In Dr. Barrow, one admires more the prodigious fecundity of his invention, and the uncommon strength and force of his conceptions, than the felicity of his execution, or his talent in composition. We see a genius far surpassing the common, peculiar indeed almost to himself; but that genius often shooting wild, and unchastised by any discipline or study of eloquence.

I cannot attempt to give particular characters of that great num ber of writers of sermons which this, and the former age, have produced, among whom we meet with a variety of most respectable uames. We find in their composition much that deserves praise; a great display of abilities of different kinds, much good sense and piety, strong reasoning, sound divinity, and useful instruction; though in general the degree of eloquence bears not, perhaps, equal proportion to the goodness of the matter. Bishop Atterbury deserves to be particularly mentioned as a model of correct and beautiful style, besides having the merit of a warmer and more eloquent strain of writing, in some of his sermons, than is commonly met with. Had Bishop Butler, in place of abstract philosophical essays, given us more sermons in the strain of those two excellent ones, which he composed upon self deceit, and upon the character of Balaam, we should then have pointed him out as distinguished for that species of characteristical sermons which I before recommended.

Though the writings of the English divines are very proper to be read by such as are designed for the church, I must caution them against making too much use of them, or transcribing large passages of them into the sermons they compose. Such as once indulge themselves in this practice, will never have any fund of their own. Infinitely better it is, to venture into the pulpit with thoughts and expressions which have occurred to themselves, though of inferior beauty, than to disfigure their compositions by borrowed and illsorted ornaments, which, to a judicious eye, will be always in hazard of discovering their own poverty. When a preacher sits down to write on any subject, never let him begin with seeking to consult all who have written on the same text or subject. This, if he consult many, will throw perplexity and confusion into his ideas; and if he consults only one, will often warp him insensibly into his method, whether it be right or not. But let him begin with pondering the subject in his own thoughts; let him endeavour to fetch materials from within; to collect and arrange his ideas; and form some sort of a plan to himself, which it is always proper to put down in writing. Then, and not till then, he may inquire how others have treated the same subject. By this means, the method and the leading thoughts in the sermon are likely to be his own. These thoughts he may improve, by comparing them with the track of sentiment which others have pursued; some of their sense he may, without blame, incorporate into his composition; retaining always his own words and style. This is fair assistance: all beyond is plagiarism.

On the whole, never let the capital principle with which we set

out at first, be forgotten, to keep close in view the great end for which a preacher mounts the pulpit; even to infuse good dispositions into his hearers, to persuade them to serve God, and to become better men. Let this always dwell on his mind when he is composing, and it will diffuse through his compositions that spirit which will render them at once esteemed and useful. The most useful preacher is always the best, and will not fail of being esteemed so. Embellish truth only with a view to gain it the more full and free admission into your hearers' minds; and your ornaments will, in that case, be simple, masculine, natural. The best applause, by far, which a preacher can receive, arises from the serious and deep impressions which his discourse leaves on those who hear it. The finest encomium, perhaps, ever bestowed on a preacher, was given by Louis XIV. to the eloquent Bishop of Clermont, Father Massillon, whom I before mentioned with so much praise. After hearing him preach at Versailles, he said to him, 'Father, I have heard many great orators in this chapel; I have been highly pleased with them: but for you, whenever I hear you, I go away displeased with myself; for I see more of my own character.'

QUESTIONS.

BEFORE treating of the structure and the eloquence of the pulpit be? What component parts of a regular oration, is one of the first qualities of preaching; on what did our author propose making and in what sense? What does our ausome observations? Of what has he al- thor, therefore, not scruple to assert? ready treated; and what remains? With How is this remark illustrated? If this what shall we begin? What advantages be the proper idea of a sermon, what has the pulpit peculiar to itself? But to- very material consequence follows? In gether with these advantages, what a preceding lecture, what was shown? peculiar difficulties attend the eloquence If this holds in other kinds of public of the palpit? What sort of composi-speaking, why does it hold in the hightion is the greatest trial of skill? What, est degree in preaching? What will also, is to be considered? What is solely this always give to his exhortations, the preacher's business; and what is and of this, what is observed? What the pleader's? Whom does the latter would prove the most effectual guard describe; and what is the consequence? against those errors which preachers From these causes, what comes to pass? are apt to commit; and what would be In the art of preaching, we are still far its influence? What is one of the great from what; and what follows? Of the causes why so few arrive at very high object, however, what is observed? On eminence in preaching? What are the this subject, what is the opinion of Dr. chief characteristics of the eloquence Campbell? What may, perhaps, occur suited to the pulpit; and why? Why to some; and on what principle? Un- is it difficult to unite these two characder what circumstances would this ob- ters of eloquence? In what should their jection have weight? What is true elo- union be studied by all preachers, as of quence? Of this, what is observed; and the utmost consequence? What de gra why? What is an essential requisite, vity and warmth, united, form; and by in order to preach well? Why is this it, what is meant? Next to a just idea necessary; and what is the end of all of the nature and object of pulpit elopreaching? What, therefore, should quence, what is the point of greatest every sermon be? What remark fol- importance to the preacher? On this lows; and on what is all persuasion founded? How is this illustrated? At the same time, what must be remembered? For what purposes does he not ascend the pulpit; and for what purposes does he ascend it? Of what kind, then, must

