Archbishop Seeker, in his last Charge, after observing, in reference to the matter of our sermons, " We have, in fact, lost many of our people to sectaries by not preaching in a manner sufficiently evangelical," (p. 299,) adds, in reference to the manner of our preaching, " There is a middle wayc, used by our predecessors, of setting down, in short notes, the method and principal heads, and enlarging on them in such words as present themselves at the time: perhaps, duly ma- naged, this is the best." (p. 315.) He then proceeds to express his disapprobation of what is called Mandating of Sermons, or repeating them from memory. This custom obtains much among foreign Divines, and throughout the whole Church of
1 i. r. Between written discourses, and unpremeditated addresses.
Scotland ; and in the Statute Book of our University there is an order from King Charles II., that this should be practised by all the Clergy, as well when preaching before the Uni- versity and at Court, as before any common audience d. This shews at least, that if a Minister had thoroughly studied his discourse, it was deemed no objection against him that he delivered it without book. But the way proposed by Arch- bishop Seeker seems far preferable, on account of the unne- cessary increase of labour to the Minister, and because the repeating of a sermon will most generally appear, as the Arch- bishop justly expresses it, like " the saying of a lesson." Many other authorities of the greatest note might be adduced (as those of Bishop Wilkin, Bishop Burnet, Archbishop of Cambray, &c.) if it were the Author's wish to vindicate this mode of preaching : but he is far from thinking it proper for all persons, or in all places. He considers it however as extremely useful, where a Minister's talents will admit of it. But, after all, the great concern both of Ministers and private Christians is, to enjoy the blessing of God upon their own souls. In whatever manner the truth may be delivered, whe- ther from a written discourse or memoriter, or from a well- digested plan, they may expect that God will accompany it with a divine energy, if they be looking up to him in the
d " Mr. Vice- Chancellor, and Gentlemen,
" Whereas his Majesty is informed, that the practice of reading Sermons is generally taken up by the Preachers before the University, and therefore continued even before himself, his Majesty hath com- manded me to signify to you his pleasure that the said practice, which took beginning with the disorders of the late times, be wholly laid aside, and that the aforesaid Preachers deliver their Sermons, both in Latin and English, by memory or without book, as being a way of preaching which his Majesty judgeth most agreeable to the use of all foreign Churches, to the custom of the University heretofore, and the nature and intendment of that holy exercise.
" And that his Majesty's commands in the premises may be duly regarded and observed, his farther pleasure is, that the names of all such ecclesiastical persons, as shall continue the present supine and slothful way of preaching, be from time to time signified unto me by the Vice-Chancellor for the time being, upon pain of his Majesty's displeasure. MONMOUTH."
" October 8, 1G74." (Page 300 of the Statute Book.)