154 THE DUTY OF GOD'S PEOPLE CHAÏ'. IX. The Duty of the People of God to excite others to seek this Rest. 1. The author laments that Christians do so little to help others to obtain the saint's rest. 2. (1.) Shows the nature of this duty ; particularly, § 3. (1)`In having our hearts affected with the misery of our brethren's souls ; § 4, 6, (2) In taking all opportunities to instruct them in the way of salvation ; § 7. (3) In promoting their profit by public ordinances. § 8. (II.) He assigns various reasons why this duty is so much neglected, 9. and answers some objections against it: § 10, 13. Then (III.) urges to the discharge of it by several considerations : § 14. Addressed to such as have knowledge, learning, and utterance ; 15. Those that are acquainted with sinners § 16. Physicians that attend dying men ;. § 17. Persons of wealth and power ; § 18. Ministers ; § 19. And those that are entrusted with the care of children or servants. § 20. The chapter concludes with an earnest request to Christian parents to be faithful to their trust. § I. JIATH God set before us such a glorious prize as the saint's rest, and us made capable of such inconceivable happiness? Why then do not all the children of this kingdom exert themselves more to help others to the enjoyment of it? Alas, how little are poor souls about us beholden to most of us ! We see the glory of the kingdom, and they do not : we see the misery of those that are out of it, and they do not : we see some wander- ing quite out of the way, and know, if they hold on, they can never come there ; and they themselves discern it not. And yet we will not seriously show them their danger and error, and help to bring them into the way, that they may live. Alas, how few Christians are there to be found, that set themselves with all their might to save souls! No thanks to us, if heaven be not empty, and if the souls of our brethren' perish not for ever. Considering how im- portant this duty is, to the glory of God, and the happiness of men, I will show, how it is to be per-
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