On Different Strains of Preaching

§1. SHALL not here describe all the vari« ous strains of preaching for which different

WHAT SUBJECTS OUGHT TO BE PREFERRED, AND MOST FREQUENTLY INSISTED UPON BY A YOUNG PREACHER.

1. Those that relate more immediately to Christ. The glories of his person; the riches of his grace; his incarnation and birth; his life, entering into the several particulars of his example; his preaching, considering both the important doctrines he taught, and the eiellent manner in which he taught them. The sufferings and death to which he voluntarily submitted, and for what reasons; his resurrection from the dead; his ascension into heaven; his intercessiorton our behalf, and the high authority which is committed to him. The relations he stands in to his people, as their Prophet, Priest, King, Physician, Shepherd, Head, Forerunner, Captain, Advocate, Friend, Saviour, and Judge.

2. The constitution of the covenant of grace as established with believers in him. The blessings of pardon, grace, and glory, that are offered herein to all humble and believing penitents. The nature of faith; and its place in the scheme of our salvation. The nature, reasonableness, and necessity of repentance, with its genuine fruits. The freedom of God’s grace manifested in this covenant; how ratified by the blood of Christ, the Mediator. The peculiar excellence of this covenant, shewed by comparing it with former covenants.

3. The influences and operations of Grod’s Holy Spirit, and our need of them; their use and efficacy in enlightening the mind, convincing the judgment, renewing and sanctifying the souj; quickening to duty, fortifying against temptation, assisting in prayer, and comforting true christians, by witnessing to their Adoption, dipc, The necessity of seeking, cher*

men are remarkable; but only recommend fiome, which perfectly agree with each other and should be found in every Sermon.

i«hing and improving these gracious influences of heaven; and the great danger of so resisting them,

as to grieve the Divine Spirit. These are exceeding popular, scriptural, and useful subjects.

4. The privileges of true christians, e. g. pardon of sin, renewing, strengthening and confirming grace; adoption, perseverance, through continued divine in* fluences; God*s providential care over them,-ordering all things for their advantage; giving them access to his presence, believing views of glory, &c. It will impress the hearts of sinners, if proper addresses to them be intermingled; as the lancet in tha sponge. And nothing will more powerfully quicken to duty, when backed with suitable examinations.

5. General views of religion, such as Mic. iv. 8. Tit. ii. 11, &c. Remind men of their various branches of their duty in a transient manner j and urge the obligation close home upon their conscience a. For men generally know what is right, only they want to be persuaded to practise it; and particular icases of conscience cannot well be stated in a single Sermon, but may be more fully and advantageously considered in privaCe.

6. The love of God, and a devotional, spiritual, heavenly temper. Here the divine perfections taiay be represented, and espicially the relations God stands in to us, as our Creator, Preserver, Benefactor, f’ather, Friend, Guide, Sovereign, Judge; from whence the corresponding duties we owe to him will appear necessarily to arise; such as reverence, esteem, love, delight, gratitude, hope, and trust, together with an imitation of his moral excellencies, and an universal obedience and submission to his will. Here all the genuine workings of a pious soul towards him may be described; and the advantages of keeping up a holy communion with him by meditation and prayer, and other religious exercises, set ibrth. In like manner, such holy and divine princi* § 3. Let it be observed, that by” strain’’ I mean the general manner in which the whole

pies, as those of attending to the care of the soul, rather than the body; living and walking by faith; minding spiritual things seeking first the kingdom of heaven; setting our affections on things above; and having our coversation in heaven; are subjects that would be peculiarly useful to yourselves, and grateful to serious christians.

Lay open the evil of sin, and the misery of sinners in consequence of it. But still mingle encouragements with the alarm. Here display the terrors of the Lord; but let them be seldom the subjects of whole discourses, as above. And generally 2a?7i£!n< rather than menace. The surgeon’s soft hand is to be imitated.

8. The temptations and exercises of the pious soul. These cases often occur in life, and should often be touched upon in the pulpit. Show whence discouragements arise in the way of duty; and by what a variety of means men are enticed or hurried into sin. Show the need and use of constant caution and watchfulness. Assist those exercised with trials or temptations, with proper advices; and lay down rules whereby to judge of sincerity, for the comfort of christians, and the detection of hypocrites. But fence them well with scripture quotations, that they may not be thought enthusiastic.

9. Death, judgment, and eternity. Funeral discourses will probably often demand these; if not, they should not be neglected. Nothing tends to euicken more to the duties of life, and a preparation lor death.

