It cannot be but that a Work of this nature should be liable to many objections. Persons will vary in their judgment with respect to it, according as they affect or disregard order ; according as they relish or disapprove the use of Scripture language; according as they have been habituated to close thinking, or have been accustomed to a desultory way of com- municating their ideas ; and, lastly, according as they acquiesce in the unsophisticated doctrines of Scripture, or fondly attach themselves to human systems.
But the Author begs leave to observe, that the very plan of suggesting the whole substance of a Sermon in a few pages, of shewing in so small a space how to introduce, divide, discuss, and apply every subject, and of referring to the most impor- tant passages of Scripture that can reflect light upon it, necessarily precludes all the ornaments of language, and induces somewhat perhaps of obscurity. But if there be found some reason for that complaint, "brevis esse laboro, obscurus no," it is hoped the candid Reader will consider it as a fault incident to the plan itself; and if he meet with any expression which appears too unqualified, he is requested to remember, that a thousand qualifying clauses might be intro- duced into a full discourse, which could not possibly find place in such compositions as these : if he would regard these in their proper view, he must consider them only as rough mate- rials prepared to his hand, that out of them he may construct an edifice, modelled and adorned to his own taste.
There is another objection indeed, which has been mentioned to the Author by some of his most judicious friends. It is feared that these Skeletons may administer to sloth and idleness. But he apprehends they are so constructed, that they cannot pos- sibly be used at all, unless a considerable degree of thought be bestowed upon them. Nor does he think that any person, who has ever found the pleasure of addressing his congrega- tion in his own words, will be satisfied with reciting the compositions of another. On the other hand, if some, who would otherwise have preached the sermons of others, be drawn gradually to compose their own, and if others, who have been rude and incoherent, be assisted in the exercise of their judg- ment, it will tend to wipe off disgrace from the Established Church, and eventually, it is hoped, to benefit the souls of many.
adi PREFACE.
It is not possible to say what is the best mode of preaching for r\ny individual, because the talents of men are so various, and the extent of their knowledge so different. It seems at all events expedient that a young Minister should for some years pen his sermons, in order that he may attain a proper mode of expressing his thoughts, and accustom himself to the obtaining of clear, comprehensive, and judicious views of his subject: but that he should always continue to write every word of his discourses, seems by no means necessary. Not that it is at any time expedient for him to deliver an unpre- meditated harangue : this would be very unsuitable to the holy and important office which he stands up to discharge. But there is a medium between such extemporaneous effusions and a servile adherence to what is written : there is a method recommended by the highest authorities, which, after we have written many hundred sermons, it may not be improper to adopt: the method referred to is, to draw out a full plan or skeleton of the discourse, with the texts of Scripture which are proper to illustrate or enforce the several parts, and then to express the thoughts in such language as may occur at the time. This plan, if it have some disadvantage in point of accuracy or elegance, has, on the other hand, great advantages over a written sermon : it gives a Minister an opportunity of speaking with far more effect to the hearts of men, and of addressing himself to their passions, as well by his looks and gesture, as by his words.