in neglecting it, malum, inutile, amarum; which are capable of many subordinate branches; the design of application being to bring down general truths to particular cases. It cannot therefore be improper, in this part, to repeat some of the most material things to this pose, which were before enlarged upon in the doctrinal part, under the general head of reason from interest.

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These things may sometimes be the more effectually pressed, by adding to them some affectionate obsecrations, like those of the blessed Apostle, "I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God."* "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, &"

2. Means or Directions should consist of such particulars as may best conduce to the attaining of any grace, or the performance of any duty. And these may be either General, or more Special: General; as prayer, seeking it from God, who is the fountain of all good; setting apart some solemn time for our more particular inquiry after it; improving our abilities and opportunities to this purpose, &c. More special; according as the nature of several subjects shall require, and scriptures or experience direct.

These are the chief uses to which scriptures may be applied. They are frequently mentioned under more and different names; but they are all reducible to these heads. It is not necessary they should be all insisted upon in every sermon, but only such of them as may be most suitable to the text, and seasonable to the time and auditory.

22. The conclusion should consist of such matter as may engage the hearers to a serious remembrance and consideration of the truths delivered, that they may revolve upon them, and be careful to renew that impression, which has thereby been made upon their souls by conference and meditation. To which purpose, as the milder affections, (ra nen,) best suit with the introduction, which insinuate into the love and attention of the hear.

ers; so, (ra an,) the more vehement affections will best become the conclusion, as supposing then we have won the cause we contended for, and convinced and persuaded the auditory beyond all opposition. And therefore here it will be proper to recapitulate some of the most effectual arguments, which may leave the hearers moved and stirred up in their affections.

Thus much briefly concerning the most easy method, and true logic of a sermon, which was the first thing proposed to be discussed, and being rightly understood, may be a very great help to facilitate this service of preaching.

§ 23. (II.) The next general head to be insisted upon, is concerning the invention of MATTER, where there are two things considerable; the seasonableness of it to the time and auditory; and the pertinency of it to the text, or subject we are to treat of.

1. The first of these must be left to the prudence of the minister, in distinguishing times and emergencies, in applying himself to the several conditions and necessities of his hearers, whether they are to be taught and instructed in some necessary truth, or to be excited to some necessary duty. To which purpose, he must consider, whether the generality of his hearers be either ignorant or knowing; whether enemies to religion, or professors-of it; whether merely formal, or truly pious; whether more cheerful and zealous, or more cold and sluggish: according to which variety, his doctrine and expressions must be variously suited. To use the same matter and manner in all auditories, is as if a person should make all wearable goods of an equal size, for children and men, large and small; there being as much difference betwixt their inward gifts and necessities, as betwixt the outward statures. As in other invitations, we carve that to the guests which is most suitable to their several palates and appetites; so in these spiritual feasts, we should be careful to fit our preparations to the capacity and edification of the hearers. This is the meaning of the Holy Ghost, in that expression (opdoroμsiv

Tov hoyov,) rightly to divide the word of truth;* when the preacher, like a faithful steward, proportions his dispensations according to the exigencies of the family; when like a wise physician, he fits his prescriptions according to the several necessities of his patients. This is to have "the tongue of the learned," which knows how to speak a word in due season.

2. The matter must be pertinent and natural to the subject we are to insist upon. For want of skill in the invention of this, many preachers (especially young beginners) are very apt to complain of much dryness and slowness in their composures, and to take any hint of flying out into impertinent amplifications, not being able to enlarge and keep close to their text. Now there is a three-fold remedy against this; Prayer, Reading, and Meditation. By the first, we must be prepared and directed both in our judgments and affections: by the second, we may inform and furnish ourselves with materials: by the third, we may digest them into the most proper way for the edification of others. Lectio inquirit, Oratio postulat, Meditatio invenit, Contemplatio degustat:‡ Reading inquires, Prayer desires, Study and Meditation discover and digest.

