Calvin on Reading Sermons
CALVIN ON READING SERMONS.—Calvin expresses himself very distinctly and beautifully in his letter to Somerset, against the prevalent practice of reading sermons. "The people," he says, "must be taught in such a manner that they may be inwardly convinced and made to feel the truth of what the Bible says, that the Word is a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. I say this to your highness, because there is too little of living preaching in your kingdom, sermons there, being mostly read and recited. I understand well enough what obligates you to adopt this method; there are few good, useful preachers, such as you have, and you fear that levity and foolish imaginations might be the consequences, as is often the case, by the introduction of a new system. But all this must yield to the command of Christ, which orders the preaching of the gospel. No possible danger must be permitted to abridge the liberty of the Spirit of God, or prevent his free course among those whom he has adorned with his grace for the edifying of the church."—Sel.