THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below. A charge is made on all overdue books. University of Illinois Library L161— H41 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.0rg/details/e.cclesiastesanglOOgres_O BEING A TREATISE ON PREACHING, AS ADAPTED TO A CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONGREGATION : IN A SERIES OP LETTERS TO A YOUNG CLERGYMAN. BY WILLIAM GRESLEY, M.A. PREBENDARY OF LICHFIELD. " Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. ii. 15. THIRD EDITION, REVISED. LONDON : PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON, ST. Paul's church yard, and waterlog place, pall mall. / 1844. \ LONDON : GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, ST. JOHN'S SQUARE. Z5\ 1844 PREFACE ^ TO THE SECOND EDITION. In preparing this edition for the press, I have availed myself largely of the suggestions of many valued friends, and of the criticisms of several unknown reviewers. The materials are entirely re-arranged : in many parts the volume is condensed ; in some, new matter has been added. I have retained the form of letters because I considered it, on the whole, as well suited as any other for an elder person to convey instruc- tion to a young friend; and admitting a plain- ness and familiarity of illustration, which in many parts of the subject seemed necessary. In deference to the advice of those whose judgment I deemed worthy of respect, I have a2 PREFACE. omitted quotations from living preachers, ex- cept where I was unable to supply an equi- valent illustration. It is perhaps impossible to write with in- terest on any subject, and not appear, at the time, to consider it as more important than it really is, in comparison with others. In treat- ing of preaching, I have regarded it as one of God's ordinances and an acknowledged instru- ment of man^s salvation ; yet I trust without assigning to it any exclusive, or undue import- ance. With these few remarks I again send forth my volume, with the earnest hope and prayer that it may be blessed by Almighty God to the good of his Church. WILLIAM GRESLEY. Lichfield, July, 1840. CONTENTS. LETTER 1. INTRODUCTORY. PAGE Clergymen ought to write their own sermons. Fallacy of the opinion "that this is needless, because there are so many good ones published." Sermons should be adapted specially to the congregation to which they are preached : they should be the genuine language of the preacher s heart. Need of in- struction for young preachers. These Letters written in the hope of affording some help ^ PART L ON THE MATTER OF A SERMON. LETTER IL THE END OR OBJECT OF PREACHING. Object of preaching, to win souls to Christ. Difficulties in ac- complishing this object. Encouragements CONTENTS. LETTER III. THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS OF THE PREACHER, PAGE He should keep to the Christian scheme as contained in the Bible, and taught by the Church, but carefully avoid confin- ing it within an arbitrary system of private interpretation ... 28 LETTER IV. HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HEARERS. Great importance of this part of the subject. The preacher should establish a character for dfjeTtj, Evvoia^ (pp6vt]aL^^ (Arist. Rhet. lib. ii. cap. i.) A few observations on general good character. The spiritual character of a sermon depends very much on the frame of mind in which it was written 42 LETTER V. HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HEARERS — FIRST, BY SHOWING GOODNESS OF CHARACTER. The first point is to establish a character for ap&Ti] — by scrupu- lous fairness in argument— by a proper mixture of respect and authority — by the expression of wise and Christian senti- ments — by frequent reference to God 52 LETTER VI. HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HEARERS — SECONDLY, BY SHOWING A FRIENDLY DISPOSITION TOWARDS THEM. The second point is to establish a character for (.vvoia — by preaching the Gospel as it is, a message of peace — by the preacher availing himself of any community of feeling be- tween himself and his hearers — by the use of the argument "prsecipere laudando," where he may honestly do so. In reproof avoid both extremes of harshness and false delicacy. St. Paul's example recommended. Reproof not often neces- sary — other modes of speaking strongly 63 CONTENTS. VII LETTER VII. HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HEARERS,— THIRDLY, BY SHOWING ABILITY TO INSTRUCT THEM. PAGE The third point is to establish a character for 0poV»]o-ts— first, and principally, by showing a thorough knowledge of the Bible. Other knowledge should not be brought forward os- tentatiously, the preacher should have an intimate acquamt- ance with the human heart. He should increase his stock of knowledge by constant reading and meditation. How to deal with an opponent's character 78 LETTER VIII. ON ARGUMENTS— THOSE DERIVABLE FROM SCRIPTURE. i These are the preacher's principal strength, and constant ' resource. Some remarks on the use of arguments from Scripture examples. Discretion necessary in the appeal to Scripture. Authority of the Church. Personal authority of the Minister LETTER IX. ON ARGUMENTS. Appeal to reason— to reminiscence. Experience. Induction. " Galaxy of evidence" ' LETTER X. ON ILLUSTRATION. Analogy, how far argument, how far illustration. Parables. ^ Improper use of analogy. Examples real or fictitious. Au- ^ ^f^Hhority. Quotation LETTER XI. HOW TO MOVE THE PASSIONS OR FEELINGS— FIRST, BY INDIRECT MEANS. Copiousness of description. Appeal to imagination, the use of material images. Instances from different authors. Descrip- tion of character. Allusion to personal circumstances 124 viii CONTENTS. LETTER XII. HOW TO MOVE THE PASSIONS OR FEELINGS— SECONDLY, BY DIRECT MEANS. Forcible arguments — exhortation^expostulation, &c. Sugges- tion respecting the use of exhortation. Recapitulation 144 PART II. ON STYLEc LETTER XIII. ON STYLE — GENERAL REMARKS. A good essay-writer not necessarily a good sermon-writer. Great fault in style, if it takes off the attention from the subject. Sermon-writing has a style of its own 154 LETTER XIV. PERSPICUITY, FORCE, AND ELEGANCE. Reference should be had to the character of the hearers. Ex- cellence of style in a sermon is that it be clear, forcible, and not inelegant Clearness does not imply familiarity, nor a marked condescension. Under some circumstances an orna- mented style may be adopted. Some observations on the style of St. Paul 165 LETTER XV. AS DEPENDENT ON THE CHOICE OF WORDS. The general rule is, to choose precise and proper words. Ex- ceptions to the rule are— for the sake of vivacity— to avoid giving offence— for the sake of variety—for the sake of /UEtwo-ts and av^r](TL^. Metaphors.. Remarks on personifi- cation, «&c. Scriptural allusion. Simile. Epithets, &c. ... 176 CONTENTS. ix LETTER XVI. ON STYLE — AS DEPENDENT ON THE CHOICE OP WORDS. PAGE Saxon words are generally preferable. Remarks on Scriptural language. What sorts of words should be avoided ] 93 LETTER XVIL ON STYLE — AS DEPENDENT ON THE NUMBER OF WORDS. Two extremes to be avoided, viz. too great conciseness and pro- lixity. Conciseness in sermons not an excellence, and why. Prolixity, how to be remedied. On amplification 200 LETTER XVIIL ON STYLE — AS DEPENDENT ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF WORDS. The first essential point in a sentence is unity. On parenthesis. On the transpositive and natural order of arrangement. In- terrogation. Apostrophe. Exclamation. Reiteration. Climax.. Antithesis. Arrangement of Clauses 208 LETTER XIX. THE CONNECTIVES. Difference of opinion with regard to the importance of connec- tives. The author's suggestions respecting their use in ser- mons Asyndeton and Polysyndeton 219 PART m. ON THE METHOD OF COMPOSING. LETTER XX. ON THE CHOICE OF A SUBJECT. The preacher should consider his congregation, not himself, and choose with reference to times and circumstances — im- prove extraordinary occasions, &c. On the choice of a text 227 CONTENTS. LETTER XXI. ON COLLECTING MATERIALS. PAGE Some may be derived from a close examination of the text. A series of questions, which will serve to elicit materials 242 LETTER XXIL WHAT MATERIALS AND