subject, what is remarked? In general, the subjects should be of what kind How is this illustrated? As usefulness and true eloquence always go together, what follows? Till what time are the rules which relate to the different parts

of a discourse, to be reserved; but | power and effect to a preacher's dia what will now be given? What is the course; and hence, what commands first rule mentioned? Of unity, what high attention? Why should no fas here observed? What does our au-vourable opportunity of introducing thor mean by unity? How is this illus-these be omitted? What, perhaps, are trated? On what is this rule founded; the most beautiful, and among the most and what is the effect of dividing? useful, sermons? Of this topic of preachWhat does this unity not require? As ing, what is observed? What is menit is not to be understood in so narrow a tioned as an example? In the last place, sense, what does it admit? Of th.is re-what caution is added? Of these, what mark, what illustration is given? In is remarked? How is this illustrated? the second place, according to what Of each of these modes, what is obser are sermons always the more striking, ved; and what follows? What, alone, and commonly the more useful; and is entitled to any authority; and of it, from what does this follow? How is what is observed? If a preacher forms this illustrated? By whom are general himself upon this standard, what will subjects often chosen; and why? Of be the consequence? How is this rethese subjects, what is observed; and mark illustrated? With respect to style, with what do they fall in? By what what does the pulpit require? As dis course is attention much more particu-courses spoken, there are calculated for larly commanded? What furnishes a the instruction of all sorts of heaters subject not deficient in unity or pre-what should reign in them; and what cision? But how may the subject be should be avoided? Of young preachmade still more interesting? What re-ers, what is here observed? What does mark follows? In the third place, in- the pulpit require, and with what is this stead of saying all that can be said perfectly consistent? How is this illusupon a subject, what course should be trated? Why is a lively and animated pursued? Under what circumstances style, extremely suited to the pulpit? would it be requisite for the ministers Besides employing metaphors and comof the Gospel to be full on every parti-parisons, what may he do? But on this cular; and why? What remark fol- subject, what only is it necessary to lows? There may always be what? observe? What is a great ornament to If he seeks to omit nothing which his sermons, and how may it be employed? subject suggests, what will be the con- Of direct quotations, and of allusions to sequence? In studying a sermon, what remarkable passages, what is observed? hould the preacher do? What mode In a sermon, what should not appear; enervates the noblest truths? What and of these, what is observed? Though may be a consequence of observing a strong style must be studied, yet of this rule? Why will this be attended what must we beware? Of epithets, with no disadvantage? What is by far the simplest and most natural method; and why? On the contrary, to what is that tedious circuit, which some are ready to take in all their illustrations, frequently owing?

what is remarked; and how is this illustrated? With what advice does our author conclude this head? What ques tion is here introduced; and how is it answered? To what must the choice of either of these methods be left? Of the In the fourth place, above all things, expressions which come warm and what must be studied? Of this, what glowing from the mind, what is obseris observed; and why? In order to ved? But, then, what follow. ? What preach in an interesting manner, on method, therefore, is proper, and at the what will much depend; and for what beginning absolutely necessary? What reason? What are here but the sccon- is our author inclined still further to dary instruments; and in what does say; and why? What only, at present, the great secret lie? For this end, what is said of pronunciation and delivery; must he avoid? As much as possible, and what remark follows? Of the comin what strain should the discourse be mon people, what is here observed ? carried on? What will be of much ad- How might those materially aid then.vantage; and for what reason? For selves, whose memories are not suffithis purpose, what study is most neces-cient to retain a whole discourse? Of sary; and what produces a wonderful French and English writers of sermons. effect? When are the audience apt to what is here observed? What is a think themselves unconcerned in the French sermon? To what do the French description? What gives the chief preachers address themselves; and t

are designed for the church here cautioned; why; and what practice were infinitely better? When a preacher sits down to write a sermon, what course should he pursue; and for what reason? On the whole, what should never be forgotten? What influence will this have upon his mind; and what remarks follow? What is the best applause that a preacher can receive; and what instance is here mentioned? ANALYSIS.

