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This was Doddridge’s custom.—See Life, chap. ii. Do we not thus penetrate into our subject with more depth and spiritual discernment, than mere thought or critical study could furnish? For may not these be employed even upon our pulpit exercises, without any of that tender seriousness and compassion for perishing souls, and sense of Ministerial obligation, which become the public discharge of our office? Mr. Robert Bolton (one of the most eminent divines in the seventeenth century) professed on his death-bed, ‘that he never taught any godly point, unless he first worked it on his own heart.’ Mr. Shepard of New England gave the same testimony. How confidently, when we have thus proved our armour, may we venture to recommend it! It was the neglect of this watchfulness that made a late eminent Minister remark that, in preparing sermons for others, he had sometimes been in danger of destroying his own soul.