LETTER VI. HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HEARERS. SECONDLY, BY SHOWING A FRIENDLY DISPOSITION TOWARDS THEM. You will have done much if you can establish in your hearers' minds an opinion of your Christian integrity; but you must endeavour to go beyond this, and give them reason to believe that you are not only generally well disposed, but personally interested in their welfare and salvation. To make this impression seems constantly to have been present in the mind of St. Paul. Feeling most deeply interested for his flock, he seems to have sought opportunities to let them know his affection for them; being well aware how important it was with a view to their persuasion. With this view deliver your message, as it really is, a message of mercy-" glad tidings of great joy"-an offer of pardon and peace. Dwell often on God's love to man, and speak of it correspondently. Let "your doctrine drop as the rain, and your speech distil as the dew; as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.' And imitate the goodness of God in your mode of propounding the message: make yourself a party concerned—which, indeed, you are" as one that shall give account :" like the apostle, beseech them, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled with God, as if your own salvation depended on their acceptance 1 Deut. xxxii. 2. 2 2 Cor. v. 20. of your message. 66 How affectionate are the expressions of St. Paul: Though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." "Now I Paul, myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." Such words almost persuade before they convince. 112 Avail yourself of any community of feeling which exists between you and your flock. As fellow-christians you continually appeal to them,-as men who "have obtained the like precious faith" with yourself, are baptized into the same Church, and are partakers of the same glorious privileges and promises. But there are many modes of appeal to their natural feelings and prepossessions which will win their sympathy. Thus St. Peter—“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder." Sometimes you may address them as Protestants, as Catholic churchmen, fellowcountrymen, or introduce such topics as may remind them of these circumstances. The following is a true touch of eloquence, though some may deem it scarcely grave enough for the pulpit. It is from one of Waugh's sermons at the Scotch Chapel in London. His subject is the "bruised reed." "The good Shepherd," he says, "mends-not breaks -his reeds, when they are bruised. I have seen a highland shepherd on a sunny brae, piping as if he could never get old, his flocks listening, and the rocks ringing around; but when the reed of his pipe became hoarse, he had not patience to mend it, but broke it, and threw it away in anger, and made another. Not so our Shepherd; he examines, and tries, and mends, and tunes the bruised spirit, until it sings sweetly of mercy and of judgment, as in the days of old." This is very much in the style of Jeremy Taylor. Another mode of winning the confidence of your hearers 11 Cor. iv. 15. 2 2 Cor. x. 1. is to identify yourself with them, as the apostle does continually, by the form of expression. Do not call them only weak and sinful, but include yourself. "In many things," says St. James, we offend all." Say, "May God have mercy on us," not on you. "Let us endeavour to turn this subject to our profit;" not, let me turn it to your profit. There is a beautiful instance in Romans i. 11, of the mode in which St. Paul foregoes the character of teacher, and assumes that of fellow-Christian :-"I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift." Then checking himself, as if he had spoken too authoritatively for the occasion, he adds, "that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." all I am not sure whether the following passage on the Gospel invitation is not rather in the extreme-rather too honied. "It speaks its blessed invitation to all ranks, all ages, hearts; to the grossest and most hardened sinner upon earth, as freely as to the most moral, amiable, unexceptionable character in this house." Which of the congregation would not have taken the compliment to himself? The following, from Mr. Howels, is liable to the same charge—“ I bless God for having given to such an unworthy worm as I am one of the most interesting congregations under heaven."2 When we seek to conciliate, we must take care not to flatter; unless, indeed, we can, like Dr. Donne, "with sacred flattery beguile men to amend.."3 Another mode of compassing the same object is præcipere laudando -to encourage and promote good dispositions, by assuming them, when we are able, already to exist. "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest." "As touching the ministering to the saints, 1 James iii. 2. 3 See Walton's Lives. 2 Vol. ii. p. 203. 4 Acts xxvi. 27. it is superfluous for me to write to you, for I know the forwardness of your mind." "I have confidence in you through the Lord." "But, brethren, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." "I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless-"4" Such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Great discretion is required in the use of this topic. It was a favourite mode with the Apostles, to remind the converts of the high privileges to which they were called, and exhort them from that motive to act accordingly. “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters ?" "Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid." "Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.' In the same style you may say, "To men assembled, as you are, for the purpose of serving God, it is surely unnecessary that I should say more.” "Men like yourselves, accustomed to hear the word of God," need not be told so and so; "you are too well acquainted with your Bibles to need that I should inform you." "Every good Christian, every honest man, every man of common understanding will, I am sure, agree with me." However in this, as in all other points, it is possible to fall into extremes. You must not take too much for granted. What you do take for granted 1 2 Cor. ix. 2. 2 Gal. v. 10. 3 Heb. vi. 9. 61 Cor. vi. 2. should be only used as an encouragement to further advance : you may assume your hearers to be entitled to the privileges of the Gospel, but not to have availed themselves of them as they ought. You may speak to them as being called, but not chosen. It is prudent sometimes to praise them on one point, that they may listen to your serious warning on another; you may assume their good intentions when you wish to convince them of error. "And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers." Thus Cooper: Now, my young friends, I would readily believe that you use this language in the sincerity of your hearts," (i. e. plead youth as an excuse for delay.) "I would give you full credit for thinking and meaning what you say; I would not suppose that in this matter you have any intention to deceive. But are you not yourselves deceived? In the most solemn way let me caution you against giving way to such delusive reasoning."2 Closely connected with this subject is a topic which demands our separate attention, namely, how to manage reproof in the best manner, so as neither to give offence by harshness or personality, nor to fail in making your hearers feel what you wish. There are some persons who think it right for a preacher to say, without reserve, whatever he thinks fit, however harsh it may be ;-to blink no question, but "declare the whole counsel of God:" necessity is laid on them, woe is theirs if they "preach not the gospel." Rightly understood, these assertions are indisputable; but if we look at the example of St. Paul as a comment on his precepts, we shall find that he used the utmost caution and consideration to avoid giving unnecessary offence; and never propounded even the most important doctrines with a hardy unconcern 1 Acts iii. 17. 2 Vol. ii. p. 85. |