hearer's mind by the majestic style (and this is always neces-
IGC ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. [bOOK IV.
neither give pleasure nor enforce conviction ? The subdued style, again, in its own naked simplicity, when it unravels questions of very great difficulty, and throws an unexpected light upon tlicm ; when it worms out and brings to light some very acute observations from a quarter whence nothing was expected ; when it seizes upon and exposes the falsity of an opposing opinion, which seemed at its first statement to be unassailable ; especially when all this is accompanied by a natural, unsought gi^ace of expression, and by a rhythm and balance of style which is not ostentatiously obtruded, but seems rather to be called forth by the nature of the subject this style, so used, frequently calls forth applause so great that one can hardly believe it to be the subdued style. For the fact that it comes forth without either ornament or defence, and offers battle in its own naked simplicity, does not hinder it from crushing its adversary by weiglit of nerve and muscle, and overwhelming and destroying the falsehood that opposes it by the mere strength of its own right arm. How exjdain the frequent and vehement applause tliat waits upon men who speak thus, except by the pleasure that truth so irresistibly established, and so victoriously defended, naturally affords ?
Wherefore the Christian teacher and speaker ought, when he uses the subdued style, to endeavour not only to be clear and intelligible, but to give pleasure and to bring home conviction to the hearer.
57. Eloquence of the temperate style, also, must, in the case of the Christian orator, be neither altogether without ornament, nor unsuitably adorned nor is it to make the giving of pleasure its sole aim, which is all it professes to accomplish in the hands of oiliers ; but in its encomiums and censures it sliould aim at inducing the hearer to strive after or h()h\ more firmly by what it praises, and to avoid or renounce wliat it condemns. On the other hand, witliout perspicuity this style cannot give pleasure. And so the three qualities, perspicuity, beauty, and persuasiveness, are to be sought in this style also ; beauty, of coiu'se, being its primary object.
58. Again, when it becomes necessary to stir and sway the hearer's mind by the majestic style (and this is always neces-