Chap. 9.] THE SAINTS REST. 139 is so small that any man may relieve it; and in the same cases every man must be a teacher. Do not despair of suc- cess. Cannot God give it ? And must it not be by means? Do not plead, it will only be casting pearls before swine. When you are in danger to be torn in pieces, Christ would have you forbear; but what is that to you that are in no such danger ? As long as theywill hear, you will have en- couragement to speak, and may not cast them off as con- temptible swine. Say not, " It is a friend on whom I much depend, and by telling him his sin and misery, I may lose his love, and be undone." Is his love more to be valued than his safety? or thy own benefit by him, than the salva- tion of his soul ? or wilt thou connive at his damnation because he is thy friend? Is that thy best requital of his friendship ? Hadst thou rather he should burn in hell for ever, than thou shouldst lose his favor, or the maintenance thou hast from him ? Thirdly: But that all who fear God may be excited to do their utmost to help others to this blessed rest, let me entreat you to consider the following motives: As, for instance, not only nature, but especially grace, disposes the soul to be communicative of good ; therefore to neglect this work is a sin both against nature and grace. Would you not think him unnatural that would suffer his children or neighbors to starve in the streets, while he has provision at hand ? And is not he more unnatural, that will let them eternally perish, and not open his mouth to save them ? An unmerciful, cruel man, is a monster to be abhorred of all. If God had bid you give them all your estates, or lay down your lives to save them, you would surely have refused, when you will not bestow a little breath to save them. Is not the soul of a husband, or wife, or child, or neighbor, worth a few words? Cruelty to men's bodies is a most damnable sin; but to their souls much more, as the soul is ofgreater worth than the body, and eternity than time. Little know you what many a soul may now be feeling in hell, who died in their sins, for want of your faithful admonition. Consider what Christ did toward the saving of souls. He thought them worth his blood; and shall we not think them worth our breath ? Will you not do a little where Christ bath done so much ? Consider what fit objects of pity ungodly people are. They are dead in trespasses and sins, have not hearts
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