SECTION III. 821 course. We must not serve Godwithwhat cost us nothing. All our wisest thoughtsand cares are due to the sacred service of the temple; but what I mean is, that we should not impose upon ourselves just such a number of pre-composed words and lines to be delivered in the hour, without daring to speak a warm senti- ment that comes fresh upon the mind. Whymay you not hope for some lively turns of thoughts, some new pious sentiments which may strike light, and heat, and life into the understand- ings and the hearts of those that hear you ? In the zeal of your ministrations, why may you not expect some bright and warns and pathetic forms of argument and persuasion to offer them- selves to your lips, for the more powerful conviction of shiners, rod the encouragement andcomfort of humble christisus ? Have you not often found such an enlargement of thought, such a variety of sentiment and freedom of speech, in common conver- sation upon an important subject, beyond what you are apprized of before-hand ? And why should you forbid yourself this na- tural advantage in the pulpit, and in the fervour of sacred ministrations, where also you have more reason to hope for divine assistance ? Besides, for us who areprotestant dissenters, and confine ourselves tono set formsin prayer, it seems more unreasonable to confine our lips constantly and precisely, to the words written in our papers in the work of preaching. Do we plead so ear- nestly for the liberty of prayer, and yet never give our spirits a liberty to express their present warm, lively and "affectionate thoughts, in ministring the gospel of Christ under the hopes of his assistance 1 Why must we never dare to add any thing to .our premeditatednotes in speaking to the people, while we take this freedom in speaking to the blessed God ? As there has been many a fervent and devout petition offered to God inour ad- dresses to him, which has not been thought of before; so many a sentence that was never written, has beendelivered in our ad- dresses to the people with glorious success ; it has come more im- mediate and warm from the heart, and may have been blessedof God to save a soul. VI. Here would bea proper place to interpose a few direc- tions concerning elocution, and the whole manner of delivery of your discourse to the people ; which includes both a voice, gesture and behaviour suited to the subject and design of every part of the sermon. But the rules that are necessary for this part of our work, are much better derived from books written on thissubject, from an observation of the best preachers, in order to imitate them, and an avoidance of that which we find offensive wiuen we ourselves are hearers. Besides, as I trave had an opp4tunity sometimes, my dear brother, of attending your perf'ormauáes in public, I think I may be bold to say, that in this as well as in several other parts of your ministration, you stand in uo need of
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