第7章

AndsothesameapostlesaystoTimothyhimself，speaking，ofcourse，asteachertodisciple："Butcontinuethouinthethingswhichthouhastlearned，andhastbeenassuredof，knowingofwhomthouhastlearnedthem。"（13）Forasthemedicineswhichmenapplytothebodiesoftheirfellow-menareofnoavailexceptGodgivesthemvirtue（whocanhealwithouttheiraid，thoughtheycannotwithoutHis），andyettheyareapplied；andifitbedonefromasenseofduty，itisesteemedaworkofmercyorbenevolence；sotheaidsofteaching，appliedthroughtheinstrumentalityofman，areofadvantagetothesoulonlywhenGodworkstomakethemofadvantage，whocouldgivethegospeltomanevenwithoutthehelporagencyofmen。

CHAP。17。——THREEFOLDDIVISIONOFTHEVARIOUSSTYLESOFSPEECH。

34。Hethenwho，inspeaking，aimsatenforcingwhatisgood，shouldnotdespiseanyofthosethreeobjects，eithertoteach，ortogivepleasure，ortomove，andshouldprayandstrive，aswehavesaidabove，tobeheardwithintelligence，withpleasure，andwithreadycompliance？Andwhenhedoesthiswitheleganceandpropriety，hemayjustlybecalledeloquent，eventhoughhedonotcarrywithhimtheassentofhishearer。Foritisthesethreeends，viz。，teaching，givingpleasure，andmoving，thatthegreatmasterofRomaneloquencehimselfseemstohaveintendedthatthefollowingthreedirectionsshouldsubserve：

"He，then，shallbeeloquent，whocansaylittlethingsinasubduedstyle，moderatethingsinatemperatestyle，andgreatthingsinamajesticstyle："（1）asifhehadtakeninalsothethreeendsmentionedabove，andhadembracedthewholeinonesentencethus："He，then，shallbeeloquent，whocansaylittlethingsinasubduedstyle，inordertogiveinstruction，moderatethingsinatemperatestyle，inordertogivepleasure，andgreatthingsinamajesticstyle，inordertoswaythemind。"

CHAP。18。——THECHRISTIANORATORISCONSTANTLYDEALINGWITHGREATMATTERS。

35。NowtheauthorIhavequotedcouldhaveexemplifiedthesethreedirections，aslaiddownbyhimself，inregardtolegalquestions：hecouldnot，however，havedonesoinregardtoecclesiasticalquestions，——theonlyonesthatanaddresssuchasI

wishtogiveshapetoisconcernedwith。Foroflegalquestionsthosearecalledsmallwhichhavereferencetopecuniarytransactions；thosegreatwhereamatterrelatingtoman’slifeorlibertycomesup。Cases，again，whichhavetodowithneitherofthese，andwheretheintentionisnottogetthehearertodo，ortopronouncejudgmentuponanything，butonlytogivehimpleasure，occupyasitwereamiddleplacebetweentheformertwo，andareonthataccountcalledmiddling，ormoderate。Formoderatethingsgettheirnamefrommodus（ameasure）；anditisanabuse，notaproperuseofthewordmoderate，toputitforlittle。Inquestionslikeours，however，whereallthings，andespeciallythoseaddressedtothepeoplefromtheplaceofauthority，oughttohavereferencetomen’ssalvation，andthatnottheirtemporalbuttheireternalsalvation，andwherealsothethingtobeguardedagainstiseternalruin，everythingthatwesayisimportant；

somuchso，thatevenwhatthepreachersaysaboutpecuniarymatters，whetherithavereferencetolossorgain，whethertheamountbegreatorsmall，shouldnotseemunimportant。Forjusticeisneverunimportant，andjusticeoughtassuredlytobeobserved，eveninsmallaffairsofmoney，asourLordsays："Hethatisfaithfulinthatwhichisleast，isfaithfulalsoinmuch。"（2）Thatwhichisleast，then，isverylittle；buttobefaithfulinthatwhichisleastisgreat。Forasthenatureofthecircle，viz。，thatalllinesdrawnfromthecentretothecircumferenceareequal，isthesameinagreatdiskthatitisinthesmallestcoin；

sothegreatnessofjusticeisinnodegreelessened，thoughthematterstowhichjusticeisappliedbesmall。

36。Andwhentheapostlespokeabouttrialsinregardtosecularaffairs（andwhatwerethesebutmattersofmoney？），hesays：

"Dareanyofyou，havingamatteragainstanother，gotolawbeforetheunjust，andnotbeforethesaints？Doyenotknowthatthesaintsshalljudgetheworld？andiftheworldshallbejudgedbyyou，areyeunworthytojudgethesmallestmatters？Knowyenotthatweshalljudgeangels？howmuchmorethingsthatpertaintothislife？If，then，yehavejudgmentsofthingspertainingtothislife，setthemtojudgewhoareleastesteemedintheChurch。

Ispeaktoyourshame。Isitso，thatthereisnotawisemanamongyou？no，notonethatshallbeabletojudgebetweenhisbrethren？

Butbrothergoethtolawwithbrother，andthatbeforetheunbelievers。Nowthereforethereisutterlyafaultamongyou，becauseyegotolawonewithanother：whydoyenotrathertakewrong？whydoyenotrathersufferyourselvestobedefrauded？

Nay，yedowrong，anddefraud，andthatyourbrethren。KnowyenotthattheunrighteousshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod？"（3）Whyisitthattheapostleissoindignant，andthathethusaccuses，andupbraids，andchides，andthreatens？

Whyisitthatthechangesinhistone，sofrequentandsoabrupt，testifytothedepthofhisemotion？Whyisit，infine，thathespeaksinatonesoexaltedaboutmatterssoverytrifling？

Didsecularmattersdeservesomuchathishands？Godforbid。No；butallthisisdoneforthesakeofjustice，charity，andpiety，whichinthejudgmentofeverysobermindaregreat，evenwhenappliedtomatterstheveryleast。

37。Ofcourse，ifweweregivingmenadviceastohowtheyoughttoconductsecularcases，eitherforthemselvesorfortheirconnections，beforethechurchcourts，wewouldtightlyadvisethemtoconductthemquietlyasmattersoflittlemoment。Butwearetreatingofthemannerofspeechofthemanwhoistobeateacherofthetruthswhichdeliverusfrometernalmiseryandbringustoeternalhappiness；andwhereverthesetruthsarespokenof，whetherinpublicorprivate，whethertooneormany，whethertofriendsorenemies，whetherinacontinuousdiscourseorinconversation，whetherintracts，orinbooks，orinletterslongorshort，theyareofgreatimportance。Unlessindeedwearepreparedtosaythat，becauseacupofcoldwaterisaverytriflingandcommonthing，thesayingofourLordthathewhogivesacupofcoldwatertooneofHisdisciplesshallinnowiselosehisreward，（1）isverytrivialandunimportant。Orthatwhenapreachertakesthissayingashistext，heshouldthinkhissubjectveryunimportant，andthereforespeakwithouteithereloquenceorpower，butinasubduedandhumblestyle。Isitnotthecasethatwhenwehappentospeakonthissubjecttothepeople，andthepresenceofGodiswithus，sothatwhatwesayisnotaltogetherunworthyofthesubject，atongueoffirespringsupoutofthatcoldwaterwhichinflameseventhecoldheartsofmenwithazealfordoingworksofmercyinhopeofaneternalreward？

