On this portion the Puritan preacher would adopt the redemptive-historical significance of the passage, and probably preach on the transmission of original sin and its expiation by Christ. For his text he would take the most pertinent statement, but would be careful to provide the surrounding context and draw relevant points from it. He would be experiential throughout, always careful to apply the subject to the different types of hearers present in his auditory, e.g., sinners, seekers, backsliders, doubters, afflicted, and assured saints. And practical use would be made of each observation, for he is blessed who is a doer and not a hearer only. The next occasion the Puritan has for preaching he might decide to take the next verse as his text, and so would make the chapter an expository feast.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."