An ignorant,
profane, and soul-flattering clergy
A preacher's life should be a
commentary upon his doctrine; his practice should be
the counterpart of his sermons. Heavenly doctrines
should always be adorned with a heavenly life.
An ignorant, profane, and soul-flattering clergy,
are the greatest pest, plague, affliction and
judgment, which can befall a people! There is no
rank nor order of men on earth, who have so enriched
hell, who have been such benefactors to hell--as the
ignorant and profane clergy! How many are
there in these days, who are more ready
and willing to make a sacrifice of the gospel--
for profit sake,
and preferment sake,
and honor sake,
and lust's sake!
Where there is no serious, sincere, faithful, and
powerful preaching--there the people grow abominably
wicked, and will certainly perish, and go tumbling
to hell.
Pastors! Either preach
as the ministers of Jesus Christ ought to preach--
plainly,
spiritually,
powerfully,
feelingly,
fervently,
frequently;
and live as the
ministers of Jesus Christ ought to live--
heavenly,
graciously,
holily,
humbly,
righteously,
harmlessly,
exemplary
--or else lay down your names of being the ministers
of Jesus Christ. Do not any longer a cheat upon
yourselves, nor upon the people--by making them
believe that you are ministers of Jesus Christ, when
you have:
nothing of the spirit of Christ,
nor of the anointings of Christ,
nor of the grace of Christ,
nor of the life of Christ in you.
Thomas Brooks, The Crown
and Glory of Christianity,
or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness,
1662
