Charity commended, or, A catholick Christian soberly instructed by J.C.

Sect. 47. (Book 44)

Yet such an Orator as a Saint Austin, or Saint Chrysostome migh represent vice so formidable, that frighted at the horror of her own shape, the Camelion vanity which changes into all shapes, but white, may renounce all for the Candor of inno∣cene, the lust-scorch'd Amorist may feel an Icy chilnesse steal through all the veins; a Magdalens legion may depart with all Hell flames; though shee keep her passion, may change her object, and Heaven have a Temple where Hell had a brothel: the wind and Waves may still obey Christs voice, while ebullitions of rage and storms of passions, hearing Gods word in his Mini∣sters are calm'd into obedience: Avarice may scatter her Idol-Gold to entertain the Image of her Saviour; Cast her bread upon the waters, not that they may return; but bring him who is the bread and water of life: Good resolutions might be thus con∣firm'd; vice eradicated, devotion elevated, and zeal infus'd by the ear, may give it a

durable consistence in the Soul: make it so enamor'd with the Manna of Gods word, that it might not languish after the flesh-pots of Aegypt, and carnall concupiscences. This was the custome of the Jewish Church: in the Christian intimated by a word of exhortation in the Acts to meek∣nesse, continence, and all the virtues which bracelet-like must adorn Christianity, which the defects of the Auditory, the times or propriety of Text suggested; and not to raise doctrinall points according to the whimzies of every Cockbrain Sciolist, who's seven year at an Academy, hath like Pharoahs dream produc'd nothing but seven years famine: or having sented Doway, St. Thomas, or some Romish fair, where ha∣ving purchas'd a few trinkets, and a little gibrish may by order tu•••• Hocus Pocus, juggle or make a Puppit-show in Reli∣gion; introducing superfluous definitions which fewell contention; excite rebelli∣ons, hatred, animosities, calumnies, con∣tempt of superiors, disseminating error, and infusing prejudice; tantum religio potuit suadere••

Preachers like winds have influ∣ence on the people, compar'd to waters.

May none think salvi••icall preaching consists in state-invectives, but in teaching their auditors, decline the Islands of sin, and thrust into the fair havens of grace and glory.