TOPICS SHOULD GENERALLY BE THROWN ASIDE. Generally all that is extraneous, self-evident, disputable, novel, subtle, controversial, political, ludicrous, vulgar, ironical, uninteresting. There are many exceptions to the foregoing rules. Let there be nothing in excess 256 LETTER XXIIL ON THE METHOD OF COMPOSING. The young sermon-writer should draw up his own scheme. Composition of a sermon illustrated by the practice of the painter. Unity of design — character — keeping. When the scheme is well considered and arranged, the sermon should be written with little interruption, and corrected afterwards. How to correct without taking from the spirit. Suggestion respecting old sermons 270 LETTER XXIV. ON THE EXORDIUM. It should be interesting — carefully written — pitched in the same key with the rest of the sermon — generally rather cool and grave than otherwise — conciliatory — respectful — brief — va- ried. Some instances are given of different modes of exor- dium. Recommendation of Claude. Division, when neces- sary and when not 290 CONTENTS. xi LETTER XXV. ON DISCUSSION— LECTURES. PAGE Classification of all discourses with reference to the mode of discussion. Lectures considered. First, lectures proper, their use and advantages. Opinion of Paley. Secondly, Expo- sitory sermons, heing a more perfect sort of lecture. Sug- gestions respecting the exposition of Scripture. Caution against spurious exposition 305 LETTER XXVL ON DISCUSSION — TEXT-SERMONS. Sermons divided into text-sermons, and subject-sermons. How to learn to discuss texts. Caution against uninteresting dis- cussion of texts 321 LETTER XXVIL ON DISCUSSION — SUBJECT- SERMONS. Difference between modern sermons and those of the old divines. Description of subject- sermons. When most proper to be used. How to discuss a proposition, and answer objections... 330 LETTER XXVIII. ON APPLICATION. Application the most important part of a sermon. Continuous application. Summary application. Application the most difficult part to a young sermon-writer. It should be pointed and particular, but not personal. It should arise, and derive force, from the previous discussion. Directions or instruc- tions should be given to the congregation 344 LETTER XXIX. ON THE CONCLUSION. It should leave a deep impression corresponding with the cha- racter of the sermon. It may be in the form of application — recapitulation — restatement of important points — sometimes an impressive text, sometimes a prayer. The preacher should end in a tone rather cheering than depressing. Observations respecting the Doxology 359 xii CONTENTS. PART IV. ON DELIVERY. LETTER XXX. MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. PAGE The great importance of delivery. No rules trivial, which will improve the preacher's delivery. Advice of Dean Swift. How to keep a congregation attentive. Emphasis. Bishop Porteus 369 LETTER XXXL EARNESTNESS AND FEELING. Natural manner not familiar. How to acquire natural manner — unlearn faults — aim at excellences. Chief excellences — earnestness and feeling— not to be taught hy rules. Feeling expressed by variety of tone. Recitation. Caution against ranting and other faults 379 LETTER XXXIL GESTURE AND EXPRESSION. The opinion of antiquity in favour of gesture. Modem writers not unanimous. Nature decidedly sanctions it. Excessive gesticulation reprehensible. How to acquire a habit of mode- rate gesture. Expression of countenance more important than gesture. The preacher should learn to look his hearers in the face. Further advice on this subject. Account of the effect of Robert Hall's preaching 393 LETTER XXXIIL EXTEMPORANEOUS PREACHING. Difference of opinion respecting extemporaneous and written sermons. The question discussed. How to learn to preach extempore. Advice of a modem orator to a young lawyer. How to proceed if you have neglected, when young, to ac- quire the art of speaking. Very desirable for a clergyman to be able to expound Sciipture extemporaneously. Post- script 407 / LETTER L introductory. My Dear My present communication is the first of a series of Letters or Essays on Preaching;— a subject which, as you have recently been or- dained, must naturally occupy much of your attention. The recollection which 1 have of the want of some assistance of this sort, during the first years of my ministry, is the cause of my offering to you the results, such as they are, of my own study and reflection; and I sincerely hope they may not prove altogether valueless. It was the often-repeated precept of the late Professor of Divinity, Dr. Lloyd, afterwards Bishop of Oxford, (whose lectures I had the B 2 LETTER I. happiness of attending,) — "always write YOUR OWN sermons; for/^ said he, "a mode- rate sermon of your own will have twice the effect of a much better one \^Titten by another/^ This opinion is maintained by most writers on the subject. Every person/^ says Bishop Sprat, "who undertakes this great employ- ment, should make it a matter of religion and conscience to preach nothing but what is the product of his own study, and of his own com- posing/^ There are not wanting, however, those who are of the contrarj^ opinion. Addison says^, that Sir Roger de C overlay presented the cler- gyman of his parish with all the good sermons which had been published in English, and only begged of him that every Sunday he would pronounce one of them. And that this is not, as one might imagine, merely a humour of the worthy knight's, would appear from Addi- son^s own concluding observations : — " I could heartily wish that more of our countrj^ clergy would follow his example, and instead of wast- ing their spirits in laborious composition, w^ould endeavour after a handsome elocution, and all those other talents, to enforce what has been penned by greater masters. This would not ^ See Spectator, Xo. 1 06. INTRODUCTORY. 3 only be more easy to themselves, but more edifying to the people/' He is partly right: more easy to the preacher unquestionably it would be, inasmuch as it would require neither talent, nor learning, nor experience, nor know- ledge of divinity, nor ability to compose; but that it would be more edifying to the people does not so plainly appear; and that is the point on which the question must be decided. Addison's opinion has been adopted by many. I have myself heard serious persons declare, that there is no excuse now-a-days for a cler- gyman preaching a bad sermon, because there are so many good ones published^ A little consideration will, I think, dispose us to deny both the premiss and the conclu- sion. First, are there many good sermons published? I should say decidedly. No; — not many that are well adapted for the pulpit. Sermons are published to be read, not to be preached. Mr. Fox used to ask of a printed speech, "Does it read well?'' and being answered in the affirmative, said, " Then it was a bad speech." There should, in truth, always be a difference in style between what is to be read and what is to be spoken. "A report verbatim of any effective speech must 2 See some excellent remarks in the Christian Observer, vol. V. p. 465. B 2 4 LETTER I. always appear difFused and ungraceful in the perusal; the very repetitions and redundancy, the accumulation of epithets which gave force and momentum to the career of deliveiy, but weaken and incumber the march of style when read^^^ This may not apply quite so much to sermons^ because the style of the pulpit is commonly less oratorical than that of other speeches. Still it is true of them, though in a less degree: for, w^hen a clergyman prepares his sermon for the press, he will generally cor- rect the style in order to adapt it to reading. Some of the best essays in our language appear in the shape of printed sermons ; but if these were to be preached as they are pubhshed, they would be unimpressive sermons^ precisely be- cause they are good essays^. But suppose that sermons ave pubhshed as they are preached, and that many good ones are so pubhshed; still I am not prepared to admit, that you would do well to preach them. It is a fallacy to suppose that the utihty of preaching depends solely or chiefly on the goodness of the sermon. The truth is, that, in an effective sermon, there are many concurrent * Moore's Life of Sheridan. * See a Letter in the British ^lagazme for Sept. 1834, by W. F. H. INTRODUCTORY. 