CHAP。19。——THECHRISTIANTEACHERMUSTUSE

DIFFERENTSTYLESONDIFFERENTOCCASIONS。

38。Andyet，whileourteacheroughttospeakofgreatmatters，heoughtnotalwaystobespeakingoftheminamajestictone，butinasubduedtonewhenheisteaching，temperatelywhenheisgivingpraiseorblame。When，however，somethingistobedone，andwearespeakingtothosewhoought，butarenotwilling，todoit，thengreatmattersmustbespokenofwithpower，andinamannercalculatedtoswaythemind。Andsometimesthesameimportantmatteristreatedinallthesewaysatdifferenttimes，quietlywhenitisbeingtaught，temperatelywhenitsimportanceisbeingurged，andpowerfullywhenweareforcingamindthatisaversetothetruthtoturnandembraceit。ForisthereanythinggreaterthanGodHimself？Isnothing，then，tobelearntaboutHim？OroughthewhoisteachingtheTrinityinunitytospeakofitotherwisethaninthemethodofcalmdiscussion，sothatinregardtoasubjectwhichitisnoteasytocomprehend，wemayunderstandasmuchasitisgivenustounderstand？Areweinthiscasetoseekoutornamentsinsteadofproofs？

Oristhehearertobemovedtodosomethinginsteadofbeinginstructedsothathemaylearnsomething？ButwhenwecometopraiseGod，eitherinHimself，orinHisworks，whatafieldforbeautyandsplendoroflanguageopensupbeforeman，whocantaskhispowerstotheutmostinpraisingHimwhomnoonecanadequatelypraise，thoughthereisnoonewhodoesnotpraiseHiminsomemeasure！ButifHebenotworshipped，orifidols，whethertheybedemonsoranycreatedbeingwhatever，beworshippedwithHimorinpreferencetoHim，thenweoughttospeakoutwithpowerandimpressiveness，showhowgreatawickednessthisis，andurgementofleefromit。

CHAP。20。——EXAMPLESOFTHEVARIOUSSTYLES

DRAWNFROMSCRIPTURE。

39。Butnowtocometosomethingmoredefinite。Wehaveanexampleofthecalm，subduedstyleintheApostlePaul，wherehesays："Tellme，yethatdesiretobeunderthelaw，doyenothearthelaw？Foritiswritten，thatAbrahamhadtwosons；theonebyabondmaid，theotherbyafreewoman。Buthewhowasofthebondwomanwasbornaftertheflesh；butheofthefreewomanwasbypromise。Whichthingsareanallegory：forthesearethetwocovenants；theonefromtheMountSinai，whichgenderethtobondage，whichisHagar。ForthisHagarisMountSinaiinArabia，andanswerethtoJerusalemwhichnowis，andisinbondagewithherchildren。ButJerusalemwhichisaboveisfree，whichisthemotherofusall；"（2）andsoon。Andinthesamewaywherehereasonsthus："Brethren，Ispeakafterthemannerofmen：Thoughitbebutaman’scovenant，yetifitbeconfirmed，nomandisannulleth，oraddeththereto。NowtoAbrahamandhisseedwerethepromisesmade。Hesaithnot，Andtoseeds，asofmany；butasofone，Andtothyseed，whichisChrist。

AndthisIsay，thatthecovenant，thatwasconfirmedbeforeofGodinChrist，thelaw，whichwasfourhundredandthirtyyearsafter，cannotdisannul，thatitshouldmakethepromiseofnoneeffect。Foriftheinheritancebeofthelaw，itisnomoreofpromise：butGodgaveittoAbrahambypromise。"（3）Andbecauseitmightpossiblyoccurtothehearertoask，Ifthereisnoinheritancebythelaw，whythenwasthelawgiven？hehimselfanticipatesthisobjectionandasks，"Whereforethenserveththelaw？"Andtheanswerisgiven："Itwasaddedbecauseoftransgressions，tilltheseedshouldcometowhomthepromisewasmade；anditwasordainedbyangelsinthehandofamediator。Nowamediatorisnotamediatorofone；butGodisone。"Andhereanobjectionoccurswhichhehimselfhasstated："IsthelawthenagainstthepromisesofGod？"

Heanswers："Godforbid。"Andhealsostatesthereasoninthesewords："Foriftherehadbeenalawgivenwhichcouldhavegivenlife，verilyrighteousnessshouldhavebeenbythelaw。

ButtheScripturehathconcludedallundersin，thatthepromisebyfaithofJesusChristmightbegiventothemthatbelieve。"（1）

Itispart，then，ofthedutyoftheteachernotonlytointerpretwhatisobscure，andtounravelthedifficultiesofquestions，butalso，whiledoingthis，tomeetotherquestionswhichmaychancetosuggestthemselves，lesttheseshouldcastdoubtordiscreditonwhatwesay。If，however，thesolutionofthesequestionssuggestitselfassoonasthequestionsthemselvesarise，itisuselesstodisturbwhatwecannotremove。Andbesides，whenoutofonequestionotherquestionsarise，andoutoftheseagainstillothers；ifthesebealldiscussedandsolved，thereasoningisextendedtosuchalength，thatunlessthememorybeexceedinglypowerfulandactivethereasonerfindsitimpossibletoreturntotheoriginalquestionfromwhichhesetout。Itis，however，exceedinglydesirablethatwhateveroccurstothemindasanobjectionthatmightbeurgedshouldbestatedandrefuted，lestitturnupatatimewhennoonewillbepresenttoanswerit，orlest，ifitshouldoccurtoamanwhoispresentbutsaysnothingaboutit，itmightneverbethoroughlyremoved。

40。Inthefollowingwordsoftheapostlewehavethetemperatestyle：

"Rebukenotanelder，butentreathimasafather；andtheyoungermenasbrethren；theelderwomenasmothers，theyoungerassisters。"（2）Andalsointhese："Ibeseechyou，therefore，brethren，bythemerciesofGod，thatyepre-service。"（3）

Andalmostthewholeofthishortatorypassageisinthetemperatestyleofeloquence；andthosepartsofitarethemostbeautifulinwhich，asifpayingwhatwasdue，thingsthatbelongtoeachotheraregracefullybroughttogether。Forexample："Havingthengifts，differingaccordingtothegracethatisgiventous，whetherprophecy，letusprophesyaccordingtotheproportionoffaith；orministry，letuswaitonourministering；orhethatteacheth，onteaching；orhethatexhorteth，onexhortation：hethatruleth，withdiligence；hethatshowethmercy，withcheerfulness。Letlovebewithoutdissimulation。Abhorthat，whichisevil，cleavetothatwhichisgood。Bekindlyaffectionedonetoanotherwithbrotherlylove；inhonorpreferringoneanother；

notslothfulinbusiness；ferventinspirit；servingtheLord；

rejoicinginhope；patientintribulation；continuinginstantinprayer；

distributingtothenecessityofsaints；giventohospitality。

Blessthemwhichpersecuteyou：bless，andcursenot。Rejoicewiththemthatdorejoice，andweepwiththemthatweep。Beofthesamemindonetowardanother。"（4）Andhowgracefullyallthisisbroughttoacloseinaperiodoftwomembers："Mindnothighthings，butcondescendtomenoflowestate！"Andalittleafterwards：

