No worldly or fleshly
methods
Many of the pulpiteers of the past fifty years acted
as though the first and last object of their calling
was the salvation of souls, everything being made to
bend to that aim. In consequence, the feeding of the
sheep, the maintaining of a Scriptural discipline in
the church, and the inculcation of practical piety,
was crowded out; and only too often all sorts of
worldly devices and fleshly methods were employed
under the plea that the end justified the means; and
thus the churches were filled with
unregenerate members. In reality, such men defeated
their own aim. The hard heart must be ploughed and
harrowed before it can be receptive to the gospel
seed. Doctrinal instruction must be given on the
character of God, the requirements of his Law, the
nature and heinousness of sin, if a foundation is to
be laid for true evangelism. It is useless to preach
Christ unto souls until they see and feel their
desperate need of him.
A. W. Pink, as quoted in "The Life of Arthur W.
Pink" by Iain H. Murray (Banner of Truth, 1981)
