2. Prudential expedient
method, that shall not only make those points more intelligible, than in answering by yea and no: or drawing out the subservient answers to such a length, as too much charges the people's memory, but withal to intermix the most useful practical matter with what is doctrinal. If such a course might obtain in all our congregations, I think it would greatly discover our prudence, and turn richly to the account of our people's profit.
2. Prudential expedient Ministerial prudence discovers itself in the choice of such subjects, as the needs of our people's souls do most require, and call for.
A prudent minister will study the souls of his people, more than the best human books in his library; and not choose what is easiest for him, but what is most necessary for them. Ministers that are acquainted with the state of their flocks, as they ought to be, will be seldom at a loss in the choice of the next subject: Their people's wants will choose their text, from time to time, for them.
The greatest part of our congregations are poor, ignorant, and unregenerated people that know neither their misery nor their remedy. This will direct us to the great doctrines of conviction, regeneration, and faith; and make us to sit with solicitous minds in our studies, pondering thus in our hearts: 'Lord, what course shall we take, and what words shall we choose, that may best convey the sense of their sin and danger, with the fulness and necessity of Christ, into their hearts.'
Others are withering and decaying in their affections, or staggering and floating in their judgments: Prudence will enable the man of God to give to every one his proper food, or physic, in due season. This