"Renderthereforetoalltheirdues：tributetowhomtributeisdue；customtowhomcustom；feartowhomfear；honortowhomhonor。"（5）Andthesealso，thoughexpressedinsingleclauses，areterminatedbyaperiodoftwomembers："Owenomananything，buttoloveoneanother。"Andalittlefartheron："Thenightisfarspent，thedayisathand：letusthereforecastofftheworksofdarkness，andletusputonthearmoroflight。Letuswalkhonestly，asintheday；notinriotinganddrunkenness，notinchamberingandwantonness，notinstrifeandenvying：butputyeontheLordJesusChrist，andmakenotprovisionfortheflesh，tofulfilltheluststhereof。"（6）Nowifthepassageweretranslatedthus，"etcarnisprovidentiamneincancupiscentiisfeceritis，"（7）theearwouldnodoubtbegratifiedwithamoreharmoniousending；butourtranslator，withmorestrictness，preferredtoretaineventheorderofthewords。AndhowthissoundsintheGreeklanguage，inwhichtheapostlespoke，thosewhoarebetterskilledinthattonguemaydetermine。

Myopinion，however，is，thatwhathasbeentranslatedtousinthesameorderofwordsdoesnotrunveryharmoniouslyevenintheoriginaltongue。

41。And，indeed，Imustconfessthatourauthorsareverydefectiveinthatgraceofspeechwhichconsistsinharmoniousendings。Whetherthisbethefaultofthetranslators，orwhether，asIammoreinclinedtobelieve，theauthorsdesignedlyavoidedsuchornament，Idarenotaffirm；forIconfessIdonotknow。

ThisIknow，however，thatifanyonewhoisskilledinthisspeciesofharmonywouldtaketheclosingsentencesofthesewritersandarrangethemaccordingtothelawofharmony（whichhecouldveryeasilywilllearnthatthesedivinely-inspiredmenarenotdefectiveinanyofthosepointswhichhehasbeentaughtintheschoolsofthegrammariansandrhetoricianstoconsiderofimportance；andhewillfindinthemmanykindsofspeechofgreatbeauty，——beautifuleveninourlanguage，butespeciallybeautifulintheoriginal，——noneofwhichcanbefoundinthosewritingsofwhichtheyboastsomuch。Butcaremustbetakenthat，whileaddingharmony，wetakeawaynoneoftheweightfromthesedivineandauthoritativeutterances。Nowourprophetsweresofarfrombeingdeficientinthemusicaltrainingfromwhichthisharmonywespeakofismostfullylearnt，thatJerome，averylearnedman，describeseventhemetresemployedbysomeofthem，（1）intheHebrewlanguageatleast；though，inordertogiveanaccuraterenderingofthewords，hehasnotpreservedtheseinhistranslationI，however（tospeakofmyownfeeling，whichisbetterknowntomethanitistoothers，andthanthatofothersistome），whileIdonotinmyownspeech，howevermodestlyIthinkitdone，neglecttheseharmoniousendings，amjustaswellpleasedtofindtheminthesacredauthorsveryrarely。

42。Themajesticstyleofspeechdiffersfromthetemperatestylejustspokenof，chieflyinthatitisnotsomuchdeckedoutwithverbalornamentsasexaltedintovehemencebymentalemotion。Ituses，indeed，nearlyalltheornamentsthattheotherdoes；

butiftheydonothappentobeathand，itdoesnotseekforthem。

Foritisborneonbyitsownvehemence；andtheforceofthethought，notthedesireforornament，makesitseizeuponanybeautyofexpressionthatcomesinitsway。Itisenoughforitsobjectthatwarmthoffeelingshouldsuggestthefittingwords；theyneednotbeselectedbycarefulelaborationofspeech。Ifabravemanbearmedwithweaponsadornedwithgoldandjewels，heatofbattle，notbecausetheyarecostly，butbecausetheyarearms；andyetthesamemandoesgreatexecution，evenwhenangerfurnisheshimwithaweaponthathedigsoutoftheground。（2）Theapostleinthefollowingwithpatiencealltheevilsofthislife。Itis"Behold，"hesays，"nowistheacceptedtime；

behold，nowisthedayofsalvation。Givingnooffenceinanything，thattheministrynotblamed：butinallthingsapprovingourselvesastheministersofGod，inmuchpatience，inafflictions，innecessities，indistresses，instrifes，inimprisonments，intumults，inlabors，inwatchings，infastings；bypureness，byknowledge，bylong-suffering，ofGod，bythearmorofrighteousnessontherighthandandontheleft，byhonoranddishonor，byevilreportandgoodreport：asdeceivers，andyettrue；asunknown，andyetwellknown；asdying，and，behold，welive；

aschastened，andnotkilled；assorrowful，yetalwayrejoicing；aspoor，yetmakingmanyrich；ashavingnothing，andyetpossessingallthings。"（3）Seehimstillburning："OyeCorinthians，ourmouthisopeneduntoyou，ourheartisenlarged，"

andsoon；itwouldbetedioustogothroughitall。

43。Andinthesameway，writingtotheRomans，heurgesthatthepersecutionsoftreatsthissubjectwithbothpowerandbeauty："Weknow，"hesays，"thatallthingsworktogetherforgoodtothemthatloveGod，tothemwhoarethecalledaccordingtoHispurpose。ForwhomHedidforeknow，HealsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtotheimageofHisSon，thatHemightbethefirst-bornamongmanybrethren。Moreover，whomHedidpredestinate，themHealsocalled；andwhomHecalled，themHealsojustified；andwhomHejustified，themHealsoglorified。Whatshallwethensaytothesethings？IfGodbeforus，whocanbeagainstus？HethatsparednotHisownSon，butdeliveredHimupforusall，howshallHenotwithHimalsofreelygiveusallthings？WhoshalllayanythingtothechargeofGod’select？ItisGodthatjustifieth；whoishethatcondemneth？ItisChristthatdied，yea，rather，thatisrisenagain，whoisevenattherighthandofGod，whoalsomakethintercessionforus。WhoshallseparateusfromtheloveofChrist？shalltribulation，ordistress，orpersecution，orfamine，ornakedness，orperil，orsword？（Asitiswritten，ForThysakewearekilledallthedaylong；weareaccountedassheepfortheslaughter。）Nay，inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerors，throughHimthatlovedus。ForIampersuaded，thatneitherdeath，norlife，norangels，norprincipalities，norpowers，northingspresent，northingstocome，norheight，nordepth，noranyothercreature，shallbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGod，whichisinChristJesusourLord。"（1）

44。Again，inwritingtotheGalatians，althoughthewholeepistleiswritteninthesubduedstyle，exceptattheend，whereitrisesintoatemperateeloquence，yetheinterposesonepassageofsomuchfeelingthat，notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyornamentssuchasappearinthepassagesjustquoted，itcannotbecalledanythingbutpowerful："Yeobservedays，andmonths，andtimes，andyears。Iamafraidofyou，lestIhavebestoweduponyoulaborinvain。Brethren，Ibeseechyou，beasI

am；forIamasyeare：yehavenotinjuredmeatall。Yeknowhow，throughinfirmityoftheflesh，Ipreachedthegospeluntoyouatthefirst。Andmytemptationwhichwasinmyfleshyedespisednot，norrejected；butreceivedmeasanangelofGod，evenasChristJesus。Whereisthentheblessednessyespakeof？forIbearyourecord，that，ifithadbeenpossible，yewouldhavepluckedoutyourowneyes，andhavegiventhemtome。AmIthereforebecomeyourenemy，becauseItellyouthetruth？Theyzealouslyaffectyou，butpotwell；yea，theywouldexcludeyou，thatyemightaffectthem。Butitisgoodtobezealouslyaffectedalwaysinagoodthing，andnotonlywhenIampresentwithyou。Mylittlechildren，ofwhomItravailinbirthagainuntilChristbeformedinyou，Idesiretobepresentwithyounow，andtochangemyvoice；forIstandindoubtofyou。"（2）Isthereanythinghereofcontrastedwordsarrangedantithetically，orofwordsrisinggraduallytoaclimax，orofsonorousclauses，andsections，andperiods？Yet，notwithstanding，thereisaglowofstrongemotionthatmakesusfeelthefervorofeloquence。

