Would I describe a preacher,
. . . .
I would express him simple, grave, sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men.
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A kick that scarce would move a horse,
May kill a sound divine.
A kick that scarce would move a horse,
May kill a sound divine.
The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd:
Nor to rebuke the rich offender fear'd.
His preaching read more
The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd:
Nor to rebuke the rich offender fear'd.
His preaching much, but more his practice wrought;
(A living sermon of the truths he taught:)
For this by rules severe his life he squar'd:
That all might see the doctrines which they heard.
He that negotiates between God and man,
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns
Of judgment and of read more
He that negotiates between God and man,
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns
Of judgment and of mercy, should beware
Of lightness in his speech.
Take time enough: all other graces
Will soon fill up their proper places.
Take time enough: all other graces
Will soon fill up their proper places.
The things that mount the rostrum with a skip,
And then skip down again, pronounce a text,
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The things that mount the rostrum with a skip,
And then skip down again, pronounce a text,
Cry hem; and reading what they never wrote
Just fifteen minutes, huddle up their work,
And with a well-bred whisper close the scene!
Judge not the preacher; for he is thy judge:
If thou mislike him, thou conceiv'st him not.
read more
Judge not the preacher; for he is thy judge:
If thou mislike him, thou conceiv'st him not.
God calleth preaching folly. Do not grudge
To pick out treasures from an earthen pot.
The worst speak something good. If all want sense,
God takes a text, and preaches patience.
But Cristes loore, and his Apostles twelve
He taughte, but first he folowed it hymselfe.
But Cristes loore, and his Apostles twelve
He taughte, but first he folowed it hymselfe.
Even ministers of good things are like torches, a light to
others, waste and destruction to themselves.
Even ministers of good things are like torches, a light to
others, waste and destruction to themselves.
I met a preacher there I knew, and said,
Ill and overworked, how fare you in this scene?
read more
I met a preacher there I knew, and said,
Ill and overworked, how fare you in this scene?
Bravely! said he; for I of late have been
Much cheered with thoughts of Christ, the living bread.
