It is a relatively difficult thing to speak or write the English language well. There is not only the question of vocabulary, syntax, expression of thought and creativity. There is also a need for a sense of the history of the English language. Where the latter comes in handy is when you consider expressions of thought and figures of speech that were written several hundred years ago. The choice of vocabulary and beauty of expression of by-gone eras makes modern English thought pale by comparison. It appears to me that we have shunned an accurate understanding of the historical foundation of our language upon which we currently stand. We have long since forgotten the majesty of the great poets of previous centuries. Shakespeare is referred to ever so vaguely (if quoted at all) as an interesting relic who wrote a few plays sometime before we were born in England, we mutter. Modern day English authors in many cases do not help much. If they don’t write about something sensational, bloody, mystifying or sexually oriented it is perceived as not worth reading. Or, we can always wait till the movie comes out… I guess I’ve rambled enough. My point is simply this, the more I read the Puritans, the more I value both their theology as well as their ability to express it. In the book, The Valley of Vision, there is a section in the back of the book especially for “ministers.” As I pondered its content and tried to express the prayer back to God as if it were my own, I was struck by the candidness of the prayer. Just listen: Humble me to the dust before thee. Root and tear out the poisonous weed of self-righteousness, and show me my utter nothingness. Keep me sensible of my sinnership [!]; Sink me deeper into penitence and self-abhorrence; Break the Dagon of pride in pieces before the ark of thy presence; Demolish the Babel of self-opinion, and scatter it to the wind; Level to the ground my Jericho walls of a rebel heart… The imagery is cast in sharp relief to the condition of this “minister’s” heart. “Break the Dagon of pride in pieces before the ark of thy presence.” What a graphic portrayal of my own view of self-sufficiency at times. Expressions of humility like these cry out for even an audience of one. With such drama and conviction they reset my consciousness the Lord. Oh that congregations could once again hear the majesty of the “king’s English” used to couch biblical truths for aching hearts!