TO EXCITE OTHERS, &C. 161 § 7. (3.) Besides the duty of private admonition, you must endeavour to help men to profit by the public ordinances. In order to that, endeavour to procure for them faithful ministers, where they are wanting. How shall they hear without a preacher? (m) Improve your interest and diligence to this end, till you prevail. Extend your purses to the utmost. How many souls may be saved by the ministry you have procured ! It is a higher and nobler charity than relieving their bo- dies. What abundance of good might great men do, if they would support, in academical education, such youth as they have first carefully chosen for their in- tegrity and piety, till they should be fit for the minis- try ! And when a faithful ministry is obtained, help poor souls to receive the fruit of it. Draw them con- stantly to attend it. Remind them often what they have heard; and, if it be possible, let them hear it re- peated in their families, or elsewhere. Promote their frequent meeting together, besides publicly in the congregation ; not as a separate church, but as a part of the church, more diligent than the rest in redeem- ing time, and helping the souls of each other heaven- ward. Labour also to keep the ordinances and ministry in esteem. No man will be much wrought on by that which he despised). An apostle says, " We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you ; and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you ; and to esteem them' very highly in love, for their work's sake. "(n) § 8. (II.) Let us now a little enquire, what may be the causes of the gross neglect of this duty ; that the hinderances being discovered, may the more easily be Overcome. One hinderance is, men's own sin and guilt. They have not themselves been ravished with heavenly delights; how then should they draw others so earnestly to seek them ? They have not felt their own lost condition, nor their need of Christ, nor the renewing work of the Spirit ; how then can they discover these to others ? They are guilty of the (m) Rom. x. 14. (n) 1 Thess, v. 12, 18. 6 X
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=