5 causes, besides its merit as a composition, to which we must look for its efficiency. In the first place, it is essential to the force of all public addresses, and of sermons at least as much as any, that they should be specially adapted to the character^ capacity, circumstances, habits, prejudices, mode of thinking, and degree of knowledge of the hearers. Now, how is it likely that these requisites should be attended to by a preacher who delivers a sermon com- posed a hundred years ago, or wTitten for a congregation at a distant part of the kingdom ? It is possible he may select one generally suited to his congregation, accordingly as the majority may be rich or poor, agricultural or commercial, educated or illiterate; but still it must of necessity want that minute and pointed adaptation to the hearers^ circumstances, which constitutes a primary excellence in every ad- dress. And if it be difficult to select even one sermon, which has this charm, how much more hopeless must it be to adapt the compositions of other people to your own congregation, during a long course of parochial preaching ! Another requisite for a sermon is, that it should be the genuine language of your own heart, A. sermon ought to be a delineation of the workings of the preacher^s own mind.^^ There will be a degree of earnestness and sin- 6 LETTER I. cerity when you deliver your own thoughts and sentiments, which cannot be attained by those, who use language which is not their own. There is an authority in the simplest things which can be said, when they carry visible characters of genuineness with them:^^ and a man can never be eloquent but when he is speaking his own thoughts, and delivering his own sentiments. Although you may be perfectly convinced of the truth of what you take from another preacher^s sermon, and sin- cerely anxious to impress it on your hearers, yet it is not possible (except, indeed, for an accomplished actor, which, I suppose, it is not your wish to be,) to enter into the feelings and tone of the original composer, and deliver with warmth and energy sentiments which you have borrowed: for there is something peculiar in each man^s way of thinking and expressing himself, of which it is not in the power of another to give a just notion. And if it be difficult to preach the composi- tion of another with propriety and force, even when the greatest pains are taken, it may be expected, that w^hen proper pains are not be- stowed, grievous blunders will sometimes occur. The study necessary for the composition of sermons is one of the principal means by which the preacher forms his opinions, aiid increases INTRODUCTORY. 7 his stock of knowledge. A preacher of printed sermons is not in general of a very studious turn ; hence it is not unhkely that his doctrine will be found somewhat inconsistent. He may be an Arminian one Sunday, a high Calvinist the next. I have known such mistakes occur : nay, I have heard of a preacher veering about to opposite points of the compass even in one discourse. Such a sermon reminds us of Horace's monster, " Desinit in piscem mulier formosa superne which has been wittily translated — The head of John Calvin clapped on the shoulders of Wesley The worst thing you can do, is to make a patchwork of your sermon, by taking part from one place, and part from another. If you must steal, steal it all, and all from the same place ; but the better way is not to steal. Besides, whatever may have been the public opinion in the time of Addison, it is certain that there is now a very general prejudice against a clergyman who is too idle to compose his own sermons : it is considered disingenuous, and a sign of indolence very much like luke- warmness ; insomuch that, should his congre- gation find it out, he may expect his church to be emptied, if there be another church or chapel near at hand. On all acpounts^ therefore, and 8 LETTER I. not least for the last-mentioned reason^ you will^ I think^ agree with me^ that the Profes- sor^s ad^-ice \Yas good. When, however, I recommend original com- position, do not mistake me, as if I said that novelty of thought was desirable : this is the last thing which a preacher need aim at. New ideas in religion must almost inevitably be false; and if a young clergyman depends for materials entirely or principally on his own resources, his sermons will be rather defective in strong meat/^ " I would have young cler- gymen,^^ says AiThbishop Seeker, "make very great use of the works of able divines; not inconsiderately and servilely transcribe them, but study, digest, contract, amplify, vaiy, adapt them to the purpose, improve, if possible, what they find in them. For then it will fairly become their own, mix naturally with what proceeds altogether from themselves, and pre- serve their youthful productions from the impu- tation of being empty and jejune.^^ Half the palaces at Rome of a certain date are built of the materials of the Cohseum; and I see no reason why you should Dot have full permis- sion to dig your materials from the gigantic productions of former days ; provided you do not throw them together in a rude promiscuous heap, but chisel them and fashion them for INTRODUCTORY. 9 your purpose^ and work them up into a new and goodly fabric. Sermons, thus composed, may be as truly your own^ as the palaces at Rome were the production of their respective architects. Nay, to pursue our metaphor, there is no reason why you should not borrow your models also from those who have gone before you, and adapt them to present exigencies ; as Palladio has borrowed his ideas from the noble conceptions of the ancients, and adapted the columns and pediments of Grecian architecture to the convenience of modern houses. It has often surprised me, that when Bishop Lloyd so decidedly recommended original com- position, he never devoted any of his lectures to teaching us how we ought to set about it. It was like setting us to make bricks without straw. He furnished us with the materials^ but not with the means of working them up. Neither do I learn that his successors, who continue the same system of lecturing, have ever given instruction on this point ; though I believe there is scarcely another civiHzed coun- try in which this important branch of educa- tion is omitted. In default of any regular instruction in the art of preaching, the young clergyman is left to collect his ideas on the subject from whatever source he can. His difficulties are well de- 10 LETTER I. scribed by Mr. Raikes :— ^^The first efforts of a young clergyman are generally nothing more than experiments. He has no previous prac- tice. He begins probably by imitating one whom he admires: but his first efforts are attempts in an art which he has never studied, and in which he has no adviser to direct him. Even the theory of his system is unknown; and, it is probable, years will elapse before experience and reflection will lead him to dis- cover that mode of preaching which is suited to his powers, and best calculated to edify his hearers.^^ I can bear witness to the accuracy of this description. The chief help which a student finds, to teach him the principles of oratory, is the Rhe- toric of Aristotle. This treatise you are, I trust, well acquainted with; unless you have sadly misused your time at Oxford. From Aris- totle you have learnt those rules which apply to every sort of composition. The general rules of the art of persuasion, whether as applied to the senate, the bar, or the pulpit, are founded on human nature, and must remain the same so long as human nature continues unchanged. But you want to be taught to apply the prin- ciples of rhetoric to preaching before a Church of England congregation. You have, perhaps, read Claude's Essay. There is much useful 8 INTRODUCTORY. 