Scripture, style and persuasion in seventeenth-century English theories of preaching

Morrissey, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9287-3460 (2002) Scripture, style and persuasion in seventeenth-century English theories of preaching. Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 53 (4). pp. 686-706. ISSN 1469-7637 doi: 10.1017/S002204690100149X

Abstract/Summary

The distinction between a Puritan ‘plain’ and a Laudian ‘metaphysical’ preaching style rests on secular rhetorical theories of persuasion that are relatively unimportant to early Stuart homiletics but are central to later Latitudinarian polemics on preaching. Instead, the ‘English Reformed’ theory and method of sermon composition rests on the didactic function of preaching and the need for the Holy Spirit and hearers to co-operate with the preacher. Although Andrewes and some avant-garde conformists questioned this theory, they developed no alternative method of composition. Arguments made in the 1650s for direct inspiration by the Spirit contributed to the decline of both theory and method

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/25324
Identification Number/DOI	10.1017/S002204690100149X
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Literature and Languages > English Literature Arts, Humanities and Social Science > Early Modern Research Centre (EMRC)
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item