Vi PREFACE TO THIS EDITION. elegance the philosopher for their argumentand ;the saint for their piety." It is not easy to do justice to the, character of the Doctor as a practical writer. Without the affectation of learning, _eloquence, or novelty; his discourses are always judicious, beautiful, and new. The matter of them is sweetly evangelical and experimental. While they address thejudgment they speak also to the heart; and while the language- is singularly perspicuous and simple, it is enriched with the most natural and striking illustrations,' which are never mean, though borrowed from the most familiar objects. But if on any topic he peculiarly excels, it is in addressing the afflicted and dis- consolate christian, to whom he opens the exhaustless stores; of evangelical' consolation ; while from the most cogent motives he urges to universal holiness andbenevo- lence. The eloquent Dr. KNox having occasion, in his Christian Philosophy, to quote a passage from our Author's Sermons, in which he says, " the reader will .find a'great deal of truly evangelical instruction," gives the following 'eulogy on the preacher : " Ike was not only a' devout 'and zealous Christian, but a profound scholar, a natural philosopher, a logician, and a meta- physician. His life and conversation exhibited 'a pattern ofevery Christian virtue. For my ownpart, (adds the Dr'.) I cannot but think` this good man approached as nearly to Christian perfection, as any mortal ever did in this sublunary state ; and therefore I consider him as a better interpreter of the Christian doctrines than the most learned critics, who, proud of their reason and their learning, neglected the very life and soul of Christianity, the living everlasting gospel, the superna- tural operation ofdivine grace."
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