to tlij' own lust, 01- another's will, though the greatest in thy ])arish ! In a steward it is required, that he be faithful, 1 Cor. iv. 2. Now, the preacher's faithfulness stands in relation to him that intrusts him. It is veryimlikely that a steward, in giving out provision, should please all the servants in the house ; such otiicers have least thanks when they do their work best. He that thinks to please men, goes about an endless and needless work. Man's words will not break thy bones. A wise physician seeks to cure, not to please his patient. He that chides when he is sick, for the bitterness of the potions, will give thee thanks for it when he is recovered. The apostle passeth by the thoughts of men as a thing inconsiderable, not worthy the interrupting of him in his work, * With me it is a very small thing I should be judged of you,' ver. t3 : as if he had said, It shall be known at the great audit, when my Master comes to reckon with me, whether I have been faithful : and it is time enough to have my name righted, when he will vindicate his own. No doubt it was a great temptation to Micaiah, when Ahab's messenger endeavoiu-ed to persuade him to let his message be such as woidd please the king ; but mark his noble answer, — ' As the Lord liveth, wliat the Lord saith, that will I speak.' Some think Micaiah was that disguised pi'ophet that denounced judgment against Ahab for Benhadad's dismission, and that now he was fetched out of prison ; for the king bids, ' Carry him back unto Anion, the governor," 1 Kings xxii. 26. If so, then Micaiah had the opportunity, by one flattering sermon, to have got liis liberty as Avell as the king's favour : yet to the dungeon he will go again, rather than prostitute the word to Ahab's lust. Blessed Paul was of the same mind, 2 Tim. ii. 9 : ' Wherein' (speaking of the gospel) ' I suffer trouble as an evil-doer, even unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound :' as if he had said, They shall never make me enslave that, neither in prison nor at the block. No doubt Paul might have been free, could he have been content the word sliould have been bound : but he was too faithful to jirocure his liberty with imprisonment of the truth by a sinful silence. If ever it was a time of temi)- tation to ministers, and there were need to stir them up, to keep the word of God's patience, it is in these last days of the world, of which it is prophesied, ' Men shall not endure sound doctrine.' Now, therefore, to bear witness to the truth, and to make full proof of their ministiy in such a perverse and froward generation, needs more greatness of spirit than flesh and blood can help them to. It is no trial for a minister to speak truth freely among his friends ; but among those that despise it, and are enraged with the messenger for delivering his errand. This made the confession of our Lord so glorious, 1 Tim. vi. 13. It was before Pontius Pilate, a bloody enemy against him and the truth, he witnessed. Therefore, our people may well bear with us when we speak freely in God's name ; yea, though we come upon their ground, and our message rifles their consciences. We have it in our commission; Jer. vi. 27, ' I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.' If a warrant is in a constable's hand to search your house, you cannot be angry with him for doing his office, because you dare not stand between him and the displeasure of his prjnce, should he neglect it.
EPHESIANS VI. 18.
Praying always with all prayer and supplicafion in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
We have at last set before you the Christian in his armour ; and now he wants nothing to furnish him for the battle, or enable him for the victory, but the presence of his general to lead him on, and bring him honourably off again, by
his wisdom : which, that he may obtain, the apostle sets him tc* prayer,
' Praying always,' &c. As if he had said. You have now, Christian, the armour of God; but take heed you forget not to engage the God of this armour by humble prayer for your assistance, lest for all this you be worsted in the fight. He that gives you the arms, can only teach you to use them, and enable you to overcome. I am not ignorant that some make })rayer a piece of armour, and reckon it as a part of the panoj)ly. It matters not much in what notion we handle it, whether as a distinct piece of armour, or as a duty and means neces-
(524 PKAVING ALWAYS, ETC.