prayed frequently, fed on bread and water, gave away in alms all that he received, and by his saintly demeanour and fervid address, drew innumerable crowds of all ranks to listen to his preaching. When he painted the indignities offered to the true believers at the birth-place and sepulchre of the Saviour, every heart was melted to compassion, and animated to revenge. His success was such as might be expected from the rude enthusiasm and martial spirit of the age; and Peter soon collected an army of 60,000 followers, with which he proceeded towards Jerusalem.

POPE URBAN II.

Pope Urban II. finding a general ardour for the crusade against the Turks, proposed by Peter the Hermit on his return from Palestine in 1093, assembled a grand and numerous council at Placentia, and warmly recommended an expedition against the infidels. Soon after the proposal was renewed with success at the council of Clermont; at which were present, the papal court and council of Roman cardinals, thirteen archbishops, two hundred and twenty-five bishops, four hundred mitred prelates, four thousand ecclesiastics, and three hundred thousand laymen. In the market-place of Clermont, Pope Urban II. ascended a lofty scaffold, and addressed a well-prepared and impatient audience. Such was the success and power of his eloquence, that he was interrupted by the clamourous shouts of thousands, who with one voice exclaimed, Deus vult! Deus vult! God wills it! God wills it! "It is indeed the will of God," replied the Pope: "and let this memorable

word, the inspiration surely of the Holy Spirit, be for ever adopted as your cry of battle, to animate the devotion and courage of the champions of Christ. His cross is the symbol of your salvation; wear it; a red, a bloody cross, as an external mark on your breasts or shoulders, as a pledge of your sacred and irrevocable engagement."

JOHN KNOX.

In 1565, Lord Darnley, who had lately married Mary, Queen of Scots, consented, at the desire of his friends, to go and hear Mr. Knox preach, in hopes thereby of conciliating him; instead of which, he took occasion to declaim against the government of wicked princes, who, for the sins of the people, are sent as tyrants and scourges to torment them. Darnley complained of the insult to the council, who interdicted the preacher from the use of his pulpit for several days.

Rigid and uncomplying himself," says Dr. Robertson," he showed no indulgence to the infirmities of others. Regardless of the distinction of rank and character, he uttered his admonitions with acrimony and vehemence, more apt to irritate than to reclaim. Those very qualities, however, which now render his character less amiable, fitted him to be the instrument of Providence for advancing the reformation among a fierce people; and enabled him to face dangers and to surmount opposition, from which a person of a more gentle spirit would have been apt to shrink back."

MASSILLON.

-There stands

The legate of the skies! his theme divine,
His office sacred, his credentials clear.
By him, the violated law speaks out

Its thunders; and by him, in strains as sweet
As angels use, the gospel whispers peace."

COWPER.

When this illustrious preacher was asked where a man like him, whose life was dedicated to retirement, could borrow his admirable descriptions of real life, he answered," from the human heart; however little we examine it, we shall find in it the seeds of every passion. When I compose a sermon, I imagine myself consulted upon some doubtful piece of business. I give my whole application to determine the person who has recourse to me, to act the good and proper part. I exhort him, I urge him, and I quit him not till he has yielded to my persuasions."

On preaching the first Advent sermon at Versailles, Louis XIV. paid the following most expressive tribute to the power of his eloquence. Father, when I hear others preach, I am very well pleased with them; when I hear you, I am dissatisfied with myself."

The first time he preached his sermon on the small number of the elect, the whole audience were at a certain part of it seized with such violent emotion, that almost every person half rose from his seat, as if to shake off the horror of being one of the cast-out into everlasting darkness.

When Baron, the actor, came his sermons, "Friend," said he, profession, who accompanied him, we are only actors."

from hearing one of to one of the same "here is an orator; c 3

BOSSUET..

When Bossuet was a very young preacher, the King, Louis XIV., was so delighted with him, that he wrote in his own name to his father, the Intendant of Soissons, to congratulate him on having a son that would immortalize himself. An unbeliever going to hear Bossuet preach, said, on entering the church, "This is the preacher for me, for it is by him alone I know that I shall be converted, if ever I am so." Bossuet pronounced the funeral oration on the Duchess of Orleans, who died so suddenly in the midst of a brilliant court of which she was the glory and delight. No person better possessed the talent of infusing into the soul of his auditors, the profound sentiments with which he was himself penetrated. When he pronounced these words, "O nuit desastreuse, nuit effroyable ! où retentit tout-à-coup, comme un eclat de tonnere, cette nouvelle; MADAME se meurt! MADAME est morte!" all the court were in tears. The pathetic and the sublime shone equally in this discourse. A sensibility more sweet, but less sublime, is displayed in the last words of his funeral oration on the Great Condé. It was with this fine discourse that Bossuet terminated his career of eloquence. He concluded by thus apostrophizing the hero that France mourned: Prince, vous mettrez fui à tous ces discours! Au lieu de déplorer la mort des autres, je veux désormais apprendre de vous à rendre la mienne sainte; heureux si, averti par ces cheveux blancs, du compte que je dois rendre de mon administration, je réserve au troupeau que je dois nourir de la parole de vie, le reste d'une voix qui tombe, et d'une ardeur qui s'eteint!",

SAURIN.

The first time that Abbadie, the celebrated Calvanist minister, heard M. Saurin preach, he exclaimed, "Is it an angel or a man that speaks?"

CROMWELL'S CHAPLAIN.

The Rev. John Howe, when minister of Great Torrington, in Devonshire, having occasion to take a journey to London, went as a hearer to the chapel at Whitehall. Cromwell was present; and struck with his demeanour and person, sent a messenger to inform him, that he wished to speak with him when the service was over. In the course of the interview, the Protector desired him to preach before him the following Sunday. Mr. Howe requested to be excused, but Cromwell would not be denied. Mr. Howe preached accordingly, and the Protector was so pleased with him, that he immediately appointed him his domestic chaplain. To some of the peculiar notions of Cromwell, Mr. Howe could not, however, assent; and in one particular instance, he had the boldness to preach against them in his presence, believing that they might lead to practical ill consequences. The friends of the preacher were alarmed for him; and one of them predicted that he would find it difficult, if not impossible, to regain his favour. "I have," said the worthy man discharged my conscience, and the event must be left to God." From this period, the friendship of Cromwell was less ardent, and his manners cool and reserved: but he never took any notice of the subject.