Secondly, Then the Ministry seeks to bring men to Christ, and not themselves, when they are faithful, and bold to reprove men for their sins. They do not seek to humour, or to please any men. Flattery is a debasing sin in any, but in a Minister it's a kind of Sacrilege. Now those places I mentioned, show how Paul did abhor such a way, We use not flattering words, we came not in deceit. And Gal. 1. he saith, If he should please men, viz. in their corruptions, in their lusts, He could not be the servant of Christ. But the false Teachers, that set up themselves, and not Christ, They came with enticing words, they sought to please. And thus the corrupt Teachers in the Old Testament, they did daub with untempered mortar, Ezek. 22.28. They preached peace, peace, to such as went on in their wicked ways; and by this means the Priests did bear rule over them. There cannot be a surer sign of Ministers seeking themselves, and not Christ, then when they will let every man alone in his way, not reprove them for their impieties and wickedness. Alas, if he did entreat for Christ, if he came upon Christs business, he would find the Word of God, like fire burning in his bones, and he could not hold his peace. And this should exceedingly convince people, to take all sharp reproofs kindly. If we press hard against any sin, thou livest in; for if we did regard our selves, we should have more love in applying our selves to humour you, to encourage you, to do every thing for you, you desire. But now, because we come for God, and it's his Glory and Honour we are to propound, we dare not be so unfaithful, as to conceal his anger against such sins. Oh, how should this convince you! The Minister in this reproof, in rebuking of those sins, goeth against himself, he will be more hated, he will lose by it, and yet will do it, because Christ commands him.
Secondly, Then the Ministry seeks to bring men to Christ, and not themselves, when they are faithfull, and bold to reprove men for their sinnes. They do not seek to humour, or to please any men. Flattery is a debasing sinne in any, but in a Minister it's a kind of Sacriledge. Now those places I mentioned, shew how Paul did abhorre such a way, We use not flattering words, we came not in deceit. And Gal. 1. he saith, If he should please men, viz. in their corruptions, in their lusts, He could not be the servant of Christ. But the false Teachers, that set up themselves, and not Christ, They came with enticing words, they sought to please. And thus the corrupt Teachers in the Old Testament, they did daub with untempered mortar, Ezek. 22.28. They preached peace, peace, to such as went on in their wicked wayes; and by this meanes the Priests did beare rule over them. There cannot be a surer signe of Ministers seeking themselves, and not Christ, then when they will let every man alone in his way, not reprove them for their impieties and wickednesse. Alas, if he did intreat for Christ, if he came upon Christs businesse, he would finde the Word of God, like fire burning in his bones, and he could not hold his peace. And this should exceedingly convince people, to take all sharp reproofs kindly. If we presse hard against any sinne, thou livest in; for if we did regard our selves, we should have more love in applying our selves to humour you, to encourage you, to do every thing for you, you desire. But now, because we come for God, and it's his Glory and Honour we are to propound, we dare not be so unfaithfull, as to conceale his anger against such sinnes. Oh, how should this convince you! The Minister in this reproof, in rebuking of those sinnes, goeth against himself, he will be more hated, he will lose by it, and yet will doe it, because Christ commands him.
