TO EXCITE OTHERS, &C. 171 see that you excel others in piety, compassion, and diligence in God's work, as you do in the riches and honours of the world. I confess you will by this means be singular, but then you will be singular in glory ; for few of the mighty and noble are called. 18. As for the ministers of the gospel, it is the very work of their calling to help others to heaven. Be sure to make it the main end of your studies and preaching. He is the able, skilful minister, that is the best skilled in the art of instructing, convincing, persuading, and consequently of, winning souls : and that is the best sermon that is best in these. When you seek nilt God, but yourselves, God will make you the most contemptible of men. It is true of your re- putation, what Christ says of your life, He that loveth it shall lose it. Let the vigour of your persuasions show, that you are sensible pn how weighty a business you are sent. Preach with that seriousness and fer- your, as men that believe their own doctrine, and that know their hearers must be prevailed with, or be damned. Think not that all your work is in your studies and pulpit. You are shepherds, and must know every sheep, and what is their disease, and mark their straying, and help to cure them and fetch them home. Learn of Paul, not only to teach your people publicly, but from house to house. Inquire how they grow in knowledge and holiness, and on what grounds they build their hopes of salvation, and whether they walk uprightly, and perform the duties of their seve- ral relations. See whether they worship God in their families ; and teach them how to do it. Be familiar with them, that you may maintain your interest in them, and improve it all for God. Know of them how they profit by public teaching. If any too little savour the things of the Spirit, let them be pitied, but not neglected. If any walk disorderly, recover them with diligence and patience. if they be ig- norant, it may be your fault as much as theirs. - Be not asleep while the wolf is waking. Deal not slight- ly with any. Some will not tell their people plainly
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