It is the end of all Sciences and Arts to direct men by certain Rules unto the most compendious way in their knowledge and practice; those things of which in our selves we have only some imperfect confused notions being herein fully and clearly represented to our view, from the discoveries that other men have made after much study and long experience. And there is nothing of greater consequence for the advancement of Learning, then to find out those particular advantages which there are for the shortest way of knowing and teaching things in every profession.
Now amongst all other callings, this of Preaching, being in many respects one of the most weighty and solemn, should therefore have its Rules and Canons, whereby we may be directed the easiest, readiest way for the practice of it.
Besides all those Academical preparation s by the study of Languages, Sciences, Divinity, with which men should be qualified, and predisposed for this Calling, I say besides all these, there is a particular art of preaching, to which if Ministers did more seriously apply themselves, it would extreamly facilitate that service, making it more easie to us, and more profitable to others.
There are two abilities requisite in every one that will teach and instruct another: Σύνεσις. Ἑρμηνεία
A right understanding of sound doctrine; and an ability to propound, confirm, and apply it unto the edification of others. And the first may be without (Luke 21. 15) the other. As a man may be a good Lawyer, and yet not a good Pleader; so he may be a good Divine, and yet not a good Preacher.
One chief reason why divers men, otherwise of eminent parts, are herein so slow and unskilful, is, because they have not been versed in this study, and are therefore unacquainted with those proper Rules and directions, by which they should be guided in the attaining and exercise of this Gift.
It hath been the usual course at the University to venture upon this calling in an abrupt over-hasty manner. When Schollers have passed over their Philosophical studies, and made some little entrance upon Divinity, they presently think themselves fit for the Pulpit without any farther enquiry, as if the Gift of Preaching and sacred Oratory were not a distinct Art of it self. This would be counted a very preposterous course in other matters, if a man should presume of being an Oratour because he was a Logician, or to practise Physick because he had learnt Philosophy: And certainly the preheminence of this profession above others, must needs extreamly aggravate such neglect, and make it so much the more mischievous by how much the calling is more solemn.
Now there are several Treatises of many learned men, both Protestants and others, who have written particularly and largely upon this very subject, concerning the Art of Preaching, wherein they have laid down such various helps and rules, as they from their own practise and long experience have found most useful. Among whom, these are some of the most eminent, and common.
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- Bowles De Pastore.
- Hen. Alsted. Theologia Prophetica,
- Frid. Baldvini Institutio ministrorum.
- Rich. Bernard. The faithful Shepheard.
- Joh. Clark. Oratoriae sacrae σκιαγραφία.
- Lamb. Danaei Methodus S. Scripturae in concionibus tractandae.
- Hen. Diest De ratione studii Theologici.
- Des. Erasmi Ecclesiastes.
- Nichol. Hemingius De Pastore.
- Barth. Keche[…]anus De Rhetorica Ecclefiastica.
- Geor. Laetus De ratione concionandi ad Method. Anglican.
- Will. Perkins Concerning the Art of Prophesie.
- Casp. Strasonis Technologia Theologica.
- De methodo concionandi Anonym.
- Jo. Segobiensis De praedicatione evangelica.
- Abra. Sculteti Axiomata concionandi.
Will. Zepperus De arte habendi conciones. audiendi
Besides these, there are above forty other Authors, who have writ particularly upon this subject, recited by Draudius in his Bibliotheca classica under the head of Concionatorum instructio, pag. 132. To1 which may be added the directions to this purpose so briefly and fully comprehended in the Directory, besides those many other discourses wherein these things have been largely handled on the by, though not chiefly intended. In all which, many learned men have laid down various rules, which to them according to their several Genius’s and observations seemed most useful.
And we must not doubt but that in this as well as in all other professions, every days experience may yeeld some farther advantage, by discovering yet more facile compendious directions to furnish a man for this calling. And that is the inquiry which is aimed at and attempted in this following discourse.