Thoughts on preaching - Alexander - V - Paragraphs concluded

Required reading
Thoughts on preaching by J. W. Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude the section entitled 'Homiletical paragraphs' by reading 'paragraphs' 143 to 166.

My summary
Today Alexander among other things spoke about:
- how much we should be governed by our likes and dislikes;
- consecrating our learning;
- moral education;
- forming maxims and propositions
- Christian love
- keeping a journal.

What grabbed me
After not enjoying previous readings, today was much better.  I think because many of Alexander's 'paragraphs' were much longer and therefore better argued.

Particularly enjoyed the lengthy section on consecrating our learning to God: 'The Christian scholar should pray with every breath, that he be not high-minded, but fear. In proportion as he rises in attainments, he should sink in veneration, and dissolve in love; striving to increase his simple devotions as he increases his mental discoveries. Is there not reason to think, that many learned persons feel somehow absolved from the private daily duties of religion which they would themselves enjoin on humbler minds? that they pray less, read God's word less, and sing God's praise less, while they are filling up every hour with eager pursuit of knowledge? To live thus is to belie our own professions. We declare our belief that truth concerning God in Christ, is the summit of all truth, and that cold science is insufficient; that these glorious objects are to be tasted by faith, and kept constantly before the mind by devotion. Thus believing, we should not grudge the time bestowed on closet exercises. If these are animated by the Spirit of grace, they are the most sublime engagements of the mind, this side of heaven. And as religion in general is the highest science, so those truths of religion which are cardinal, are the noblest eminences of the mighty range. The plan of Grace, the Incarnation, the Person of Christ, the Atonement, the Paraclete, the Second Coming, are the local points on which the spiritual mind will be fixed, exercising itself according to the degree of its previous culture.'

Great advice.  Do not allow pursuit of knowledge to crowd out your closet exercises.

Next week's reading       
Commence the section entitled 'Letters to young ministers' by reading 'Letters' 1 to 3.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.