*' the troublers of Israel ;" and those who are reproved will say of you, "I hate Micaiah, for he doth not speak good of me, but evil."]
From this aversion which men feel to religious instruction, it appears,
II. That great caution is to be used in administer-
ing it — The direction in our text was given to the whole multitude of those who heard our Lord's discourse ; and therefore may be considered as applicable,
1. To ministers —
[Though it is not to be confined to them, it does not exclude them. Doubtless where numbers of persons are as- sembled to hear the word of God, it is not possible to suit oneself to the disposition and taste of every individual. The rule which God liimself has laid down must in such cases be followed : " He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully''." A minister must " warn men, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear :" he must " commend him- self to every man's conscience in the sight of God," " keeping back nothing that is profitable unto them," but " declaring unto them the whole counsel of God." Still, however, the caution in the text is necessary for him. He should consider the state of his hearers, and should adapt his discourses to their neces- sities. Our blessed Lord, knowing how full of prejudice the Jews were, " spake the word to them in parables, as they were able to hear it" In like manner, though we must not seek the applause of man, (for " if we please men, we cannot be the servants of Jesus Christ;") yet we should endeavour to " please all men for their good to edification : " we should argue with them on principles which they acknowledge ; we should be content to give " milk to babes," and to reserve the " strong meat" for such as are able to digest it. We should pay atten- tion to every thing that may lessen prejudice and conciliate regard: and, though we must not affect " the wisdom of words, which would only make void the cross of Christ," we should " search out acceptable words," and be especially careful to " speak the truth in love." Our great object should be not to " deliver our own souls," (though doubtless we must be careful to do that,) but principally to " win the souls" of others.]
2. To Christians in general —
[As " men do not light a candle, to put it under a bed or under a bushel, but to give light to those who are in the house,"
^ Jer. xxiii. 28.