ZEAL, and not with that indifference which is usually found, and cannot be much wondered at, in a teacher of his own inventions.

The Christian preacher should, I say, speak with earnestness; that is, with a solicitous concern to instruct and persuade, such as the known truth of his doctrine warrants. This earnestness must also be attended with zeal; by which I mean nothing extravagant or fanatical; but such a fervour of application as must become an Instructor, who, besides the cer tainty, knows the moment of what he utters.

These rules, it is true, were not unknown to the ancient masters of Rhetoric, who told their scholars, That to convince, and, much more, to persuade, they were to speak with force and warmth. But to do this, they were first to be convinced and persuaded themselves; which, in their case, was no easy matter. For the principles they went upon in their reasoning on moral or religious matters, were frequently such as they could not confide in; or the end they aimed at, in applying to the passions, was in no high degree interesting. In spite of the

i Afficiamur, antequam afficere conemur. Quint. p. 46k moveamur ipsi. Ib.

rule, then, their discourses were often feeble and unimpressive. It is quite otherwise with the Christian preacher. For we are not recommending a scheme of notions which we have framed out of our own heads, or which we think in some small degree conducive to the benefit of our hearers. But we speak that which is indisputably true; and inforce that which, out of all question, concerns us most, "The salvation of our souls, and eternal happiness." The coldest heart must be touched with such truths, and cannot impart them without vehemence,

I intimate, rather than express, my meaning to you in few words; both because the time allows me to do no more, and because I know to whom these hints are addressed. For your experience in the ministry of the word must have prevented me in all I have said, and will readily supply what I have omitted to say. I assure myself, therefore, you will come with

"That in our ser

me to this short conclusion, mons we should execute our commission with FIDELITY, because it is a commission—in the way of AUTHORITY, because it is a divine commission and lastly with ZEAL, as knowing the end of our commission, and the infinite importance of it."

By this method of instruction (of which there is no want of examples, or even models, in the sermons of our best preachers k), by this Apostolic mode of preaching, I say, we shall do justice at once to our ministry and ourselves. By speaking as the oracles of God, we shall speak as we ought to speak; and we shall speak with an energy that can rarely fail of effect. We shall alarm the careless, instruct the ignorant, confirm the weak, reclaim the perverse, disconcert the wise, and silence the prophane. We shall do this, and more, in the strength of him who bade us teach all nations. And if we teach them in the way which the Holy Spirit enjoins, we may confidently expect the completion of that gracious and animating promise -Lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE

END OF THE WORLD.

k If I mention the names of the Bishops Beveridge and BLACKALL, it is not in exclusion of many others, but because I suspect they are less known to the younger clergy than they deserve to be.

1 Matth. xxviii. 20.