Ministers are often desirous of . . .

(J. C. Philpot, "Life Given for a Prey" 1841)

"Are you seeking great things for yourself?
 Don't do it!"  Jeremiah 45:5

Ministers are often desirous of . . .
   a greater gift in preaching,
   a readier utterance,
   a more abundant variety,
   a more striking delivery than they possess.
And this, not for the glory of God, but for the
glory of the creature. Not that praise may be
given God, but that pride, cursed pride, may
be gratified; that they may be admired by men.

My desire and aim is . . .
  not to deceive souls by flattery;
  not to please any party;
  not to minister to any man's pride or presumption;
but simply and sincerely, with an eye to God's glory,
with His fear working in my heart, to speak to the
edification of His people.

A minister who stands up with any other motives,
and aiming at any other ends than the glory of God,
and the edification of His people, bears no scriptural
marks that he has been sent into the vineyard by
God Himself.