Preacher – to be Acquainted with Human Hate. – Charles Spurgeon

Michael Angelo, when painting an altar-piece in the conventual church, in Florence, in order that the figures might be as death-like as possible, obtained permission of the prior to have the coffins of the newly-buried opened and placed beside him during the night ; — an appalling expedient, but successful in enabling him to reproduce with terrible effect, not the mortal pallor only, but the very anatomy of death. If we would preach well to the souls of men, we must acquaint our- selves with their ruined state, must have their case always on our hearts both by night and day, must know the terrors of the Lord and the value of the soul, and foci a sacred sympathy with perishing sinners. There is no masterly, prevailing preaching without this.