CHAP。21。——EXAMPLESOFTHEVARIOUSSTYLES，DRAWNFROMTHETEACHERSOF

THECHURCH，ESPECIALLYAMBROSEANDCYPRIAN。

45。Butthesewritingsoftheapostles，thoughdear，areyetprofound，andaresowrittenthatonewhoisnotcontentwithasuperficialacquaintance，butdesirestoknowthemthoroughly，mustnotonlyreadandhearthem，butmusthaveanexpositor。

Letus，then，studythesevariousmodesofspeechastheyareexemplifiedinthewritingsofmenwho，byreadingtheScriptures，haveattainedtotheknowledgeofdivineandsavingtruth，andhaveministeredittotheChurch。Cyprianofblessedmemorywritesinthesubduedstyleinhistreatiseonthesacramentofthecup。Inthisbookheresolvesthequestion，whetherthecupoftheLordoughttocontainwateronly，orwatermingledwithwine。Butwemustquoteapassagebywayofillustration。Afterthecustomaryintroduction，heproceedstothediscussionofthepointinquestion。"Observe"hesays，"thatweareinstructed，inpresentingthecup，tomaintainthecustomhandeddowntousfromtheLord，andtodonothingthatourLordhasnotfirstdoneforus：sothatthecupwhichisofferedmremembranceofHimshouldbemixedwithwine。For，asChristsays，’Iamthetruevine，’（3）itfollowsthatthebloodofChristiswine，notwater；andthecupcannotappeartocontainHisbloodbywhichweareredeemedandquickened，ifthewinebeabsent；forbythewineisthebloodofChristtypified，thatbloodwhichisforeshadowedandproclaimedinallthetypesanddeclarationsofScripture。

ForwefindthatinthebookofGenesisthisverycircumstanceinregardtothesacramentisforeshadowed，andourLord’ssufferingstypicallysetforth，inthecaseofNoah，whenhedrankwine，andwasdrunken，andwasuncoveredwithinhistent，andhisnakednesswasexposedbyhissecondson，andwascarefullyhiddenbyhiselderandhisyoungersons。（4）Itisnotnecessarytomentiontheothercircumstancesindetail，asitisonlynecessarytoobservethispoint，thatNoah，foreshadowingthefuturereality，drank，notwater，butwine，andthusshowedforthourLord’spassion。InthesamewayweseethesacramentoftheLord’ssupperprefiguredinthecaseofMelchizedekthepriest，accordingtothetestimonyoftheHolyScriptures，whereitsays：’AndMelchizedekkingofSalembroughtforthbreadandwine：andhewasthepriestofthemosthighGod。AndheblessedAbraham。’（5）Now，thatMelchizedekwasatypeofChrist，theHolySpiritdeclaresinthePsalms，wheretheFatheraddressingtheSonsays，’ThouartapriestforeveraftertheorderofMelchizedek。’（6）"（7）Inthispassage，andinalloftheletterthatfollows，thesubduedstyleismaintained，asthereadermayeasilysatisfyhimself。

46。St。Ambrosealso，thoughdealingwithaquestionofverygreatimportance，theequalityoftheHolySpiritwiththeFatherandtheSon，employsthesubduedstyle，becausetheobjecthehasinviewdemands，notbeautyofdiction，northeswayingofthemindbythestirofemotion，butfactsandproofs。Accordingly，intheintroductiontohiswork，wefindthefollowingpassageamongothers："WhenGideonwasstartledbythemessagehehadheardfromGod，that，thoughthousandsofthepeoplefailed，yetthroughonemanGodwoulddriverHispeoplefromtheirenemies，hebroughtforthakidofthegoats，andbydirectionoftheangellaiditwithunleavenedcakesuponarock，andpouredthebrothoverit；andassoonastheangelofGodtoucheditwiththeendofthestaffthatwasinhishand，thereroseupfireoutoftherockandconsumedtheoffering。INowthissignseemstoindicatethattherockwasatypeofthebodyofChrist，foritiswritten，’They：drankofthatspiritualrockthatfollowedthem，andthatrockwasChrist；’（2）this，ofcourse，referringnottoChrist’sdivinenaturebuttoHisflesh，whoseever-flowingfountainofbloodhaseversatisfiedtheheartsofHisthirstingpeople。AndsoitwasatthattimedeclaredinamysterythattheLordJesus，whencrucified，shouldabolishinHisfleshthesinsofthewholeworld，andnottheirguiltyactsmerely，buttheevillustsoftheirhearts。Forthekid’sfleshreferstotheguiltoftheoutwardact，thebrothtotheallurementoflustwithin，asitiswritten，’Andthemixedmultitudethatwasamongthemfellalusting；theangel，then，stretchedouthisstaffandwiththeSpiritofGod，shouldburnupallthesinsofthehumanrace。Whencealsothelordsays’Iamcoetosendfireontheearth。"（4）Andinthesamestylehepursuesthesubject，devotinghimselfchieflytoprovingandenforcinghispoint。（5）

47。AnexampleofthetemperatestyleisthecelebratedencomiumonvirginityfromCyprian："Nowourdiscourseaddressesitselftothe（virgins，who，astheyaretheobjectsofhigherhonor，arealsotheobjectsofgreatercare。ThesearetheflowersonthetreeoftheChurch，thegloryandornamentofspiritualgrace，thejoyofhonorandpraise，aworkunbrokenandunblemished，theimageofGodansweringtotheholinessoftheLord，thebrighterportionoftheflockofChrist。ThegloriousfruitfulnessoftheirmothertheChurchrejoicesinthem，andinthemflourishesmoreabundantly；andinproportionasbrightvirginityaddstohernumbers，inthesameproportiondoesthemother’sjoyincrease。Andatanotherplaceintheendoftheepistle’Aswehaveborne，’hesays，’theimageoftheearthly，weshallalsobeartheimageoftheheavenly。’（7）Virginitybearsthisimage，integritybearsit，holinessandtruthbearit；theybearitwhoaremindfulofthechasteningoftheLord，whoobservejusticeandpiety，whoarestronginfaith，humbleinfear，steadfastintheenduranceofsuffering，meekintheenduranceofinjury，readytopity，ofonemindandofoneheartinbrotherlypeace。

andeveryoneofthesethingsoughtye，holyvirgins，toobserve，tocherish，andfulfill，whohavingheartsatleisureforGodandforChrist，andhavingchosenthegreaterandbetterpart，leadandpointthewaytotheLord，towhomyouhavepledgedareyounger，waitupontheeiders，andencourageyourequals；stiruponeanotherbymutualexhortations；provokeoneanothertoglorybyemulousexamplesofvirtue；endurebravely，advanceinspirituality，finishyourcoursewithjoy；onlybemindfulofuswhenyourvirginityshallbegintoreapitsrewardofhonor。"（8）

