The saints everlasting rest

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.

3. Physicians that are much about dying men, should in a special manner make a conscience of this duty: they have a treble advantage. First, they are at hand. Secondly, they are with men in sickness and dangers, when the ear is more open, and the heart less stubborn than in time of health. He that made a scorn of godliness before, will hear counsel then, if ever he will hear it. Thirdly, besides, they look upon their physician as a man in whose hand is their life: or who at least may do much to save them, and therefore they will the more regard his advice. Therefore you that are of this honourable profession, do not think this a work besides your calling, as if it belonged to none but ministers; except you think it besides your calling to be compassionate, or to be christians. Help to fit your patients for heaven, and whether you see they are for life or death, teach them both how to live and how to die, and give them some physic for their souls, as you do for their bodies. Blessed be GOD that very many of the chief physicians of this age have, by ⟨p. 235⟩their eminent piety, vindicated their profession from the common imputation of atheism and profaneness.