(3.) The word of God is to be preached faithfully; which supposes that they who are called to this work, have the souls of those whom they preach to, committed to their care; so that, if they perish for want of due instruction, they are, for this neglect, found guilty before God. Thus God says to the prophet, _Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house Israel_, Ezek. iii. 17, &c. and therefore he was to _give them warning_, which, if he did, he _delivered his_ own _soul_; but if not, God intimates to him that _their blood should be required at his hand_. This supposes that they are accountable to God for the doctrines they deliver; for which reason the apostle speaks of them, as _stewards of the mysteries of God_, of whom it was _required that_ they should _be found faithful_, 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. and, as a particular instance thereof, he makes a solemn appeal to the elders of the church of Ephesus, that he had _kept back nothing that was profitable unto them_, nor _shunned to declare all the counsel of God_, Acts xx. 27. This faithfulness in the exercise of the ministry, is opposed to their having respect of persons from some obligation which they are laid under to them, or the prospect of some advantage that they expect from them, which makes them sparing in reproving those who are blame-worthy, for fear of giving offence, or losing their friendship. It is also opposed to preaching those doctrines which are suited to the humours and corruptions of men, and neglecting to insist on the most necessary and important truths; because they apprehend that they will be entertained with disgust. This is to act as though their main design were to please men rather than God. And it is very remote from the conduct of the prophet Isaiah; who, when he was informed that the people desired that the _prophets_ would _prophesy smooth things_ to them, and _cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before them_, Isa. xxx. 10, 11. he takes occasion to represent God as the holy one of Israel, in the following words, and to denounce the judgments which he would bring upon them, how unwilling soever they were to receive this doctrine from him.