During these days of Advent
laudable Practice will be posting extracts from sermons by three Church of England divines of the 18th century, addressing the matter of the Last Things. In addition to providing material for reflection during the Advent season, it will also be an exercise in demonstrating how - contrary to the interpretation promoted by 19th century Tractarians and evangelicals, and commonly received thereafter - 18th century Anglican preaching could be robustly grounded in Scripture, setting forth the fundamentals of the Faith, and establishing a foundation for faithful living. In the words of
one commentator in 1828, just as the 'long 18th century' was coming to a close, Anglican preaching of that century was marked by "clear reasoning, sober argument, and touching exhortation".
We begin with an extract from Archbishop Tillotson's sermon '
Of the Certainty of a Future Judgment', in which he sets out belief in the final judgement as reasonable and rational, implied by foundational theistic affirmations:
This is essential to the notion of a God-that he is good, and holy, and just; and, consequently, that he loves goodness and hates iniquity; and therefore it must be agreeable to his nature to countenance the one, and to discountenance the other, in such a manner as becomes the wise Sovereign and Governor of the world. Now this cannot be solemnly and openly done, but by a public distribution of rewards and punishments; and this we see is not done in this world. The dispensations of God's providence in this world, toward good and bad men, are many times very promiscuous, and very cross, and contrary to what might be expected from the wise and just Sovereign of the world, from one whom we believe to love righteousness, and to hate iniquity. For virtuous and holy men are often ill treated in this world, grievously harassed and afflicted, and that for righteousness' sake: and bad men many times flourish and are prosperous, "they are not in trouble like other men, neither are they plagued like other men."
(The photograph is of Canterbury Cathedral. Tillotson was Dean of Canterbury 1672-91.)
In, "A Blessed Company: Parishes, Parsons and Parishioners in Anglican Virginia 1690-1776," author John K. Nelson reports that the sermons of Archbishop John Tillotson were popular and widely read by Anglican churchman in colonial Virginia, especially on Sundays when they were unable to attend divine service. I am reading (immediately after the second lesson at Morning Prayer during Advent) sections of Jeremy Taylor's "Rule and Exercises of Holy Dying." I am keeping in mind the Four Last Things.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your comment. Nelson's book is superb. The reference to such use of Tillotson does emphasise the role played by him in the self-understanding of 18th century Anglicanism.
DeleteI am delighted to hear of your reading of Holy Dying.
A blessed Advent to you,
Brian.
Nelson reports that Sunday worship in colonial America was like a marathon: Morning Prayer, Great Litany, Ante-Communion with sermon (with Holy Communion quarterly). Due to a shortage of clergy, the congregation might not meet every week. There were no distractions of radio, television and Internet. I don't think many people had access to extensive reading options or great libraries. News and legal gazettes were posted on a board outside of churches. And the church was the focus of gatherings of the community. Perhaps the people didn't mind lengthy worship services because there was little else to do (except hard work). It's difficult now to get people to attend mid-week services and many clergy don't offer them. It's all about proper priorities. I am alarmed and saddened that there are so many empty pews in the USA on Sunday mornings. What percentage of your pews in Ireland are occupied on Sundays? Do you think anything can turn this decline around? Along with my Baptist neighbors, I pray for revival. When I was a churchwarden, I would devote one day a month to secret and fervent prayer and fasting for our congregation. I think such things make a difference.
ReplyDeleteAll very good questions! And I am, unsurprisingly, convinced that there are no easy answers. In terms of CofI attendance, it has witnessed gradual decline in recent decades. That said, many CofI parishes - primarily rural and suburban - have a decent Sunday attendance. My own view is that the current cultural context requires the churches to minister and witness as 'creative minorities', maintaining those practices and approaches (occasional offices, Carol Services, the ministry of chaplaincies etc.) which provide a 'bridge' for a secular culture, and slowly rebuilding an attractive, meaningful Christian presence in our societies.
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