# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_April 1860_S99
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

On the Zeal of Preachers. 99

thorns. Those burn when touched lightly; when pressed together with the
fingers they cause no itching at all: these wound when one does not handle
them carefully. So Paul, when he wished to speak to the Athenians, took
note of much by which he then won their good opinion. — 3) The works
of God, both of creation and of governance, are a book from which a pastor
may instruct himself and others. From these let him draw abundant proofs
of God's power, righteousness, mercy, wisdom, and truth, both in the
promises and in the threats. How diligently David and Solomon considered
them, the Psalter and Ecclesiastes bear witness. —

How Holy Scripture is to be read we have shown elsewhere. Here we
will only give a few rules.

I. The holy mysteries of God should not be read without earnestly and
beseechingly asking God for the gracious impartation of his Spirit, who
enlightens and teaches the heart.

II. One should put the mind into the right disposition when one sets
about this task.

III. The purpose of the book, and of the passage we are reading, should
repeatedly come before our eyes as we read. —

We now wish briefly to add what ought to kindle in us untiring zeal. It is
well known that one should labor in the Lord's vineyard not superficially
but diligently and eagerly. For from us the church, our mother, expects
help. Let us therefore hasten and strive with all our might to be watchful
against offenses, to root out discord, to destroy heresies, to beat down
abominations, and to uproot the kingdom of Satan from its foundations.
Let us persist in season and out of season: in season, when opportunity
presents itself; out of season, when certain inconveniences and dangers
seem to threaten the flesh.

Diligence is a precious thing in all matters (for it makes many rich,
Proverbs 10:4, and brings many to honor, 22:29), but especially so in the
preaching office and in the care of souls, which is the art of arts and
requires the greatest perfection, practice, exertion, and prudence; for
some are stubborn and unteachable, others weak, others shameless, many
ignorant.

We will therefore be watchful and lay aside all touchiness. He deceives
himself entirely who wishes to take up this office without at the same
time arming himself with a heroic and unconquerable spirit for battle. For
no one has Satan more upon his neck, no one is attacked more fiercely,
or suffers more and heavier reproach, than the holy and faithful
standard-bearers of the church, whom God has appointed not for delight
and pleasure but for the hatred and reproach of the world, according to
the saying of the Apostle, Romans 8:36: "For thy sake we are killed all the
day long, and are accounted as sheep for the slaughter"; compare 1
Corinthians 4:13. And what