"Calvin’s purpose in preaching was to present the message of the text in a simple and straightforward manner and then to apply the text to the lives of his hearers. What surprises the modern reader of Calvin’s sermons is the simplicity of his sermons. We find no engaging introductions, no illustrative stories nor anecdotes, no quotations from great authors, no stirring conclusions. Although Calvin was one of the most literate men of his age and a master in the use of language, his sermons depend not at all on literary elegance. The forcefulness of his sermons is to be found in the clarity of his analysis of the text. Calvin seems to have no fear that the Scriptures will be boring or irrelevant unless the preacher spices them up. In fact, Calvin seems to have a horror of decorating the Word of God. Scripture does not need to be painted with artists’ colors! So confident is the reformer that God will make his Word alive in the hearts of his people, that Calvin simply explains the text and draws out its implication. The simplicity and directness of his style is based in his confidence that what he is preaching is indeed the Word of God. This simplicity is an expression of reverence. This does not mean that Calvin was unaware of rhetoric. He was a master of it! He knew Aristotle (384 B.C– 322 B.C.), Cicero (106 B.C.– 43 B.C.), and Quintilian (ca. 35– 96) well. He had carefully schooled himself in John Chrysostom and Augustine, both accomplished in the art of rhetoric. As is often said of very great artists, he had mastered his art so completely he knew how to hide it. Calvin was well aware of all the classical rhetorical forms."
Old, Hughes Oliphant (2002-07-30). Worship, Revised and Expanded Edition: Reformed according to Scripture (p. 76). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
Old, Hughes Oliphant (2002-07-30). Worship, Revised and Expanded Edition: Reformed according to Scripture (p. 76). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.