Evil Ministers Better in Speech than Works
Matthew 23:1-7
Then spoke Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,…


If ministers do well, it is their own gain; if they say well, it is thine. Take thou what thine own is, and let alone what is another man's. Sylla and King Richard III. commanded others, under great penalties, to be virtuous and modest, when themselves walked the clean contrary way. A deformed painter may draw a goodly picture; a stinking breath sounds a mighty blast; and he that hath but a bad voice may show cunning in descant. A blind man may bear a torch in a dark night, and a harp wake music to others, which itself is not sensible of. Posts set for directions of passengers by the highway side do point out the way which themselves go not; and sign-posts tell the traveller there is wholesome diet or warm lodging within, when themselves remain in the storms without. Lewd preachers are like spire-steeples, or high pinnacles, which point up to heaven, but press down to the centre.

(J. Trapp.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

WEB: Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,




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