48。Ambrosealsousesthetemperateandornamentedstylewhenheisholdingupbeforevirginswhohavemadetheirprofessionamodelfortheirimitation，andsays："Shewasavirginnotinbodyonly，butalsoinmind；notminglingthepurityofheraffectionwithanydrossofhypocrisy；seriousinspeech；uncertainriches，butintheprayerofthepoor；diligentinlabor；

reverentinword；accustomedtolooktoGod，notman，astheguideofherconscience；injuringnoone，wishingwelltoall；

dutifultoherelders，notenviousofherequals；avoidingboastfulness，followingreason，lovingvirtue。Whendidshewoundherparentsevenbyalook？Whendidshequarrelwithherneighbors？

Whendidshespurnthehumble，laughattheweak，orshuntheindigent？Sheisaccustomedtovisitonlythosehauntsofmenthatpitywouldnotblushfor，normodestypassby。

Thereisnothinghaughtyinhereyes，nothingboldinherwords，nothingwantoninhergestures：herbearingisnotvoluptuous，norhergaitmofree，norhervoicepetulant；sothatheroutwardappearanceisanimageofhermind，andapictureofpurity。

ForagoodhouseoughttobeknownforSuchattheverythreshold，andshowattheveryentrancethatthereisnodarkrecesswithin，asthelightofalampsetinsideshedsitsradianceontheoutside。WhyneedIdetailhersparingnessinfood，hersuperabundanceinduty，——theonefallingbeneaththedemandsofnature，theotherrisingaboveitspowers？Thelatterhasnointervalsofintermission，theformerdoublesthedaysbyfasting；

andwhenthedesireforrefreshmentdoesarise，itissatisfiedwithfoodsuchaswillsupportlife，butnotministertoappetite。"

INowIhavediedtheselatterpassagesasexamplesofthetemperatestyle，becausetheirpurposeisnottoinducethosewhohavenotyetdevotedthemselvestotakethevowsofvirginity，buttoshowofwhatcharacterthosewhohavetakenvowsoughttobe。Toprevailonanyonetotakeastepofsuchanatureandofsogreatimportance，requiresthatthemindshouldbeexcitedandsetonfirebythemajesticstyle。Cyprianthemartyr，however，didnotwriteaboutthedutyoftakinguptheprofessionofvirginity，butaboutthedressanddeportmentofvirgins。Yetthatgreatbishopurgesthemtotheirdutyevenintheserespectsbythepowerofamajesticeloquence。

49。ButIshahselectexamplesofthemajesticstylefromtheirtreatmentofasubjectwhichbothofthemhavetouched。Bothhavedenouncedthewomenwhocolor，orratherdiscolor，theirfaceswithpaint。Andthefirst，indealingwiththistopic，says：

"Supposeapaintershoulddepictincolorsthatarrivalnature’sthefeaturesandformandcomplexionofsomeman，andthat，whentheportraithadbeenfinishedwithconsummateart，anotherpaintershouldputhishandoverit，asiftoimprovebyhissuperiorskillthepaintingalreadycompleted；surelythefirstartistwouldfeeldeeplyinsulted，andhisindignationwouldbejustlyroused。Dostthou，then，thinkthatthouwiltcarryoffwithimpunitysoaudaciousanactofwickedness，suchaninsulttoGodthegreatartificer？For，grantingthatthouartnotimmodestinthybehaviortowardsmen，andthatthouartnotpollutedinmindbythesemeretriciousdeceits，yet，incorruptingandviolatingwhatisGod’s，thouprovestthyselfworsethananadulteress。ThefactthatthouconsiderestthyselfadornedandbeautifiedbysuchartsisanimpeachmentofGod’shandiwork，andaviolationoftruth。Listentothewarningleavened。ForevenChristourpassoverissacrificedforus：thereforeletuskeepthefeast，notwitholdleaven，neitherwiththeleavenofmaliceandwickedness；butwiththeunleavenedbreadofsincerityandtruth。’2Nowcansincerityandtruthcontinuetoexistwhenwhatissincereispolluted，andwhatistrueischangedbymeretriciouscoloringandthedeceptionsofquackeryintoalie？ThyLordsays，’Thoucanstnotmakeonehairwhiteorblack；’（3）anddostthouwishtohavegreaterpowersoastobringtonoughtthewordsofthyLord？

Withrashandsacrilegioushandthouwouldstfainchangethecolorofthyhair：Iwouldthat，withapropheticlooktothefuture，thoushouldstdyeitthecolorofflame。"（4）Itwouldbetoolongtoquoteallthatfollows。

50。Ambroseagain，inveighingagainstsuchpractices，says："Hencearisetheseincentivestovice，thatwomen，intheirfearthattheymaynotproveattractivetomen，painttheirfaceswithcarefully-chosencolors，andthenfromstainsontheirfeaturesgoontostainsontheirchastity。Whatfollyitistochangethefeaturesofnatureintothoseofpainting，andfromfearofincurringtheirhusband’sdisapproval，toproclaimopenlythattheyhaveincurredtheirown！Forthewomanwhodesirestoalterhernaturalappearancepronouncescondemnationonherself；andhereagerendeavorstopleaseanotherprovethatshehasfirstbeendispleasingtoherself。Andwhattestimonytothineuglinesscanwefind，Owoman，thatismoreunquestionablethanthineown，whenthouartafraidtoshowthyself？Ifthouartcomelywhydostthouhidethycomeliness？Ifthouartplain，whydostthoulyinglypretendtobebeautiful，whenthoucanstnotenjoythepleasureofthelieeitherinthineownconsciousnessorinthatofanother？Forhelovesanotherwoman，thoudesiresttopleaseanotherman；andthouartangryifheloveanother，thoughheistaughtadulteryinthee。Thouarttheevilpromptressofthineowninjury。Foreventhewomanwhohasbeenthevictimofapandershrinksfromactingthepander’spart，andthoughshebevile，itisherselfshesinsagainstandnotanother。Thecrimeofadulteryisalmostmoretolerablethanthine；foradulterytamperswithmodesty，butthouwithnature。"（5）Itissufficientlyclear，I

think，thatthiseloquencecallspassionatelyuponwomentoavoidtamperingwiththeirappearancebydeceitfularts，andtocultivatemodestyandfear。Accordingly，wenoticethatthestyleisneithersubduednortemperate，butmajesticthroughoutNowinthesetwoauthorswhomIhaveselectedasspecimensoftherest，andinotherecclesiasticalwriterswhobothspeakthetruthandspeakitwell，——speakit，thatis，judiciously，pointedly，andwithbeautyandpowerofexpression，——manyexamplesmaybefoundofthethreestylesofspeech，scatteredthroughtheirvariouswritingsanddiscourses；andthediligentstudentmaybyassiduousreading，intermingledwithpracticeonhisownpart，becomethoroughlyimbuedwiththemall。

CHAP。22。——THENECESSITYOFVARIETYIN

STYLE。

51。Butwearenottosupposethatitisagainstruletominglethesevariousstyles：taste。Forwhenwekeepmonotonouslytoonestyle，wefailtoretainthehearer’sattention；butwhenwepassfromonestyletoanother，thediscoursegoesoffmoregracefully，eventhoughitextendtogreaterlength。Eachseparatestyle，again，hasvarietiesofitsownwhichpreventthehearer’sattentionfromcoolingorbecominglanguid。Wecanbearthesubduedstyle，however，longerwithoutvarietythanthemajesticstyle。Forthementalemotionwhichitisnecessarytostirupinordertocarrythehearer’sfeelingswithus，whenonceithasbeensufficientlyexcited，thehigherthepitchtowhichitisraised，canbemaintainedtheshortertime。Andthereforewemustbeonourguard，lest，instrivingtocarrytoahigherpointtheemotionwehaveexcited，weratherlosewhatwehavealreadygained。Butaftertheinterpositionofmatterthatwehavetotreatinaquieterstyle，wecanreturnwithgoodeffecttothatwhichmustbetreatedforcibly，thusmakingthetideofeloquencetoebbandflowlikethesea。Itfollowsfromthis，thatthemajesticstyle，ifitistobelongcontinued，oughtnottobeunvaried，butshouldalternateatintervalswiththeotherstyles；thespeechorwritingasawhole，however，beingreferredtothatstylewhichistheprevailingone。

