A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is, by pregnant texts of Scripture vindicated from false glosses / by Anthony Burgess.

SECT. XIII.

The Sinfulness of the Imagination manifests it self in reference to the Word of God, and the Ministerial Preaching thereof.

ELeventhly, The sinfull Imagination of a man doth in a great measure manifest it self, in reference to the Word of God, and the Ministerial Preaching thereof. Here it discovers much enmity and contrariety to what is godly; For the Word it self, How greatly is the Imagination offended thereat, both in respect of the style and the matter? The language is not so imbellished and polished, that the fancy should delight therein; This hath been a rock of offence to many great but unsanctified wits; They have disdained the simplicity of the style, and affected a more gaudy Oratory; This is the sinne of the fancy chiefly. Austin in his Con∣fessions doth much bewail his pride and tumour in this particular; He disdained to become like a little child, and to lay aside the admiration of humane eloquence; by which he was so much puffed up; What prophaneness and the love to their filthy lusts do to some in making them opposite to Scripture wayes, The same doth an unmortified fancy, especially where there are learning and parts in others; Even as we see Christ became a stumbling block to many, because he came not in that external dignity and pomp of a King which they desired; Thus also it is with the Scriptures, because they are not in such pleasing words, such florid expressions as their Imagination would have: Hence it is they take no de∣light in the reading of them, or in meditating therein, whereas they are never sa∣tisfied in reading of Comedies, Histories that are full of delight and exact lan∣guage, in reading of Poetry and Romances, thou readest (it may be) not one Chapter in the Bible to many of these: Oh do thou humble thy self under that vain and proud fancy, It is a great enemy to thy conversion! If ever God open thy eyes, thou wilt with Austin bewail thy folly herein, and at last regard fruit more than leaves, substances more than shadows. This was also Hierom's temptation to be much inamoured with humane Oratory, and therefore speaks of himself, what terrors, yea bodily smart he was in, hearing a voice at the same time, say∣ing, Ciceronianus es non Christianus. I do not speak this as if humane Oratory and Eloquence were not lawfull; yea where it is well used, it is an excellent gift of God. Cyprian and others carried this Aegyptian gold out of Aegypt to Canaan. Chrysostome, Nazianzen, Basil, were so many Divine Orphe••••'s to change the natures of beastly men; Therefore it may lawfully be used where God giveth it; Hence in the Scripture we have metaphors and similitudes, yea Christ is full of Parables, which do in their nature please the fancy representing spiritual things by sensible; but then we must be sure, that we stay not in this eloquence, that it be not like musick affecting the ear for a while, having no ope∣ration at all, as Ezekiel's preaching was to his hearers, but it is to be like the su∣gar that maketh us swallow down the bitter pils more willingly: To admire the

Artifice of a Cup, and never drink of the liquour within, is a childish vanity; to be affected with the words and language of a Minister, and not to consider what wholsome food it is to thee, whether it be the bread of life to thee or no, is absurd impiety: As the proud fancy of a man is thus offended at the Word of God, so also it is at the preaching thereof in a solid and substantial manner in a soul-saving way; This is not according to a mans fancy, which looketh for plea∣sure not profit. Austin confessed this also in himself, that he did with great de∣light go to hear Ambrose preach, not that he regarded the spiritual matter and heavenly truths delivered, but because of the eloquence and pleasing elocution which Ambrose had. Though it is true, such was the goodness of God to Au∣stin, that though hearing Ambrose onely for eloquence sake, yet secretly some power of truth was instilled in him, which made to his conversion; So that from looking to the art in the Sermon, he came at last to mind the grace of God in it: Even as it is said of Apelles, that by his often beholding and looking on the wo∣man, whose picture he was drawing, though at first he minded his Art onely, yet secretly love did creep into his affections at the same time, which made him languish away, till Alexander helped her to him as his wise. But though admira∣tion of gifts and oratory may sometimes thus be blessed, yet commonly it is otherwise, and the inclination of such a fancy is to reject with scorn and contempt the powerfull preaching of the Gospel without words of mans wisdom, as a most low and despicable thing: Thus the preaching of Christ crucified was foolishnesse to the Gentiles, who gloried in humane literature, 1 Cor. 1. 23. Though it is true, God will by these weak things bring to nought the great admired things of the world. Thus 2 Cor. 10. 5. The ministerial weapons of the Gospel are mighty through God, to pull down strong holds, and to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self, as Cannon-shot doth strong Castles; By this of the Apostle you see the imaginations of men raise up strong and mighty opposi∣tion against the Word preached, though the Word of God set home by his own power overcometh every thing that doth withstand it. It is good then, especially for men of quick parts and raised fancies to suspect themselves, to fear lest from them arise all their destruction, lest these be the bolts and barres that keep Christ out from possessing of their hearts.