Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

with their flocks about penny-farthing tithes and stipends, rather than
contending for the faith once delivered to the saints? Are they heavenly
moulds, into which the spirits and conduct of their flocks may be cast? I
leave those who are concerned to answer these questions; but I put them,
in the name of God, to all the preachers in the land. How many among
them properly care for the flock? Even among those reputed evangelical
teachers, are there not some who, on their first coming to a parish or
congregation, make it their first business to raise the tithes and the
stipends, where, in all good conscience, there was before enough to
provide them and their families with not only the necessaries, but all the
conveniences and comforts of life? conveniences and comforts which
neither Jesus Christ nor his servant Peter ever enjoyed. And is not the
great concern among ministers to seek for those places, parishes, and
congregations, where the provision is the most ample, and the work the
smallest? Preacher or minister, whosoever thou art who readest this,
apply not the word to thy neighbour, whether he be state-appointed,
congregation-appointed, or self-appointed; take all to thyself; mutato
nomine de te fabula narratur. See that thy own heart, views, and conduct
be right with God.
The church of God has ever been troubled with such pretended pastors;
men who feed themselves, not the flock; men who are too proud to beg,
and too lazy to work; who have neither grace nor gifts to plant the
standard of the cross on the devil's territories, and by the power of Christ
make inroads upon his kingdom, and spoil him of his subjects. On the
contrary, by sowing the seeds of dissension, by means of doubtful
disputations, and the propagation of scandals; by glaring and insinuating
speeches, (for they affect elegance and good breeding,) they rend
Christian congregations, form a party for themselves, and thus live on the
spoils of the church of God.
How can worldly minded, hireling, fox-hunting, and card-playing
priests read Ezek. xxxiv, 2, &c., without trembling to the centre of their
souls? Wo to those parents who bring up their children merely for church
honours and emoluments! Suppose a person have all the church's