The Saints' Everlasting Rest

2. And in the way of our callings, every good Christian is a Teacher, and hath a charge of his neighbours soul. Let it be only the voice of a Cain to say, Am I my brothers keeper? I would have one of these men, that are so loath that private men should teach them, to tell me, What if a man fall down in a swoon in the streets, though it be your father or superior; would you not take him up presently, and use all means you could to recover him? Or would you let him lye and dye, and say, It is the work of the Physician, and not mine: I will not invade the Physicians calling? In two cases every man is a Physician. First, In case of necessity▪ and when a Physician cannot be had: and secondly, in case the hurt be so small, that every man can do it as well as the Physician. And in the same two cases every man must be a Teacher.

2. And in the way of our callings, every good Christian is a Teacher, and hath a charge of his neighbors soul. Let it be only the voice of a Cain to say, Am I my brothers keeper? I would have one of these men, that are so loath that private men should teach them, to tell me, What if a man fall down in a swoon in the streets, though it be your father or superior; would you not take him up presently, and use all means you could to recover him? Or would you let him lye and dye, and say, It is the work of the Physitian, and not mine: I will not invade the Physitians calling? In two cases every man is a Physitian. First, In case of necessity▪ and when a Physitian cannot be had: and secondly, in case the hurt be so small, that every man can do it as well as the Physitian. And in the same two cases every man must be a Teacher.

Object. Some will further object, to put off this duty, That the party is so ignorant, or stupid, or careless, or rooted in sin, and hath ⟨p. 491⟩been so oft exhorted in vain; that there is no hope. Ans. How know you when there is no hope? Cannot God yet cure him? and must it not be by means? and have not many as far gone been cured? should not a merciful Physician use means while there is life? and is it not inhuman cruelty in you to give up your friend to the devil and damnation as hopeless, upon mere backwardness to your duty, or upon groundless discouragements? What if you had been so given up your self when you were ignorant? Object. But we must not cast pearls before Swine, nor give that which is holy to Dogs. Ans. That is but a favourable dispensation of Christ, for your own safety: 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 they will hear, you have encouragement to speak, and may not cast them off as contemptuous Swine. Obj. O but it is a friend that I have all my dependence on, and by telling him of his sin and misery, I may lose his love, and so be undone. Answ. Sure no man that hath the face of a Christian will for shame own such an objection as this: Yet I doubt it oft prevaileth in the heart. Is his love more to be valued then his safety? or thy own benefit by him, then the salvation 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 for ever in Hell, then thou shouldst lose his favour, or the maintenance thou hast from him? Object. But I hope, though he be not regenerate and holy, that he is in no such danger. Ans. Nay then, if thou be one that dost not believe Gods word, I have no more to say to thee,