Dislike to Ministerial Faithfulness 2

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The refinements and taste of upper society, lead many to ask for smooth flattering things. It should never be forgotten that there is but one Bible; and that it is intended for the rich no less than the poor, and is as imperative in its demands upon the former as it is upon the latter. There is no respect of persons with God; before him the distinctions of society have no place. Neither the coronet, the crown, the official robe, nor the royal purple, will have the weight of a feather in the eternal destiny of their possessors. When our Lord laid open the infernal world to our view, it was to disclose to us the soul of a rich man in torments. The rich will, therefore, suffer the vengeance of eternal fire in another world, if they may not hear the description of it in this.

How crude and unmannerly would it be thought in many congregations for the preacher to introduce, in all its fearful gloom, in all its dreadful and solemn reality—the subject of eternal punishment. What a breach of taste, what a violation of all the rules of elegant society, to mention hell to 'polite ears'. The curses of a violated law may be uttered in barns or churches for the poor, and may fall on the crude ears of the multitude—but the doctrine and the style of those who preach in God's name to the congregations of rank, and fashion, and wealth, must be as soft and smooth as the velvet over which they are pronounced, and as tasteful and adorned as the building (classic or mediaeval) in which they are delivered.

How would some philosophic, literary, or affluent congregations, frown with indignation, or stare with astonishment, or sneer with contempt—at the man of God, who, with the boldness of the ancient prophets, would stand up and denounce, in unsoftened language, in plain Bible terms—the wrath of God against all ungodliness. What, say they—is nothing due to the distinctions of rank, to the polish of elegance, to the delicacy of taste, to the decorum of high life? Must the same harsh doctrine be delivered to the courtly circles of fashion, and the uncouth assemblies of rustics? Must no allowance be made for upper society?

None whatever! "Woe to you, rich!" was the language of the Savior of the world. He and his apostles made no allowance for the wealthy circumstances of high society—but published the same truths to all; and so must his servants in every age. There is one eternal common receptacle for the lost souls of the rich and of the poor; and he is the enemy of the rich, who conceals or softens the humiliating fact.

Wounded pride is with some the cause of a dislike of faithful preaching. To be publicly denounced as deserving Divine wrath; to be told that they are sinners to such a degree as to merit the eternal punishment of a holy God; to be reminded that, instead of their fancied good heart, pure nature, and blameless life—they are, in the sight of God, depraved in every faculty and polluted in every part; to be represented as unfit for communion with God here, and for his presence hereafter; all this is so opposed to all their notions, so mortifying to their vanity, so degrading to their dignity, that they cannot but dislike it. To such a debasement they would not willingly descend; and hence their demand for the language of deceit, and the smooth speech of falsehood. What they want is to be flattered into a good opinion of themselves, or be assisted to maintain such opinion when already formed.

They hate the doctrine which disturbs their self-delight, and they revile the man who attempts to tell them the solemn realities! They do not like to have the mirror of God's holy law held up before them; much less do they like to be brought by the preacher into the presence of the Holy One himself, and made to see, in the pure light reflected upon them from the great white throne—how vile they are.

But still, in by far the greater number of instances, this dislike of the truth, and this love of smooth flattering things, is the result of painful forebodings of future misery. The people of whom I am speaking are, in many cases, not in ignorance, as other men; they know too much of God's Word to imagine that they are pardoned, holy, and fit for heaven; and they believe too much of it to be in a state of peace. They are aware that they are living in sin; that they have neither repentance towards God, nor faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; they "know the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death;" that, if there be any truth in the Scriptures, for them, in their present state, there remains nothing but a fearful looking for—of fiery indignation, which shall consume God's adversaries. Yet they secretly hope that things may not be so bad as they have been represented; that God will be more merciful than rigid pastors have foretold; still, however, they are determined to go on and take their chance. They cannot, will not—give up their sin. An occasional season of repenting comes on—but temptation soon ends it, or time wears it out.

Now, it is easy to conceive how unwelcome to such people must be the uncompromising faithfulness of the man who is determined to obey the voice which says to him, "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions." How disturbing and annoying are his discourses! How his appeals pierce the heart! He will never let them be at peace. When they have almost lulled their conscience to sleep, and quieted the stern voice that so often arouses them, the thunders of his doctrine awaken it from its slumber, and again bring its reproaches and accusations upon them. How often do they revile him as sent to torment them before their time! "O that he would be less severe!" they say.

"O that he would not so often touch upon the evil nature and dreadful consequences of sin! O that he would less frequently conduct us to the borders of the flaming pit! Why will he not leave us to ourselves? Even if he thought we were going on to perdition, why not let us be at peace until our time comes?" Because the faithful pastor dares not, cannot, will not. Mercy to you forbids it; fidelity to God forbids it; regard to his own safety forbids it. He must warn the wicked, until their salvation renders it no longer necessary, or their destruction renders it no longer possible!

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