The winning of a Soul unto God, very acceptable with God. [ 608]
MEmorable is the story of Pyrrhias, a Merchant of Ithaca, who on a time seeing an aged man captive in a Pyrats Ship,* 1.1 took compassion on him, and re∣deemed him, and with him bought likewise his Commodity, which the Pyrat had taken from him, being certain ••arrels of pitch: The old man perceiving, that not for any service that he could do him,* 1.2 nor for the gain of his commodity, but meer∣ly out of charity, Pyrrhias had done this, presently discovered unto him, a great mass of Treasure hidden in the pitch, whereby he grew exceeding wealthy, having, not without divine providence obtained an answerable blessing for so good an act of Piety. Now if God so bountifully requite the Redemption of a poor old man, de servitute corporeâ, from a corporal servitude, how much rather should every man contend to the utmost of his power, Ministers in the Pulpit, Magistrates on their benches, Masters in their families, every one by a good example to win a soul unto God,* 1.3 to ••edeem his Brother from the thraldom of the Devil, which is to save a soul from death. And for which they shall be honoured with the name of Savi∣ours, and their reward shall be that they shall shine like stars, for ever and ever.