The Godly Man's Picture

Again, do we love the convictions of the word? Do we love the word when it comes home to our Conscience, and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? 'Tis the Ministers duty sometimes to reprove: He that can give smooth words in the Pulpit, but knows not how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine hilt, without an edge, Titus 2. 15. Rebuke them sharply: Dip the nail in oil, reprove ⟨p. 87⟩in love, but strike the nail home. Now Christian, when the word toucheth upon thy sin, and saith, Thou art the man, dost thou love the reproof? Canst thou bless God that the sword of the Spirit hath divided between thee and thy lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace, and shows thou art a lover of the word.

Again, do we love the convictions of the word? Do we love the word when it comes home to our Conscience, and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? 'Tis the Ministers duty sometimes to reprove: He that can give smooth words in the Pulpit, but knows not how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine hilt, without an edge, Titus 2. 15. Rebuke them sharply: Dip the nail in oyl, reprove ⟨p. 87⟩in love, but strike the nail home. Now Christian, when the word toucheth upon thy sin, and saith, Thou art the man, dost thou love the reproof? Canst thou bless God that the sword of the Spirit hath divided between thee and thy lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace, and shows thou art a lover of the word.

A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the word, but not the reproofs, Amos 5. 10. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate. —Igne micant oculi— Like venomous creatures, that upon the least touch spit poison,