The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

1. Our hearts must be affected with the misery of our brethren's souls.
We must be compassionate toward them, and yearn after their recovery and
salvation. If we earnestly longed for their conversion, and our hearts were
solicitous to do them good, it would set us at work, and God would usually
bless it.
2. We must take every opportunity that we possibly can to instruct them
how to attain salvation. If the person be ignorant, labor to make him
understand the chief happiness of man; how far he was once possessed of it;
the covenant God then made with him; how he broke it; and what penalty he
incurred; and into what misery he brought himself. Teach him his need of a
Redeemer; how Christ mercifully interposed, and bore the penalty; what the
new covenant is; how men are drawn to Christ; and what are the riches and
privileges which believers have in him. If he is not moved by these things,
then show him the excellency of the glory he neglects; the extremity and
eternity of the torments of the damned; the justice of enduring them for
wilfully refusing grace; the certainty, nearness, and terrors of death and
judgment; the vanity of all things below; the sinfulness of sin; the
preciousness of Christ; the necessity of regeneration, faith, and holiness, and
their true nature. If; after all, you find him entertaining false hopes, then urge
him to examine his state; show him the necessity of doing so; help him in it;
nor leave him till you have convinced him of his misery and remedy. Show
him how vain and destructive it is to join Christ and his duties to compose
his justifying righteousness. Yet be sure to draw him to the use of all means;
such as hearing and reading the word, calling upon God, and associating with
the godly: persuade him to forsake sin, avoid all temptations to sin,
especially evil companions, and to wait patiently on God in the use of means,
as the way in which God will be found.
But, because the manner of performing this work is of great moment,
observe therefore these rules: Enter upon it with right intentions. Aim at the
glory of God in the person's salvation. Do it not to get a name or esteem to
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