10. The examples of good men, and passages of sacred history. These subjects are very entertaining; and will often give a natural occasion of saying very useful things in an inoffensive manner. Sometimes a virtue is better reeommended by an exanvpie than a topical discourse; v. g. Submission to God’s will in the instances of Aarpa, Jobj or D9r discourse is composed. It di&rs much from style — this regards the structure of sentences in particular, but strain respects the aspect of the entire discourse.

^3. 1. Let the strain of your Sermons be argumentative, — Be often proving something, even when it is not the business of the whole discourse to demonstrate one proposition. — As for instance, prove the justness of your explication; — the truth of subordinate assertions; — the propriety of the directions you give; — and the necessity of your cautions.’ — And never expect that any of those things which you advance will by an intelligent auditory be received merely on your word. — Nevertheless, do not let your arguments be too numerous, abstracted, or disposed in too artificial an or« der. — Remember, the explication of your subject must be us argumentative as almost any part of your Sermon.

’ 4, 2. Pathetic, — It is a wild scheme to pretend to root out the passions; — and a foolish thing to pretend to lay them asleep. — They are the sails of the soul. — The preacher must endeavour to fill them with a prosperous wind. Have some pathetic strokes even while explaining, as well as in your reflections or improvement; — or else your reasoning will not be attended to, nor of course understood; — and then, however strong in itself, it will prove of no avail, — and an address to the passions

vid; 10 Enoch’s walking with God; Abraham’s faith; Moses’ self denial ) Joseph’s chastity; and Daniel’s piety. will appear as irrational as if no such reasoning had been formed. Therefore make your Sermons addresses to your hearers, rather thaor general essays or speculative harangues; — a very necessary way of preaching the gospel. — However, oh this head be cautious; do not attempt to raise the passions of the people to immoderate transports, nor suffer your own to master you; — lest to those who are not so much affected as yourselves you appear ridiculous. — In the greatest emotions *V Ride in the whirlwind, and direct the storm.” — Remember that different degrees of fire become different subjects, and different parts of the same subject.

§ 5. 3. Insinuating, — That the passions may be moved by soft touches, and sudden turns, lead them into their own hearts; — show them the workings of their own minds and. passions. — This cannot be effected, however, without .deep reflection, and great selfacquaintance A variety of thoughts, suited to

this strain, may be found in different authors,

almost on every subject. — This insinuating

manner makes little noise’, but does great ex-

. ecution. — This is the strain of our blessed

Redeemer; — and sometimes of St. Paul.

§ 6. 4. Evangelical, — Choose such subjects as those mentioned above; — and, let your subject be whatever it may, always examine what peculiarities of the Gospel maybe brought in; — and what christian experience. — Let it be a maxim with you, never to’ preach without introducing Christ, and the Holy Spijit. —

Rather digress, as St. Paul does, than omit them.

§ 7. 5. Spiritual and ezperimentaL Consider the various cases of souls, in respect to the great concern of religion; — how convictions are introduced; — how they work; — and by what means they may be best preserved cherished and improved, — and in how many ways there is great danger, either of their gradually wearing off and leaving the heart less susceptive of them, or else of their degenerating into superstition or enthusiasm; — how Satan endeavours to stifle them. — Describe the temptations with which good men are exercised; — whether arising from the allurements of sense, the strength of predominant passions, the flatteries and frowns of the world, the influence of evil examples and bad customs, the terrors of persecution, loose and licentious principles ; — describe the horrors under which they sometimes groan; — the regret they feel when communion with God is interrupted; — the believer’s combat with indwelling sin; — and with doubts relative to his future state. — Oflen touch on these things, when they are not the principal subject of your discourse. For these purposes study the Psalms. — Deal much in the description of christian tempers. — Cultivate it in your own souls. — Represent the christian speaking; — and speak what you find in your own heart; — what you have felt in some of your best seasons.

§ 8. 6. Scriptural — Borrow scripture phraes, illustrations and proofs. — Deal in frequent

allusions to scripture. — Studj to open the beauty and energy, as well as the chief design, of the particular scripture which you choose as the ground of your discourses. — In your ’ application, especially when you wish to bring home conviction to the hearts of sinners, endeavour to find one or two powerful scriptures, and shoot them home; — no arrow is more likely to pierce the heart. The principles of analogy will often make these addresses very rational; — and it is doing an honour to the Spirit of (rod, which if we conscientiously regard, he may probably honour us. — Isaiah and Jeremiah, and the other prophets, and St.. Paul, will be of vast service for pathos; — and there is nothing that gives a style a more melodious and majestic cadence than scriptures properly interwoven with it. — Throw into these quotations a few explanatory words, with which a congregation will be delighted and edified.