An Ignorant, Profane, and Soul-Flattering Clergy
Ministers must live a heavenly life that reflects their doctrine and preach the gospel sincerely, or risk leading people to hell.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that a preacher's life must reflect their doctrine, asserting that an ignorant, profane, and soul-flattering clergy is a grave danger to society. He warns that such clergy enrich hell rather than uplift the gospel, sacrificing truth for personal gain. Brooks calls for pastors to preach and live in a manner that embodies the teachings of Jesus Christ, urging them to be sincere, powerful, and exemplary in their ministry. He stresses that without genuine preaching, the people will fall into wickedness and face spiritual peril. Ultimately, he challenges ministers to either embody the spirit of Christ or cease to claim the title of His ministers.
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A preacher's life should be a commentary upon his
doctrine; his practice should be the counterpart of his
sermons. Heavenly doctrines should always be adorned
with a heavenly life.
An ignorant, profane, and soul-flattering clergy, are
the greatest pest, plague, affliction and judgment, which
can befall a people! There is no rank nor order of men on
earth, who have so enriched hell, who have been such
benefactors to hell--as the ignorant and profane clergy!
How many are there in these days, who are more ready
and willing to make a sacrifice of the gospel--
for profit's sake,
and preferment's sake,
and honor's sake,
and lust's sake!
Where there is no serious, sincere, faithful, and powerful
preaching--there the people grow abominably wicked, and
will certainly perish, and go tumbling to hell.
Pastors! Either preach as the ministers of Jesus
Christ ought to preach--
plainly,
spiritually,
powerfully,
feelingly,
fervently,
frequently;
and live as the ministers of Jesus Christ ought to live--
heavenly,
graciously,
holily,
humbly,
righteously,
harmlessly,
exemplary
--or else lay down your names of being the ministers of
Jesus Christ. Do not any longer cheat upon yourselves,
nor upon the people--by making them believe that you
are ministers of Jesus Christ, when you have
nothing of the spirit of Christ,
nor of the anointings of Christ,
nor of the grace of Christ,
nor of the life of Christ in you.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of a Minister's Life
- The Consequences of Ignorant and Profane Clergy
- The Necessity of Serious and Sincere Preaching
- The Call to Authentic Ministry
- Ministers should live a heavenly, gracious, and holy life
- Ministers should be honest about their lack of Christ's spirit
Key Quotes
“Heavenly doctrines should always be adorned with a heavenly life.” — Thomas Brooks
“There is no rank nor order of men on earth, who have so enriched hell, who have been such benefactors to hell--as the ignorant and profane clergy!” — Thomas Brooks
“Either preach as the ministers of Jesus Christ ought to preach--and live as the ministers of Jesus Christ ought to live--or else lay down your names of being the ministers of Jesus Christ.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Ministers should strive to live a life that reflects their doctrine and is an example to their congregation.
- Preaching should be sincere, plain, and powerful, and should be feeling, fervent, and frequent.
- Ministers who lack the spirit of Christ should be honest about their lack and not claim to be ministers of Jesus Christ.