what the English? What would form ticularly mentioned? What is said o. the model of a perfect serinon? How Bishop Butler, and what are his best would a French sermon sound in our sermons? Against what are such as ears? What censure do French critics pass on English preachers? What are the defects of most of the French sermons? Admitting, however, all these defects, what cannot be denied? Among French protestant divines, who is the most distinguished; and who is the most celebrated among the Roman Catholics? Of them respectively, what is observed? When did the sermons of English divines abound with scholastic theology; and of what were they full? But to these, what were subjoined? Upon the restoration, what did 1. The advantages of pulpit eloquence. preaching become; and what was the 2. The difficulties that attend it. effect of this upon the established cler-3. An habitual view of its end essential 4. The character of the preacher. gy? Upon this model, whose sermons 5. Its characteristics. are most correct; and what is said of him? Of Tillotson's manner, what is observed? Hence, what is he; but why must we not consider him in the light of a perfect orator? What, however, entitles him to be held as eminent a preacher as England has produced? In Dr. Barrow, what do we admire; and what 6. do we see? What cannot our author 8. attempt; and what is observed of them? preaching. Why does Atterbury deserve to be par-19. 'Distinguished preachers of both nations.

Rules for composing sermons. A. Unity should be attended to. B. The subject should be particular. c. It should not be exhausted. D. The instructions should be interesting.

E. No particular model should be followed.

Perspicuity of style requisite. The French and the English manner of 7. Reading sermons considered.

LECTURE XXX.

CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF A SERMON OF
BISHOP ATTERBURY'S.

THE last lecture was employed in observations on the peculiar and distinguishing characters of the eloquence proper for the pulpi But as rules and directions, when delivered in the abstract, are never so useful as when they are illustrated by particular instances, it may, perhaps, be of some benefit to those who are designed for the church, that I should analyze an English sermon, and consider the matter of it, together with the manner. For this purpose, I have chosen Bishop Atterbury as my example, who is deservedly accounted one of our most eloquent writers of sermons, and whom I mentioned as such in the last lecture. At the same time, he is more distinguished for elegance and purity of expression, than for profoundness of thought. His style, though sometimes careless, is, upon the whole, neat and chaste; and more beautiful than that of most writers of sermons. In his sentiments he is not only rational, but pious and devotional, which is a great excellency. The sermon which I have singled out, is that upon praise and thanksgiving, the first sermon of the first volume, which is reckoned one of his best. In examining it, it is necessary that I should use full liberty, and together with the beauties, point out any defects that occur to me, in the matter as well as in the style

PSALM i. 14. Offer unto God Thanksgiving.

'Among the many excellencies of this pious collection of hymns, for which so particular a value hath been set upon it by the church of God in all ages, this is not the least, that the true price of duties is there justly stated; men are called off from resting in the outward show of religion, in ceremonies and ritual observances; and taught rather to practise (that which was shadowed out by these rights, and to which they are designed to lead) sound inward piety and

virtue.

'The several composers of these hymns were prophets; persons whose business it was not only to foretel events, for the benefit of the church in succeeding times, but to correct and reform also what was amiss among that race of men with whom they lived and conversed; to preserve a foolish people from idolatry and false worship; to rescue the law from corrupt glosses, and superstitious abuses; and to put men in mind of (what they are so willing to forget) that eternal and invariable rule, which was before these positive duties, would continue after them, and was to be observed, even then, in preference to them.

The discharge, I say, of this part of the prophetic office, taking up so much room in the book of Psalms; this hath been one reason, among many others, why they have always been so highly esteemed; because we are from hence furnished with a proper reply to an argument commonly made use of by unbelievers, who look upon all revealed religions as pious frauds and impostures, on account of the prejudices they have entertained in relation to that of the Jews; the whole of which they first suppose to lie in external performances, and then easily persuade themselves, that God could never be the author of such a mere piece of pageantry and empty formality, nor delight in a worship which consisted purely in a number of odd, unaccountable ceremonies. Which objection of theirs we should not be able thoroughly to answer, unless we could prove, (chiefly out of the Psalms, and other parts of the prophetic writings,) that the Jewish religion was somewhat more than bare outside and show; and that inward purity, and the devotion of the heart, was a duty then as well as now.'

This appears to me an excellent introduction. The thought on which it rests is solid and judicious; that in the book of Psalms, the attention of men is called to the moral and spiritual part of religion; and the Jewish dispensation thereby vindicated from the suspicion of requiring nothing more from its votaries than the observance of the external rights and ceremonies of the law. Such views of religion are proper to be often displayed; and deserve to be insisted on, by all who wish to render preaching conducive to the great purpose of promoting righteousness and virtue. The style, as far as we have gone, is not only free from faults, but elegant and happy.

It is a great beauty in an introduction, when it can be made to turn on some thought, fully brought out and illustrated; especially,