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It is stated of Mr. Bruce (one of “the excellent of the earth,” in the troublous times of Scotland) that, though he was known to take much pains in searching the mine of God in Scripture, and though he dared not neglect the diligent preparation of suitable matter for the edification of his people, yet his main business was in the elevation of his own heart into a holy and reverential frame, and in pouring it out before God ‘in wrestling with him, not so much for assistance to the messenger as the message.’ The effect fully proved, that in his earnest endeavour to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, he laboured to that end, striving according to his working, which worked in him mightily.” Col. 1.28-29. See an interesting account of Mr. Bruce given in Fleming’s Fulfilment of Scripture.
Mr. Spencer, of Liverpool (a young Minister of extraordinary promise, prematurely, as we are led to think, though doubtless in mercy to himself, snatched away from the church) is stated invariably to have passed from secret communion with God to what he describes as ‘that awful place’—a pulpit. Preface to a volume of posthumous sermons published by the Religious Tract Society. The uncommon interest and effect, which appeared to rest upon his Ministrations, were doubtless drawn more directly from his heavenly habit of mind, than from those powers of pulpit eloquence, which commanded universal admiration. For—as Bishop Jebb remarks—‘let it not be deemed enthuasiasm to say, that fervent prayer will make a more impressive preacher than all the rules of rhetoric; and that he who “speaks what he knows,” and testifies what he feels, as in the presence of his gracious God, will win more souls to heaven, than if he wielded at will all the eloquence of men and angels.’
Once more to revert to the practice of one, stamped by Mr. Southey with the name of ‘saintly Fletcher.’ Mr. Gilpin informs us, that ‘his preaching was perpetually preceded, accompanied, and succeeded by prayer. Before he entered upon the performance of this duty, he requested of the Great “Master of assemblies” a subject adapted to the conditions of his people, earnestly soliciting for himself wisdom, utterance, and power; for them a serious frame, an unprejudiced mind, and a retentive heart. This necessary preparation for the profitable performance of his Ministerial duties was of longer or shorter duration, according to his particular state at the time; and frequently he could form an accurate judgment of the effect that would be produced in public by the languor or enlargement he had experienced in private. The spirit of prayer accompanied him from the closet to the pulpit; and while he was outwardly employed in pressing the truth upon his hearers, he was inwardly engaged in pleading that last great promise of his unchangeable Lord—“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” ‘Gilpin’s Notes on Fletcher’s Portrait of St. Paul, p. 52.