First Use, Is it so that 'tis a chief part of a Christians duty, and a chief point of a Christians Wisdom, to gain Souls to Christ? Then here is matter of Reproof; to reprove those that profess the name of Christ; that lay out their zeal no more this way. That lay not out their strength to gain Souls. Yea that do not long for, nor endeavour after the conversion of Souls. Surely, this speaks sadly to those that wholly neglect this duty. But how exceedingly are many of the people of God themselves to be blamed for their Negligence in this? doth not thy heart know that there is a brother of thine doth live in such a sin; and yet thou never tell him of it? What a great evil is this! and unsuitable to the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he go up and down doing good? and so taken up with Souls, that he could scarce spare time to eat his bread: insomuch that his carnal friends began to take hold of him, and thought that he had been beside himself. O how far art thou from this, that thy friends may live in their sins, and dye in their sins, before thou wilt labour to save their Souls? The devil he laboureth to destroy Souls; and how few be there that do labour to save Souls? He may carry away the poor soul, and none labours to take the soul from him. We should be watchful and vigilant for souls; for our own souls. and others souls: because this enemy is always taking opportunities to destroy souls. ⟨p. 53⟩Sure it argues that you have very little Lov• to Jesus Christ, that you do no more for souls. That you have little zeal for Jesus Christ, and that you have little Love for your Brethren, that you take no more care for their souls. It may be you are careful for the bodies of those that are under your charge; but how little do you for their souls? How many live without the worshi of God in their Families? Without Catechizing their Children or instructing them? And think they have done well if they provide for their bodies. Oh, but man God will find out thy neglects: it was their souls that was thy charge also. If you look only after their bodies, this you will do for your swine. And will you do no more for your Children's souls than for your swine? many are ready to say as Cain, am I my Brothers keeper? If this be not the language of thy tongue, is not this the language of thy Life? What dost thou do for thy brother to save his soul from death?
First Use, Is it so that 'tis a chief part of a Christians duty, anda chief point of a Christians Wisedom, to gain Souls to Christ? Then here is matter of Reproof; to reprove those that profess the name of Christ; that lay out their zeal no more this way. That lay not out their strength to gain Souls. Yea that do not long for, nor endeavor after the conversion of Souls. Surely, this speaks sadly to those that wholy neglect this duty. But how exceedingly are many of the people of God themselves to be blamed for their Negligence in this? doth not thy heart know that there is a brother of thine doth live in such a sin; and yet thou never tel him of it? What a great evil is this! and unsutable to the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he go up and down doing good? and so taken up with Souls, that he could scarce spare time to eat his bread: insomuch that his carnal friends began to take hold of him, and thought that he had been beside himself. O how far art thou from this, that thy friends may live in their sins, and dye in their sins, before thou wilt labor to save their Souls? The devil he laboreth to destroy Souls; and how few be there that do labor to save Souls? He may carry away the poor soul, and none labours to take the soul from him. We should be watchful and vigilant for souls; for our own souls. and others souls: because this enemy is always taking opportunities to destroy souls. ⟨p. 53⟩Sure it argues that you have very little Lov• to Jesus Christ, that you do no more for souls. That you have little zeal for Jesus Christ, and that you have little Love for your Brethren, that you take no more care for their souls. It may be you are careful for the bodies of those that are under your charge; but how little do you for their souls? How many live without the worshi of God in their Families? Without Catechizing their Children or instructing them? And think they have done well if they provide for their bodies. Oh, but man God will find out thy neglects: it was their souls that was thy charge also. If you look onely after their bodies, this you will do for your swine. And will you do no more for your Childrens souls than for your swine? many are ready to say as Cain, am I my Brothers keeper? If this be not the language of thy tongue, is not this the language of thy Life? What dost thou do for thy brother to save his soul from death?
