'The printed Sermons of the late Archbishop Tillotson are well known and approved by all': Nelson's 'Life of Bull' and unity and accord amidst the Rage of Party
In July 1705, George Bull - consecrated bishop in April - arrived in his new Diocese of St Davids. In his visitation charges, as he addressed "the principal Parts and Branches of [the] Pastoral Office", Bull made clear his expectations for the preaching ministry of the clergy. Nelson, in his 1713 Life of Dr. George Bull , notes the Bishop's advice to his younger clergy, advice which might be surprising to contemporary Anglicans: To qualifie them for Preaching, he pressed the Knowledge and Understanding of the holy Scriptures; and in order thereunto, some Skill in the learned Languages, with good Judgment and Discretion, and not without a tolerable Share of Elocution. He advised young Divines, not to trust at first to their own Compositions, but to furnish themselves with a Provision of the best Sermons, which the learned Divines of our Church have published; that by reading them often, and by endeavouring to imitate them, they may acquire a habit of good Preaching thems...