formed,-why it is so much neglected, and then offer some considerations to persuade to it.

§ 2. (I.) The duty of exciting and helping others to obtain the saint's rest, doth not mean, that every man should turn a public preacher, or that any should go beyond the bounds of their particular callings; much less does it consist in promoting a party spirit; and least of all in speaking against men's faults behind their backs, and be silent before their faces. This duty is of another nature, and consists of the following things;-in having our hearts affected with the misery of our brethren's souls,-in taking all opportunities to instruct them in the way of salvation, and in promoting their profit by public ordinances.

§ 3. (1) Our hearts must be affected with the misery of our brethren's souls. We must be compassionate towards them, and yearn after their recovery and salvation. If we earnestly longed after their conversion, and our hearts were solicitous to do them good, it would set us on work, and God would usually bless it.

§ 4. (2) We must take all opportunities we possibly can, to instruct them how to attain salvation. If the person be ignorant, labour to make him understand the chief happiness of man; how far he was once possessed of it; the covenant God then made with him; how he broke it; what penalty he incurred, and what misery he brought himself into; teach him his need of a Redeemer; how Christ did mercifully interpose, and bear the penalty; what the new covenant is; how men are drawn to Christ, and what are the riches and privileges which believers have in him. If he is not moved by these things, then show him the excellency of the glory he neglects; the extremity and eternity of the torments of the damned; the justice of enduring them, for wilfully refusing grace; the certainty, nearness, and terrors, of death and judgment; the vanity of all things below; the sinfulness of sin; the preciousness of Christ; the necessity of regeneration, faith, and

holiness; and the true nature of them. If, after all, you find him entertaining false hopes, then urge him to examine his state; show him the necessity of doing so; help him in it; nor leave him till you have convinced him of his misery and remedy. Show him how vain and destructive it is, to join Christ and his duties to compose his justifying righteousness. Yet be sure to draw him to the use of all means; such as hearing and reading the word, calling upon God, and associating with the godly: persuade him to forsake sin, avoid all temptations to sin, especially evil companions, and to wait patiently on God in the use of means, as the way in which God will be found.

§ 5. But because the manner of performing this work is of great moment, observe therefore these rules. Enter upon it with right intentions. Aim at the glory of God in the person's salvation. Do it not to get a name, or esteem to thyself, or to bring men to depend upon thee, or to get thee followers; but in obedience to Christ, in imitation of him, and tender love to men's souls. Do not as those who labour to reform their children or servants from such things as are against their own profit or humour, but never seek to save their souls in the way which God hath appointed. Do it speedily. As you would not have them delay their return, don't you delay to seek their return. While you are purposing to teach and help him, the man goes deeper in debt; wrath is heaping up; sin taking root; custom fastens him; temptations to sin multiply; conscience grows seared; the heart hardened; the devil rules; Christ is shut out; the Spirit is resisted; God is daily dishonoured; his law violated; he is without a servant, and that service from him, which he should have; time runs on; death and judgment are at the door: and what if the man die, and drop into hell, while you are purposing to prevent it? If in the case of his bodily distress you must not say to him, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee;(h)

(h) Prov. iii. 28

how much less may you delay the succour of his soul! that physician is no better than a murderer, who negligently delayeth till his patient be dead or past cure. Lay by excuses then, and all lesser business, and exhort one another daily, while it is called today; (i) lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Let your exhortation proceed from compassion and love. To jeer and scoff, to rail and vilify, is not a likely way to reform men, or convert them to God. Go to poor sinners with tears in your eyes, that they may see you believe them to be miserable, and that you unfeignedly pity their case. Deal with them with earnest humble entreaties. Let them perceive it is the desire of your hearts to do them good; that you have no other end but their everlasting happiness; and that it is your sense of their danger, and your love to their souls, that forceth you to speak; even because you know the terrors of the Lord, and for fear you should see them in eternal torments. Say to them, "Friend, you know I seek no advantage of my own the method to please you and keep your friendship, were to sooth you in your way, or let you alone; but love will not suffer me to see you perish, and be silent. I seek nothing at your hands, but that which is necessary to your own happiness. It is yourself that will have the gain and comfort, if you come to Christ." If we were thus to go to every ignorant and wicked neighbour, what blessed fruit should we quickly see!-Do it with all possible plainness and faithfulness. Do not make their sins less than they are, nor encourege them in a false hope. If you see the case dangerous, speak plainly; Neighbour, I am afraid God hath not yet renewed your soul; I doubt you are not yet recovered from the power of Satan to God; I doubt you have not chosen Christ above all, nor unfeignedly taken him for your sovereign Lord. If you had, surely you durst not so easily disobey him, nor neglect his worship in your family, and in public; you could not

