Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org
Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org
Shun all controversies about politics; and especially that disgrace of the pulpit, political preaching. I have known this do much evil; but though I have often heard it, I never knew an instance of its doing good. A sentence or two of affectionate prayer in different parts of the discourse has a wonderful tendency to enliven it, and to make the people hear with concern and interest. Never ape any person, however eminent he may be for piety or ministerial abilities. Every man has a fort, as it is called, of his own; and if he keep within it he is impregnable. A fine appearance and a fine voice cover many weaknesses and defects, and strongly and forcibly recommend what is spoken, though not remarkable for depth of thought or solidity of reasoning. Many popular orators have little beside their persons and their voice to recommend them. When you baptize, let it be, if possible, in the face of the congregation; and not in the vestry, nor in private. Take occasion in a few words to explain its nature and importance, both to the congregation and to the parents; and insist on the personal attendance of the latter, that you may give them those directions and charges relative to their training up their children in the discipline and admonition of the Lord which the case requires; and take heed that all whom you baptize be properly registered; and let the register book be kept in the most secure place, because it is of great importance; and in all cases in which a baptismal register can be applied, these registers are complete evidences in law. In administering the sacrament of the Lord's supper, be deeply reverent and devout in all your deportment. Pour out the wine into the cups leisurely, and take heed that you spill not one drop of it. Shedding the wine on the table cloth, to say the least of it, is highly unbecoming and ungraceful: keep firm hold both of the bread and the cup, till you feel the communicant has hold with yourself.
The only preaching worth any thing, in God's account, and which the fire will not burn up, is that which labours to convict and convince the sinner of his sin, to bring him into contrition for it, to convert him from it; to lead him to the blood of the covenant, that his conscience may be purged from its guilt,—to the Spirit of judgment and burning, that he may be purified from its infection,—and then to build him up on this most holy faith, by causing him to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep himself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life: this is the system pursued by the apostles, and it is that alone which God will own to the conversion of sinners. I speak from the experience of nearly fifty years in the public ministry of the word: this is the most likely mode to produce the active soul of divinity, while the body is little else but the preacher's creed. A man who preaches in such a language as the people cannot comprehend may do for a stage player or a mountebank, but not for a minister of Christ. How foolish the preacher who uses fine and hard words in his preaching, which, though admired by the shallow, convey no instruction to the multitude. A harsh, unfeeling method of preaching the promises of the gospel, and a smiling manner of producing the terrors of the Lord, are equally reprehensible. Some preachers are always severe and magisterial; others are always mild and insinuating: neither of these can do God's work; and it would take two such to make one preacher. How injudicious must that preacher be who frequently brings his people abstract questions concerning civil rights and civil wrongs, party politics, reasons of state, financial blunders, royal prerogatives, divine right of kings, questions on which a thousand things may be said pro and con: and, after all, a wise and dispassionate man finds it extremely difficult, after bearing both sides, to make up his mind as to that which he should from duty and interest attach himself.
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The only preaching worth any thing, in God's account, and which the<br />
fire will not burn up, is that which labours to convict and convince the<br />
sinner of his sin, to bring him into contrition for it, to convert him from<br />
it; to lead him to the blood of the covenant, that his conscience may be<br />
purged from its guilt,—to the Spirit of judgment and burning, that he may<br />
be purified from its infection,—and then to build him up on this most<br />
holy faith, by causing him to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep himself in<br />
the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto<br />
eternal life: this is the system pursued by the apostles, and it is that alone<br />
which God will own to the conversion of sinners. I speak from the<br />
experience of nearly fifty years in the public ministry of the word: this is<br />
the most likely mode to produce the active soul of divinity, while the<br />
body is little else but the preacher's creed.<br />
A man who preaches in such a language as the people cannot<br />
comprehend may do for a stage player or a mountebank, but not for a<br />
minister of Christ.<br />
How foolish the preacher who uses fine and hard words in his<br />
preaching, which, though admired by the shallow, convey no instruction<br />
to the multitude.<br />
A harsh, unfeeling method of preaching the promises of the gospel,<br />
and a smiling manner of producing the terrors of the Lord, are equally<br />
reprehensible. Some preachers are always severe and magisterial; others<br />
are always mild and insinuating: neither of these can do God's work; and<br />
it would take two such to make one preacher.<br />
How injudicious must that preacher be who frequently brings his<br />
people abstract questions concerning civil rights and civil wrongs, party<br />
politics, reasons of state, financial blunders, royal prerogatives, divine<br />
right of kings, questions on which a thousand things may be said pro and<br />
con: and, after all, a wise and dispassionate man finds it extremely<br />
difficult, after bearing both sides, to make up his mind as to that which<br />
he should from duty and interest attach himself.
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