Sermon and Preacher; Essays on Preaching (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1904. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE SERMON IN RELATION TO WORSHIP Before considering, as we propose to do, the Sermon in itself, it is perhaps natural to discuss briefly its relation to public worship in general. The sermon is not a mere speech or discourse on some religious topic; it takes its place as an element in divine service. The hearing of sermons is part of that religious discipline which the Church requires Godparents to provide for those who have been baptized. It is part of the training of the Christian, and as such was emphasised by the English Reformers in the sixteenth century. From that critical period onward history shows us the existence of two conflicting opinions as to the function and value of preaching: the one insisting on the essential pre-eminence of the "ministry of the word," the other thrusting the sermon into a dim and disparaged background. Each opinion is of the nature of a protest, no doubt: each in its harsher and cruder statement accentuates one of two extremes. The Reformation leaders found preaching fallen into disuse, and one of the first objects of their zeal was to place it in a position of honour. Thus, in his sermon on the "Parable of a king that married his son," Latimer says: "Here I might take occasion to inveigh against those which little regard the office of preaching; which are wont to say, 'What need we such preachings every day? Have I not five wits? I know as well what is good or ill, as he doth that preacheth.' But I tell thee, my friend, be not too hasty; for when thou hast nothing to follow but thy five wits, thou shalt go to the devil with them. David, the holy prophet, said not so; he trusted not his five wits, but he said, Lucerna pedibus meis verbum tuum, Domine; 'Lord, Thy word is a lantern unto my feet' Here we learn not to despise th...