The third thing observable, is, That though zeal in1 a Minister, especially against error, be exceedingly commendable; yet ofttimes is there fainting, even among Ministers who are not of the worst: and the Angel is here reproved for sparing of these Nicolaitans, at least in being faint and defective in pursuing them in a ministerial way, as Antipas is commended for his faithfulness, and the Angel of Ephesus for his not fainting in prosecuting of this trial; the Lord hath put these two together, the faithful and wise Steward; and when they are carried equally on, O how commendable are they! yet in the reckoning, the one is but mentioned, Well done thou good and faithful servant, not to give a dispensation in reference to the other, but to show the necessity and excellency of this, that there by Ministers may be put to it, lest, under pretext of prudence, they encroach upon that freedom and faithfulness which is called-for from them, whether in undertaking, or in prosecuting of this charge, in which there will not want many difficulties, that will be ready to occasion fainting, if they be not boldly in the Lord's strength set against, as we may instance in these respects, 1. In respect of the time: there are some evil times, wherein it is hard to know what to say, for which the prudent may be said to keep silence, and often that pretext may be the occasion of fostering too much fainting, when the Lord calleth-for faithfulness. 2. It may arise from a man's sensibleness of his own infirmities and unequalnesse for that charge, as seems to be in Jeremiah, Jer. 1. when a mans own self, or thoughts of himself, without respect to his call, is made the rule whereby he proceedeth. 3. It may arise from the message ⟨p. 163⟩which he is called to carry: sharp messages are heavy and burdensome, that maketh Jonah to shift for a time to undertake that denunciation against Nineveh, especially considering that these Messengers ordinarily are not acceptable to hearers; and that there are with all usually not a few who sew pillows under arm holes; and are ready to destroy, in that respect, what others build. 4. It may arise from hearers, and that of diverse tempers; some are ready, like swine, to turn back on the Carriers as if they did hate them▪ as Micajah was met with by Ahab, 2 King. 22. who yet had four hundred flattering liars in request.
The third thing observable, is, That though zeal in1 a Minister, especially against errour, be exceedingly commendable; yet oftimes is there fainting, even among Ministers who are not of the worst: and the Angel is here reproved for sparing of these Nicolaitans, at least in being faint and defective in pursuing them in a ministerial way, as Antipas is commended for his faithfulnesse, and the Angel of Ephesus for his not fainting in prosecuting of this trial; the Lord hath put these two together, the faithfull and wise Steward; and when they are carried equally on, O how commendable are they! yet in the reckoning, the one is but mentioned, Well done thou good and faithfull servant, not to give a dispensation in reference to the other, but to shew the necessity and excellency of this, that there by Ministers may be put to it, lest, under pretext of prudence, they incroach upon that freedom and faithfulnesse which is called-for from them, whether in undertaking, or in prosecuting of this charge, in which there will not want many difficulties, that will be ready to occasion fainting, if they be not boldly in the Lord's strength set against, as we may instance in these respects, 1. In respect of the time: there are some evil times, wherein it is hard to know what to say, for which the prudent may be said to keep silence, and often that pretext may be the occasion of fostering too much fainting, when the Lord calleth-for faithfulnesse. 2. It may arise from a man's sensiblenesse of his own infirmities and unequalnesse for that charge, as seems to be in Ieremiah, Ier. 1. when a mans own self, or thoughts of himself, without respect to his call, is made the rule whereby he proceedeth. 3. It may arise from the message ⟨p. 163⟩which he is called to carry: sharp messages are heavy and burdensom, that maketh Ionas to shift for a time to undertake that denunciation against Niniveh, especially considering that these Messengers ordinarily are not acceptable to hearers; and that there are with all usually not a few who sew pillows under arm holes; and are ready to destroy, in that respect, what others build. 4. It may arise from hearers, and that of diverse tempers; some are ready, like swine, to turn back on the Carriers as if they did hate them▪ as Micajah was met with by Ahab, 2 King. 22. who yet had four hundred flattering liars in request.
- 1Sometimes those who want not affection, are yet too condescending to erroncous Teachers: and why?