11 matter in this work ; and it sets you thinking and analysing: but I should say, tLv c it was more suited to the French than the Enghsh pulpit ; and that the rules contained in it would produce far too elaborate and artificial a com- position^ and impair that simplicity, which is one of the chief charms of pulpit eloquence. However, be this as it may, I will venture to say, that if you read Claude^s Essay, you did not find it to be w^hat you wanted. Aristotle has furnished you with the tools of rhe- toric ; but Claude does not teach you the use of the same tools. You want something to connect the ideas which you have gained from Aristotle with those suggested by Claude; something which shall apply the principles of Aristotle to the pecuhar branch of rhetoric which you wish to practise ; in short, an application of the rules of rhetoric to the Church of England pulpit. Such, at least, I remember, was my own feehng ; and with a view to remedy the defect, for my own benefit, I wrote down and arranged whatever ideas I could collect on the subject. Many good hints were derived from Archbishop Whately^s able book on rhetoric, which was published about that time ; some from Bishop Sumner^s Apostolical Preaching; one or two from Swift's Letter to a young Clergyman ; and I have since found some excellent remarks scat- 12 INTRODUCTION. tered up and down in the Christian Observer, the British Magazine, and other periodicals. In short, wherever I have met with information on the subject, I have made a practice of setting it down for my own use ; and this I have been in the habit of illustrating by passages from any sermon which I have perused, and of confirm- ing or rejecting according to my own expe- rience. In the hope of being of service to you, I have now (after much more labour than I anti- cipated when I began my task) drawn it up in the best order I was able ; and if it prove use- ful to you, shall be heartily glad. Though I do not promise you much original matter, yet, I think, I can give you some useful information, which otherwise you might not have met with. The suggestions which I have obtained from various authors are acknowledged whenever I remember where they came from ; but I have no doubt there are many forgotten and unac- knowledged. You will, however, have no dif- ficulty in discriminating between them and my own. Like other candid readers, you will set down whatever good remarks you find as bor- rowed from some other writer, and attribute all the rest to your friend. PART L ON THE MATTER OF SERMONS. LETTER 11. THE END OR OBJECT OF PREACHING. If the object of writing a sermon be nothing more than to produce a composition which shall occupy twenty minutes^ or half an hour^ in the delivery^ it may be granted that nothing can be more easy. With the large choice of subject^ and the infinite range of argument and illustra- tion^ which the Holy Scriptures and the whole moral and material world afford^ any . one who can write at all may surely write a sermon. But^ in truths the real aim and object of a preacher^ if duly estimated^ is the most arduous which can be conceived. All who have thought seriously^ or written on the subject^ agree in ad- mitting its difficulty. The duty of a preacher/^ 14 END OR OBJECT [part I. says one writer^ is to teach clearly, to con« vince successfully, and to persuade cogently/^ No very easy task is spoken of even in these few words. Another describes its object as being to effect a mighty change in the moral condi- tion of man, to bring back an apostate crea- ture to allegiance, to restore the sinner to the likeness and favour of God '/^ ^^The great aim of a Christian preacher,^^ says another, is to bring the heart of the hearer into contact with the objects which Revelation presents to us, that, by the steady contemplation of these ob- jects, he may transfer something of their charac- ter to his own ; as northern animals have been fabled to gaze upon what is white, till they become themselves insensibly white in their turn^^^ This writer seems to propose some- thing easier than the rest; but if we analyse his description, we shall find that it amounts to something very like making the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots/^ The following is Dr. CampbelPs description of the preacher^s object. The primary intention of preaching is the reformation of mankind .... a reformation of life and manners, of all things that which is the most difficult by any means whatever to effec- * Christian Observer. 2 Quarterly Review, xxxix. 288. LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 15 tuate : I may add^ of all tasks ever attempted by persuasion^ that which has most frequently baffled its powers .... That man w^ould need to be possessed of oratory superior to human, who would effectually persuade him that stole to steal no more, the sensualist to forego his pleasures, the miser his hoards, the insolent and haughty to become humble and meek " The sum and end of preaching,^^ says Tillotson, is to bring men to repentance, and a firm belief in the Gospel.^^ As we shall have to recur fre- quently to our definition of the object of preaching, and constantly to keep it in view, perhaps it will be found convenient to condense and simplify all these descriptions, and to state it to be, what I suppose none will be disposed to deny, to win souls to Christ. It may be said, indeed — and said with truth — that those whom we address have been already brought to Christ at baptism, have been received into the arms of his mercy, and engrafted into his holy Church. But, alas ! I fear it is too certain to admit of dispute, that all have more or less fallen from the state of grace, and need repent- ance and renewal unto holiness. The best have to be reminded continually of their baptismal promises and privileges, lest they neglect or 3 Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric, book i. ch. x. sec. 5. 16 END OR OBJECT [PART I. lose them^ and to be drawn nearer to Christ than they are ; but by far the larger portion need to be addressed as men still at enmity with God — still requiring to be won to Christ/^ It is manifest that in eveiy congregation there are^, generally speating^ two sorts of per- sons to be addressed ; those who are living in sin^ and those who are more or less walking in the faith and fear of God ; in one word^ good and bad Christians. The good require to be won to a closer communion with Christ by en- couragement^ direction^ caution, remembrance, and by setting before them all the glorious topics of revealed truth, whereby their faith may be sustained^ their devotion elevated^ and their good resolutions strengthened. And for them the providence of God has prepared an aid far beyond any which the preacher can af- ford, in the ordinances and sacraments of the Church, and in our holy and beautiful Liturgy: by the humble use of which, good and faithful men, if they used it rightly, might be led con- tinually forward in their Christian course. It is in deahng with the other class that the preacher's chief difficulty consists. Supposing (what I fear we must do) that the majority of our congregations are not " walking worthy of the vocation with which they are called,'' but are still in the gall and bitterness of sin/' it LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 17 must be the preacher^s object to effect a change^ not in their outward manners^ but in the very- nature and condition of the soul : and herein consists his main difficulty. Oh, what a host of prejudices and passions is arrayed against him ! What a band of veteran troops, hardened in the service of sin, is brought to bear upon his. unwelcome invasion! What stubborn materials are they on which he has to work ! Even if there were no active principle of resistance to contend with, what a mass of inert matter is there to move ! How true is this, yet how strange ! One would have thought, that when an acknowledged minister of God stood before an assembly of men, they would have received him with the same serious attention as Cornelius and his household re- ceived the apostle Peter : Now, therefore, are we all here present before thee, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.