THOUGHTS

ON THE

COMPOSITION OF A SERMON,

AS ADAPTED TO

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

SO many are the Treatises on the Composition of a Sermon, produced by the wisdom of the learned, and the zeal of the pious, that to attempt to add to their arguments, or to illustrate their positions, may subject me to the imputation of overweening vanity, and intolerable arrogance. But by such motives, I can solemnly assure my readers, I am not, in the remotest degree, actuated. Some observations contained in this Essay may perhaps, be useful to those who have not an opportunity of consulting the elaborate and philosophical writings, which accurately examine, and clearly explains the several parts of which a Sermon is composed; my intention being merely to submit a few observations, to the young and inexperienced, and make, at the same time, such reflections, as may, if duly considered, tend to introduce among such, whose mode of writing and speaking is not unalterably

fixed, some improvement in the art of public preaching in the Established Church.

Whoever sits down to write a Sermon should first examine, whether he is possessed of the various requisites, which will enable him to produce a composition, creditable to himself, and advantageous to his hearers? Has he a thorough knowledge of the Sacred Writings? Is he able to apply them with exact judgment, and uninterrupted facility, in the support of an evangelical truth, and in the extirpation of a pernicious error? And are they so familiar to him, that he can *, by incorporating their language with his own, give vigour to his thoughts, and ornament to his style; convey information to the mind, delight to the imagination, and piety to the heart? Can he, by a diligent study of the best writers in divinity, adduce the strongest arguments, and combine the clearest ideas, which the nature of the subject requires? I speak not of taste, philosophy, logic, philology, and classical learning-with each of which, I suppose him to have become, to a certain extent, acquainted in the University. I speak not of a knowledge of the human heart, it being a book, which a young man cannot, in general, have very diligently inspected.

* The admirable Sermons of Archbishop Secker, are, in this respect, the very best models: it is peculiar to that distinguished Prelate, to express his thoughts in the beautiful language of the Sacred Writings.

If he be possessed of talent which enables him to compose, he will next consider, what is the design of a Sermon ? It is to illustrate God's Book, and to persuade the assembly, to whom the composition is to be addressed, to become God's people: it is to combat with power, and eradicate with effect, the prevalence of open, and the propensity to secret, sins. The undertaking is bold, the task difficult, the success uncertain. The Preacher, therefore, not only prévious to the entering on his labor, but throughout every part of it, should beseech the Almighty to endow him with a spirit, to think only what he can approve. For, becoming as we do, in a more especial manner when we compose public discourses, "laborers with God;" employing ourselves, professedly, when we illustrate evangelical truth, in the more immediate service of our Master, we can scarce expect to be accounted worthy to promote his glory, which should be our sovereign aim, if we neglect to supplicate by fervent prayer, the direction and assistance which are graciously promised, and individually given, to all diligent and faithful dispensers of the heavenly word. "Form yourselves thoroughly," says Archbishop Secker, "by devout meditations, and fervent prayer, to seriousness of heart, and zeal for the eternal welfare of souls: for then every thing else, that you are to do, will follow of course. Every sentence we write, and

The reader will probably be gratified by seeing the several observations contained in this volume, supported by the authority of the venerable Secker.

every thought we conceive, should be with this impression on our souls, that we are appointed the ambassadors of him, whom the Lord anointed "to preach good tidings." In the various arguments therefore, which we urge, and the several addresses which we make, the end of both should be to "bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim "liberty to the captives, and the opening of the "prison to them that are bound." I mention, particularly, the habitually pious * disposition, and uniformly devout frame of mind, in which a Sermon should be composed; because, from many of those discourses which we both read in print, and hear from the pulpit, we may, without censure or uncharitableness, conclude, that their authors have scarce a sense of the blessings of redemption on their hearts: which account, they are, it may be presumed, delivered without feeling, heard without interest, and read without effect. Religion and piety must be inscribed, in indelible characters on the

on

"A fervent desire of being useful, will teach you more than any particular directions can upon every head. Without this desire, you will either be negligent; or if you would seem zealous, you will be detected for want of uniform.ity and perseverance. Therefore make sure first that all be right within, and out of the good treasure of the heart, you will bring forth good things, naturally and prudently, and through the Grace of the Holy Spirit, effectually. It is not easy inded even to instruct the willing; much less to convince the unwilling, and reform the wicked. But still these are the purposes for which we are God's Ambassadors.”—Abp. SECKER.