O! let them not alone till you see them deeply affected with these things; expostulate the case with them frequently by themselves; ask them what they think of the estate of their Souls, and leave not with their sullen silence: ask them plainly, how they can eat, or drink, or sleep, without Christ and pardon? and what they mean to be so unconcerned? Tell them that death may be nearer them than they imagine; and that as death leaveth them, judgment will find them: Tell them that their stupidity is an effect of that deadness their souls lie under; and that if they be not awakened quickly, they must be unconceivably and eternally miserable: ask them what they have to say against the ways of God, and what they have to plead for their neglecting their souls, for Sin and for Satan: tell them these things are matters of such weight, that they need not much time to determine what must be done: It's a matter of such vast importance, that it calls for the greatest speed, diligence, and care imaginable, and that you can't be satisfied till you see this work done: catechise and instruct them constantly, at least once a week: Let the Word sound daily in their ears, and pray twice a day with them; let some time be allowed them for secret duties; and put them upon the performance of them spiritually and constantly. Keep them not too long at work, or in the Shop, on Saturday-night. The Jews had their preparation for the Sabbath; and the ancient Christians did not fall short of them in their preparation for the Lords-day. Let the Sabbath be carefully spent in secret, family and public duties: and for the better direction in your duties upon that day, I refer you to that excellent piece, Mr. Wells his Practical Sabbatarian, a Book, it's pity any great Family should want. Cause your Servants to bear you company to hear the most powerful Preacher you can: require an account of what they ⟨p. 455⟩hear, and let the Sermons be repeated in your Family; and ask them what it was that did most affect their hearts, and labour to press things home afresh upon their souls: and if you perceive any good inclinations in them, encourage them greatly, and improve them all you can: and if you do not see what you would presently, be not quite discouraged, and cast them off as hopeless. Exhort them daily while it is called to day;
O! let them not alone till you see them deeply affected with these things; expostulate the case with them frequently by themselves; ask them what they think of the estate of their Souls, and leave not with their sullen silence: ask them plainly, how they can eat, or drink, or sleep, without Christ and pardon? and what they mean to be so unconcerned? Tell them that death may be nearer them than they imagine; and that as death leaveth them, judgment will find them: Tell them that their stupidity is an effect of that deadness their souls lie under; and that if they be not awakned quickly, they must be unconceivably and eternally miserable: ask them what they have to say against the ways of God, and what they have to plead for their neglecting their souls, for Sin and for Satan: tell them these things are matters of such weight, that they need not much time to determine what must be done: It's a matter of such vast importance, that it calls for the greatest speed, diligence, and care imaginable, and that you can't be satisfied till you see this work done: catechise and instruct them constantly, at least once a week: Let the Word sound daily in their ears, and pray twice a day with them; let some time be allowed them for secret duties; and put them upon the performance of them spiritually and constantly. Keep them not too long at work, or in the Shop, on Saturday-night. The Jews had their preparation for the Sabbath; and the ancient Christians did not fall short of them in their preparation for the Lords-day. Let the Sabbath be carefully spent in secret, family and publick duties: and for the better direction in your duties upon that day, I refer you to that excellent piece, Mr. Wells his Practical Sabbatarian, a Book, it's pity any great Family should want. Cause your Servants to bear you company to hear the most powerful Preacher you can: require an account of what they ⟨p. 455⟩hear, and let the Sermons be repeated in your Family; and ask them what it was that did most affect their hearts, and labour to press things home afresh upon their souls: and if you perceive any good inclinations in them, encourage them greatly, and improve them all you can: and if you do not see what you would presently, be not quite discouraged, and cast them off as hopeless. Exhort them daily while it is called to day;
