God's Ministers (2)

Evey man's life is a warfare, but most of all and above all, the minister is continually in war and strife. They are soldiers, leaders; they carry the standard. They of all others are in the most danger, they stand in the brunt of the battle. The reason: the devil has malice against the whole church in general, but he specially aims at those who pull men out of his service into the church. It is the minister that treads on the serpent's head; no marvel, then, if the devil endeavours to bite them by the heel. It is how he dealt with Christ when he first set upon his office of mediator; also, how he dealt with Moses and Paul, in the main plots contrived against them. Such as those are great eyesores to Satan, and this it is that makes them soldiers and captains. But how> I answer, as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5, that ministers do fight against the strongholds of corruption within us, against natural reason, corrupt affections, proud conceits; they fight against those imaginations, and in them, against the devil himself, who uses these instruments to bring his purposes to pass. In minsters, it is required they be knowledgeable in the stratagems of the devil, especially in those among whom they should serve; by observing the corruptions of the times, place, and customs. He who would be a good soldier must be continually resident in his charge; for once the devil gets a hold, he seeks to sing them asleep with 'Soul, you have much goods' (Luke 12:19). This is dangerous. The minister must look to it; for men do soothe themselves up in pleasure, thinking that religion may well abide with the love of the world. The watchman must tell them plainly, 'You cannot serve God an mammon' (Matt. 6:24).
If ministers to be soldiers for us, let us help them by our prayers. Seeing we are here in a working state, no, in a warring state.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Of the Providence of God, Works, vol. 5, pp. 38-39
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