§. 6. Direct. 6. Exercise your Compassion and Charity to mens souls, as well as to their Bodies; and 1speak to your patients, such words as tend to prepare them for their change. You have excellent opportunities, if you have hearts to take them. If ever men will hear, it is when they are sick; and if ever they will be humbled and serious, it is when the approach of death constraineth them. They will hear that counsel now with patience, which they would have despised in their health. A few serious words about the danger of an unregenerate state, and the necessity of holiness▪ and the use of a Saviour, and the everlasting state of Souls, for ought you know, may be blest to their conversion and salvation. And it is much more comfortable for you to save a soul, than to cure the body. Think not to excuse your selves by saying, It is the Pastors duty: For though it be theirs ex officio, it is yours also, ex charitate. Charity bindeth every man, as he hath opportunity to do good to all; and especially the greatest good. And God giveth you opportunity, by casting them in your way: The Priest and Levite that past by the wounded man, were more to be blamed for not relieving him, than those that never went that way, and therefore saw him not, Luk. 10. 32. And many a man will send for the Physician, that will not send for the Pastor: And many a one will hear a Physician that will despise the Pastor. As they reverence their Landlords, because they hold their estates from them, so do they the Physician because they think they can do much to save their lives. And, alas, in too many places the Pastors either mind not such work, or are insufficient for it; or else stand at odds and distance from the people: so that there is but too much need of your charitable help. Remember therefore that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins, Jam. 5. 20. Remember that you are to speak to one that is going into another world, and that must be saved now or never! And that all that ever must be done for his salvation must be presently done, or it will be too late. Pity humane nature, and harden not your hearts against a man in his extreme necessity. O speak a few serious words for his Conversion (if he be one that needs them) before his soul be past your help, in the world from which there is no return.
§. 6. Direct. 6. Exercise your Compassion and Charity to mens souls, as well as to their Bodies; and 1speak to your patients, such words as tend to prepare them for their change. You have excellent opportunities, if you have hearts to take them. If ever men will hear, it is when they are sick; and if ever they will be humbled and serious, it is when the approach of death constraineth them. They will hear that counsel now with patience, which they would have despised in their health. A few serious words about the danger of an unregenerate state, and the necessity of holiness▪ and the use of a Saviour, and the everlasting state of Souls, for ought you know, may be blest to their conversion and salvation. And it is much more comfortable for you to save a soul, than to cure the body. Think not to excuse your selves by saying, It is the Pastors duty: For though it be theirs ex officio, it is yours also, ex charitate. Charity bindeth every man, as he hath opportunity to do good to all; and especially the greatest good. And God giveth you opportunity, by casting them in your way: The Priest and Levite that past by the wounded man, were more to be blamed for not relieving him, than those that never went that way, and therefore saw him not, Luk. 10. 32. And many a man will send for the Physicion, that will not send for the Pastor: And many a one will hear a Physicion that will despise the Pastor. As they reverence their Landlords, because they hold their estates from them, so do they the Physicion because they think they can do much to save their lives. And, alas, in too many places the Pastors either mind not such work, or are insufficient for it; or else stand at ods and distance from the people: so that there is but too much need of your charitable help. Remember therefore that he that converteth a sinner from the errour of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins, Jam. 5. 20. Remember that you are to speak to one that is going into another world, and that must be saved now or never! And that all that ever must be done for his salvation must be presently done, or it will be too late. Pity humane nature, and harden not your hearts against a man in his extream necessity. O speak a few serious words for his Conversion (if he be one that needs them) before his soul be past your help, in the world from which there is no return.
- 1Direct. 6.