CHAP。23。——HOWTHEVARIOUSSTYLESSHOULD

BEMINGLED。

52。Nowitisamatterofimportancetodeterminewhatstyleshouldbealternatedwithwhatother，andtheplaceswhereitisnecessarythatanyparticularstyleshouldbeused。Inthemajesticstyle，forinstance，itisalways，oralmostalways，desirablethattheintroductionshouldbetemperate。Andthespeakerhasitinhisdiscretiontousethesubduedstyleevenwherethemajesticwouldbeallowable，inorderthatthemajesticwhenitisusedmaybethemoremajesticbycomparison，andmayasitwereshineoutwithgreaterbrilliancefromthedarkbackground。Again，whatevermaybethestyleofthespeechorwriting，whenknottyquestionsturnupforsolution，accuracyofdistinctionisrequired，andthisnaturallydemandsthesubduedstyle。

Andaccordinglythisstylemustbeusedinalternationwiththeothertwostyleswheneverquestionsofthatsortturnup；justaswemustusethetemperatestyle，nomatterwhatmaybethegeneraltoneofthediscourse，wheneverpraiseorblameistobegivenwithoutanyulteriorreferencetothecondemnationoracquittalofanyone，ortoobtainingtheconcurrenceofanyoneinacourseofaction。Inthemajesticstyle，then，andinthequietlikewise，boththeothertwostylesoccasionallyfindplace。Thetemperatestyle，ontheotherhand，notindeedalways，butoccasionally，needsthequietstyle；forexample，when，asIhavesaid，aknottyquestioncomesuptobesettled，orwhensomepointsthataresusceptibleofornamentareleftunadornedandexpressedinthequietstyle，inordertogivegreatereffecttocertainexuberances（astheymaybecalled）ofornament。Butthetemperatestyleneverneedstheaidofthemajestic；foritsobjectistogratify，nevertoexcite，themind。

CHAP。24。——THEEFFECTSPRODUCEDBYTHE

MAJESTICSTYLE。

53。Iffrequentandvehementapplausefollowsaspeaker，wearenottosupposeonthataccountthatheisspeakinginthemajesticstyle；forthiseffectisoftenproducedbothbytheaccuratedistinctionsofthequietstyle，andbythebeautiesofthetemperate。Themajesticstyle，ontheotherhand，frequentlysilencestheaudiencebyitsimpressiveness，butcallsforththeirtears。Forexample，whenatCaesareainMauritaniaIwasdissuadingthepeoplefromthatcivil，orworsethancivil，warwhichtheycalledCaterva（foritwasnotfellow-citizensmerely，butneighbors，brothers，fathersandsonseven，who，dividedintotwofactionsandarmedwithstones，foughtannuallyatacertainseasonoftheyearforseveraldayscontinuously，everyonekillingwhomsoeverhecould），IstrovewithallthevehemenceofspeechthatIcouldcommandtorootoutanddrivefromtheirheartsandlivesanevilsocruelandinveterate；itwasnot，however，whenIheardtheirapplause，butwhenIsawtheirtears，thatI

thoughtIhadproducedaneffect。Fortheapplauseshowedthattheywereinstructedanddelighted，butthetearsthattheyweresubdued。AndwhenIsawtheirtearsIwasconfidentevenbeforetheeventprovedit，thatthishorribleandbarbarouscustom（whichhadbeenhandeddowntothemfromtheirfathersandtheirancestorsofgenerationslonggonebyandwhichlikeanenemywasbesiegingtheirhearts，orratherhadcompletepossessionofthem）wasoverthrown；andimmediatelythatmysermonwasfinishedIcalleduponthemwithheartandvoicetogivepraiseandthankstoGod。And，lo，withtheblessingofChrist，itisnoweightyearsormoresinceanythingofthesortwasattemptedthere。InmanyothercasesbesidesIhaveobservedthatmenshowtheeffectmadeonthembythepowerfuleloquenceofawiseman，notbyclamorousapplausesomuchasbygroans，sometimesevenbytears，finelybychangeoflife。

54。Thequietstyle，too，hasmadeachangeinmany；butitwastoteachthemwhattheywereignorantof，ortopersuadethemofwhattheythoughtincredible，nottomakethemdowhattheyknewtheyoughttodobutwereunwillingtodo。Tobreakdownhardnessofthissort，speechneedstobevehement。Praiseandcensure，too，whentheyareeloquentlyexpressed，eveninthetemperatestyle，producesuchaneffectonsome，thattheyarenotonlypleasedwiththeeloquenceoftheencomiumsandcensures，butareledtolivesoasthemselvestodeservepraise，andtoavoidlivingsoastoincurblame。Butnoonewouldsaythatallwhoarethusdelightedchangetheirhabitsinconsequence，whereasallwhoaremovedbythemajesticstyleactaccordingly，andallwhoaretaughtbythequietstyleknoworbelieveatruthwhichtheywerepreviouslyignorantof。

CHAP。25。——HOWTHETEMPERATESTYLEISTO

BEUSED。

55。Fromallthiswemayconclude，thattheendarrivedatbythetwostyleslastmentionedistheonewhichitismostessentialforthosewhoaspiretospeakwithwisdomandeloquencetosecure。

Ontheotherhand，whatthetemperatestyleproperlyaimsat，viz。，topleasebybeautyofexpression，isnotinitselfanadequateend；butwhenwhatwehavetosayisgoodanduseful，andwhenthehearersarebothacquaintedwithitandfavorablydisposedtowardsit，sothatitisnotnecessaryeithertoinstructorpersuadethem，beautyofstylemayhaveitsinfluenceinsecuringtheirpromptercompliance，orinmakingthemadheretoitmoretenaciously。Forasthefunctionofalleloquence，whicheverofthesethreeformsitmayassume，istospeakpersuasively，anditsobjectistopersuade，aneloquentmanwillspeakpersuasively，whateverstylehemayadopt；butunlesshesucceedsinpersuading，hiseloquencehasnotsecureditsobject。Nowinthesubduedstyle，hepersuadeshishearersthatwhathesaysistrue；inthemajesticstyle，hepersuadesthemtodowhattheyareawaretheyoughttodo，butdonot；inthetemperatestyle，hepersuadesthemthathisspeechiselegantandornate。

Butwhatuseisthereinattainingsuchanobjectasthislast？Theymaydesireitwhoarevainoftheireloquenceandmakeaboastofpanegyrics，andsuch-likeperformances，wheretheobjectisnottoinstructthehearer，ortopersuadehimtoanycourseofaction，butmerelytogivehimpleasure。We，however，oughttomakethatendsubordinatetoanother，viz。，theeffectingbythisstyleofeloquencewhatweaimateffectingwhenweusethemajesticstyle。Forwemaybytheuseofthisstylepersuadementocultivategoodhabitsandgiveupevilones，ifagoodcourse；wemayinducethemtopursueagoodcourse，wemayinducethemtopursueitmorezealously，andtopersevereinitwith，constancy。Accordingly，eveninthetemperatestylewemustusebeautyofexpressionnotforostentation，butforwiseends；notcontentingourselvesmerelywithpleasingthehearer，butratherseekingtoaidhiminthepursuitofthegoodendwhichweholdoutbeforehim。

