Page 5 - word to PDF

Let us, then, meet this "earnestness," which is now the boast, but may ere long be the bane, of
the age, with that which alone can bring down its feverish pulse, and soothe it into blessed
calm, "the gospel of the grace of God." All other things are but opiates, drugs, quackeries;
this is the divine medicine; this is the sole, the speedy, the eternal cure. It is not by "opinion"
that we are to meet "opinion"; it is the Truth of God that we are to wield; and applying the
edge of the "sword of the Spirit" to the theories of man (which he proudly calls his
"opinions"), make him feel what a web of sophistry and folly he has been weaving for his
own entanglement and uin.

It is not opinions that man needs: it is TRUTH. It is not theology: it is God. It is not religion:
it is Christ. It is not literature and science; but the knowledge of the free love of God in the
gift of His only-begotten Son.

"I know not," says Richard Baxter, "what others think, but for my own part I am ashamed of
my stupidity, and wonder at myself that I deal not with my own and others' souls as one that
looks for the great day of the Lord; and that I can have room for almost any other thoughts
and words; and that such astonishing matters do not wholly absorb my mind. I marvel
how I can preach of them slightly and coldly; and how I can let men alone in their sins; and
that I do not go to them, and beseech them, for the Lord's sake, to repent, however they may
take it, and whatever pain and trouble it should cost me. I seldom come out of the pulpit but
my conscience smiteth me that I have been no more serious and fervent. It accuseth me not so
much for want of ornaments and elegancy, nor for letting fall an unhandsome word; but it
asketh me, 'How couldst thou speak of life and death with such a heart? How couldst thou
preach of heaven and hell in such a careless, sleepy manner? Dost thou believe what
thou sayest? Art thou in earnest, or in jest? How canst thou tell people that sin is such a
thing, and that so much misery is upon them and before them, and be no more affected with
it? Shouldst thou not weep over such a people, and should not thy tears interrupt thy
words? Shouldst thou not cry aloud, and show them their transgressions; and entreat and
beseech them as for life and death?' Truly this is the peal that conscience doth ring in my
ears, and yet my drowsy soul will not be awakened. Oh, what a thing is an insensible,
hardened heart! O Lord, save us from the plague of infidelity and hardheartedness
ourselves, or else how shall we be fit instruments of saving others from it? Oh, do that on our
souls which thou wouldst use us to do on the souls of others!"

CHAPTER 2

The Minister’s True Life and Walk

The true minister must be a true Christian. He must be called by God before he can call
others to God. The Apostle Paul thus states the matter: "God hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." They were first reconciled,
and then they had given to them the ministry of reconciliation. Are we ministers reconciled?
It is but reasonable that a man who is to act as a spiritual guide to others should himself