^^ One would have thought, that as he went on to speak on their eternal interests, and to set be- fore them life and death, and judgment to come, — to teach them how they might escape the everlasting wrath of God, and save their souls alive, — all would have been mute attention, that fear and gratitude would have filled every heart. But I pray you take a survey from the pulpit of the congregation you are about to ad- c 18 , END OR OBJECT [PART I. dress. You behold them gathered there be- before you— (oh, what an awful scene!) men who will be living thousands of thousands, and millions of millions of years hence— liv- ing either in a state of endless woe, or end- less bhss. You are to them God's minister of mercy ; and on their acceptance or rejec- tion of God's offer of mercy— ay, it may be their acceptance or rejection of it on this very day, (for some may never hear it more,) depends the character of their eternal destiny \ But what is the expression of feeling which you observe among them ? Do they appear solemnly interested, as if they felt the deep importance of the business in hand? Alas ! no. Instead of appearing humbly and anxiously desirous of instruction, observe many of them sitting in careless attitudes, and with countenances ex- pressive of little interest in the subject brought before them,— a subject which ought to be, in itself, and apart from all consideration of the character and ability of the preacher, of deepest interest. How few are there who show signs of humble teachableness ! How few are there who are hungering and thirsting after heavenly food ! And these are the souls you have to win to Christ.'' You have to rouse the slumberer * See Visitation Sermon, by Bickersteth. LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 19 to attention^ to awe the supercilious critic^ and make him learn humility, to convince the giddy sons and daughters of the world of the peril in which they stand, to infuse a spirit of heavenly- mindedness into the breast of the cold form- alist; — in short, your task is to subdue the various evil propensities of your hearers^ cor- rupt nature, and to make them know and feel, that it is no indifferent matter on which you address them, but an affair of life and death — of happiness or woe eternal. What adds still more to the arduous nature of your task is, that it is necessary to create^ not merely a powerful, but a permanent effect ; you must not barely cause a transient qualm of conscience, a momentary ebullition of feeling, but you have to make a lasting impression on the heart, and effect a corresponding change of conduct. This point is essential. If you have not done this, you have done nothing. And if we look at this point only, how far easier is the task of every other speaker ^ ! The advocate has gained his point when he has obtained a verdict for his client. It matters little to him what may be the opinion of the jury to-morrow. The speaker at the election, the convivial party, or pubhc meeting, has generally little more to ^ See CampbelFs Philosophy of Rhetoric. c 2 20 END OR OBJECT [PART I. do than to ingratiate himself with his partisans^ by expressing sentiments congenial with their own. When the last cheer has died away^ his task is done. Even the senator speaks princi- pally for present effect. But with the Christian -pveRchev a peiinanent impression is everything; if he fails in this^ his labour is throw^n a^vay. Again^ you will find^ that though^ in reality, the subject of your address is the most moment- ous business in w^hich any human being can be employed, it is next to impossible to give it that character of reality, which at other times so greatly assists the speaker. Your message, though it be from heaven, is an oft-told tale ; the sound of the Gospel falls like lead on the ear; the same persons have heard the same truths discussed week after week; and the utmost you can accomplish is, by som^e variety of argument or illustration, to prepare the same heavenly food in a more palatable shape : and even then they will listen to you rather as to one playing on a pleasant instrument/^ than as if you were speaking on a matter of impor- tant business. On all other occasions of pub- lic speaking, men come with eager looks and anxious minds, to hear something in which they really have a personal interest; but, strange to say, it requires your whole power of persua- sion to give this business-like character to a LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 21 sermon. One cause of this apathy is because you speak of things not persons ^ There is no personal coUision ; you miss the excitement of opposition; and many of the most effective instruments of oratory are forbidden. You may not rouse the more easily-excited passions of your hearers, nor flatter their vanity, nor give in to their prejudices. There is no place for cutting sarcasm, nor fierce invective, nor cool and dignified irony; all these spirit-stirring topics, all that is most agreeable to the natural man, must be avoided, and you must confine yourself to the plain words of soberness and truth. Another disadvantage is, that you have to provide a sermon, or perhaps more, every Sunday. You are obliged to husband your resources, and confine yourself closely to the subject; which, though profitable for all parties in the long run, yet certainly curtails the flights of your eloquence. Then you have to preach in the same place, and before the same congre- gation. No man is a prophet in his own coun- try ; no preacher an apostle in his own pulpit. A new preacher, with half his talent, would be more attended to, till the novelty was worn off. * See Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric, book i. ch. x. sect. 3. 22 END OR OBJECT [part I. So let me tell you here for your comfort — for it is time to give you some comfort — that you need not be alarmed nor mortified, if an itine- rant preacher or lecturer comes into your parish, and draws away half your congrega- tion. Take no notice, do nothing to obstruct him, only let him have his own way, and be diligent in your own duty ; and in two or three Sundays most of your stray sheep will find their way back. The last difficulty to which I shall allude, is the circumstance of your having to addi'ess an assembly composed of so great a variety of persons. An ordinary Church congregation is, of all audiences, the most promiscuous. High and low, rich and poor, old and young, one with another, all must be instructed, convinced, persuaded. The preacher has to adapt his arguments and language to the comprehen- sion and edification of every class; and not only every class as to external circumstances, but also in spiritual attainments. " It is no easy matter to excite and awaken drowsy souls without terrifying and disturbing some tender conscience, to bear home the conviction of sin, without the appearance of personal reflection.^^ All these things are against the preacher; and if he looks only to this side of the ques- tion^ he may be inclined to say, Who is suf- LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 23 ficient for these things and either give up his office in despair, or content himself with reading the compositions of others. But re- member, my dear friend, that preachers of the Gospel have placed themselves in the situation of God^s ambassadors, and are acknowledged as such; they have put their hand to the plough, and may not look back. To preach the Gospel is a burden which they have laid upon their own shoulders ; to bear it for life is a task which they have assumed; and woe be unto them if they preach not the Gospel daily and duly, and in all their ways, and words, and works It is indeed a difficult task — not less than to say to the dead. Arise ! to bid the blind open their eyes, the deaf hear, and the lepers be cleansed— but remember that you speak in the name of God. You stand as the representative of the Apostolic ministry, bearing God^s com- mission and credentials. " It is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speak eth in you — We are labourers toge- ther with God^^^ Remember that He is with you who is able to smooth all difficulties, to make the crooked paths straight, and out of the mouths of babes and sucklings to ordain strength : and ^ Benson. 8 Matt. X. 20. 9 1 Cor. iii. 9. 