CHAP。26。——INEVERYSTYLETHEORATORSHOULDAIMATPERSPICUITY，BEAUTY，AND

PERSUASIVENESS。

55。NowinregardtothethreeconditionsIlaiddownalittlewhileago（1）asnecessarytobefulfilledbyanyonewhowishestospeakwithwisdomandeloquence，viz。perspicuity，beautyofstyle，andpersuasivepower，wearenottounderstandthatthesethreequalitiesattachthemselvesrespectivelytothethreeseveralstylesofspeech，onetoeach，sothatperspicuityisameritpeculiartothesubduedstyle，beautytothetemperateandpersuasivepowertothemajestic。Onthecontrary，allspeech，whateveritsstyle，oughtconstantlytoaimat，andasfaraspossibletodisplay，allthesethreemerits。Forwedonotlikeevento，notwithintelligencemerely，butwithpleasureaswell。Again，whydoweenforcewhatweteachbydivinetestimony，exceptthatwewishtocarrythehearerwithus，that，tocompelhisassentbycallingintheassistanceofHimofwhomitissaid，"Thytestimoniesareverysure"？（1）Andwhenanyonenarratesastory，eveninthesubduedstyle，whatdoeshewishbuttobebelieved？Butwhowilllistentohimifhedonotarrestattentionbysomebeautyofstyle？Andifhebenotintelligible，isitnotplainthathecanneithergivepleasurenorenforceconviction？Thesubduedstyle，again，initsownnakedsimplicity，whenitunravelsquestionsofverygreatdifficulty，andthrowsanunexpectedlightuponthem；whenitwormsoutandbringstolightsomeveryacuteobservationsfromaquarterwhencenothingwasexpected；

whenitseizesuponandexposesthefalsityofanopposingopinion，whichseemedatitsfirststatementtobeunassailable；

especiallywhenallthisisaccompaniedbyanatural，unsoughtgraceofexpression，andbyarhythmandbalanceofstylewhichisnotostentatiouslyobtruded，butseemsrathertobecalledforthbythenatureofthesubject：thisstyle，soused，frequentlycallsforthapplausesogreatthatonecanhardlybelieveittobethesubduedstyle。Forthefactthatitcomesforthwithouteitherornamentordefence，andoffersbattleinitsownnakedsimplicity，doesnothinderitfromcrushingitsadversarybyweightofnerveandmuscle，andoverwhelminganddestroyingthefalsehoodthatopposesitbythemerestrengthofitsownfightarm。Howexplainthefrequentandvehementapplausethatwaitsuponmenwhospeakthus，exceptbythepleasurethattruthsoirresistiblyestablished，andsovictoriouslydefended，naturallyaffords？WhereforetheChristianteacherandspeakerought，whenheusesthesubduedstyle，toendeavornotonlytobedearandintelligible，buttogivepleasureandtobringhomeconvictiontothehearer。

57。Eloquenceofthetemperatestyle，also，must，inthecaseoftheChristianorator，beneitheraltogetherwithoutornament，norunsuitablyadorned，norisittomakethegivingofpleasureitssoleaim，whichisallitprofessestoaccomplishinthehandsofothers；butinitsencomiumsandcensuresitshouldaimatinducingthehearertostriveafteroravoidorrenouncewhatitcondemns。Ontheotherhand，withoutperspicuitythisstylecannotgivepleasure。Andsothethreequalities，perspicuity，beauty，andpersuasiveness。aretobesoughtinthisstylealso；beauty，ofcourse，beingitsprimaryobject。

58。Again，whenitbecomesnecessarytostirandswaythehearersmindbythemaesticstyle（andthisisalwaysnecessarywhenheadmitsthatwhatyousayisbothtrueandagreeable，andyetisunwillingtoactaccordingly），youmust，ofcourse，speakinthemajesticstyle。butwhocanbemovedifhedoesnotunderstandwhatissaid？andwhowillstaytolistenifhereceivesnopleasure？Wherefore，inthisstyle，too，whenanobdurateheartistobepersuadedtoobedience，youmustspeaksoastobebothintelligibleandpleasing，ifyouwouldbeheardwithasubmissivemind。

CHAP。27。——THEMANWHOSELIFEISINHARMONYWITHHISTEACHINGWILLTEACH

WITH

GREATEREFFECT。

59。Butwhatevermaybethemajestyofthestyle，thelifeofthespeakerwillcountformoreinsecuringthehearer’scompliance。Themanwhospeakswiselyandeloquently，butliveswickedly，may，itistrue，instructmanywhoareanxioustolearn；though，asitiswritten，he"isunprofitabletohimself。"（2）

Wherefore，also，theapostlesays："WhetherinpretenceorintruthChristispreached。"（3）NowChrististhetruth；yetweseethatthetruthcanbepreached，thoughnotintruth，——thatis，whatisrightandtrueinitselfmaybepreachedbyamanofperverseanddeceitfulmind。AndthusitisthatJesusChristispreachedbythosethatseektheirown，andnotthethingsthatareJesusChrist’s。Butsincetruebelieversobeythevoice，notofanyman，butoftheLordHimself，whosays，"Allthereforewhatsoevertheybidyouobserve，thatobserveanddo：butdonotyeaftertheirworks；fortheysayanddonot；"（4）thereforeitisthatmenwhothemselvesleadunprofitablelivesareheardwithprofitbyothers。Forthoughtheyseektheirownobjects，theydonotdaretoteachtheirowndoctrines，sittingastheydointhehighplacesofecclesiasticalauthority，whichisestablishedonsounddoctrine。WhereforeourLordHimself，beforesayingwhatIhavejustquotedaboutmenofthisstamp，madethisobservation：

"ThescribesandthePhariseessitinMoses’seat。"（5）Theseattheyoccupied，then，whichwasnottheirsbutMoses’，compelledthemtosaywhatwasgood，thoughtheydidwhatwasevil。Andsotheyfollowedtheirowncourseintheirlives，butwerepreventedbytheseattheyoccupied，whichbelongedtoanother，frompreachingtheirowndoctrines。

60。Nowthesemendogoodtomanybypreachingwhattheythemselvesdonotperform；buttheywoulddogoodtoverymanymoreiftheylivedastheypreach。Fortherearenumberswhoseekanexcusefortheirownevillivesincomparingtheteachingwiththeconductoftheirinstructors，andwhosaymtheirhearts，orevengoalittlefurther，andsaywiththeirlips：Whydoyounotdoyourselfwhatyoubidmedo？Andthustheyceasetolistenwithsubmissiontoamanwhodoesnotlistentohimself，andindespisingthepreachertheylearntodespisethewordthatispreached。Whereforetheapostle，writingtoTimothy，aftertellinghim，"Letnomandespisethyyouth，"addsimmediatelythecoursebywhichhewouldavoidcontempt：

"butbethouanexampleofthebelievers，inword，inconversation，incharity，inspirit，infaith，inpurity。"（1）

