creation on his heart-a new era in his life-such as will find its full scope and influence only in the boundless expanse of eternity? SECTION III. PRACTICAL PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL. 66 THE Gospel may be preached in all the accuracy of doctrinal statement, and in all the richness of experimental comfort, and yet may be only as a very lovely song of one, that hath a pleasant voice."* The practical detail of its obligations and fruits is often a ground of offence, where its doctrinal expositions have been listened to with interest, and even its spiritual enjoyments been tasted with self-delusive delight. It is more easy to deal with a darkened understanding, and with excited feelings, than with a corrupt will. And if the work of the Ministry were to end with the understanding and affections, without any corresponding practical obligations, the message would be far less offensive to the natural heart. But the Christian Minister will feel that the "declaration of all the counsel of God" would be as incomplete without a direct and detailed enforcement of practical obligation, as if all reference to doctrine or experience were totally omitted. Let these three departments of preaching be exhibited in their mutual connexion, dependence, and use; and the head, heart, and life, will be simultaneously influenced. Ezek. xxxiii. 32. † See Matt. xiii. 20. John v. 35. Heb. vi. 5, See Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. The connexion of practical with doctrinal preaching is of the utmost importance-to inculcate Christian duty upon the basis of Christian doctrine-to represent it as the natural exercise of love and gratitude, arising from the believing apprehension of Redeeming love-to exhibit the operation of Christian motives flowing from the doctrine of the cross-to mark the union of the soul with Christ, as the only source of holiness, and to trace the acceptance of whatever by this union we are enabled to perform solely to His atonement and mediation. This was the Apostolical system of practical preaching -connecting all relative duties with the doctrine of Christ.* And this is the only effectual mode of attaining the end desired by the use of the means. Bishop Horsley's testimony is most decisive on this point— The practice of religion will always thrive in proportion as its doctrines are generally understood and firmly received; and the practice will degenerate and decay in proportion as the doctrine is misunderstood and neglected. It is true, therefore, that it is the great duty of a preacher of the Gospel to press the practice of its precepts upon the consciences of men. But then it is equally true, that it is his duty to enforce this practice in a particular way, namely, by inculcating its doctrines. The motives which the revealed doctrines furnish, are the only motives he has to do with, and the only motives by which religious duty can be effectually enforced.† Bishop Horne has well observed-'to preach practical sermons, as they are called, i. e. sermons upon virtues *Such as the duties of husbands, Eph. v. 25-wives, 22servants, Eph. vi. 5. Col. iii. 24 Tit. ii. 10-subjects, 1 Pet. ii. 13. The illative particle (therefore) significantly illustrates this connexion and dependance. Rom xii. 1. Ephes. iv. 1. Col. iii. 1, &c. † Charges, p. 10. and vices without inculcating those great Scripture truths of redemption and grace, and which alone can excite and enable us to forsake sin and follow after righteousness, what is it, but to put together the wheels, and set the hands of a watch, forgetting the spring, which is to make them all go?'* In another place he remarks to the same effect, with his happy powers of illustration—'One thing indeed we do affirm, because we can prove it from Scripture, that whoever preaches and enforces moral duties, without justification and sanctification preceding, may as well declaim upon the advantages of walking, to a man that can neither stir hand nor foot: such is the natural impotence of the soul to do any good thing, till it is justified and sanctified. Let the declamation be ever so elegant, St. Peter's plain address, I suppose, would be worth ten thousand of them, to a cripple—“ In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Such is the difference between an Ethical divine and a Christian preacher.'† One more testimony may be added from an eloquent living writer-'A morality more elevated and pure, than is to be met with in the pages of Seneca or Epictetus, will breathe through your sermons, founded on a basis which every understanding can comprehend, and enforced by sanctions which nothing but the utmost stupidity can despise--a morality, of which the love of God, and a devoted attachment to the Redeemer, are the plastic soul, which, pervading every limb, and expressing itself in every lineament of the new creature, gives it a beauty all its own. As it is the genuine fruit of just and affecting views of Divine truth, you will never sever it from its parent stock, nor indulge *Bishop Horne's Essays, p. 162. Bishop Horne on preaching the Gospel, pp. 7.8. the fruitless hope of leading men to holiness, without strongly imbuing them with the spirit of the Gospel. Truth and holiness are, in the Christian system, so intimately allied, that the warm and faithful inculcation of the one, lays the only foundation for the other." The Scripture illustrates this practical exposition of Christian doctrine. The doctrine of the Trinity is stated in connexion with Christian worship, and with the exercise of love to God. From the doctrine of the incarnation is drawn at one time an arrow of conviction; at other times it is the motive for humility,§ love, or obedience. The atonement is displayed, as the principle of hatred of sin,** and love to the Saviour. The doctrine of election (as we have lately remarked ‡‡ is connected statedly with personal holiness or as an incentive to persevering diligence. §§ The Sovereignty and freeness of grace is not the allowance of Antinomiam ease, but the excitement to laborious activity; so that in every view of the connexion of doctrine and practice is a prominent part of a Scriptural Ministration of the word. Thus the doctrines of the Gospel, not only explain the nature and inculcate the obligations, but are themselves the principles-nay the only principlesof holiness. No mere precepts will extirpate the natural love of sin, or infuse a new bias in the heart. The doctrine of the word of life is the appointed instrument for effecting the mighty change; and p. 39. *Hall on the Discouragements and Supports of the Ministry Matt. xxviii. 19. 2 Thess. iii. 5. Ye have killed the Holy One. Acts iii. 14, 15. § Phil. ii. 4-6. tt 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. ¶ Matt. xvii. 5. Acts iii. 22, 23. §§ 2 Pet. i. 10. 2 Cor. viii. 9. See Phil. ii. 12, 13. therefore the only practical preaching, that will accomplish the desired end, is the exhibition of Christ as the source of spiritual life, and the detailed enforcement of Christian practice as the active exercises of this life.* We say-detailed enforcement-because the Apostle does not satisfy himself with a general recommendation of holiness-but follows it out into the distinct enumeration of particular duties, and reproof of particular sins, as his knowledge of the state of his people dictated to him.† And this we conceive to be a most important part of the Apostolical preaching, as the model for our imitation. The connexion of practical with experimental preaching is also of considerable importance. An exclusive standard of experimental preaching, and an unvaried representation of Christian privileges, irrespective of practical obligations, would be a most unfaithful dispensation of our Divine commission. It is most important to show, that the extent and enjoyment of Christian privileges is a principle not of inactive indulgence, but of habitual devotion to the work of God. It is, when the Christian is realizing his participation of heavenly portion, when a sense of pardon is applied to his soul, when the seal of the spirit is impressed upon his heart, when "fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" are spiritually apprehended -it is under the influence of these enlivening delights, that the grateful principle springs-"What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?" The detail of Christian duty is the practical expression of his gratitude for experimental privileges. Relative * See an admirable sermon on this subject preached at the Visitation of the Archdeacon of Wells. By Ralph Lyon, M. A. † See Rom xii. Eph. iv. v. throughout. Psalm cxvi. 12. VOL. II. 5 |