is heard. It is a great tin pur- pofely and defignedlyto darken the Counfels of God ; and 'cisa failing and an afflietion to darken them,though we (asfob did not) defign itnor. We fhould labour to deliver our minds plainlycón- cerning the mind of God, that what weutter may not be found a da:kning of his Counfel , but as much as in us is, a clearing of ir. Counfel ( as was toucht before ) is the giving of light in dark cafes ; and therefore we fhóuid enlighten Counfel. Two things are the grace and excellency of a fpeaker : Firll, To (peak boldly and freely , to fpeak the truth our, not- to clip nor flraiten ir. Secondly, To (peakplainly, to open the truth , and not to in- tricate nor involve it. Both there arecomprifed in one word,by the Apoflle (a Cor.3.12.) where he faith (as we tranflate) there - fore we nfe great plainnefs of fpeech; but the Margin hathgreat boldncfs of fpeech ; the fame word in the Greek lignifies both plainnefsof fpeech and boldnefs of fpeech ; and theft are the two great verrues and ornaments of him that fpeaketh. Both thefe are again implied in that dire&ion of the Apoflle (1 Pet.4;.t I.) If any man [peak (about the things of God) let him fpeakas the Oracles of god ; that is, let him fpeak as becomes him that bath to do with the Oracles of God , reverently, freely,, and boldly; not as if he were fpeaking theopinions of men , much left, Old Wives fables. Or let him fpeak as the Oracles of God ( fpeak) that is, plainly,cleerly,not as the Oracles of the Heathens (fpake) dark- ly, doubtfully. Let us take heed of wrapping "up the truth of God, or ctatan2ling.ir , inuncertain expreffions , which maybe interpreted either way , or toquote ontraryvcurfpo fro there is a great danger in this. We may give p or take more liberty , whenwe are debating'about`worldlymatters, or difputing the fubtil queflions and curiofiries of Schoolmen Rut when we have to dowith the Secrets and Counfels of God, . then let us beware and be fober. Some fpeak as'rafhly and ine- videnttyof deepetl Gofpel Myfleries, as they talk of other ltcns crotchets, or asof their own trifles, fifthly,
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