The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

thyself; or to bring men to depend upon thee, or to get thee followers; but in
obedience to Christ, in imitation of him, and tender love to men's souls. Do
not as those who labor to reform their children or servants from such things
as are against their own profit or humor, but never seek to save their souls in
the way which God has appointed. Do it speedily. As you would not have
them delay their return, do not you delay to seek their return. While you are
purposing to teach and help him, the man goes deeper in debt; wrath is
heaping up; sin taking root; custom fastens him; temptations to sin multiply;
conscience grows seared; the heart hardened; the devil rules; Christ is shut
out; the Spirit is resisted; God is daily dishonored; his law violated; he is
robbed of that service which he should have; time runs on; death and
judgment are at the door; and what if the man die, and drop into hell, while
you are purposing to prevent it! If, in the case of his bodily distress, you
"must not say to him, go and come again, and tomorrow I will give, when
thou hast it by thee;" how much less may you delay the succor of his soul!
That physician is no better than a murderer, who negligently delays till his
patient be dead or past cure. Lay by excuses, then, and all lesser business,
and "exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin." Let your exhortation proceed from
compassion and love. To jeer and scoff, to rail and vilify, is not a likely way
to reform men, or convert them to God. Go to poor sinners with tears in your
eyes, that they may see you believe them to be miserable, and that you
unfeignedly pity their case. Deal with them with earnest, humble entreaties.
Let them perceive it is the desire of your heart to do them good; that you
have no other end but their everlasting happiness; and that it is your sense of
their danger, and your love to their souls, that forces you to speak; even
because you "know the terrors of the Lord," and for fear you should see them
in eternal torments. Say to them, "Friend, you know I seek no advantage of
my own: the method to please you, and keep your friendship, were to soothe
you in your way, or let you alone; but love will not suffer me to see you
perish, and be silent. I seek nothing at your hands but that which is necessary
to your own happiness. It is yourself that will have the gain and comfort if
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