CHAP。28。——TRUTHISMOREIMPORTANTTHANEXPRESSION。WHATISMEANTBY

STRIFEABOUT

WORDS。

61。Suchateacherasisheredescribedmay，tosecurecompliance，speaknotonlyquietlyandtemperately，butevenvehemently，withoutanybreachofmodesty，becausehislifeprotectshimagainstcontempt。Forwhilehepursuesanuprightlife，hetakescaretomaintainagoodreputationaswell，providingthingshonestinthesightofGodandmen，（2）fearingGod，andcaringformen。Inhisveryspeechevenhepreferstopleasebymatterratherthanbywords；thinksthatathingiswellsaidinproportionasitistrueinfact，andthatateachershouldgovernhiswords，notletthewordsgovernhim。Thisiswhattheapostlesays："Notwithwisdomofwords，lestthecrossofChristshouldbemadeofnoneeffect。"（3）TothesameeffectalsoiswhathesaystoTimothy："ChargingthembeforetheLordthattheystrivenotaboutwordstonoprofit，buttothesubvertingofthehearers。"（4）Nowthisdoesnotmeanthat，whenadversariesopposethetruth，wearetosaynothingindefenceofthetruth。

Forwhere，then，wouldbewhathesayswhenheisdescribingthesortofmanabishopoughttobe："thathemaybeablebysounddoctrinebothtoexhortandconvincethegainsayers？"（5）Tostriveaboutwordsisnottobecarefulaboutthewaytoovercomeerrorbytruth，buttobeanxiousthatyourmodeofexpressionshouldbepreferredtothatofanother。Themanwhodoesnotstriveaboutwords，whetherhespeakquietly，temperatelyorvehemently，useswordswithnootherpurposethantomakethetruthplain，pleasing，andeffective；fornotevenloveitself，whichistheendofthecommandmentandthefulfillingofthelaw，（6）canberightlyexercisedunlesstheobjectsoflovearetrueandnotfalse。Forasamanwithacomelybodybutanill-conditionedmindisamorepainfulobjectthanifhisbodytooweredeformed，somenwhoteachliesarethemorepitiableiftheyhappentobeeloquentinspeech。Tospeakeloquently，then，andwiselyaswell，isjusttoexpresstruthswhichitisexpedienttoteachinfitandproperwords，——wordswhichinthesubduedstyleareadequate，inthetemperate，elegant，andinthemajestic，forcible。Butthemanwhocannotspeakbotheloquentlyandwiselyshouldspeakwiselywithouteloquence，ratherthaneloquentlywithoutwisdom。

CHAP。29。——ITISPERMISSIBLEFORAPREACHERTODELIVERTOTHEPEOPLE

WHATHASBEEN

WRITTENBYAMOREELOQUENTMANTHANHIMSELF。

If，however，hecannotdoeventhis，lethislifebesuchasshallnotonlysecurearewardforhimself，butaffordanexampletoothers；andlethismanneroflivingbeaneloquentsermoninitself。

63。Thereare，indeed，somemenwhohaveagooddelivery，butcannotcomposeanythingtodeliver。Now，ifsuchmentakewhathasbeenwrittenwithwisdomandeloquencebyothers，andcommitittomemory，anddeliverittothepeople，theycannotbeblamed，supposingthemtodoitwithoutdeceptionForinthiswaymanybecomepreachersofthetruth（whichiscertainlydesirable），andyetnotmanyteachers；foralldeliverthediscoursewhichonerealteacherhascomposed，andtherearenodivisionsamongthem。NoraresuchmentobealarmedbythewordsofJeremiahtheprophet，throughwhomGoddenouncesthosewhostealHiswordseveryonefromhisneighbor。（7）

Forthosewhostealtakewhatdoesnotbelongtothem，butthewordofGodbelongstoallwhoobeyit；anditisthemanwhospeakswell，butlivesbadly，whoreallytakesthewordsthatbelongtoanother，Forthegoodthingshesaysseemtobetheresultofhisownthought，andyettheyhavenothingincommonwithhismanneroflife。AndsoGodhassaidthattheystealHiswordswhowouldappeargoodbyspeakingGod’swords，butareinfactbad，astheyfollowtheirownways。Andifyoulookcloselyintothematter，itisnotreallythemselveswhosaythegoodthingstheysay。Forhowcantheysayinwordswhattheydenyindeeds？Itisnotfornothingthattheapostlesaysofsuchmen："TheyprofessthattheyknowGod，butinworkstheydenyHim。"（1）Inonesense，then，theydosaythethings，andinanothersensetheydonotsaythem；forboththesestatementsmustbetrue，bothbeingmadebyHimwhoistheTruth。Speakingofsuchmen，inoneplaceHesays，"Whatsoevertheybidyouobserve，thatobserveanddo；butdonotyeaftertheirworks；"——thatistosay，whatyehearfrom。theirlips，thatdo；whatyeseeintheirlives，thatdoyenot；——"fortheysayanddonot。"（2）Andso，thoughtheydonot，yettheysay。butinanotherplace，upbraidingsuchmen，Hesays，"Ogenerationofvipers，howcanye，beingevil，speakgoodthings？"（3）Andfromthisitwouldappearthatevenwhattheysay，whentheysaywhatisgood，itisnotthemselveswhosay，forinwil；landindeedtheydenywhattheysay。Henceithappensthatawickedmanwhoiseloquentmaycomposeadiscourseinwhichthetruthissetforthtobedeliveredbyagoodmanwhoisnoteloquent；andwhenthistakesplace，theformerdrawsfromhimselfwhatdoesnotbelongtohim，andthelatterreceivesfromanotherwhatreallybelongstohimself。Butwhentruebelieversrenderthisservicetotruebelievers，bothpartiesspeakwhatistheirown，forGodistheirs，towhombelongsallthattheysay；andeventhosewhocouldnotcomposewhattheysaymakeittheirownbycomposingtheirlivesinharmonywithit。

CHAP。30。——THEPREACHERSHOULDCOMMENCEHISDISCOURSEWITHPRAYERTO

GOD。

63。Butwhetheramanisgoingtoaddressthepeopleortodictatewhatotherswilldeliverorreadtothepeople，heoughttoprayGodtoputintohismouthasuitablediscourse。ForifQueenEstherprayed，whenshewasabouttospeaktothekingtouchingthetemporalwelfareofherrace，thatGodwouldputfitwordsintohermouth，（4）howmuchmoreoughthetoprayforthesameblessingwholaborsinwordanddoctrinefortheeternalwelfareofmen？Those，again，whoaretodeliverwhatotherscomposeforthemought，beforetheyreceivetheirdiscourse，toprayforthosewhoarepreparingit；andwhentheyhavereceivedit，theyoughttoprayboththattheythemselvesmaydeliveritwell，andthatthosetowhomtheyaddressitmaygiveear；andwhenthediscoursehasahappyissue，theyoughttorenderthankstoHimfromwhomtheyknowsuchblessingscome，sothatallthepraisemaybeHis"inwhosehandarebothweandourwords。"（5）

CHAP。31。——APOLOGYFORTHELENGTHOFTHEWORK。

64。ThisbookhasextendedtoagreaterlengththanIexpectedordesired。

Butthereaderorhearerwhofindspleasureinitwillnotthinkitlong。Hewhothinksitlong，butisanxioustoknowitscontents，mayreaditinparts。Hewhodoesnotcaretobeacquaintedwithitneednotcomplainofitslength。I，however，givethankstoGodthatwithwhattheabilityIpossessIhaveinthesefourbooksstriventodepict，notthesortofmanIammyself（formydefectsareverymany），butthesortofmanheoughttobewhodesirestolaborinsound，thatis，inChristiandoctrine，notforhisowninstructiononly，butforthatofothersalso。