Vol 04 - PREFACE

PREFACE WHEN I issued the first volume of “Lectures to my Students” it was mintention to prepare another series as soon as time permitted, and I meanto include two addresses upon Commenting in the proposed selection. Istruck me, however, that a better thing was possible. The two lecturemight introduce the topic of exposition, and then a catalogue oCommentaries might help the student to carry the advice into practice. Thmaking of that catalogue would, of course, be no small labor; but, oncaccomplished, it might be of service to many, and effect more in thdirection aimed at than the most earnest exhortations. I therefore resolveto attempt the work, and here is the result.

It would be easy to point out the deficiencies of the modern pulpit, anhold up one’s own ideal of what preaching ought to be, but this has beeso often attempted by others with such slender results that we decline thtask. A judicious critic would probably complain that many sermons ardeficient ill solid instruction, Biblical exposition, and Scriptural argument: they are flashy, rather than fleshy; clever, rather than solid; entertaininrather than impressive. He would point to rhetorical discourses in whicdoctrine is barely discernible, and brilliant harangues from which no foofor the soul could ever be extracted. Having done this, he would probablpropose that homilies should flow out of texts, and should consist of clear explanation, and an earnest enforcement of the truths which the textdistinctly teach. Expository preaching he would advocate as the great neeof the day, its best protection against rising errors, and its surest means ospiritual edification. To such observations most of us would offer nopposition; we should confess them to be full of wisdom, and worthy obeing pondered. We should not unite in any indiscriminate censuring ohortatory addresses, or topical sermons, nor should we agree with thdemand that every discourse should be limited to the range of its text, noeven that it should have a text at all; but we should heartily subscribe to thdeclaration, that more expository preaching is greatly needed, and that alpreachers would be the better if they were more able expounders of thinspired Word. To render such a result more probable, every inducement to search thHoly Scriptures should be placed in the way of our ministers, and to thyounger brethren some guidance should be proffered as to the works moslikely to aid them in their studies. Many are persuaded that they shoulexpound the Word, but being unversed in the original tongues they caonly fall back upon the help of their English Concordances, and are leffloundering about, when a sound comment would direct their thoughts.

True, the Holy Spirit will instruct the seeker, but he works by means. ThEthiopian eunuch might have received divine illumination, and doubtlesdid receive it, but still, when asked whether he understood the Scripturwhich he read, he replied, “How can I unless some man shall guide me?” The guiding man is needed still. Divines who have studied the Scripturehave left us great stores of holy thought which we do well to use. Theiexpositions can never be a substitute for our own meditations, but as watepoured down a dry pump often sets it to work to bring up water of itown, so suggestive reading sets the mind in motion on its own account.

Here, however, is the difficulty. Students do not find it easy to chooswhich works to buy, and their slender stores are often wasted on books oa comparatively worthless kind. If I can save a poor man from spending himoney for that which is not bread, or, by directing a brother to a goobook, may enable him to dig deeper into the mines of truth, I shall be welrepaid. For this purpose I have toiled, and read much, and passed undereview some three or four thousand volumes. From these I have compilemy catalogue, rejecting man, yet making a very varied selection. Though have carefully used such judgment as I possess, I have doubtless madmany errors; I shall certainly find very few who will agree with all mcriticisms, and some persons may be angry at my remarks. I have, howevedone my best, and, with as much impartiality as I can command, I havnothing extenuated nor set down aught in malice. He who finds fault wildo well to execute the work in better style; only let him remember that hwill have my heifer to plough with and therefore ought in all reason texcel me.

I have used a degree of pleasantry in my remarks on the Commentaries, foa catalogue is a dry affair, and, as much for my own sake as for that of mreaders, I have indulged the mirthful vein here and there. For this I hope shall escape censure, even if I do not win commendation. The preface to the Catalogue will be found prior to the Catalogue, whicthe reader is requested to peruse before attempting to use the list. To God I commend this labor, which has been undertaken and carried ouwith no motive but that of honoring his name, and edifying his Church bstimulating the study of his Word. May he, for his Son’s sake, grant mheart’s desire.