behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living
SERMON VIII.
1 TIMOTHY, Chap. iii. verses 14 and 15.
14. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
We see what holiness and perfection St. Paul required in all those that had any public charge in the church of God: we see also how he concluded that those who behaved themselves well and faithfully in office, "purchased to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ." When there is good order in the church, and the children of God do their duty faithfully, it is an honour to them; and men think them worthy of reverence. This is not to puff them up, and make them proud, but that they may be more and more enabled to serve God; and that men may more willingly hear them, and receive counsel and advice from them: this is the meaning of St. Paul.
Those that do not their duty as they ought, have their mouths stopped; they can do nothing with the people, but are worthily mocked: although they are bold, yet they have no gravity; therefore their doctrine cannot be received. Those that are called to fill offices in the church of God, must strive so much the more to do well; and endeavour to serve God, and the people of God, faithfully. But now-a-days, the wicked seem to bear the sway; before whom, the world, as it were, trembles.
Thus we see that things are much out of order among us. Where is our liberty at the present day? Not in the faith, but in all wickedness; among