24 END OB OBJECT [pART I. He will give his blessing to faith^ and prayer, and earnestness,— not to human abihty. The office of a preacher may indeed furnish ample scope for the application of first-rate talent; still first-rate talent is not essential ; prayer and faithfulness are of far more real value. Consider this also, — that the subject which you handle is the most subhme imaginable ; so subhme as to make the most illiterate preacher eloquent, if he be but earnest. It is fraught with the deepest interest ; and though men are wont to be insensible to its call, yet others have been able to rouse them ; and why should not you? Think of the results of God's bless- ing on the labours of many. How many noto- rious sinners have been converted ! how many parishes visibly improved ! besides the unseen working of that silent stream, which flows, and purifies the hearts of many in secret, whose disease and cure have been alike unknown to men. Persuade yourself then with a holy con- fidence, that God intends to accomplish his work, even by the foolishness of your preach- ing.^^ When making your preparation, beheve that what you are at that moment doing, may, through the power of God, be the blessed means of awakening some sinner, who is slum- bering on the brink of ruin; or confirming LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 25 some one who is wavering; that it may have considerable influence on many who hear you, nay, through God^s grace, may be the means of saving some immortal soul. With such a feeling as this, you will pursue your course with an ardour and steadiness, very different from the cold and feeble attempts of those who expect no such results \ And why should you not, with humble con- fidence in God, hope and expect that success may attend even on your feeble endeavours? Surely, with the education which you have re- ceived, and the external advantages which you possess, it will be your own fault— since God has promised his blessing to the faithfid and diligent — if you are a profitless labourer. Ought it to be too much to expect, that they, who take upon themselves the office of a Christian minister, should have piety, earnestness, and diligence? If you are possessed of these re- quisites, great talents and eloquence may be dispensed with. There is no need, as in other situations, of much quickness or promptness of intellect ; for you always have ample time to make preparation : and though you may be ^^slow of speech,^^ yet ^Uhe word of God is quick and powerful.^^ It is good sound sense, ^ See Christian Observer, v. 276. 26 END OR OBJECT [PART I, — the good sense of a good man^-r-Y^hich. is^ humanly speaking, the main requisite for an effective preacher, ^'li a minister feels that he is not gifted with great power of imagina- tion, let him aim at the clear forcible manner of serious good sense/^ and^ acting in the in- tegrity of his heart, and putting his trust in God, he need not despair of being a valuable and useful minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and doing as much good in the cause of truth, as if he were endowed with more bril- liant talents. One thing I would beg you to bear in mind — that popularity is no sure test of a preacher's excellence, nor the want of it, of his deficiency. Though your sermons should not be much talked of, nor applauded, you are not to con- clude that they have made no impression. There is a great deal of difference between people admiring a preacher, and being edified by his sermons You should not look so much for briUiant success, as for gradual im- provement in your parish, church more fre- quented, more communicants, more attention, less formality ; all which cannot be effected by a few sermons, however powerful, but require years of earnest preaching.^^ You must per- 2 Bishop Wilson. LET. II.] OF PREACHING. 27 severe with diligence, and work cheerfully with faith, waiting for the return of your labours in God^s good time. The seed which you have sown may be silently springing up, even though you be not permitted to reap the crop. Act and preach with this spirit, ^^and thy word shall not return unto thee void, but shall ac- complish that whereunto it was sent Isaiah Iv. 11. LETTER III. THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS OF THE PREACHER. Having considered the end or object which the preacher has in view — its great importance as well as difficulty — our next inquiry will be as to the means of accomplishing that object. And firsts concerning the topics or matter of the discourse^ and the sources from whence they are to be drawn. Herbert and other writers recommend a young clergyman to digest all his knowledge into a certain scheme or order^ so arranged and divided^ that he may always have some head to which to refer whatever new ideas he may gain^ and never be at a loss for matter on any sub- ject. Besides a perfect knowledge of the Scrip- tures, ^^the country parson/^ says Herbert, hath read the Fathers also, and the School- men, and the later writers, or a good proportion of all : out of all which he hath compiled a book or body of divinity which is the storehouse of LET. III.] PRINCIPAL TOPICS, &C. 29 his sermons, and which he preach eth all his life, but diversely clothed, illustrated, and en- larged.^^ This plan has its advantages as well as disadvantages. It is useful to assist the memory, and in some respects to aid the judgment; but there is danger of its leading you into a private system, which is the bane of modern theologians. Does it not rather savour of presumption for a man to suppose that he can comprehend the infinite topics of natural and revealed religion in any system of his own? and are not the practical results, too generally, that those parts which do not readily accommodate themselves, are altered and ex- plained away, until they often become very materially changed from their original truth ? There are many parts of revelation as well as of nature, which no man, with his present fa- culties, can thoroughly understand or reconcile together; and the endeavour to systematize what is incomprehensible has led to much error, and needless dispute. The word of God was not written to satisfy curiosity, or to build a theory upon, but it was written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might have life through his name'.^^ Therefore, on the whole, I think it ^ John XX. 31. 30 THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS [part I. better for you to arrange the materials in your common-place book^ not according to any sys- tem of your own, supposed to be totus teres atque rotundus f but in the common alphabet- ical mode recommended by Locke. It is. however, most necessary that you should well understand what the Church teaches as the scheme and substance of Scriptural truth. Now the Church presents revealed truth to her sons under various forms, according to variety of circumstances. In her Creeds, she has set forth the confession of the true faith as it has been received in all ages. In the Litm'gy, the same great truths are contained in a devo- tional form. The Catechism is a sammaiy of Christian faith and duty, which our own branch of the Church has prepared for the instruction of her children : the Articles are her standard of orthodoxy, and her protest against peculiar errors. In the pulpit the same great and eternal truths are set forth by her ministers under a some- what dilFerent form. The preacher stands as the ambassador of God, and his object is to - win souls to Christ,'^ to invite rebelUous sinners to repentance, and to draw nearer to Christ those who acknowledge their baptismal vows and privileges. In order to accomplish this object, LET. III.] OF THE PREACHER. 31 the first step obviously is to convince men of the need of a Saviour, and to kindle in their hearts a desire of being his. If men have no desire to be Christians in sincerity and truth, they will take no steps to be so ; or, if they think themselves good enough already, they will not strive after improvement. In order, therefore, to induce men cordially to accept and abide by the terms of the Gos- pel, your first point is to impress on them their sinfulness, and the degradation and inherent weakness of their nature. Of course if, from experience, you have reason to think that the members of your own congregation in particu- lar are well aware of these elemental truths, and have not only been baptized, but believe, really believe in Christ, with a holy and Hving faith, and need only be " built up,'^ and edi- fied, and kept in the right path, you will touch the less on this point. Still, it is well to speak of it by way of remembrance ; as when St. Paul says, We ourselves also were some- times foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving di- vers lusts and pleasures '.