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. VII.

* 1.12. THe second and chief word of advice that I would give you, is this, Do not think that all your work is in your studies, and in the Pulpit. I confesse that is great, but alas, it is but a small part of your task. You are Shepheards, and must know every sheep, and what is their disease, and mark their strayings, and help to cure them, and fetch them home. If the paucity of Ministers in great congregations (which is the great unobserved mischief in Eng∣land, that cryes for reformation) did not make it a thing impossible in many places, I should charge the Ministers of England with most notorious unfaithfulness, for neglecting so much the rest of their work, which calleth for their diligence as much as publike Preaching. O learn of Paul, Act. 20.19, 20, 31. to preach publik∣ly, and from house to house night and day with tears. Let there not be a soul in your charge that shall not be particulary instructed and watched over. Go from house to house daily, and enquire how they grow in knowledg, and holiness, and on what grounds they build their hopes of salvation: and whether they walk uprightly, and perform the duties of their severall relations; and use the means to increase their abilities. See whether they daily worship God in their families, and set them in a way, and teach them how to do it: Confer with them about the doctrines and practice of Religion, and how they receive and profit by publike teaching: and answer all their carnal objections; keep in familiarily with them, that you may maintain your interest in them, and improve all your interest for God. See that no seducers do creep in among them, or if they do, be diligent to countermine them, and preserve your people from infection of Heresies or Schismes: or if they be infected, be diligent to procure their recovery; Not with passion and lordliness, but with patience and condescension: As Musculus did by the Anabaptists, visiting them in Prison where the Magistrate had cast them, and there instructing and relieving them, and though they reviled him when he came, and called him a false prophet, and Antichristian seducer, that thirsted for their blood, yet he would not so leave them, till at last by his meekness

and love he had overcome them, and recovered many to the truth and to unity with the Church.

Have a watchful eye upon each particular sheep in your flock: Do not do as the lazy separatists, that gather a few of the best to∣gether, and take then only for their charge, leaving the rest to sink or swim, and giving them over to the Divel and their lusts, and except it be by a Sermon in the Pulpit, scarce ever endeavoring their salvation, nor once looking what becomes of them. O let it not be so with you! If any be weak in the faith, receive him, but not to doubtful disputations. If any be too careless of their duties, and too little savor the things of the Spirit, let them be pittied, and not neglected;* 1.2 If any walk scandalously, and disorderly, deal with them for their recovery with all diligence, and patience; and set before them the hainousness and danger of their sin: If they prove obsti∣nate after all, then avoid them and cast them off; But do not so cruelly as to unchurch them by hundreds & by thousands and separ∣ate from them as so many Pagans, and that before any such means hath been used for their recovery. If they are ignorant, it may be your fault as much as theirs; and however, they are fitter to be in∣structed then rejected; except they absolutely refuse to be taught. Christ will give you no thanks for keeping, or putting out such from his School, that are unlearned, when their desire or will is to be taught. I confesse it is easier to shut out the ignorant, then to bestow our pains night and day in teaching them; but wo to such slothful, unfaithful servants! Who then is a faithful and a wise servant,* 1.3 whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his houshold, to give them their meat in due season, according to every ones age and capacity? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall finde so doing. O, be not asleep while the woolfe is waking! Let your eye be quick in observing the dangers and strayings of your people. If jealousies, heart burnings, or contentions arise a∣mong them, quench them before they break out into raging, un∣resistible flames: As soon as you discern any turn worldly, or proud, or factious, or self-conceited, or disobedient, or cold, and sloth∣ful in his duty; delay not, but presently make out for his recovery: Remember how many are loosers in the loss of a soul.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 7.
• * 1.2

  Rom. 14.1.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 24 45.46