l for his patron and model, he entered upon the ministry of
preaching, in which sublime function his preparation consisted not
merely in the study and exercise of oratory, and in a consummate
knowledge of faith, and of the rules of Christian virtue, but much
more in a perfect victory over himself and his passions, the entire
disengagement of his heart and affections from the world and all
earthly things, an eminent spirit of humility, tender charity, and
inflamed zeal for the glory of God, and the sanctification of souls.
He once said to a young clergyman, who consulted him by what method
he could learn the art of preaching with fruit, that it was no other
than that of the most ardent love of God. Of this he was himself a
most illustrious example. Prayer, and an indefatigable application
to the duties of his ministry, divided his whole time; and such was
his thirst of the salvation of souls, that the greatest labors and
dangers were equally his greatest gain and pleasure; he seemed even
to gather strength from the former, and confidence and courage from
the latter. His inflamed sermons, supported by the admirable example
of his heroic virtue, and the most pure maxims of the gospel,
delivered with an eloquence and an unction altogether divine, from
the overflowings of a heart burning with the most ardent love of
God, and penetrated with the deepest sentiments of humility and
compunction, had a force which the most hardened hearts seemed not
able to withstand. Many sacred orators preach themselves rather than
the word of God, and speak with so much art and care, that their
hearers consider more how they speak than what they say. This true
minister of the gospel never preached or instructed others without
having first, for a considerable time, begged of God with great
earnestness to move both his tongue and the hearts of his hearers:
he mounted the pulpit full of the most sincere distrust in his own
abilities and endeavors, and contempt of himself; and with the most
ardent thirst of the salvation of the souls of all his hearers. He
cast his nets, or rather sowed the seed, of eternal life. The Holy
Ghost, who inspired and animated his soul, seemed to speak by the
organ of his voice; and gave so fruitful a blessing to his words,
that wonderful were the conversions he everywhere wrought. Whole