The most characteristic feature in the Puritan ideal of preaching was the great stress laid on the need for searching applications of truth to the hearers’ consciences. One mark of a “spiritual,” “powerful” preacher, in the Puritan estimation, was the closeness and faithfulness of application whereby he would “rip up” men’s consciences and make them face themselves as God saw them. The Puritans knew that sinful men are slow to apply truth to themselves, quick though they may be to see how it bears on others. Hence unapplied general statements of evangelical truth were unlikely to do much good. Therefore (said the Puritans) the preacher must see it as an essential part of his job to work out applications in detail, leading the minds of his hearers step by step down those avenues of practical syllogisms which will bring the Word right home to their hearts, to do its judging, wounding, healing, comforting, and guiding work. “Because of (this) slownesse in men to . . . apply,” declared Ames, “there is a necessity laid on all Ministers, not only to declare God’s will generally, but likewise so farre as they are able, to helpe, and further both publicly, and in private, the application of it.”
Application is the preacher’s highway from the head to the heart. This applicatory part of preaching, says the Westminster Directory, “albeit it prove a work of great difficulty . . . requiring much prudence, zeal, and meditation, and to the natural and corrupt man will be very unpleasant; yet he (the preacher) is to endeavour to perform it in such a manner, that his auditors may feel the word of God to be quick and powerful, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and that, if any unbeliever or ignorant person be present, he may have the secrets of his heart made manifest, and give glory to God.” The Word must thus cut into the conscience if it is ever to do men good.
J. I. Packer
The Puritan Conscience
The Puritan Papers Volume 2
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