1. Prayer; that God would direct and enable us for the particular service that lies upon us. It was an usual saying of LUTHER, Bene orasse est bene studuisse; he always found himself in best temper for study, when he had first composed his thoughts, and raised up his affections by prayer. And certainly the weightiness of the service may justly deserve this preparation. For if queen Esther, if Nehemiah, being to speak to an earthly king, for the temporal safety of their people, did first prepare themselves this way; much more then should ministers, who are to be ambassadors from the great God concerning that weighty business of men's eternal salvation.

2. Reading. It was the Apostle's advice to Timothy, "Give attendance to reading." And he says, that it is † Isa. 1. 4. AUGUSTIN de scalis parad, cap. ii.

* 2 Tim. ii. 15.

§ 1 Tim. iv. 13.

the study of the scriptures which must make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished.* If this were necessary in those primitive times; when men were extraordinarily inspired with special gifts; much more now; when we cannot expect any immediate infusion, but must apply ourselves to the natural proper means of attaining any ability.

3. Meditation and Study; " Meditate on these things, give thyself wholly to them;t (EY TYTO 1001.) be in them; which phrase implies much intention and industry in our studies. DEMOSTHENES would have such an one branded for a man pernicious to the commonwealth, who durst propose any thing publicly which he had not before-hand seriously pondered. What impudence is it then, in the great business of salvation, when a man appears before the church, angels, and God himself, to discourse in a loose, irreverent manner; so as to nauseate, and even to counteract the devotion and atten. tion of the hearers, and thus to prostitute the esteem and authority of that sacred ordinance!‡

25. But now because amongst those helps of inven tion which fall under the rules of art, this of reading is one of the principal; therefore it will deserve particu lar consideration. There are two things which in our reading and study may be of great advantage, viz. Good books, and a right series of matter to be first and most exactly inquired into.

There is no external help more effectual to direct a man to pertinent, useful matter, upon all subjects and occasions, than a well chosen library, wherein, upon any emergent doubt or difficulty, he may have recourse to the advice of grave and learned men, who (it may be) have bestowed a great part of their time and study in

* 2 Tim. iii. 17.

† 1 Tim. iv. 5.

Let such rash persons consider, Qualis sit res_ovile Christi, quam pulchra et Deo grata sit ovium Christi societas, in cujus medio Dominus ille est, cui sol et luna famulantur, cui adsunt ministri ejus millia millium et decies centena millia! Quante molis est regnum Christi erigere, et Satana palatia demoliri! Nic. HEMMING. De Pastore.

the solution of that particular question into which he hath occasion to inquire.

There are many men whose natural parts would extremely improve, and grow very eminent, if they had but the knowledge and help of such authors as are most suitable to their genius and employment; whereas, on the other hand, their abilities are much damped, and kept low, while they are confined only to a scanty, illchosen library. There is as much art and benefit, in the right choice of those. books with which we should be most familiar, as there is in the selection of friends or acquaintance, with whom we may most profitably con

verse.

And this knowledge of books, as it is in itself a very specious part of learning, making oftentimes a more pompous shew than the knowledge of things; so it is likewise of very great use and advantage. For the attaining of this, the most proper, effectual mean is, our own study and experience in the works of several authors. But because that is a business of vast industry and much time, scarce consistent with the frequent returns of public service required of a constant preacher, unless before-hand he be qualified for this by his education and leisure; therefore, there is another help to expedite our inquiries of this kind; namely, the perusal of such books as give a particular account of all authors, the times when they lived, the works they have published, with the several subjects they have insisted upon, their editors, translations, &c.*

§ 26. (III.) The third and last point to be insisted upon is concerning EXPRESSION; in which there are two things to be considered, Phrase and Elocution. The phrase should be plain, full, wholesome, and affectionate.

1. It must be plain and natural; not darkened with

Instead of detaining the reader in the body of the work, as the original does, by a tedious enumeration of boaks and authors, we refer him to an Appendix on this subject, at the end of the volume.