“Too many who have undertaken the work of the ministry do so obstinately proceed in self-seeking, negligence, pride, and other sins, that it is become our necessary duty to admonish them. If we saw that such would reform without reproof, we would gladly forbear the publishing of their faults. But when reproofs themselves prove so ineffectual, that they are more offended at the reproof than at the sin, and had rather that we should cease reproving than that themselves should cease sinning, I think it is time to sharpen the remedy.”
“We must not hate them, but plainly rebuke them, and not suffer sin upon them. To bear with the vices of the ministry is to promote the ruin of the Church; for what speedier way is there for the depraving and undoing of the people, than the depravity of their guides?”
-Richard Baxter
This was written in 1656. How crazy is that, and how familiar? The utter ruin of pride is timeless. And the idolatry of ministry must be as old as humanity.
Hey Brandon, thanks for commenting on my blog! Sorry you didn't win Billy Coffey's book, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it when you get your hands on it. Hope to see you around again. Happy blogging!
Thanks Matt, I appreciate it!
I love me some Puritans! I used to read a lot of John Owen (probably too much, let's be honest), and have read some Baxter. What inspired you to read him?
I'm not sure to be honest Reid. I didn't read the whole book…just found this somewhere.
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