66 66 "or harangues on popular subjects, filled with trite observations, and set off with witty conceits and trifling stories, delivered in a manner more suitable "to the stage than the pulpit. Such kind of preaching is by no means adapted to instruct and edify: "its tendency is extremely pernicious. It begets contempt in those who are ill-affected to religion. It "excites levity in those who are indifferent about it. "It disgusts sensible and serious Christians. And if any may be supposed to be awakened by it, such persons are in danger of mistaking impressions that are the effect of a mere mechanical influence upon "their passions, for the work of God upon their hearts. "And should not these evils be seriously considered, 66 by all who have unhappily fallen into this extrava"gant manner of preaching? These are not trifling "matters. The glory of God, the honour of the gos pel, the welfare of immortal souls, and your own "reputation, both as men and ministers, are con"cerned. But alas! little is to be expected from "these expostulations with weak and conceited peo ple, and less with those who are governed in the "exercise of their ministry by base and unworthy "motives."These are the words of truth and soberness, and they evince a mind well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven-a solid and profound judgment resulting from an enlarged acquaintance with men and things. THE DISCOURSES ON THE DIVINE AUTHORITY AND VARIOUS USE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (1790), were the last published of all his pulpit addresses, perhaps with the exception of one or two single sermons. The author was now advancing into the vale of life, and VOL. I. consequently began to cultivate, in a more especial manner, an experimental acquaintance with the consolatory truths of revelation which it had been the leading concern of his life to explain and inculate upon others. They are distinguished by the same good sense, pious feeling, and devout reflection that appear in all his other writings, but have probably less of the imagination instamped upon them. The first six discourses are founded on the same text,2 Tim. iii. 16. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to every good work." The last two are on Col. iii. 16. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,"-. The various uses for which the holy Scriptures were given, and to which they ought to be applied in the way of instruction, of reproof or conviction, of correction, and of consolation, are illustrated with the author's usual ability. UPON the whole, the Publishers conceive that in collecting into a body the writings of Dr. Samuel Stennett, which is now first done, and presenting them to the Public in a form worthy of their intrinsic merit, they have been performing an acceptable service to the church of Christ. They trust that their enterprise will be duly appreciated by a liberal and enlightened Public, to whose patronage of the undertaking they look for their reward. London, March 1st, 1824. W. J. TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST MEETING IN LITTLE WILD STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS. MY DEAR FRIENDS, THE intimate relation which hath now for many years subsisted between you and me, will not allow me to doubt to whom the following discourses should be inscribed. And, though I mean not by this address, to make you accountable for their many defects, yet I am happy in thus venturing them into public view, through your hands, as it gives me an opportunity of expressing the sense I have of your candour and affection towards me, and the concern I feel for your best interests. THE subject, you are sensible, is infinitely momentous; though, alas! strangely misunderstood by some, despised by others, and neglected by most. I cannot doubt, therefore, but this attempt, in a dependence upon the divine blessing, to explain the nature and establish the authority of real religion, to awaken the attention and conciliate the regards of men to it, and to assist the Christian in the experience and practice of it, will meet with a favourable reception, my Friends, from you. FOR the connection of the discourses, I refer you to the contents, or rather to the close of the last sermon of the volume, where you will find a brief recapitulation of the whole. I HAVE only to add, that as I trust you have already received some benefit from the delivery of these sermons in public, (a reflection which gives me no small pleasure,) so I am not without hopes, that they may afford you some farther profit and entertainment in your families and closets. To which ends I assure myself of the cheerful concurrence of your fervent prayers to God, with those of Your most affectionate Friend, Hatton-Garden, and Servant, in the Gospel of Christ, SAMUEL STENNETT. |