WE ought to consider, that since a teacher cannot
at one time admonish all with one and the same word of exhortation, he should
strive to instruct men one by one, in so far as he is able, and to edify them
with conferences in private. For we ought constantly to ponder what is said to
the holy Apostles and through the Apostles to us, Ye are the salt of the earth.
If, therefore, we are salt, we ought to season the minds of the faithful.
YOU, therefore, who are pastors, reflect that you feed the flock of God. Concerning which flock it is said to God through the Psalmist, thy congregation shall dwell therein. And often we see that a piece of rock salt is set before brute beasts, that they may lick it and be healed. As the rock salt among brute beasts, so must the priest be among his people. For the priest must take care what he says to each one, and how he admonishes each; that whosoever has contact with the priest may be seasoned with the flavor of eternal life, as with the touch of salt.
WE are not the salt of the earth if we season not the hearts of our hearers. For he truly applies salt to his neighbor who does not withhold the word of preaching. And we do indeed preach what is right to others if we illustrate our words by our deeds and example. Beloved brethren, I believe that God suffers no greater damage from men than he does from priests: when he sees those whom he has set for the correction of others setting examples of wickedness: when we ourselves sin, who ought to correct sin. Seeking to gain no souls, every day we have leisure for our own pursuits: we lust after earthly things: with eager mind we snatch at worldly glory. And for the very reason that we have been set over others we have the greater license to do whatever we will: we turn the ministry of blessing that we have received to the ends of self-seeking. We desert the cause of God, and we are free to engage in worldly affairs. We accept the position of holiness, and we are involved in the business of the world.
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