What comes to your mind when you imagine a Puritan pastor in the pulpit? Long, boring sermons? Monotone diatribes? Such notions fail to account for the testimony of men like Humphrey Mills who spent three years struggling to quiet his conscience after hearing a sermon by the famous Puritan pastor, Richard Sibbes (1577鈥�1635). Mills鈥� description of Sibbes provides a more accurate picture of Puritan preachers: 鈥淗is sweet soul-melting Gospel-sermons won my heart and refreshed me much, for by him I saw and had much of God and was confident in Christ.鈥漑1]
Centuries later, the physician-turned-pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones described Sibbes鈥� gospel-centered preaching in medicinal terms: 鈥淭he heavenly Doctor Sibbes . . . was a balm to my soul at a period in my life when I was overworked and badly overtired, and therefore subject in an unusual manner to the onslaughts of the devil. . . . His books [based on his sermons] quieted, soothed, comforted, encouraged, and healed me.鈥� [2]
Physicians of the Soul
That Sibbes could be effective despite the historical distance evidences just how skilled many Puritans were as physicians of the soul. As a result, they have much to say to us today about gospel-centered preaching.[3]
The Puritans possessed what J. I. Packer called 鈥渁 minute acquaintance with the human heart.鈥漑4] While historical caricatures tend to emphasize their external scrupulosity, in reality they aimed at the inner person by means of what they called the 鈥減lain style鈥� of preaching.[5] This method, as outlined by the renowned Puritan expositor William Perkins (1558鈥�1602), encouraged preachers to first explain the text of Scripture, then describe its doctrinal significance, and finally to apply it to the particular 鈥渆xperiences and condition of the church.鈥� The best of the Puritans weren鈥檛 content merely to defend doctrine from the pulpit; they sought to apply truth in the pews by engaging the hearts of their hearers. The directives below highlight five key strategies for applying the gospel to the heart.
Puritan Prescriptions for Gospel-Centered Preaching
1. Let Scripture Illustrate Scripture
Sibbes鈥� sermons were full of the Bible because he recognized its role in transforming the heart. 鈥淢eans do not make the heart tender,鈥� he noted, 鈥渂ut God through the use of means softens it by his Word.鈥漑6] One practical outworking of this conviction was Sibbes鈥� use of Scripture as a source for sermon illustrations.
For example, he encouraged his hearers to look to God himself for assurance of salvation, instead of trusting in the 鈥渢he fig leaves of morality.鈥漑7] By calling to mind the well-known biblical image of fig leaves (Gen. 3:7), Sibbes provided a powerful contrast between the frail, useless attempts to secure one鈥檚 own righteousness with the trustworthy foundation of gospel truth.
2. Make Use of Memorable Images
Sibbes explained the gospel with powerful pictures. He did not merely say, 鈥淪ee great things in little beginnings.鈥� He mused, 鈥淪ee a flame in a spark, a tree in a seed.鈥漑8] He not only called weary Christians to look to Christ, but advised, 鈥淲hen we feel ourselves cold in affection and duty, the best way is to warm ourselves at this fire of his love and mercy.鈥漑9] For believers who longed to maintain a tender heart, Sibbes encouraged, 鈥淯se the means of grace; be always under the sunshine of the gospel.鈥漑10]
Such pictures conveyed truth by engaging the imagination. As Sibbes described, 鈥淭he way to come to the heart is often to pass through the fancy [the imagination].鈥漑11] He believed that 鈥渢he putting of lively colors upon common truths hath oft a strong working both upon the fancy [the imagination] and our will and affections.鈥漑12] These 鈥渓ively colors鈥� enhanced the appeal of 鈥渃ommon truths鈥� by engaging the heart.
3. Be Tender and Tactful
Sibbes counseled pastors to handle young believers with gentleness and to resist the temptation to be overbearing. A tender Savior shouldn鈥檛 inspire ill-tempered shepherds. That Sibbes managed such a disposition himself seems clear from his reputation among contemporaries and the way he was remembered by his colleagues. In his day, he was known as 鈥渢he honey mouth鈥� and 鈥渢he sweet dropper鈥� for his winsome ability to apply the gospel to tender consciences.
