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Massillon warned his clergy most pointedly against this species of self-indulgent delusion.—‘We often.’ (he observes) ‘persuade ourselves, that we ought to adopt or acquiesce in the taste, the language, and the manners of the world, that we may not be unacceptable companions; but when the world courts, adopts, and is delighted with a Minister of the Gospel, that Pastor gives a decisive proof, that he ceases to regard the decorum of his station, and the respectability of his character. “If you were of the world”—said our Lord to his disciples—“the world would love his own; but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.” No, my brethren, the world does not run after a holy and respectable Pastor. Let us not deceive ourselves. To purchase the friendship and esteem of the world, we must sacrifice a certain part of the dignity and gravity of our Ministry. The world does not give up in the smallest degree its baneful prejudices and dangerous maxims, in order to unite itself with us. No! We must give up our consistency of character, to be admitted into its societies.’ Charges.
