nistically partial: my apology is, that it comports with the views of such men as WILKINS and WATTS, JENNINGS and DODDRIDGE, FRANCK and CLAUDE; a 'partiality that 'suited the taste of men equally illustrious for learning and goodness, the greatest ornaments of the christian pulpit, and the richest benefactors of mankind. ROTHERHAM, E: WILLIAMS. THE CHRISTIAN PREACHER, &c. DISCOURSE I. ON THE GIFT OF PREACHING. 1. Introduction. The importance of the art of preaching. § 2. One chief reason why good scholars and divines are often bad preachers. 3. What is implied in the gift of preaching. §4. (I.) Concerning METHOD. § 5. Different kinds of method, and which preferable. § 6. The parts of a sermon according to its external form; and more essential parts. § 7. (i.) Explication. Of opening the text. § 8. Of texts which have a double sense. § 9. One great help of interpreting the books of scripture is to know their times, references and order. § 10. Of explaining words and phrases. § 11. Doctrinal observations. § 12. Of stating the subject, whether doctrinal or practical. § 13. (ii.) Confirmation of the subject proposed; in doctrinal points, from scripture and reason. § 14. In practical, from divine testimony. § 15. From reason, and § 16, Experience. § 17. (iii.) Of the Application, both § 18. Doctrinal, and § 19. Practical, for reproof. § 20. Consolation, and § 21. Exhortation. § 22. The conclusion. § 23. (11,) Concerning MATTER, which ought to be seasonable, and § 24. Pertinent. To promote which are proposed several helps; particularly, $25. Reading and the knowledge of books. § 26. (III.) Concerning EXPRESSION; which must be plain. § 27. Full, $28. Sound, § 29. Affectionate. § 30. The manner of composing Sermons. § 31. Elocution, in which two extremes are to be avoided, too much boldness, and too much fear. C $ 1. IT is the end of all sciences and arts, to direct men, by certain rules, to the most compendious way of knowledge and practice. Those things of which we have only some imperfect, confused notions, are herein fully and clearly represented to our view, from the discoveries that other men have made, after much study and long experience. And there is nothing of greater consequence for the advancement of learning, than to find out particular existing advantages for the shortest way of knowing and teaching things in every profession. Amongst all other callings, therefore, this of preaching, being in many respects one of the most weighty and solemn, should have its rules, whereby we may be directed the easiest and readiest way for the practice of it. Besides all those academical preparations by the study of languages, sciences and divinity, with which men should be qualified and predisposed for this calling, there is a particular art of preaching, to which if ministers did more seriously apply themselves, it would extremely facilitate that service; making it more easy to themselves, and more profitable to their hearers, §2. There are two qualifications* requisite in every preacher; a right understanding of sound doctrine, and an ability to propound, confirm, and apply it to the edi fication of others. And the first may be without the other. As a man may be a good lawyer, and not a good pleader; so he may be a good divine, and yet not a good preacher. One chief reason why divers men, otherwise of eminent parts, are herein so slow and unskilful, is, because they have not been versed in this study, and are therefore unacquainted with those proper rules and directions by which they should be guided in the attaining and exercise of this gift. It has been the usual course at the university, to venture upon this calling in an abrupt, over-hasty manner, When scholars have passed over their philosophical 7 * Zaveris, Eppevita. Luke xxi. 15, Zopia, Moman |