TO EX',CITE OTHERS, &C. 155 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 saints 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 of fected 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 com- passionate toward them, and yearn after their reco- very 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 pos- sibly can, to instruct them how to attain salvation. If the person be ignorant, labour to make him un- derstarìd 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 neg- lects ; the extremity and eternity of the torments of the damned ; the justice of enduring them, for wil- fully 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
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