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Preaching and Application: Some General Observations Concerning Preaching, and Especially Application
James Durham (1622-1658) was a Scottish Covenanter who was licensed as a preacher in 1647, after both studying at St. Andrews University and serving as a captain over a troop in the civil war. By God’s marvelous mercy, Durham had come to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, being set on fire with zeal for the crown rights of the Redeemer. David Dickson, a contemporary of Durham and eminent Scottish Presbyterian minister, once overheard Durham praying with soldiers. This apparently led to Dickson compelling Durham to enter the ministry. Durham subsequently did just that, devoting himself to the ministry of the word the rest of his life. Durham came from a well to do family of a good estate, therefore this change of vocation to the ministry generated quite a bit of talk. This apparently did not phase him in the slightest.
Durham pressed on in faith despite what others might have said, and vindicated his decision by studying to show himself approved. He died at the age of thirty-five and pastored for only 11 years, yet he accomplished more in that time than most men do in 60 years. In 1650 he was appointed the Professor of Divinity at Glasgow University, replacing his former teacher David Dickson. However, before he could set to work in his new station, the General Assembly voted to appoint him chaplain to the royal house of Stuart. He was particularly to be focussed on Charles, son of the king who had been beheaded by the English Parliament one year prior. Shortly thereafter, Cromwell defeated the Scotts and Charles fled to the continent. After losing his position as chaplain to the king, Durham became minister at St. Mungo’s, Glasgow, in 1651. This was large flock, consisting of 1,500 souls. He remained at St. Mungo’s the rest of his life.
Durham wrote commentaries on the entire book of the Revelation and Song of Solomon. He produced lectures on the entire book of Job. In addition to these, Durham preached 72 sermons on Isaiah 53, the printings of which are published to this day, totaling over 700 pages. He wrote multiple other books which are still in print at the time of my writing, including The Blessed Death of Those Who Die in the Lord (SDG; 129 pages; 2003), Concerning Scandal (NP; 400 pages; 1990), The Unsearchable Riches of Christ (SDG; 375 pages; 2002), and A Practical Exposition of the Ten Commandments (NP; 425 pages; 2002).
Durham was both a humble and a serious man, devoted to studying the Scriptures, preaching the Scriptures, writing about the Scriptures, and shepherding souls with the Scriptures. He was also devoted to helping other preachers of the word of God be faithful in their charge. This is one of the reasons Durham wrote what is contained in this booklet. After finishing his commentary on Revelation 2-3, the letters to the seven churches, he inserted this short excursus which he titled General Observations Concerning Preaching, and Especially Application.
It is my opinion that the most lacking thing in preaching in my time is the absence of direct application to the consciences of the hearers. We must not only “preach the word;” we preachers must also “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” (2 Tim. 2:1-5). Both the English Puritans and the Scottish Covenanters of the 16th and 17th centuries excelled at application! We would do well to pay attention to them and learn from their example. I am happy to take part in publishing this short treatise by the fiery Scotsman James Durham, in hopes of spurring on my brothers in both this time and times to come, so that we may not simply preach to minds, but also to hearts and hands.
I have lightly updated the spelling and the layout in certain parts, seeking to mostly leave the text unaltered.
Durham pressed on in faith despite what others might have said, and vindicated his decision by studying to show himself approved. He died at the age of thirty-five and pastored for only 11 years, yet he accomplished more in that time than most men do in 60 years. In 1650 he was appointed the Professor of Divinity at Glasgow University, replacing his former teacher David Dickson. However, before he could set to work in his new station, the General Assembly voted to appoint him chaplain to the royal house of Stuart. He was particularly to be focussed on Charles, son of the king who had been beheaded by the English Parliament one year prior. Shortly thereafter, Cromwell defeated the Scotts and Charles fled to the continent. After losing his position as chaplain to the king, Durham became minister at St. Mungo’s, Glasgow, in 1651. This was large flock, consisting of 1,500 souls. He remained at St. Mungo’s the rest of his life.
Durham wrote commentaries on the entire book of the Revelation and Song of Solomon. He produced lectures on the entire book of Job. In addition to these, Durham preached 72 sermons on Isaiah 53, the printings of which are published to this day, totaling over 700 pages. He wrote multiple other books which are still in print at the time of my writing, including The Blessed Death of Those Who Die in the Lord (SDG; 129 pages; 2003), Concerning Scandal (NP; 400 pages; 1990), The Unsearchable Riches of Christ (SDG; 375 pages; 2002), and A Practical Exposition of the Ten Commandments (NP; 425 pages; 2002).
Durham was both a humble and a serious man, devoted to studying the Scriptures, preaching the Scriptures, writing about the Scriptures, and shepherding souls with the Scriptures. He was also devoted to helping other preachers of the word of God be faithful in their charge. This is one of the reasons Durham wrote what is contained in this booklet. After finishing his commentary on Revelation 2-3, the letters to the seven churches, he inserted this short excursus which he titled General Observations Concerning Preaching, and Especially Application.
It is my opinion that the most lacking thing in preaching in my time is the absence of direct application to the consciences of the hearers. We must not only “preach the word;” we preachers must also “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” (2 Tim. 2:1-5). Both the English Puritans and the Scottish Covenanters of the 16th and 17th centuries excelled at application! We would do well to pay attention to them and learn from their example. I am happy to take part in publishing this short treatise by the fiery Scotsman James Durham, in hopes of spurring on my brothers in both this time and times to come, so that we may not simply preach to minds, but also to hearts and hands.
I have lightly updated the spelling and the layout in certain parts, seeking to mostly leave the text unaltered.
24 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 17, 2023
Good book! Super short! I will need to go back through it again. The language is a little hard at times, but it was worth it! Application is something preachers can always get better with and I so need help!
March 6, 2023
This was a great little tool on how to bring practical applications into your sermon. How often do sermons lack the “go and do”?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews