The new birthThe nevv birth

It discovers a want of zeal to Gods glory, and charity to mens souls; and it shows, that a man hath not well considered, either of the bond wherein God hath tied him to his neighbour; or of the service which he shall perform unto God in such endeavours. See you not (brethren) how all heretics, and schismatics, and men of false religions, strive to draw others to their opinions and practises? See you not, how even damned Atheism, and hellish profaneness, and beastly epicurism, are not ashamed to attempt the drawing of companions? Shall Gods child alone be content to go solitary to heaven? and to get out of Satan's clutches himself, though he lend an hand to pull out no man else besides himself? Doubtless the readiness of wicked men to poison all that come near them, with the poysonfull breath of their errors and disorders, should enforce us to more forwardness and care, in seeking to be Gods instruments, so far as in us lies, at least to prepare some to their regeneration: unless we will be content, that they shall be truer servants to the Devil, then we to God; and they more full of mischief, then we of well-doing. But I am persuaded, that you are already persuaded, that this is a duty, and that the consideration of the absolute necessity of a new birth to life everlasting, doth even necessarily enforce it upon you: for how can he say he loves his neighbour, that will not put himself forward, to help him forward in the way that leadeth to life. Wherefore that the exhortation may not be fruitless, I will also give you some necessary directions in that behalf. All men ⟨p. 142⟩therefore considered as members of the same particular Church, are either Pastors, or the flock committed to them. The Ministers are appointed by God to make it their main work and business, to beget men to life eternal, and to nourish this life in them. It is their special calling, to apply themselves unto this most profitable service to God, and the souls of men. Now for private men, they are also to attend and heed this service with great care, so far as it may lie in the way of their calling. Wherefore some rules must be given to all men in general, some in particular to the Ministers. The duties that are common to all men, are likewise of two kinds: some respecting all those with whom they may have any occasion of dealing withal;

It discouers a want of zeale to Gods glory, and charitie to mens soules; and it shewes, that a man hath not well considered, either of the bond wherein God hath tied him to his neighbour; or of the seruice which he shall performe vnto God in such endeauours. See you not (brethren) how all heretikes, and schismatikes, and men of false religions, striue to draw others to their opinions and practises? See you not, how euen damned Atheisme, and hellish prophanesse, and beastly epicurisme, are not ashamed to attempt the drawing of companions? Shall Gods child alone be content to go solitary to heauen? and to get out of Satans clutches himselfe, though hee lend an hand to pull out no man else besides himselfe? Doubtlesse the readinesse of wicked men to poyson all that come neere them, with the poysonfull breath of their errours and disorders, should inforce vs to more forwardnesse and care, in seeking to be Gods instruments, so far as in vs lies, at least to prepare some to their regeneration: vnlesse wee will bee content, that they shall bee truer seruants to the Diuell, then we to God; and they more full of mischiefe, then we of well-doing. But I am perswaded, that you are already perswaded, that this is a duty, and that the consideration of the absolute necessitie of a new birth to life euerlasting, doth euen necessarily inforce it vpon you: for how can he say he loues his neighbour, that will not put himselfe forward, to helpe him forward in the way that leadeth to life. Wherefore that the exhortation may not bee fruitlesse, I will also giue you some necessary directions in that behalfe. All men