CHAPTER VII, 1309 of logic and metaphysics, and the formalities of definition and division, syllogism and method, when they brought them so often into the pulpit ; but we hold those arts so much in contempt and defiance, that we had rather talk a whole hour without order and without edification, than be suspectedof using logic or method in our discourses. Some of our fathers neglected politeness perhaps too much, and indulged a coarseness of style, and a rough or aukward pro- nunciation ; but we have such a value for elegance, and so nice a taste for what we call polite, that we dare not spoil the cadence of a period to quote a text of scripture in it, nor disturb the har- mony of our sentences, to number or to name the heads of our dis- course. And for this reason, 1 have heard it hinted, that the name of Christ has been banished out of polite sermons, be. cause it isa monosyllable of so many consonants, and so harsh a sound. But after all, our fathers with all their defects, and with all their weaknesses, preached the' gospel of Christto the sensible instruction of whole parishes, to the conversion of sinners front the errors of their way, and the salvation of multitudes of souls. But it has been the late complaint of Dr. Edwards, and other worthy sons of the established church, that in too manypulpits now-a-days, there are only heard some smooth declamations, while thehearers that were ignorant of the gospel, abide still with- out knowledge, and the profane sinners are profane still. O that divine grace would descend and reform what is amiss in all the sanctuaries of the nation. CHAP. VII. Of writing Books for the Public. IN the explication and distinction of words and thingsby definition and description ; in the division of things into their several parts, and in the distribution of things into their several kinds, be sure to observe a just medium. .We must not always explain and distinguish, define, divide and distribute, nor must we always omit it : sometimes it is useless and impertinent, sometimes it is proper and necessary. There is confusion brought into our argument and discourse by too many, or by too few of these. One author plunges his reader into the midst of things It appearsbythe date, at the hotiotñ of this paper in the MSS. that it was written io the year 1718. The first and perhaps the second section of it, may seem now to be crown ie a great measure out of date I but whether the third is not at least as seasonable now as ever, may deserve serous co- sideretion. The authorsince this was drawn up, bath delivered his sentiments store. folly in the first pert of that excellent piece, entitled, An humble Attempt for the Revival of Relibion,. day. Vol., viII, Q.
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