(2) Heb. iii. 13.

so eagerly follow the world, and talk of nothing but the things of the world. If you were in Christ, you would be a new creature; old things would be passed away, and all things would become new: you would have new thoughts, new talk, new company, new endeavours, and a new conversation. Certainly, without these you can never be saved: you may think otherwise, and hope otherwise as long as you will, but your hopes will all deceive you, and perish with you." Thus must you deal faithfully with men, if ever you intend to do them good. It is not in curing men's souls, as in curing their bodies, where they must not know their danger, lest it hinder the cure. They are here agents in their own cure; and if they know not their misery, they will never bewail it, nor know their need of a Saviour. Do it also seriously, zealously, and effectually. Labour to make men know, that heaven and hell are not matters to be played with, or passed over with a few careless thoughts. "It is most certain that one of these days thou shalt be in everlasting joy or torment; and doth it not awaken thee? Are there so few that find the way of life? so many that go the way of death? Is it so hard to escape? so easy to miscarry? and yet you do sit still, and trifle? What do you mean? The world is passing away: its pleasures, honours, and profits, are fading, and leav ing you: eternity is a little before you: God is just and jealous: his threatenings are true: the great day will be terrible: time runs on: your life is pr certain you are far behind-hand; your case is dan gerous; if you die to-morrow, how unready are you! with what terror will your souls go out of your bodies! And do you yet loiter? Consider, God is all this while waiting your leisure: his patience beareth his long-suffering forbeareth: his mercy entreateth you: Christ offereth you his blood and merits: the Spirit is persuading: conscience is accusing: Satan waits to have you. This is your time now or never. Had you rather burn in hell than repent on earth? have devils your tormentors, than Christ

your governor ? will you renounce your part in God and glory, rather than renounce your sins? O friends, what do you think of these things? God hath made you men: do not renounce your reason, where you should chiefly use it." Alas, it is not a few dull words, between jest and earnest, between sleep and awake, that will rouse a dead hearted sin

If a house be on fire, you will not make a cold oration on the nature and danger of fire; but will run and cry, fire! fire! To tell a man of his sins, as softly as Eli did his son; or to reprove him as gently as Jehoshaphat did Ahab, Let not the king say so; usually doth as much harm as good: lothness to displease men, makes us undo them.

§ 6. Yet lest you run into extremes, I advise you to do it with prudence and discretion.-Choose the fittest season. Deal not with men when they are in a passion, or where they will take it for a disgrace. When the earth is soft the plough will enter. Take a man when he is under affliction, or newly impressed under a sermon. Christian faithfulness requires us, not only to do good when it falls in our way, but to watch for opportunities.-Suit yourselves also to the quality and temper of the person. You must deal with the ingenious more by argument than persuasion. There is need of both to the ignorant. The affections of the convinced should be chiefly excited. The obstinate must be sharply reproved. The timor ous must be dealt with tenderly. Love, and plainness, and seriousness, take with all; but words of terror some can scarce bear. Use also the aptest expressions. Unseeming language makes the hearers loathe the food they should live by; especially if they be men of curious ears, and carnal hearts.-Let all your reproofs and exhortations be backed with the authority of God. Let sinners be convinced that you speak not of your own head. Turn them to the very chapter and verse where their sin is condemned, and their duty commanded. The voice of man is contemptible, but the voice of God is awful and terrible. They may reject your words, that dare not