The saints everlasting rest, or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory wherein is shewed its excellency and certainty, the misery of those that lose it, the way to attain it, and assurance of it, and how to live in the continual delightful forecasts of it and now published by Richard Baxter ...

SECT. V.* 1.1

4. ANother sort that have excellent advantages for this duty, is men that have wealth and authority, and are of great place and command in the world, especially that have many that live in dependance on them. O what a world of good might Gentlemen, and Knights, and Lords do, that have a great many of 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 your honor and riches from God? and is it not evident then that you must employ them for the best 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 op∣portunities

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 then they do God him∣self; Your frown will do more with them, then the threatnings of the Scripture, They will sooner obey you, then God: If you speak to them for God and their souls, you may be regarded, when even a Minister that they fear not, shall be despised. If they do but see you favor the way of Godliness, they will lightly counterfeit it at least, to please you, especially if they live within the reach of your observation. O therefore, as you value the honor of God, your own comfort, and the Salvation of souls, improve your in∣terest to the utmost for God. Go visit your Tenants and neigh∣bors 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 respecter of persons, your flesh is of no better mettal then theirs, nor wil the worms spare your faces or hearts any more then theirs; nor will your bones or dust bear the badge of your Gentility, you must all be equals when you stand in Judgment. And therefore help the soul of a poor man as well as if he were a Gentleman: And let men see that you excell others as much in piety, heavenliness, compassion, and diligence in Gods work, as you do in riches and honor in the world.

* 1.2I confesse you are like to be singular if you take this course: but then remember, you shall be singular in glory, for few great and mighty, and noble are called.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 5.
• * 1.2

  1 Cor. 1.26.