Preaching of Christ opened in a sermon preached at St. Peters Church in the…

We proceed to the object or matter of preaching, expressed, 1. Negatively, not our selves. Men may be said to preach themselves these four ways.

1. When they make themselves Lords over the flock, and exercise dominion over the consciences of those that hear them, as if a Ministry were a Sovereignty, or as if the sheep were their own, to be ordered and disposed as they please; this is the character which the Apostle giveth of the man of sin, that he sitteth as God in the Temple of God, usurping a ⟨p. 20⟩divine authority over the souls of men, 2 Thes. 2. 4. and exercising a bloody tyranny over their bodies. And therefore both our Saviour and his Apostles to prevent the danger of so tempting an ambition have left strict and severe provision against it. Be not you called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ, Matth. 23. 8.—12. We have not dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy, 2 Cor. 1. 24. Not as being Lords over Gods heritage, but ensamples to the flock, 1 Pet. 5. 3.

1. When they make themselves Lords over the flock, and exercise dominion over the consciences of those that hear them, as if a Ministry were a Soveraignty, or as if the sheep were their own, to be ordered and disposed as they please; this is the character which the Apostle giveth of the man of sinne, that he sitteth as God in the Temple of God, usurping a ⟨p. 20⟩divine authority over the souls of men, 2 Thes. 2. 4. and exercising a bloody tyranny over their bodies. And therefore both our Saviour and his Apostles to prevent the danger of so tempting an ambition have left strict and severe provision against it. Be not you called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ,