Preaching

“[The minister must be] a plain preacher, suiting his matter and style to the capacity of his audience (I Cor. 14:19). Some ministers, like eagles, love to soar aloft in abstruse metaphysical notions, thinking they are most admired when they are least understood. They who preach in the clouds, instead of hitting their people’s conscience, shoot over their heads. “ The Godly Man’s Picture ” pg. 154”

“When you are studying what to say to your people, if you have any concern for their souls, you will oft be thinking with yourself, ‘How shall I get within them? and what shall I say, that is most likely to convince them, and convert them, and promote their salvation!’ And should you not as diligently think with yourself, ‘How shall I live, and what shall I do, and how shall I dispose of all that I have, as may most tend to the saving of men’s souls?’ Brethen, if the saving of souls be your end, you will certainly intend it out of the pulpit as well as in it! If it be your end, you will live for it, and contribute all your endeavors to attain it. You will ask concerning the money in your purse, as well as concerning the word of your mouth, ‘In what way shall I lay it out for the greatest good, especially to men’s souls?’ Oh that this were your daily study, how to use your wealth, your friends, and all you have for God, as well as your tongues! Then should we see that fruit of your labors, which is never else like to be seen. If you intend the end of the ministry in the pulpit only, it would seem you take yourselves for ministers no longer than you are there. And, if so, I think you are unworthy to be esteemed ministers at all. ~ The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter”

“A man preacheth that sermon only well unto others which preacheth itself in his own soul.”

“Next to Christ I have one joy: to preach Christ my Lord.”

“The minister's work debilitates nature; like the candle, he wastes while he shines.”

“He is no pastor who doth not feed his flock.”

“No man preaches that sermon well to others that doth not first preach it to his own heart.”

“Preach one Christ, by Christ, to the praise of Christ.”

“Preaching is the allurer of the soul, by which our self-willed minds are subdued and changed from an ungodly and pagan life-style to a life of Christian faith and repentance.”