Preachers proclaim an authoritative Word and must do so authoritatively.

“William Perkins & His Homiletical Descendants: Reclaiming Our Heritage for Application in Preaching” by Russell St. John in The Confessional Presbyterian, Volume 20 (2024), 76.

Q. 159. How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?

A. They that are called to labor in the ministry of the Word are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season, and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Westminster Larger Catechism – The Westminster Standard

Perkins did not, therefore, so much discuss “rules” for application as much as he discussed people, that is, the various spiritual conditions of men and women whom the preacher might address by means of a given text, offering biblical counsel to preachers on how to apply the Word to the particular spiritual condition in view.

“William Perkins & His Homiletical Descendants: Reclaiming Our Heritage for Application in Preaching” by Russell St. John in The Confessional Presbyterian, Volume 20 (2024), 68.

Perkins’ most foundational principle for sermon application is this: Identify the varying spiritual conditions of the men and women in the pews and apply the Word of God to those conditions.

“William Perkins & His Homiletical Descendants: Reclaiming Our Heritage for Application in Preaching” by Russell St. John in The Confessional Presbyterian, Volume 20 (2024), 66.

Q. Why have Satan and his instruments so much opposed the doctrine of the Trinity?

A. Because it is a fundamental truth, upon which the whole work of redemption, and all revealed religion, are founded, John 17:3.

John Brown of Haddington, Questions and Answers on the Shorter Catechism, 44.

Our spiritual union with Christ is both invisible and mysterious, but that does not mean that it is unreal. Spiritual things, in their own sphere, are just as real as material things. Moreover, our union with Christ is also unbreakable and permanent. The person who is truly joined to Christ will always be joined to Christ; therefore the catechism adds the word inseparably.

J. G. Vos, The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary, 145.

Blessings should ever sound from the lips of the ministers of His truth. His faithful servants should re-echo His praise. Who should bless Him more than ourselves? Let us loudly shout and never end our grateful hallelujahs.

Henry Law, Daily Prayer and Praise: The Book of Psalms Arranged for Private and Family Use, Vol. 2, 247.

If it be further asked, What then is the best way to train men for usefulness in the Church? I know of no better answer, at least for the first stage of preparation, than to repeat the Scripture injunction, “Let every man abide in the calling wherein he was called.” Nothing else can supply the place of God’s providential training in the school of ordinary life and practical experience. If God, who has called a man to the fellowship of His Church, has also called him to the work of the ministry, He will manifest His purpose in His own time and way. Meanwhile, we should give the young converts all the instruction, advice, and help which Christian sympathy and prudence suggest.

John L. Nevius, The Planting and Developing of Missionary Churches, 28.

When anyone says that Christianity is not a doctrine but a life, he is setting doctrine and life in opposition to each other. This is a very perverse tendency and thoroughly characteristic of the antidoctrinal prejudice of our day. Of course according to the Bible Christianity is both a system of doctrine and a life. Moreover the doctrine and the life are organically related, and the life cannot exist and grow apart from doctrine. After all, roots are important things.

J. G. Vos, The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary, 16.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” [Proverbs 23:7 KJV]. Belief is the root and determiner of life. Therefore the truth to be believed must be set forth before the duties to be performed can be considered.

J. G. Vos, The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary, 16.