^^ " What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed' But I fear that, in most congrega- tions, there are few who require to be reminded 2 Titus iii. 3. 3 Romans vi. 21. 32 THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS [PART I. only of the unprofitableness and misery otpast sin : the greater part have yet to be convinced of the need of a Saviour^ by having the danger of their actual condition laid before them. And it is not enough merely to state in general terms the Scripture doctrine of the corruption of our nature ; but you must follow it up by showing your hearers the symptoms of it in themselves. You must anatomize their hearts^ and set be- fore them evident signs of their vanity^ pride, self-conceit, envyings, lusts, love of ease, love of pleasure, love of money, love of self, aliena- tion from God, attachment to the world, want of relish for spiritual things. You should show them how inconsistent is all this with the per- fect and holy law of God, and how dangerous it is, — how fatal it must be, — to their eternal interests, if unrepented of. And then you should point out to them their utter helpless- ness and incapacity to turn and extricate them- selves from the trammels of sin, and to satisfy the law of God^ — the impossibility of their either making satisfaction for their past sins, or, by their own strength, amending their pre- sent course. You may appeal to their experi- ence. Many of them either have had no incli- nation to turn from their sins, or have made no serious attempt; or else, if they have attempted, have entirely failed ; and have either relapsed LET. III.] OF THE PREACHER. 33 into their former course^ or are living in an uncomfortable state of dubious conflict^ ^^the spirit lusting against the flesh, and the flesh against the spirit.'' But all this must be urged, not in a severe, or caustic, or unconcerned man- ner, but with all the warmth of affectionate concern. At the same time beware of the op- posite error, into which some preachers fall, of making their hearers fancy themselves suf- ferers rather than sinners —to be pitied rather than blamed. Be sure you leave the impres- sion that it is to ourselves only that we are in- debted for our continuance in sin and danger; for that the means of grace and salvation are freely offered to us all. It is only when men are impressed with a conviction of their actual sin and real danger, that they will be disposed to receive with humility, and thankfully to close with, the terms of salvation through Christ the Son of God. This is the second great point of your preach- ing. This is the Gospel properly so called,— the good tidings of salvation through Christ. The Gospel of salvation must be proved to come from God, declared in all its graciousness, and set forth in all its excellence. And here will come in the evidences. I speak of them now, not as being the first or principal point connected with the Gospel, but for con- D 34 THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS [PART I. venience of arrangement. It is right in this sceptical age that you should take care that your hearers are furnished with " a reason of the hope that is in them/^ An evil heart of unbelief is at the root of all sin. Formerly un- belief was practical only ; the sinner went on sinning^ unconscious that he was at heart an infidel. But now infidelity is acknowledged. In your endeavours to counteract it, you will not do well to preach on the evidences promi- nently and directly. Opportunities will often occur, in the course of Scriptural explanation, of clearing up difficulties, and pointing out confirmations of faith. Set yourself up rather as a friend and supporter of the believer, than as the antagonist of the infidel. Do not argue as if to refute gainsayers, but to instruct the well-disposed : and take care not to reason into doubt those who never doubted before. It is better for the most part to assume that your hearers are believers in Scripture : to address them as Christians by profession as well as baptism, and to endeavour to strengthen and confirm their faith by declaratory instruction concerning the nature and purpose of God^s dispensation, and by extolling its excellence. You should take occasion to explain the course of Providence with regard to the ordinary and natural arrangements of this world, the a priori LET. III.] OF THE PREACHER. 35 probability^ so far as we can judge^ of a revela- tion, the excellence and consistency of the re- velation which we have received, and its admi- rable adaptation to our wants. Point out the connexion between the Old and New Testa- ment, — the fulfilment of prophecy, — the mighty deeds which accompanied the ministry of our Sa- viour and the Apostles,— his divinity, or rather his deity— distinguishing Him carefully from divinely inspired men. Explain his humanity ; dwell often and earnestly on the wonderful fact of the Son of God, equal to his Father, Creator of all things, Lord of all things, consenting vo- luntarily to take upon Himself the form of a man, with all its suffering and infirmities. Then, enlarge on the beauty of his character, his good- ness, and wisdom, as well as power, his gentle- ness and meekness, his piety and benevolence ; —make your hearers, if you can, enamoured of the character of Jesus,— in order that not only their reason may be convinced, but their affec- tions won. Explain to them, in a plain and almost famihar manner, every thing connected with their Saviour,— all the incidents of his ministry,— all the most minute particulars of his history— his example,— his offices; but, most especially, dwell with fervour and grati- tude on the circumstance of his death for our sakes. Enlarge on the pains of hell from which D 2 36 THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS [pART I. He has saved us— the joys of heaven which He has purchased for us, by his blood. Impress it solemnly on your hearers that by his death atonement was made for their sins ; that by no other means they could have escaped condem- nation—but, that throug htheir Saviour's sacri- fice, all that " beheve in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life/^ After this, you arrive at all the topics of a holy and religious life— all the Christian privi- leges and Christian duties, which in truth, were Christians what they should be, would be the primary topics of our preaching. We have received at baptism a claim to all the benefits purchased for us by the blood of our Redeemer; we have been made members of his body the Church, children of God, inheritors of heaven. But, we have incurred also deep responsibilities. Christ suffered for us, leaving an example that ye should follow his steps^'' We must walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love' * .... forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us'. In short, here come in the Christian requirements, virtues, and graces— love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentle- * 1 Peter ii. 21. ^ Ephes. iv. 1 2. ^ Ibid. v. 32. LET. III.] OF THE PREACHER. 37 ness^ meekness^ all must be set forth in their most attractive colours; and the necessity dwelt on of mortifying the flesh, subduing its lusts, growing in grace, and purifying the temple of the Holy Ghost. The precepts of rehgion may here be spoken of not so much in the light of a law^ as of a rule of life — not as requirements which we must oheij, but as directions which we shall delight to follow. These topics you must learn to discriminate and particularize; not speaking of them in vague and general terms, but making them appear, as they are, within the reach of all. And do not inculcate holiness as a mere after-thought in the scheme of redemption, but as the end and object of it. