Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

animosities in religions societies, and has proved the ruin of the most
flourishing churches in the universe.
Every kind of lordship and spiritual domination over the church of
Christ, like that exercised by the church of Rome, is destructive and
Antichristian.
Preachers of the gospel, and especially those who are instruments in
God's hand of many conversions, have need of much heavenly wisdom;
that they may know to watch over, guide, and advise those who are
brought to a sense of their sin and danger. How many auspicious
beginnings have been ruined by men's proceeding too hastily,
endeavouring to make their own designs take place, and to have the
honour of that success themselves, which is due only to God!
How often is the work of God marred and discredited by the folly of
men! for nature will always, and Satan too, mingle themselves as far as
they can in the genuine work of the Spirit, in order to discredit and
destroy it. Nevertheless, in great revivals of religion, it is almost
impossible to prevent wild-fire from getting in among the true fire; but it
is the duty of the ministers of God to watch against and prudently check
this; but if themselves encourage it, then there will be "confusion and
every evil work."
A minister of the gospel of God should, above all men, be continent
of his tongue; his enemies, in certain cases, will crowd question upon
question, in order so to puzzle and confound him that he may speak
unadvisedly with his lips, and thus prejudice the truth he was labouring
to promote and defend. The following is a good prayer, which all who are
called to defend or proclaim the truths of the gospel may confidently offer
to their God: "Let thy wisdom and light, O Lord, disperse their artifice
and my darkness! Cast the bright beams of thy light upon those who have
to defend themselves against subtle and deceitful men! Raise and animate
their hearts, that they may not be wanting to the cause of truth. Guide
their tongue, that they may not be deficient in prudence, nor expose thy