And the comparison is _aptly_ made, as we shall see if we consider, either the _end_ of a preacher’s office, or the _decorum_ of his character.
His OFFICE obliges him to intend the most essential interests of mankind, the reformation of their lives, and the salvation of their souls. And when the object of his care is so important, what wonder if all inferior considerations fall before it?
Besides, the Christian preacher has a _commission_ to discharge, a divine _message_ to deliver. And in such a case, men look not for ingenuity, but fidelity. An ancient, or a modern sophist may make what excursions he thinks fit into the wide fields of science; and may entertain us with his learning, or his wit, as he finds himself able. He _may_, I say, do this; for he has only to recommend himself to our esteem, and to acquire a little popular reputation. But WE have a _dispensation_ committed to us, _a form of sound words_, from which we must not depart, _a doctrine_, which we are to deliver with _uncorruptness_, _gravity_, _sincerity_[2]. We please not men, but God; or if men, _to their good_, only, _to edification_[3].
The DECORUM of our character requires, too, that we be superior to all the arts of vanity and ostentation. Even in secular professions, it is expected that this rule of propriety be observed. A _Physician_ would be ridiculous, that was more curious in penning a prescription, than in weighing the matter of it: and the _Advocate_ would be little esteemed, that should be more solicitous to display himself, than to serve his client. How much more then may it be expected from _a preacher of righteousness_, that HE should forget his own personal importance amid the high concerns of his profession!
And such was indeed the conduct of our best guides, in the ministry. The ancient Fathers were, many of them, richly furnished with all the endowments, that might be required to set themselves off to the utmost advantage. Yet we find them, in their homilies and discourses to the people, inattentive to every thing but their main end; delivering themselves, with an energy indeed, but a plainness and even negligence of expression[4], that tempts frivolous readers, sometimes, to make a doubt of their real, and, from other monuments of their skill and pains, unquestioned abilities.