True gain, opened in a sermon preached at Pauls, Nov. 9. 1656

6. We should therefore all be exhorted, 1. Seriously to study the worth of a soul, the spiritualness, the immortality of it, the image of God after which it was both created and renewed, the glory reserved for it if it stand, the wrath prepared for it if it fall. 2. To walk as men that have souls, many walk as if they had nothing but bellies to fill, and backs to clothe, fancies to be tickled with vanity, eyes and ears to look after pleasure, brains to entertain empty notions, and tongues to utter them, but their souls serve them to little other purpose, them as salt to keep their bodies from stinking. Socrates wondered when he observed Statuaries, how careful they were to make stones like men, and men in the mean time by their carelessness, turning themselves in to very blocks and stones. 3. To secure the salvation of the soul, to take heed of exposing our principal Jewel unto rapine and miscarriage.¹ Keep thy hurt, saith Solomon, with all diligence. Prov. 4.23. Give all diligence, saith Peter, to make your calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1.10. that so we may never be without the comforts of God to delight our souls, Psal. 94.19. that we may be able to say as David did, Return to thy rest O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee, Psal. 116.7.4. To prize the means of that salvation, and to encourage the Ambassadors of Christ, as those that watch for your souls, and unto whom is committed the ministry of reconciliation. They study, pray, watch, labour, and sweat for you, Esteem them highly ⟨p. 28⟩in love for their works sake, 1 Thes. 5.13. It is recorded for the honour of Hezekiah that he spake comfortably to all the Levites, who taught the good knowledge of the Lord, 2 Chorn. 30.22. And of Nehemiah, That he took care of the Offices of Gods House,