superior man. He was thought well of by multitudes. Persons of the highest distinction in this kingdom constantly attended his min. istry. And although his sermons were generally read, he surprisingly riveted the attention. of his congregations. His sabbath discourses, when I heed him, were elaborate and impressive, but the style of them was borrowed from the writers of Milton, and the old nonconformists. It must have cost him as great pains to acquire this style, as I suppose it would cost me to adopt the phraseology of the society of friends. There was perhaps no sia in this whim of Mr. Irvings, but it was unwise, and subjected him to public criticisms and animadversions, which might have been all spared. It helped his fame for a while, and then (especially when his doctrinal errors began to be broached) diminished it.

Other preachers again bave extended their fame for a time by odd methods of ananging their subjects, and by sirong and extravagant, and not very chaste, expressions.

Take

Even holy ministers have done this. an example which occured so far back as the reign of king James the first.-The Right Rev. Joseph Hall, D. D. bishop of Norwich, and author of the justly-admired "Contemplations on

the historical passages of the old and new Testament," once preached at the court before king James. His subject was " the pool of Bethesda." In his introduction he says "Be content to spend this hour with me in the porches of Bethesda, and consider with me the topography-the aitiology-the chronography of this miracle." In his application of the subject he observes waiting is a familiar lesson with courtiers, and here we have all need of it: one is sick of an overflowing of the gall-another of a tumour of pride another of the vertigo of lust-another of the vertigo of inconstancy-another of the choking sqinancy of curses and blasphemies: one of the boulimy of gluttony-another of the pleuritical stitches of envy: one of the contracting cramp of covetousness-another of the atrophy of unproficiency: one is hidebound with pride-another is consumed with emulation-another rotton with corrupt desires; and we are so much the sicker if we feel not these distempers." What the king and his courtiers thought of this application I know not. Its faithfulness deserves commendation,but its oddness and filth were calculated to produce a mixture of levity and loathing.

No minister should have recourse to such extravagancies of expression, as in time they

might render the quality of his piety, as well as popularity, alike suspicious and questionable.

I have now finished the most uncomfortable part of my lecture, and leave all considerate christians to judge whether popularity acquired by the ways I have mentioned, is not a thing fairly to be questioned.

SECTION IV.

II. I am to consider the great importance and value of popularity in the christian ministry, when it is well deserved and judiciously applied.

On this part of the subject I shall use the term popularity, not in its strict sense as applying to the favour of the uninstructed multititude, but in the qualified and accommodated way in which it is so commonly applied in our own time that is to say, the favour, generally speaking, of all classes. I should rather call this state of things, with a preacher, his fame or renown-built upon recognized and acknowledged excellencies of character and qualification. But to avoid confusion I shall keep to the term popularity.

In the new testament it is easy to perceive that the popularity of John the Baptist-of our Saviour and all his apostles, resulted from the infinite importance of their sayings, as well as doings, for the public good. Their was nothing pernicious in their fame. They propagated no

errors or delusions, but solid and eternal truths. They adopted no freaks and fancies to excite the public gaze; but were serious, good and worthy men. The way in which they conducted their ministry too, was the most unlikely (considering the prejudices of human nature) to ensure popularity.

John the baptist calling the Pharisees and Saducees "a generation of vipers," and warning them to "flee from the wrath to come," was a great demonstration that he courted no man's favour or applause; but desired every man's reformation.

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Our Saviour designating the same class of men a generation of vipers," and asking them, "how they could escape the damnation of hell," was a proof that he sought not glory of men, but to do the will of God. The baptist, the Saviour, and the apostles, were dead to human applause. And all distinguished moral reformers have for the most part been, (so far as we can judge) inattentive to it. The greatest divines in all ages who have excelled in preaching, and whose ministry has been attended by multitudes, appear to have been too much absorbed in the contemplation of their great object, (the salvation of souls) to notice with complacency their spreading fame.