now in relation to the first of these ends, I fuppofe there is a wide difference between Preaching at the first promulgation of the Gospel and now. 'Twas then the only way of revealing to the World the whole Mystery of our Salvation; fo that the Apoftle's inference was then irrefragable, How Shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard, and how fhall they hear without a Preacher? Rom. 10. 14. But where Chriftianity is planted, and the New Testament receiv'd, we have therein the whole Doctrine of Chrift; nay, we have not only the matter, but the very form of thofe Sermons which Chrift and his Apostles Preach'd; fo that unless we think them not fufficiently gifted, we cannot but acknowledge we have in them ample inftruction both for Faith and Manners; enough, as the Apostle speaks, to make us wife unto Salvation, 2 Tim. 3. 15. And the Reading of those being a confiderable part of our Churches Service, we have the most genuine Preaching, even before the Minifter afcends the Pulpit. Befides, for the help of those whofe Youth or incapacity difables them from making collections thence for themfelves, our Church has Epitomiz'd the most neceffary points of Belief and Practice in the Catechism, not (as the Roman) to preclude their farther fearch, but to fupply them in the interim 'till they are qualify'd for it; and by that ear!

infufic

infufion of Christian Principles, to fecure them of that knowledge which is fimply neceffary to their Salvation.

gus

56. Now fure, to people in this ftate, Preaching is not of fo abfolute neceffity in refpect of instruction, as it was for those who from Heathenifm and Idolatry were to be brought firft to the knowledge, and then to the faith of Chrift. We feem therefore now more generally concern'd in the other end of Preaching, the exciting us to practice; for alas! there are few of us who ftumble on fin for want of Light; but either through heedlefaefs, and want of looking before us, or elfe by a wilful proftration of our felves to it; fo that we often need to be rous'd out of our negligence, to be frighted out of our ftubbornness, and by a clofe application of those Truths we either forget, or fupprefs, be animated to our Duty. And for this purpofe Preaching is doubtlefs of excellent ufe; and the naufeating of it, fhews a very fick conftitution of the Mind; yet fure the over-greedy defire may be a Disease alfo. He that eats more than he can concoct, do's not fo much affift as deprefs nature; and those that run from Sermon to Sermon, that allow themselves no time to chew, much lefs to digeft what they hear, will fooner confound their brains, than better their lives. Nay, it oft betrays they to a very pernicious delufion; it diverts them from many of the practical parts

of

of Piety, and yet gives them a confidence that they are extraordinarily Pious; and by their belief, that Religion confifts principally in hearing, makes them forget to try themfelves by that more infallible teft of doing God's Will. So that whereas God never defign'd Preaching for more than a guide in their way, they make it their way, and their end too; and Hearing muft, like a circle, begin and terminate in it's felf.

57. I am fure in fecular concerns, we fhould think him a very unprofitable fervant, that after his Lord had given him directions what to do, fhould be fo transported with hearing his inftructions, that he should defire to have it infinitely repeated, and fo spend the time wherein he fhould do the work. And we have reafon to think God will make the fame judgement of those who do the like in his fervice.

58. ONE would now think that this ravenous appetite of hearing fhould fuperfede all nicenefs in it; yet we find it do's not, but that fome make a fhift to be at once voracious and fqueamish. If this fpiritual Food be not artificially drefs'd, 'tis too grofs for their palats: the Phrase must be elegant, the words well accented, and the enticing words of man's wisdom, which St. Paul difclaims in his Preaching, 1 Cor. 2. 4. is that which they principally regard. Nay, the memory of the S

Preacher

Preacher becomes the moft material point of his Sermon, and the first glance on his Book prejudges him. I need not add the extravagances of an uncouth tone, a furious vehemence or phantaftick gefture, wherein the foul and vital efficacy of Preaching has been folemnly plac'd. Now 'tis evident, all these are but trivial Accomplishments; fo that those who infift fo much on them, do make Preaching much lefs Sacred and Divine than indeed it is; and therefore cannot without abfurdity, lay the main ftrefs of Religion upon it, or make that the higheft of God's ordinances, which owes all it's gratefulness with them to the endowments of Men. Some may think I pursue this fubject too far, but I am fure I do it not with defign to derogate from the juft refpect due to Preaching only I would not have it monopolize our efteem, or justle out another duty, which is of more conftant ufe, and indifpenfable neceffity.

59. AND fuch certainly is Prayer, that refpiration of the Soul, which is fo neceflary, that it admits not of long intermiffion, and therefore seems to carry the fame proportion to hearing, which breathing do's to eating: we may make long intervals of feeding, and yet fubfift; but if we fhould do fo in breathing, we cannot recover it. Prayer is like the morning and evening facrifice under the Law,

Law, which God ordain'd, fhould be perpetual; whereas Preaching is but like the Readings in the Synagogues on the Sabbaths and Feftivals. Indeed, however we have confounded the terms, 'tis Prayer only that can properly be call'd the worship of God; 'tis that by which we pay him his folemn homage, acknowledging his fovereignty, and our own dependance. When we hear, we do no more than what every difciple do's to his mafter; but when we pray, we own him as the fpring and fource of all the good we expect, as the Authour of our Being, and the Object of our Adoration in a word, we do by it profefs him our God; it being an imprefs of meer natural Religion, to fupplicate the Deity we acknowledge.

60. AND as by Prayer we render the greatest honour to God, fo likewife do we procure the greatest advantages to our felves. Prayer is the powerfull engine, by which we draw down bleffings; 'tis the key which lets us into the immenfe ftore-house of the Almighty; nay, 'tis that upon which the efficacy of Preaching depends. The word is but a dead letter without the fpirit; and God has promis'd the fpirit to none but those that ask it, Luke So that Prayer is that which enlivens and infpirits our moft facred actions and accordingly in Scripture we find it ftill a concomitant in all Ecclefiaftical concerns. When

II. 13.