The Western Pulpit!

Poor creatures, at that time, how was our English Bethel [House of God] degenerated into a Beth-Aven [House of Nothingness (of Idols)]. What a film of superstition, and profanes was there then grown over one of the eyes of this our Island! Our pulpits turned as it were into stages; and sadly prostituted to froth and jerks at godliness. As for truly learned, soul searching, soul saving preaching, twas that which most of us either knew not, or scorned. The mode of our then sermons was more to please the fancy, than to pierce the heart; to tickle the ear, rather than wound the conscience, or save the precious the immortal soul.

From the forward to the reader in 'Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford'. [Comments Added]

Isn't it amazing! This short discourse written in 1660 and describing the state of the pulpits of the Church of England in Oxfordshire in the early 1600’s reads much like the sad state of the pulpit today!

Around the world, though it would seem more prevalent in the west, “church” leaders are fattening themselves for the day of slaughter on the souls of lost men and women! Peddling cheap grace and easy believe-ism in the name of numerical success and church growth, they crucify yet again the Son of God.

Preacher, you are to spend yourself and be spent in this one thing: preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified! For in Him is the salvation of all mankind!

If you will not perform this task, if you will not preach the Truth of God – get out of the pulpit for your own sake and the sake of those in your hearing!

Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah. Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, against the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Jehovah. (Jeremiah 23:1-2)