7. Acceptably and Constantly
Thomas Brooks
Ephesians 3:8. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ.
[10.] They must preach the word acceptably, as well as rightly: The preacher sought to find out acceptable words”, or words of delight, as the Hebrew has it; “and that which was written was upright, even words of truth” (Ecc 12:10). Ministers’ words should divinely please and divinely profit; they should divinely attract both ear and heart. A minister should be a weighty speaker; he should clothe his doctrine in such a lovely dress that he may slide it imperceptibly into his hearers’ hearts. Ministers should clothe their matter with suitable words, as the leaves give some beauty to the tree. Good matter in unsuitable language, is like a bright taper in a dirty candlestick, or like a fair body in unattractive clothes. Aaron’s bells were golden bells, sounding pleasantly, not as sounding brass or tinkling cymbals. Doubtless holy eloquence may prudently be made useful for setting forth divine truth, and catching souls by craft, as Paul speaks (2 Cor 12:16).
Lactantius2 has well observed that philosophers, orators and poets were very pernicious, because they easily ensnared incautious minds with their attractive way of speaking. Therefore his advice was, even in delivering the truth of Christ, to sweeten the speech, to win to Christ those who will neither hear or read or value or regard the truth, unless it is polished and clothed in a lovely dress.
[11.] To add no more, as they must preach the word acceptably, so they must preach the Word constantly.3 They must not lay down the Bible to take up the sword, as some have done for worldly advantages; they must not leave the Word to serve tables (Acts 6:2), as others have done for the same reason; they must continue in their employments; they must neither change their work or their master: “We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). They would not assign their charge to deputies, that they themselves might live at ease. No, they were definitely resolved to continue in these two choice duties, prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Again, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22). “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, [spend thy time in them], that thy profiting may appear to all [or in all things]. Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim 4:15,16). “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim 3:14). “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs” (Ecc 12:9).
Hosea was for 80 years a prophet in Israel, and yet did not convert them; yet notwithstanding all discouragements, he continued constant, with an abundance of freshness and liveliness. Chrysostom compares good pastors to fountains that always send forth waters, or conduits that are always running, though no pail is put under them.
1Taken, with editing, from Brooks’ Works, vol 3. The previous article, which appeared in October, spoke of ministers preaching Christ feelingly and rightly.
2An early Christian author.
3The shewbread stood all the week before the Lord, to show that preaching is not out of season on any day.