bear the words of a madman-not with regard, but with a compassion of his misery? What wonder if we and our preaching be despised when the ministry of the apostles did succeed no better! What wonder if for all we can say or do our hearers still set light by Christ and their own salvation, when the apostles' hearers did the same! They that did second their doctrine by miracles, if any men could have shaken the hearts of their hearers they could have done it. You may see, then, that it is not merely for want of good preachers that men make light of Christ and salvation. It will be thus with many; let us be glad if it be not thus with all. But for closer application, seeing this is the great condemning sin, before we inquire after it in the hearts of our hearers, it beseems us to begin at home and see that we, who are preachers of the Gospel, be not guilty of it ourselves. The Lord forbid that they that have undertaken the sacred office of revealing the excellences of Christ to the world, should make light of it themselves, and slight that salvation which they daily preach. Oh, that there were no cause thus to complain. But do not the negligent studies of some speak it out? Doth not their dead and drowsy preaching declare it? Doth not the carelessness of their private endeavours discover it? Doth not the continued neglect of those things wherein the interest of Christ consisteth reveal it -the churches' purity, and reformation, and unity? . . . Of all men on earth, there are few that are in so sad a condition as such ministers. ... Beloved hearers, the office that God hath called us to is by declaring the glory of his grace to help, under Christ, to the saving of men's souls. I hope you think not that I came hither to-day on any other errand. The Lord knows, I had not set foot out of doors but in hope to succeed in this work. . . . Were it but possible for one of us to see the whole of this business as the all-seeing God doth; to see at one view both heaven and hell, which men are so near, and see what most men in the world are minding and what they are doing every day, it would be the saddest sight that could be imagined. Oh, how should we marve! at their madness and lament their delusion! The Folly and Danger of making light of Christ. ⚫ A most forcible and pathetic appeal.'—DR. CHALMERS. [§ 2. FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE DEATH OF WILLIAM II.] 109. Samuel Butler, 1612-1680. (Handbook, pars. 109, 175, 327.) Is remarkable for humeur and droll rhymes. Pervading his Hudibras is a spirit of practical wisdom that is often instructive. In his Genuine Remains (1759) he is serious; noting the opinions and follies of his age. Sir Hudibras and his Accomplishments. When civil dudgeon first grew high, When gospel-trumpeter, surrounded A wight he was, whose very sight would Nor put up blow but that which laid ... We grant, altho' he had much wit, That Latin was no more difficile Than to a blackbird 'tis to whistle : He was in logic a great critic, Profoundly skilled in analytic. He could distinguish and divide A hair 'twixt south and south-west side; In mood and figure, he would do. Teach nothing but to name his tools. A Babylonish dialect, Which learned pedants much affect. Of patched and piebald languages: As if he had talked three parts in one; A leash of languages at once. Modern Warfare Satirized. "Tis true, our modern way of war Is grown more politic by far, But not so resolute and bold, Nor tied to honour as the old. Or fighting convoys of provision, There's now no fear of wounds nor maiming; And feats of arms, to plot, design, For 'tis not now, who's stout and bold? The Weakness and Misery of Mar. When all we can expect to do Our offerings when we come t'adore, Is but to err by meaning well, And make that meaning do more harm, Does not believe himself he errs. . . . That wealth, that bounteous Fortune sends, Is oft laid out upon the purchase Pain, pleasure, discontent, and sport, An easy-troubled life, and short? Genuine Remains. Satires. Far greater numbers have been lost by hopes Were ever able to despatch by fear In Rome no temple was so low Ib. Miscellaneous Thoughts. Such as do build their faith upon And prove their doctrine orthodox, Hudibras, pt. i., canto i., l. 195–200. |