“The pulpit is an unseemly place to vent our discontent and passions in. Beware of this strange fire.
The man of God must be gentle and meek, and his words with meekness of wisdom. The oil makes the nail drive without splitting the board.
The Word never enters the heart more kindly, than when it falls most gently: ‘Ride thou prosperously, because of truth and meekness,’ (Psalm 45:4).
Be as rough to thy people’s sins as thou canst, so thou be gentle to their souls.
Dost thou take the rod of reproof into thine hand? Let them see that love, not wrath, gives the blow.
I speak not against the minister’s zeal, only that it be from above, pure and peaceable.
Save all thy heat for God; spend it not in thy own cause. Admirable was the meekness of Moses in this respect.
The Word of God is too sacred a thing, and preaching too solemn a work, to be toyed and played with.”
–William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1662/2002), 2: 289.
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