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodhness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a pecuHar people, zealous of good works Neither forget to take notice, by way of caution, of the temptations, discouragements, drawbacks, ^ Titus ii. 11—13. 38 THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS [PART I. and disappointments^ which beset the Chris- tian s path; the deceitfulness of our own hearts, the weakness of our nature, and the hability to sin, which still remain while we dwell in this tabernacle of flesh. Insist on the need of unremitting diligence, and the incom- patibihty of Christian holiness with the con- tinuance in any known sin. Set forth in strong terms, the absolute need of the continual aid of the Holy Spirit, the impossibility of our perseverance in our Christian course without Him ; but, at the same time^ bid your hearers be well assured that ivith his aid they shall gloriously triumph. Lastly^ enforce the necessity of constant reair- rence to the ordinary means of grace. Set forth the Church as an institution divinely appointed for embracing us within the arms of mercy, sustaining our faith, and being to us "the pillar and ground of the truth.^^ Dwell much, especially in the present days, on the sacra- ments and ordinances of the Church; parti- cularly on the need of partaking constantly of the body and blood of Christ our Lord. Remind your hearers to read the Scriptures diligently, and obsen'e the Lord^s day; and finally, bid them " watch and pray.^^ These are the grand staple topics of the preacher. You will see that, in any point of LET. III.] OF THE PREACHER. 39 this scale, an infinite number of minor topics will branch out_, and a copious store of mate- rials may be found to illustrate any one of them. And you will find it better to preach on a precise and limited subject, than on a general one. But on whatever subject of detail you choose to preach, you should constantly refer to these first principles. If you are exalt- ing any Christian grace, do not exalt it only for its own sake; but as an evidence of faith, and a sign that he who practises it is walking as a true member of the Christian family : so, if you are dissuading from any sin, do not make the avoidance of that sin the sole object; but speak of it as incompatible with Christian hoHness, grieving the Spirit of God, and frus- trating his gracious purpose of saving us. As to what topics you should dwell on most frequently, this must of course depend on the requirement of your flock. If you find them ignorant of Christian doctrine, relying on mere moral duties and external ordinances, then it will be your duty to insist more frequently on the spiritual doctrines of the Gospel. If, on the other hand, you find them priding themselves on their clear views,^^ but neglectful of the ordinances and sacraments, and means of grace, then the general tenor of your preaching should be such as may correct their error. Generally 40 THE PRINCIPAL TOPICS [PART I. speaking, your object should be to set forth Christ, in all the fulness in which he is revealed in Scripture, to enlarge on his attributes and office, his recorded words and deeds. Preach Christ, in short, as He is preached in every page of Scripture : and trust to the Holy Spirit to give your hearers a justifying and sanctifying faith. Let me, before concluding this branch of my subject, again caution you against the danger of falling into an arbitrary system, and adopt- ing the opinion of some sect or party, instead of founding your instruction on the broad basis of a Scripture truth, as held and set forth by the Church. It is not that they who adopt a system do, of necessity, not preach the truth ; but their fault is, that they commonly declare a part only of the truth ; they dwell unduly, if not untruly, on certain portions of the Divine word, to the suppression, if not perversion, of other parts, which are of no less value and importance. One test of your own feelings, whether or no they are biassed towards a private system, is to ask yourself this question: Is there any portion of the word of God (in the Epistles of St. Paul, or St. James, or in any other part of Scripture) which I should wish to see differently worded? I speak of course of the original LET. III.] OF THE PREACHER. 41 Scriptures. If there is any part which your conscience tells you you wish might be altered or modified, depend on it, you are more or less drawn into the vortex of some arbitrary system of man^s invention. Then only can you be pronounced free from bias, when you are con- tent to receive the word of God, ^^not as the word , of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God;'^ and then only may you be satisfied, that you will neither corrupt it, nor handle it deceitfully." « LETTER IV. HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE The end of preaching is, as we have seen — like that of all other speoking—persuasion. Your hearers are of all degrees of intellect, and of every shade of character ; all you have a right to assume respecting them is, that they have natural feelings, conscience, and common sense. It is through the means of these faculties that you have to influence the wilL These are the avenues by which you are to reach it. The will is the fortress which you have to take, and it will require all your skill and energy, all your appliances and means. A simultaneous attack must be made on all points : you must i win their confidence, convince their understand-/ ing, and move their feelings. Most writers agree in assigning the first place in the art of persuasion to the employment of arguments to convince the understanding ; yet hearers. LET. IV.] HOW TO GAIN^ &C. 43 Aristotle^ incidentally confesses that the opinion formed by the hearer respecting the speaker, is after all the most important point. If the great master of rhetoric allows this fact, when speaking of oratory in general, we shall do well to consider it so in that branch of rhetoric of which we are treating. Conviction, strictly speaking, is not an essential part of a sermon. Your office is not always to convince your hearers of any thing which they are in- clined to dispute ; but perhaps, more frequently to instruct them in what they are ignorant of, or imperfectly acquainted with; to remind them of what they have forgotten, and to urge them to act upon undisputed principles. You have not so much to convince them of the danger of sin, the mercy of God, and their own high privileges, as to induce them to think seriously on these matters, and to act accordingly. But, in order to compass any one of these points, it is indispensable that you should gain their confidence: until you have done this, there will be a prejudice against every thing you say. Now by far the most important point, with a view to gain their confidence, is that they should be, in the first place, aware that you have veceived a divine commission to ^ Arist. Rhet. lib. i. cap. ii. sec. 4. 44 HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE [pART T. teach them. On this point I would only observe, that in the lamentable ignorance of Church principles which at present unhappily prevails, it is absolutely necessary that you should, from time to time as occasion serves, set forth, dis- creetly but boldly, the doctrine of the Apos- tolic succession; the fact that the Bishops alone have received authority in the Church of Christ to ordain ministers, and the claim which ministers so ordained have to the attention of the people. But this is a subject which scarcely comes within the province of rhetoric, and I touch on it only by the way, and proceed to the rhetorical requirements. In order to gain the confidence of your hearers, three points must be established in their opinion — that you have good principle^ good iDill towards them^ and good sense ^ You must give them reason to believe that you are sincere — that you have their good at heart, — and that you are competent to instruct them. I need scarcely observe to you, that the first step towards making them believe that you pos- sess these qualities is really to possess them. Even a heathen rhetorician ^ declared that none but a good man could be an orator.^^ 2 'Ap€r??, tvvoia, ^p62/??