to any thing, used in the entry to fall upon some
thing that might stir up the attention of their hearers, or make them the
more inclinable to receive instruction, or catch their favour or
good-will, which is of great moment to persuasion, for it is sometimes fit
to open the passages of the heart by such means, that there may be the
more easy entry for instruction and persuasion. Truly there is something
of this art runs here in a divine channel; as indeed all these rules of
human wisdom attain their perfection, when they meet with a divine Spirit,
that elevates them to a more transcendent use. Happy was that eloquence of
Paul's, and something like the sweet inspiration of angels, by which they
prevail with the spirits of men. "Nevertheless, being crafty, (saith he,)
I caught you with guile," 2 Cor. xii. 16. These were _piae fraudes_,(222)
whereby he used to catch poor souls out of the pit, and pluck them out of
the fire; and he that said, "I will make you fishers of men," taught them
to use some holy deceit, to present some things for the allurement of
souls, and so to surround and enclose them with most weighty and
convincing reasons. This beloved apostle, who leaned upon Christ's bosom,
and was likely to learn the very secrets of the art of fishing souls, you
see how he goeth about the business. He useth an holy art in this preface.
Being about to give a recapitulation of the whole gospel, and to make a
short summary of the doctrine of it, for the more effectual establishment
and confirmation of souls already converted, and for the powerful
persuasion of others to embrace it, he useth all the skill that can be in
the entry, to dispose men's hearts to receive it. Like a wise orator, he
labours to make them _allentos, dociles, et benevolos_, to stir up their
attention, to conciliate their affection, and so to make them docile and
easily teachable. He stirs up attention, when he shows that he is not to
speak about trifling, light matters, or low things, or things that do not
concern them, but concerning the greatest, most concerning, and important
things to them, even the Word of life, in which all their life was wrapt
up, which, though it was ancient in itself, yet withal it was a new thing
to the world, and so for all respects deserved to be taken serious notice
of. Then he conciliates their benevolence and good will, by showing his
own good affection towards them, and his great design in it, that it was
only for their g