The First And Principal Duty Of A

For A Man Solemnly To Undertake The Interpretation Of Any Portion Of Scripture Without Invocation Of God, To Be Taught And Instructed By His Spirit, Is A High Provocation Of Him; Nor Shall I Expect The Discovery Of Truth From Any One Who Thus Proudly Engages In A Work So Much Beyond His Ability.

A Minister May Fill His Pews, His Communion Roll, The Mouths Of The Public, But What That Minister Is On His Knees In Secret Before God Almighty, That He Is And No More.

It Must Be Observed, That The Best Of Men, The Most Holy And Spiritually Minded, May Have, Nay, Ought To Have, Their Thoughts Of Spiritual Things Excited, Multiplied, And Confirmed, By The Preaching Of The Word.

To Say That We Are Able By Our Own Efforts To Think Good Thoughts Or Give God Spiritual Obedience Before We Are Spiritually Regenerate Is To Overthrow The Gospel And The Faith Of The Universal Church In All Ages.

Let, Then, The Word Be Preached, And The Sins Of Men Will Be Rebuked, Lust Will Be Restrained, And Some Oppositions Will Be Made Against Sin, Though That Be Not The Effect Aimed At.