Below is an excerpt from Rev. Richard Watson’s review of a book of sermons by Rev. J. W. Cunningham, who was Vicar of Harrow. 

 Watson is overall complimentary of the sermons, and says that he is only examining the failures at length for two reasons:

  • “First, because the defects in these sermons are not peculiar to the author, but very greatly characterize much of what is called “evangelical” preaching, both in the established Church, and out of it . And, 
  • “Secondly, because it may be useful, both to Preachers and others, to be reminded, that sermons may have serious defects, though they contain many of the peculiar truths of the Gospel, and though the Preacher may exhibit a high degree of piety, zeal, and faithfulness”

One defect Watson notes is Rev Cuttingham’s failure to use the law as the means of conviction. Here is Watson, from Works, Volume 8 (published 1836):

In the discourses before us, it strikes us that too little use is made of the “law,” as the instrument of producing conviction of sin, and awakening from sleep the spiritually dead and careless. 

[…]

In preference to this, we think that the method of our old and best Divines is worthy to be ordinarily followed, because it is founded upon an obvious Scripture principle: “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” 

It is not the office of the Gospel, properly speaking, to convince of sin; its principles and privileges may be exhibited, and produce a conviction of defect; but this alone will not enforce that conviction of sin, in its proper sense, without which the Gospel can have no attractiveness, nor be regarded as the refuge of the perishing, and the only means of salvation for the lost. 

It is only by the exhibition of the extent and purity of the divine law that men can be convinced of the fact of absolute, universal, and unpalliated transgression; and by proclaiming the holiness, justice, and majesty of the Lawgiver, that the imminent, awful, and certain danger to which they are exposed, can be effectually impressed upon the heart. This was the method of the Apostle Paul, the great model of Preachers; he “stopped every mouth” by the law.

This has characterized the manner of the most successful Ministers in subsequent ages. And we should be sorry that admiration for the peculiar talent with which the other mode of reaching the consciences of religious sleepers has been—in the instance of a few eminent Preachers—attempted, should lead to its universal, or even its general, practice; because there is great danger lest it should leave even the awakened person with but a half-view, and, consequently, an inefficient one, of his actual state and danger.

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