Sibbes鈥� diplomatic temperament may have contributed to his willingness to remain in the Church of England, even as some of his prot茅g茅s began to dissent. In The Bruised Reed, Sibbes indirectly cautioned his comrades against being quick to censure other believers or to break fellowship over disputable matters. He valued tact and discretion, remarking, 鈥淲here most holiness is, there is most moderation, where it may be without prejudice of piety to God and the good of others. We see in Christ a marvelous temper of absolute holiness, with great moderation.鈥漑13]
4. Provide Practical Points of Application
Sibbes sought to comfort the troubled, but he also called the faithful to action. He counseled the 鈥渂ruised reed鈥� to embrace the work of God in his life, however painful it might be. 鈥淚t is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell.鈥漑14] The 鈥渟moking flax鈥� must remember how God views her, despite her meager faith. Christ considers not just who we are, but who he will make us to be, for he can fan a spark into a flame.
Such words of encouragement were accompanied by practical instructions for pursuing the means of grace. In The Bruised Reed, Sibbes specifically encouraged regular fellowship with other believers, the practice of spiritual disciplines, consistent attendance to hear preaching, and the exercise of grace through spiritual obedience.
5. Keep Christ at the Center
In Jesus alone, Sibbes proclaimed, 鈥淎ll perfections of mercy and love meet.鈥漑15] He spoke often of Christ and tied his expositions to the Son鈥檚 person and work. By drawing the heart鈥檚 attention to the mercy of Christ, Sibbes could counter discouragements, calm scruples, and conquer the heart鈥檚 deepest fears. Whatever the spiritual infirmity, the work of Christ supplies the cure: 鈥淭here is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.鈥漑16]
Sibbes recognized the importance of both engaging the mind and stirring the affections with truths about Jesus. 鈥淏ecause knowledge and affection mutually help one another,鈥� he argued, 鈥渋t is good to keep up our affections of love and delight by all sweet inducements and divine encouragements; for what the heart likes best, the mind studies most.鈥漑17] His preaching clearly aimed to inspire hearts to love Christ above all.
鈥漊NDER THE SUNSHINE OF THE GOSPEL鈥�
Sibbes and other Puritans provide a faithful example of gospel-centered preaching for pastors today. Though their context is surely different, they addressed the same concerns pastors see in ministry.
Pastor, there are bruised reeds in your midst. Will you lend them strength or increase their burdens? There are smoldering wicks before you every week. Will you fan them into life or snuff them out? Your own heart is sure to grow cold at times. If your sermons will be gospel-centered, you must heed Sibbes鈥� counsel: 鈥淏e always under the sunshine of the gospel.鈥� Bear this in mind and rest in the tender mercy of our Savior as you endeavor to lead others toward his light and easy yoke.
Editors鈥� note: This article at 9Marks.
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌�
[1] Referenced in Michael Reeves, foreword to The Tender Heart, by Richard Sibbes, Pocket Puritans (1983; repr., Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2011), ix.
[2] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers (1971; repr., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972), 175.
[3] Portions of this article are adapted from Matthew D. Haste and Shane W. Parker, The Pastor鈥檚 Life: Practical Wisdom from the Puritans (Fearn, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2019).
[4] J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision for the Christian Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1990), 29.
[5] William Perkins, The Art of Prophesying, rev. ed. (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1996), 65.
[6] Sibbes, The Tender Heart, 19.
[7] Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, Puritan Paperbacks (1630; repr., Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), 4.
[8] Ibid., 124.
[9] Ibid., 81.
[10] Sibbes, The Tender Heart, 57.
[11] Sibbes, Works, 1:66.
[12] Ibid., 1:184.
[13] Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, 33.
[14] Ibid., 13.
[15] Ibid., 62.
[16] Ibid., 33.
[17] Ibid., 103.
Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Biblical Counseling (2020); Director, Professional Doctoral Studies
Haste returned to Southern in 2019 after serving as a professor and pastor in Columbia, South Carolina for four years. He has over a decade of pastoral ministry experience, having served in College Ministry, Adult Discipleship, and as Pastor of Preaching at churches in Kentucky and South Carolina.
He is co-author (with Robert L. Plummer) of Held in Honor: Wisdom for your Marriage from Voices of the Past (2015) and co-author (with Shane W. Parker) of The Pastor鈥檚 Life: Practical Wisdom from the Puritans (2019). His work has been published at The Gospel Coalition, Puritan Reformed Journal, the Journal of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, the Journal of Discipleship and Family Ministry, and The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology.