N17286:532
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.
4. Another sort that have excellent advantage for this duty, are men that have wealth and authority, and are of great place or command in the world, especially that have many who live in dependence on them. O what a world of good might gentlemen and lords do, that have a great many tenants, and that are the leaders of the country, if they had but hearts to improve their interest and advantage! Little do you that are such, think of the duty that lies upon you in this. Have you not all honour and riches from GOD? Is it not evident then, that you must employ them for the advantage of his service? Do you not know who hath said, That to whom men commit much, from them they will expect the more?
4. Another sort that have excellent advantage for this duty, are men that have wealth and authority, and are of great place or command in the world, especially that have many who live in dependance on them. O what a world of good might gentlemen and lords do, that have a great many tenants, and that are the leaders of the country, if they had but hearts to improve their interest and advantage! Little do you that are such, think of the duty that lies upon you in this. Have you not all honour and riches from GOD? Is it not evident then, that you must employ them for the advantage of his service? Do you not know who hath said, That to whom men commit much, from them they will expect the more?
You have the greatest opportunities to do good, of most men in the world. Your tenants dare not contradict you, lest you dispossess them or their children of their habitations: they fear you more, than the threatenings of the scriptures; they will sooner obey you than GOD. If you speak to them of GOD. and their souls, you may be regarded, when even a minister shall be despised. O therefore as you value the honour of GOD, your own comfort, and the salvation of souls, improve your interest to the utmost for GOD. Go visit your tenants' and neighbours' houses, and see whether they worship GOD in their families, and take all opportunities to press them to their duties. Do not despise them, because they are poor or simple. Remember, GOD is no respectre of persons; your flesh is of no better metal than theirs; nor will the worms spare your faces or hearts any more than theirs; nor will your bones or dust bear the badge of your gentility; you must be all equals when you stand in judgment; and therefore help the soul of a