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The saints everlasting rest
The saints everlasting rest: or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory: extracted from the works of Mr. Richard Baxter, by John Wesley, M.A. late fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford.
Philadelphia: printed by Prichard & Hall, 1790
Part 2 › Chapter 12: An Advice to some more particularly to help others to this Rest.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But as this duty lieth upon all in general, so upon some more especially, according as GOD hath called or qualified them thereto. To them therefore more particularly I will address my exhortation: whether they be such as have more opportunity and advantages for this work, or such as have better abilities to perform it.
1. All you that GOD hath given more learning and knowledge to, or endued with better utterance than your neighbours; GOD expecteth this duty especially at your hand. The strong are made to help the weak, and those that see must direct the blind. GOD looketh for this faithful improvement of your parts and gifts, which if you neglect, it were better for you that ⟨p. 234⟩you never had received them: for they will but further your condemnation, and be as useless to your own salvation as they were to others.
1. All you that GOD hath given more learning and knowledge to, or endued with better utterance than your neigbours; GOD expecteth this duty especially at your hand. The strong are made to help the weak, and those that see must direct the blind. GOD looketh for this faithful improvement of your parts and gifts, which if you neglect, it were better for you that ⟨p. 234⟩you never had received them: for they will but further your condemnation, and be as useless to your own salvation as they were to others.
2. All those that have especially familiarity with some ungodly men, and that have interest in them, GOD looks for this duty at their hands. Christ himself did eat and drink with the publicans and sinners, but it was only to be their physician, and not their companion. GOD might give you interest in them to this end, that you might be a means of their recovery. They that will not regard the words of another, will regard a brother, or sister, or husband, or wife, or near friend: besides that the bond of friendship doth engage you to more kindness and compassion.